HOTEP
Hotep, which is also commonly known as and
spelled Hetep, is a concept of ancient Kemetic ori-
gin. It originally meant “to rest,” “to be happy,”
“to be present,” “to be at” or “to go to rest,” “to
rely upon,” and “to be at peace with.” Ancient
Kemites were a peace-loving people and consid-
ered Hotep to be not just a part of everyday
vocabulary, but a concept that extended beyond a
calm demeanor or behavior.
The ancient Egyptians used this concept mainly
as a salutation or greeting.Hotepwas also used
during the course of call and response ceremonies,
such as found in many parts of Africa. Although it
is widely believed thatHotepwas used mainly in
greetings, the spoken word possesses a physical
bioenergetic aspect. Delivered by the way of
word–sound–power, ancient Egyptians believed
that words have the ability to transmit either pos-
itive or negative energy depending on the inten-
tion behind the utterance.
In fact, Hotep (or peace, ease, and rest) was
attained by living out the precepts or laws of
Maat, the way. Maat represents truth, balance,
reciprocity or justice, and right actions. The 42
laws of Maat manifest how a person may achieve
a “peaceful” demeanor, experience, and life. This
may be the origin of the 10 Commandments and
other man-made laws. There is also a widely rec-
ognized literature or doctrine of Ptah-Hotep,
which embodies the concept of Peace.
Furthermore, according to Nefer Amen, hotep
is the often unrecognized conception underlying
human endeavor as this state of serenity is a pur-
pose for living. Hotep, in this view, is the master
and primordial energetic configuration of the
spirit. This is what people desire and most need,
and it is the highest goal of meditation. It is not a
state of peace that depends on outward conditions,
such as with money, weapons, or lifestyle; neither
is it running away from the trials and tribulations
of life. Believers thought that this knowledge or
relationship and connectedness to the divine power
is what brings about happiness or hotep. Implicit
in people’s quest for happiness is the urge not only
for emotional gratification, but also for security,
and there is nothing that can give one more secu-
rity than the acquisition of this divine power.
Believers in the power of hotep assert that bal-
ance and peace can be attained by being elevated to
one’s original primordial level of being in the sub-
jective realm. Eternal peace or hotep can only be
truly achieved when people elevate themselves to
the highest part of their being, their spiritual selves.Elizabeth AndradeSeealsoMaatFurther Readings
Amen, R. U. N. (1990).Metu Neter(Vol. 1):The Great
Oracle of Tehuti and the Egyptian System of Spiritual
Cultivation. Brooklyn, NY: Kamit Productions.
Jacq, C. (2006).The Wisdom of Ptah-Hotep:Spiritual
Treasures From the Age of the Pyramids. London:
Constable.
Myers, W. W. (1905).Hotep:A Dream of the Nile.
Cincinnati, OH: Robert Clarke Company.HOUNGAN
In the Haitian religion of Vodu, a priest who
serves as a leader in performing rituals and cere-
monies is referred to as the houngan or Hungan.
The Houngan or “chief of the hun” is the name
associated with men leaders within the Vodu reli-
gion, whereas women of the same position are
referred to as mambo.
It is believed that houngans obtain their posi-
tion through dream-like encounters from gods or
loasof the Vodu religion. During these dream-like
visions, houngans are chosen to be servants of the
religion, and, as such, they are expected to oversee
burials, child birthing, healing/cleansing rituals,
and other religious ceremonies. In addition to the
advisory role, the houngans perform and lead rit-
ual dances, songs, and chants to evoke a Lwa. It is
a common belief among Vodu followers that if a
person is visited by a particularloaand does not
wish to become a houngan, he or she will be
threatened with sickness and/or death if he or she
does not submit to theLwaand serve the religion.
A common misconception about houngans in
the Vodu religion is that they are witchdoctors
and practice “magic” against an individual. In318 Hotep