Ìjo Òrúnmìlà Àti Òrìsà News

What's the Latest

Things are constantly growing and changing in the Ilé. We now have two more ancestors on the way with two members pregnant. Our new babies are expected in January and May. With great anticipation, we await their arrival. We also have two new Ilé members. They are Joy from Key West and Chelesea from Orlando.

We have decided to do some introductions of our group to the larger community, so in the months ahead, expect to see pictures and brief bio on our Ilé members.

Eégún Festival

The Eégún festival is held on an annual basis so that we can strengthen Egbé Eégún activities and develop our community programs as time goes on.

The Eégún Festival held on May 16, 2009 was a great success. The venue was The Indian Mounds in Tallahassee, Florida. It began at 9:00 am with the gathering and seating of Elders. The processional began 10:00 am.

We were blessed with the arrival of Sàngó during the singing and so we took the opportunity to give praise to this great Òrìsà

The Ancestors were very pleased and we are certain that everyone who attended received some particular blessing within a few days after the event.

The 2010 festival is already in the planning stage. It will be in Atlanta. So keep your eye out here for the updates or you can be on our mailing list and receive information about the 2010 festival, simply complete the subscription form below.

There are plenty of pictures in the gallery but here are some example photos from this years festival.

Esusu

What is an esusu you might be wondering? It is a savings plan of sorts in which everyone contributes an agreed upon amount and the money is disbursed at intervals. In that way, you get a lump sum of money that adds up to the amount that you will pay in over the course of the program. For those who have difficulty saving, it is a great way to do so.

Annual Gathering 2009 and 2010

Countdown to the Gathering

127 days
until we're together again in Belize!

July 2009 marked another opportunity to gather in honor and praise of Òrìsà and ancestors. The celebration of our culture included classes including child discipline, sewing, building soap box cars, games for children, nightly story telling which clearly demonstrated the great talents of our members. The rain was present but did not dampen our spirits as we adjusted and readjusted to take advantage of times of good weather. The trip to Lamanai trip was a wonderful opportunity to take a river cruise to the Maya sacred site.

Now, the planning for the Annual Gathering 2010 is in full swing. Egbé Belize has already begun meeting to get plans underway. 2010 is certain to be even better than 2009. The 2010 Gathering is scheduled for July 15--July 29. As the time approaches, Spirit will guide Ìyá with the rituals that will help us grow and connect to that Spirit.

You can see the 2009 Gathering photos and those of earlier years in our gallery.

If you would like to join us in 2010, you can get more information by signing up for our newsletter updates on the form above.

Divination of the Year

And let us not forget the wonderful blessings that we are receiving in fulfilling our obligation to the Odù of the Year, Otura-Elefun-Undere (Otura Ofun), which instructed all Ilé in the Òrìsà Ifá global community to make ebo to receive everything that we want, overcome enemies and to achieve our rightful position.

One major message is that Ifá enjoins all devotees to ensure that every morning we prostrate and lie flat for Ifá While we are in the prostrate position, we will demand for everything we need from Ifá and it shall be granted.

Our Ilé completed the rituals with individuals doing those rituals that they believed applied to their situation. We thank the Elders of Ifá for coming together to perform the rituals and give us the guidance for the year.

Vision Statement

We give great honor to and follow the path laid before us by Olúwo Medahochi Kofi Omowale Zannu (ìbà ará tÒrun) who taught us that since we come from many locations on the continent, we should embrace the complexity of spiritual systems to find the healing and reconnection that we so desperately need.

Our Ilé functions to nurture the tenents of Ìwà Rere (good character) and the reawakening of the very best of Afrikan culture. To accomplish this, we embrace the ideology of Pan Africanism, environmentalism, holistic health, accurate historical education and Spiritual reconnection to Afrikan traditions.

If you like what you have read so far, you may go here and get the whole document.

Member News

Our Children

Imagine the fun that the children had at the Ilé in an Òrìsà treasure hunt. Clues were hidden at points using Òrìsà characteristics to show the way to the clues. At the end the children made a book to show their adventure.

I am Oláníyì the daughter of Omítolá and Olópàádé. I just started school for the first time in my life. I am neearly two years old now and I have the job of keeping my parents on their toes. As a child of Oya, I am always doing things that amaze my parents. It’s my magic. I really love school now that I have checked them out and they are us to my standards.

Our Members Show Their Stuff

Blessings abound in Omiladé’s Ilé! Omiladé celebrated her new home with a wonderful housewarming party. With the help and hard work from family and friends, the event was a great success. The community came out to support her and lend their blessings. Everyone enjoyed fabulous food; delectable drinks, melodious music, and vibrant vibes as we talked, ate, and danced the night away. During that same weekend, she was able to spend some time with her goddaughter Indigo Milan, pictured here with her mother. It was a marvelous time with the spirit of blessings, community and sharing. There is still much work to be done to the home so look forward to visions of the progress that is made in the near future.

Greetings! I am Omítolá. Daughter of Yemoja, Ìyá Omitadé and Margaret Ann. At this juncture in the road, motherhood is coming again for me and I am so excited about it. My husband, Olópàádé and I are the happy parents. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, but it has and I am thankful for it. I had a party devoted to Yemoja on October 16th and it was full of OUTSTANDING! Yemoja loved it and Eégún supported the festivities. There was lots of laughter, singing, dancing, praying, and closeness to spirit and our family. Eégún was definitely present, I could feel them! It was great!

My name is Efúnfúnké . I was born and raised in California and currently live in San Diego. I am in graduate school working towards my CA Teaching Credential and Masters in Education. I love photography, video recording, attending museums related to indigenous cultures, collecting books, tracing genealogy, and traveling. In 1996, I began learning about African spirituality from honoring and calling on ancestors via libations. That was the extent of my spiritual practice and yet, my spirit called for more, something deeper. The call was answered in early 2004. I attended a lecture on the African Traditional Religion of Òrìsà Ifá. The guest speaker was the woman who would later become my Ìyá. I became a member of our Ilé in 2004. My role in the Ilé is to bring a great gift and miracles. I am now a priest of the Egúngún Society. Efúnfúnké is my priest name. It means Obátàlá gave her to be cherished.

Adopt A School

The children of Biscayne School were present when over one thousand dollars in school supplies was presented. Each face is proof that the effort is worth our while.

Want to know what else is going on? Visit our web calendar for the latest in activities.