Category Archives: Candomblé

I wrote this to help folks getting involved know how to deal with taking a ritual bath, something that happens a lot if you get involved in an Afro-Brazilian spiritual tradition. I hope it is useful. How to Take Your … Continue reading →

Anyone that knows me knows I hate taking recourse in divination. Nonetheless, every now and then I pull out the shells and get to it, or, even seek out an elder and ask them to let me have it. Talking … Continue reading →

Otun ~Sinuka ~ Kuya The Water Pot In every Orisha shrine, and in just about any ceremony or ritual in our traditions, there is always a small container of fresh water set out. A gourd, a clay vase, cup or … Continue reading →

A friend of mine asked me last Sunday about “meditative” or “contemplative” practices in Candomblé or Orisha practices in general and also asked about the nature of “possession” or “trance” that is such a notable hallmark of our tradition. I … Continue reading →

Lekeleke nwọn o ye n’dudu; Ni funfun, n’funfun ni nwọn ny’ẹyin ti wọn; Agbigbo nla a bi fò ragajigan l’ẹgan Da fun Tẹla Òkò Egrets do not lay black eggs; They lay their eggs white, very white; A big, black … Continue reading →

Before the beginning of things, before nothing was called something and when something was just nothing, there was only a calabash filled with the power of waiting creation. In that calabash together, seemingly forever, were Obatala and Odudua. They were … Continue reading →

Ìpẹpẹrẹ ìmọ ni farabalẹ ni jogunda Da fun Orunmila Ifa nlọ ba wọn mulẹ budo Nita Iku nita Arun, Nita Ajogun Mẹrẹrindilogun Te nbẹ lode oṣalaiye. Slender-Palm-Frond-is-Patient-In-Taking-Its-Revenge Revealed the way to Orunmila when he was looking for a place to … Continue reading →

This afternoon, finishing up a class where he’d taught us some intricate, complex sung prayers, Ogan Jorge lead us in singing a final prayer of gratitude to the Orisha: “Paô, mojubá. Paô, mojubá. Mojubá, mojubá, mojubá eyin. Olojoni mojubá…Ogum Alakoro mojubá…Oxum … Continue reading →