Embarking on a Journey: Discovering the Sacred Afro-American Traditions
Greetings, dear readers, Mo Júbà! Allow me to introduce myself as Baba Tilo de Àjàgùnnà, a humble seeker of wisdom in the Afro-American traditions. I am honored to be part of this diverse and rich tapestry of cultures, having been initiated into the Brazilian Ifá traditions of Candomblé, Umbanda, and Catimbó. My lineage traces back […]
Peregun: The Sacred Plant Bridging the Worlds of Orisha and Loa
STARTING WITH A QUOTE FROM THE SACRED CORPUS OF ODU IFÁ “Pèrègún Ní Í Pe Irúnmolé L’át’òde Òrun W’áyé.” Peregun calls the gods from the heavens to the earth. BACKGROUND In the Afro-Brazilian religions of Ifá, Candomblé, and Santería, the plant Peregun plays a significant role. It is considered a sacred plant and is associated […]
Understanding Time in African Spirituality: Insights from Odu Ifá, Iroko, and Kitembo
AN AFRO-BRAZILIAN PROVERB ABOUT TIME “O Tempo dá,O Tempo tira,O Tempo passa,E a folha vira.” “Time gives,Time takes,Time passes,And the leaf turns.” (Proverb Candomblé) A FUSION OF AFRICAN SPIRITUALITY AND WESTERN PHILOSOPHY In the realm of spiritual and philosophical thought, time has been a subject of contemplation and debate across cultures. While African spiritual traditions […]
Orishá Kitembo and Iroko: Time-Honored Deities
ABOUT ORISHÁ KITEMBO AND IROKO In the rich mosaic of African spiritual heritage, two figures command awe and respect: Kitembo, known as Tempo in certain Afro-Brazilian traditions, and Iroko, a cornerstone of the Yoruba religion. These deities, deeply ingrained in the rituals of Brazilian Candomblé and beyond, stand as timeless emblems of the natural world […]
Orishá Yemanjá: The Mother of Waters and the Sea
INTRODUCTION TO ORISHÁ YEMANJÁ – THE MOTHER OF THE SEA AND OF ALL ORI Let’s dive into the captivating realm of Orishá Yemanjá, a deity of profound significance in the Yoruba religion and its diasporic manifestations such as Candomblé, Santería, and Umbanda. Yemanjá, also known as Yemoja, Iemanjá, or Yemaya, is a goddess intertwined with […]
The Origins and First Steps of Brazilian Candomblé
THE PRE-PHASES OF CANDOMBLÉ In almost all introductory books on Brazilian Candomblé, the history of “Engenho da Casa Branca” is described as the origin story of Candomblé. This is probably correct in the sense that it was with this Terreiro that a clear organization emerged, gaining public recognition relatively quickly. However, this portrayal of history […]