November 2017 – Afro-diasporic Religiosity

Documentary: Orixa Ninu Ile Part 3

Orixa Ninu Ile is a documentary about Candomblé that takes viewers through Ile Axe Opo Afonja in Bahia to take a look at specific Orisha and their worship. This documentary truly is a gem, and I’ve been working on translating and adding subtitles. The full documentary is about 30 minutes long. In order to translate theContinue reading “Documentary: Orixa Ninu Ile Part 3”

Documentary: Orixa Ninu Ile Part 2

Isokuso – How Yoruba Language Influences Candomblé

by Iya Melissa Isokuso means slang in Yoruba. While it’s undeniable that African languages did not survive as living languages in Brazil, there are several words – used by folks who are not even members of Afro-Brazilian religions – that have become part of the colloquial vocabulary. Isokuso, a documentary by Dionysios Kostakis, takes us toContinue reading “Isokuso – How Yoruba Language Influences Candomblé”

Documentary: Orixa Ninu Ile

Understanding Tradition – a reflection

Those who study and practice the African derived religions of the diaspora often develop questions that we can’t easily find the answers to. Sometimes, the impulse is to look outside of the traditions of the diaspora to explain the norms that have developed in the diaspora over time. While the many traditions that developed inContinue reading “Understanding Tradition – a reflection”

Women Combat Religious Intolerance

by Iya Melissa In 2014, Marcos Rezende premiered his documentary, “Mulheres de Axé,” (Women of Axé) during New York City’s Brazil Week. I had the pleasure of attending the presentation of his work on this project – the documentary and a photo book capturing important images of women in Candomblé. The documentary is subtitled inContinue reading “Women Combat Religious Intolerance”