OLA16 Rites of Passage Mission and Core Values
OLA16 Rites of Passage provides a comprehensive education that supports the development of self-directed young men dedicated to lifelong learning and eager to make a meaningful contribution to the global African community. This education is rooted in the ideals, insights and pedagogical methods of Booker T. Washington, who stated:
OLA16 Rites of Passage provides a comprehensive education that supports the development of self-directed young men dedicated to lifelong learning and eager to make a meaningful contribution to the global African community. This education is rooted in the ideals, insights and pedagogical methods of Booker T. Washington, who stated:
There is no power on earth
that can neutralize the influence
of a high, simple and useful life.
- Booker T. Washington
that can neutralize the influence
of a high, simple and useful life.
- Booker T. Washington
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The OLA16 Rites of Passage Program is an intensive, Yoruba-based approach to teaching Bay Area boys the skills necessary to transition successfully from childhood to adolescence then, into adulthood. Young men completing the 16 challenges of the program will be equipped with the social, cultural, economic and spiritual tools necessary to effect positive change in their lives and communities. Upon completion of the OLA16 Rites of Passage Program, your son will be formally recognized as Omoluwabi. In the Yoruba tradition of West Africa, the person who is responsible, honest, patient, loyal and of good nature is considered Omoluwabi. In the Holy Odu, IreteOgbe, teaches this way:
To jump into the stream And move awkwardly to the bank of the stream To drain out water from the sponge These were the declarations of Ifa to Orunmila The one who abandoned his own concerns And was taking care of other people's concerns He was advised to offer sacrifice He complied Please tell King Alara That I am taking care of my concerns first One's personal concerns are important One's personal concerns are necessary Please tell King Ajero That I am taking care of my concerns first One's personal concerns are important One's personal concerns are necessary Please tell King Owarangun That I am taking care of my concerns first One's personal concerns are important One's personal concerns are necessary - Holy Odu IreteOgbe* Through the OLA16 Rites of Passage Program, youth learn to master their natural gifts and talents so that they can make a more meaningful contribution to their lives, and the lives of the people they are destined to serve. This program teaches, teamwork, leadership, values, responsibility and practical life skills, as defined by the 16 Agreements of Orisa Lifestyle. * Popoola, Solagbade. Omoluwabi. Pg 82 |
Egbe - Age GroupsThere are four primary Egbe (age groups). Each Egbe is divided into 1st and 2nd 'lines':
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Structure
Calendar & Meetings
OLA16 Rites of Passage is a year-round program, with special enrichment activities organized around the school Holiday calendar. During the regular school year, boys meet with their Egbe twice weekly. Parents are also required to participate in obligatory weekly meetings with Egbe Karun (OLA16 Faculty and Volunteers). It takes a village to raise a child. Egbe Karun represents the village. As a parent, you'll make new friends as you work with others in support of your sons. No job is too tough when you're having fun as a member of a parent team, working together to help our boys become great young men.
Curriculum & Method: A Foundation of Truth & Beauty
OLA16 Rites of Passage Program introduces the youth to activities that promote direct contact with the truth and beauty of what it means to be a human being. Yoruba language and culture are taught throughout the Program. All training is administered according to a developmentally-appropriate approach to the Orisa Lifestyle Agreements:
OLA16 Rites of Passage is a year-round program, with special enrichment activities organized around the school Holiday calendar. During the regular school year, boys meet with their Egbe twice weekly. Parents are also required to participate in obligatory weekly meetings with Egbe Karun (OLA16 Faculty and Volunteers). It takes a village to raise a child. Egbe Karun represents the village. As a parent, you'll make new friends as you work with others in support of your sons. No job is too tough when you're having fun as a member of a parent team, working together to help our boys become great young men.
Curriculum & Method: A Foundation of Truth & Beauty
OLA16 Rites of Passage Program introduces the youth to activities that promote direct contact with the truth and beauty of what it means to be a human being. Yoruba language and culture are taught throughout the Program. All training is administered according to a developmentally-appropriate approach to the Orisa Lifestyle Agreements:
- Egbe Kan: [Emphasis on the body, emotion, intuition and concentration] Memorization of poetry, rhymes, African American folk tales and songs, nature stories. Crafts, gardening, hiking, animal care, martial arts, chess. Introduction to the Ose Calendar.
- Egbe Keji: [Emphasis on ancestry, paternal and maternal lineages] Structure and history of West African civilizations, especially Oyo, Benin and Dahomey. Basic construction, plant propagation, food preparation, overnight camping, making herbal medicines. Family research, DNA tracing, martial arts, chess. Family research, (Ancestry.com), animal tracking, Introduction to the 7 day and lunar calendars.
- Egbe Keta: [Emphasis on spiritual community, apprenticeship, marketing, natural gifts and talents] How to perform Ose Ifa. Yoruba business models, including aro (rotating work groups), and esusu (rotating savings groups). Manage operations for OLA16 events, organize fund raisers and take an active involvement in supporting humanitarian advocacy groups.
- Egbe Kerin: [Emphasis on the Supreme Being, divinities, destiny and fate] Project management, organizing, real estate, banking, fund raising. Complete the Isan, Ile Ori, and Isefa ceremonies.
- Egbe Karun: [Emphasis on service leadership] Parents are responsible for learning the fundamentals of Orisa Lifestyle so that they can support their son's participation and development. Additionally, they assist with short-term projects for the Program. This includes money-earning projects, service projects, field trips, holiday camps and ceremonies.