School of Orisa Studies
EGBE META: Akoda, Aseda, Agbongbon
Host Guidelines
You have been selected to host an egbe meeting. This makes you a leader in the School of Orisa Studies and the Orisa Lifestyle Academy. As a host, you have the opportunity to support other students, who will look to you for guidance.
Consistency is key. Your fellow students and Oluwo will expect you to be on time every time, ready to facilitate a high quality learning experience. If you cannot attend a meeting, it is important that you contact Oluwo ahead of time so that alternative arrangements can be made.
Duties of a Host
Purpose of SOS
The School of Orisa Studies is a program of the Orisa Lifestyle Academy. It is especially designed for men, women and families of African descent, who wish to learn and practice Orisa Lifestyle, be it the Continental or Diaspora variation. The purposes of SOS are as follows:
EGBE MEETINGS
In many ways, the weekly egbe meeting is the glue that holds the SOS together. From beginning to end, there should always be something happening creating a focus, capturing and maintaining the members’ attention, and providing the grounds for rewarding experiences. There should be a period set aside to learn new things that are useful and relevant, moments that are amusing and entertaining, and opportunities to put skills into action in ways that are challenging and fun. Members should leave the meeting feeling invigorated, feeling good about Orisa Lifestyle, and feeling good about themselves.
Before Meetings
Meet with Oluwo at least 30 minutes before each meetings to clarify and organize the following:
During Meetings
After Meetings
Meet with Oluwo for at least 15 minutes after each meetings to clarify and organize the following:
You have been selected to host an egbe meeting. This makes you a leader in the School of Orisa Studies and the Orisa Lifestyle Academy. As a host, you have the opportunity to support other students, who will look to you for guidance.
Consistency is key. Your fellow students and Oluwo will expect you to be on time every time, ready to facilitate a high quality learning experience. If you cannot attend a meeting, it is important that you contact Oluwo ahead of time so that alternative arrangements can be made.
Duties of a Host
- Know the purpose of the School of Orisa Studies
- Help students achieve the purpose of the School of Orisa Studies
- Be the interviewer/activities assistant during meetings
- Set a good example of attitude, as well as attire (i.e., African)
- Participate in weekly meetings
- Know the main message of the present itadogun
- Meet as is needed with Oluwo and other hosts
Purpose of SOS
The School of Orisa Studies is a program of the Orisa Lifestyle Academy. It is especially designed for men, women and families of African descent, who wish to learn and practice Orisa Lifestyle, be it the Continental or Diaspora variation. The purposes of SOS are as follows:
- Teach five ritual skills:
- Ose calendar
- Ijuba
- Oriki Esu, Egungun, Ori, Ifa, Osun, Ogun, Obatala, Sango, Oya
- Dida obi
- Bibo obi, orogbo, omi, oti, epo, iyo, oyin
- Teach wisdom of the Holy Odu
- Symbolism
- Messaging
- Collective application
- Personal application
- Teach sustainable habits and lifestyle
- Social justice (i.e., African liberation)
- Cultural alignment (i.e., African habits and values)
- Economic empowerment (i.e., African wealth generation and succession)
- Ecological protection (i.e., Africa and anywhere African people call home!)
EGBE MEETINGS
In many ways, the weekly egbe meeting is the glue that holds the SOS together. From beginning to end, there should always be something happening creating a focus, capturing and maintaining the members’ attention, and providing the grounds for rewarding experiences. There should be a period set aside to learn new things that are useful and relevant, moments that are amusing and entertaining, and opportunities to put skills into action in ways that are challenging and fun. Members should leave the meeting feeling invigorated, feeling good about Orisa Lifestyle, and feeling good about themselves.
Before Meetings
Meet with Oluwo at least 30 minutes before each meetings to clarify and organize the following:
- Make sure the setting/meeting space is appropriate (including seating, audio/visual, materials and props).
- Create a theme, taking into consideration what you want the members to think, feel, say and do by the end of the meeting.
- Itemize the sequence of events or activities with estimated times
- Overview songs, chants and prayers
- Define the transitions from one activity to the next
During Meetings
- Opening Ceremony
- Invocation
- Song
- Prayer
- Outline of Agenda
- Topic of Main Lesson
- Main Lesson
- Discussion/Feedback
- Closing Ceremony
- Gratitude
- Summary
- Next steps
After Meetings
Meet with Oluwo for at least 15 minutes after each meetings to clarify and organize the following:
- What happened, as opposed to what was planned
- Things to continue
- Things to change
