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IG: symoneseven

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Chikodi Añunobi, Nri Warriors of Peace (2006).

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Navajo sand paintings or dry paintings, are called “places where the gods come and go” in the Navajo language. They are used in curing ceremonies in which the gods’ help is requested for harvests and healing.

The symbolic figures in the sand paintings are representations of certain stories in Navajo mythology. They depict objects like the sacred mountains where the gods live, or legendary visions, or they illustrate ritualistic dances and chants.

After the sand painting is blessed, the patient sits on the painting while the chanter performs a ritual to enhance the absorption of its healing power. Immediately afterward, the remains of the painting are taken outside to an area north of the hogan, where they are returned to the earth.

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Cuba is home not only to Lukumi, or Santeria, but to a variety of Afro-Cuban religions and societies. The four most well-known are: Lukumi; Arara; Palo; and Abakua. Other, less well known Afro-Cuban religions include: Cuban Vodú (Haitian Vodou in Cuba); and Bembe muertera de sao (an old, rural form of Afro-Cuban religion that shares much in common with Palo and Vodú). Due to the non-exclusivity of West and Central African religious cosmologies, practitioners may practice a number of these religions at the same time, though this practice is done separately. In Lukumi, it’s generally believed that Lukumi’s kariocha ceremony to priesthood must be the last and thus most important initiation received, due to the Orichas’ royal status.

Lukumi (first photo)

Also known as la regla de Ocha or Santeria, Lukumi is by far the largest Afro-Cuban religion and has spread globally since the Cuban Revolution. Lukumi centres on the worship of Orisha - Yoruba deities - and is organized through decentralized but hierarchical ilés (houses). There are three forms of priesthood within the religion: Olorichas (who become Iyalorichas and Babalorichas, depending on gender, when they initiate their own Godchildren); Oriates (ritual masters of ceremony, traditionally women but more recently dominated by men); and Babalawos (straight male diviners initiated into the secrets of the Oricha Orunmila). Lukumi is a largely female-oriented religion, with an historically high prevalence of LGBT practitioners.

Arara (second photo)

Arara is a distinct ethnic and religious group deriving from the Fon people. Their worship centres around deities called fodunces / vodunces, such as Afrekete and Masé. Like Lukumi, they have their own distinct language, songs, and drum patterns. However, the religion has absorbed many aspects of Lukumi and today closely resembles Lukumi structure. Lukumi and Arara priests often work together, particularly around the ceremonies for Asojano (Babalu Aye in Lukumi), who is believed to be Arara in origin. Orichas related closely to Babalu Aye, such as Nana Buruku and Nanu, are also seen as Arara in origin and so Lukumi priests may often employ Arara to work these ceremonies for them. Aspects of Arara have also been absorbed into Lukumi, including a number of songs and word-borrowings. Arara is often said to “not cross water,” and as a result there has been little effort to practice the religion outside of Cuba.

Palo (third photo)

Palo is a Cuban religion derived from the Bantu-speaking peoples of West-Central Africa. Though derisively referred to as the “dark side of Santeria,” Palo is a separate religion. Palo is concerned primarily with nfumbe (spirits of the dead) and mpungo (deities). Palo has a bad reputation due to the use of human bones, however it is a religion based in healing. Palo is divided into several ramas (branches), such as Mayombe and Brillumba, and organized through munansos (communities) headed by Tatas (male priests) and Yayas (female priests). It is a male-oriented religion and traditionally not open to LGBT people (though this is controversial and there are a number of LGBT tatas and yayas out there). It is likely the second most popular Afro-Cuban religion.

Abakua (fourth photo)

Abakua is a men’s secret society that derives from the Ekpe people of Nigeria and Cameroon. Often referred to as the “leopard society,” it’s members are called Ñañígos and are seen dancing in outfits as pictured in the photo. They are highly secretive, so not a great deal is known about them but they have their own language, dance styles, drumming, and religious cosmology.

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The spirits bring light, strength, and serenity when we need it most.

#spirits #espiritismo #misa #healing #elevation #love #strength #devotion #truth

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Temple of Hathor, Dandra.

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“Women aspired to be assimilated with Hathor in the afterlife in the same manner that men desired to ‘become’ Osiris, but the goddess’ relationship to the deceased applied to men and women alike. From quite early times, especially in the Memphite region, she was worshipped as a tree goddess, ‘mistress of the sycamore’, who supplied food and drink to the deceased; and from at least the 18th dynasty she served as the patron deity of the Theban necropolis, where she protected and nurtured royalty and commoners alike, either in the form of a cow or as the anthropomorphic ‘mistress of the west’ who was often depicted welcoming the deceased to the afterlife with purifying and refreshing water. She was considered to receive the dying sun each evening and so it was a desire of the deceased to be 'in the following of Hathor’.”

— The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by Richard H. Wilkinson

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Trip I manifested using my tried and true petition formula to a private cottage with a lake view.

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OBEAH/VOODOO has been demonised because the colonialists feared our AncESTRALS power. The only way they could control us was to put their bible in our hands! Christianity has destroyed our people from inside out! This is changing with our true AWAKENING!

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 Fermina Gómez ( also known as Ocha Bi, timbelese Olodumare meaning at the feet of the Almighty) was a priestess of Yemaya and a child of the two waters (Ochun and Yemaya). She is credited with bringing the secrets of Olokun to Cuba from West Africa. She is also known as the founder of one of the largest ramas or branches of the Lucumi/Santeria religion, the Egwado (named after her village in West Africa). Ferminita was Madrina to Alfredo Calvo, her last surviving godchild. She lived to be 107. Her spiritual name, Ocha Bi, means “Ocha is here.”

I want to add that even though the post above says that she was from Egwado, which I think means Egbado, Egbado is not a village its the name of a clan of Yoruba people who now go by Yewa and mostly inhabit Ogun state in Nigeria. In the early 18th century the Egbado towns(Ilaro, Ayetoro, Imeko, Ipoki, and Igbogila) were subjected to the rule of the Oyo Empire so these parts were very much involved/impacted by the Transatlantic slave trade as slavery was huge sector of the Oyo economy. After the fall of Oyo between the late 18th century and early 19th century, the Egbado were able to achieve independence but Dahomey and other groups of people who profited off slavery would continue to subject the Egbado to slave raids. By the mid 1800’s several Egbado towns were destroyed and the Egbado lost their autonomy, the raids continued until slavery was finally abolished and it became unprofitable. I am not sure what period Ocha Bi or what part of Yorubaland she was kinapped from but its highly likely that she was Egbado. Egwado and Egbado sound very similar when pronounced but in West African Yoruba its spelt differently and as I mentioned earlier Egbado refers to a Yoruba speaking group of people, its not place but there are several towns founded and inhabited by Egbado people. Additionally this is a very brief and condensed part of the history of the Egbado people.

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High John the Conqueror

King, Trickster, Protector and Savoir

Muddy Water - Hoochie Coochie Man

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