 Those who would have you believe that so-called Yoruba religion is enough are unaware of Yoruba civilization, which is saturated with spiritual consciousness but never to the point of ignoring the practical dimensions of farming, statecraft, warfare and family organization. According to philosopher Adébáyò Adésànyà, “this is not simply a coherence of fact and faith, not of reason and traditional beliefs, nor of reason and contingent facts, but a coherence of compatibility among all the disciplines. A medical theory e.g., which contradicted a theological conclusion was rejected as absurd and vice versa. This demand of mutual compatibility among all the disciplines… was the main weapon of Yorùbá thinking. God might be banished from Greek thought without any harm being done to the logical architecture of it, but this cannot be done in the case of the Yorùbá… Philosophy, theology, politics, social theory, land law, medicine, psychology, birth and burial all find themselves logically concatenated in a system so tight that to subtract one item from the whole is to paralyze the structure of the whole.”
My work has always been infused with a high level of social responsibility. Today, the Orisa Community Worship in Oakland takes full advantage of the local penchant for activism. I give reverence to Orisa Sango, the most celebrated leader in the Yoruba pantheon. May we collectively activate the spirit of right governance in the Bay Area Orisa Community. Ase!!! Check out 3 ways you can support the effort:
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 Love for a slave is not for the slave's sake
An impoverished king is unable to lead An indebted slave cannot grow old enough To claim he will not serve a master anymore... - Holy Odu IdiLarin Money enables decision making. A poor man says, "I have an idea." But a man with money says, "I am going to do this." Individually and collectively, the ability to practice self determination is largely defined by degrees of financial independence. And while it is essential to consult Ifa, perform sacrifices and observe taboos, it's equally important to adhere to practices that are proven to increase financial liberation. The Agbole Foundation of America (AFA) is an innovative, charitable service organization that uses financial & educational vehicles to fulfill our purpose, which is to make the art and practice of Orisa Lifestyle accessible to practitioners around the world. Underlying all of our work, however, is a strong commitment to redefining the use of money in human development. At AFA, we frame all of our efforts according to a set of core values. We have no endowment, and our ability to accomplish our mission rests on the generosity of our investors and donor advisers. Our Mission: To make money work for the Good Condition. Our Core Values Giga | Elevation: Money is meant to serve the highest intentions of the human spirit. Otito | Trust: People are best served when the use of money is based on long-term relationships. Afarabale | Discipline: Economic success will be defined by balancing social, spiritual and ecological impact, not by financial results alone. Egbe | Collaboration: The strategic integration of social networks will be increasingly important in the circulation of money. Aseyori | Innovation: A deeply entrepreneurial culture is required to generate breakthrough ideas at the intersection of social change and finance. Idogba | Equality: All who seek to align their values with their money will be granted access to opportunities for investing, lending, and giving. Yoruba Adages on money Kose e mani: The indispensible one Owo ni koko: Money is the key Sure lere: Patience is profitable Ibanuje ni ojo ori, owo l'agba: knowing your age is sad, money is the eldest (Age without money is sad) Olowo n soro... talika loun ni "idea": The rich man speaks and is obeyed... the poor man on says "I have an idea" Owo ni keke ihinrere: Money is the engine (bicyle) of the gospel Oogun ti a o f'owo se, ehin aaro ni gbe: A spiritual medicine bought cheaply has little value Owo eru kii gb'oro: Money should acquired in a clean way Ise l'oogun ise: Hard work is the antidote for poverty Far from being considered simply the root of all evil or what makes the world go 'round, the Yoruba tradtitionally see money as a multifaceted, LIVING entity. It has its virtues and vices and must be respected as an integral element of our earthly sojourn. Lest we forget "Earth is a marketplace. Heaven is our home." Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.OrisaLifestyle.com  What is the meaning of AGBOLE?In the simplest language, the Agbole is the extended family dwelling, where the young and old work and play together. Here, family songs and vocational traditions are passed from generation to generation. Agbole is also where the seeds of orisa lifestyle are sown. That is, the child who has learned to make an ancestral mask, or pounded yam has gained self-discipline and practical skills. The Agbole aspires to help practitioners of orisa lifestyle to cultivate the radical will necessary to change our world. Our approach represents the appropriate balance between "what" to practice and "how" to practice it. Balanced methodology is particularly important in the earliest stages of devotion, when the foundation for all further intellectual and social development is laid. However, whereas most contemporary temples tend to over-emphasize spiritual materialism, the Agbole methodology takes place in such a way that development continually affirms individual purpose in relationship to the greater community, taking into account her age, culture and maturity. For example, in the earliest stages of orisa devotion, when the learning curve is very steep, it is typical for people to clamor for the "data dump" of massive amounts of songs, chants and elaborate rituals. The Agbole approach is quite different. Instead of bombarding the devotee with abstract trivia, or over exposing him to sacramental rituals, we create a rich, familiar environment in which the individual can impose her creative will onto real life problems. Then, when the individual is introduced to any kind of specialized information, ritual or dream experience, it happens within the context of how she is responding to the real needs of her day-to-day life. Within this context, it is easier for each member of the Agbole to play a significant part in socializing younger members and motivating them to uphold certain standards of excellence.
Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.OrisaLifestyle.com  Ogbe saw death and ran
Bad things are uncommon Uncommon One cast divination for the leopard The leopard said he would not be common If he becomes three in the bush all the animals would run The leopard offered k'eleku cloth Don't you see how beautiful the leopard looks? But his character is not welcoming The leopard's eyes give one concern The leopard's character is appalling The leopard used beautiful clothes for the offering The leopard's skin is more beautiful than any other animal It is the leopard's character that dissuades us from following him - Holy Odu OgbeSa Sometimes, solitude is the price you pay for success. Of course, this is not the ideal, nor even the standard for all to follow. But for some, there is an inevitable truth coded into their destinies. They will never belong to a pack. Perhaps it is their predatory nature, or their extreme independence. Whatever the case may be, such people will have to content themselves with a few, choice relationships, which complement an otherwise prolific and expansive career. It is important, however, to note that the leopard types, who are beautiful to behold, but impossible to live with, are not doomed to total isolation or loneliness. You can - and should - cultivate deep and meaningful relationships with people who are capable of understanding you and who appreciate the dynamics endemic to partnering with you. Learn to accept yourself and it will be easier for others to do the same. Live the medicine! Obafemi Origunwa, MA | www.ObafemiO.com 
Orunmila said: Osewori None of us sent ourselves into the world. All of us are here to complete the errands given to us by our ancestors. Each of our lineages have been ordained by Olodumare to uphold some divine principle. Through honoring the Ancestral Promise and feeding the spirit of our lineages, we render service to Olodumare. This is what prompts the Yoruba to sing: We will perform our family rites We will perform our family rites No religion - no way! No religion will prevent us from performing our rites We will perform our family rites Live the medicine! |
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