Yes, Black is King.

From references to baby Moses flowing down the river in a wicker basket, to painting faces using what looks like efun, a native West African white chalk that is used in religious ceremony, to women walking to the shore holding baskets of flowers on their heads and others with calabashes in their hands – and that’s just the first few minutes – this visual album is a spiritual experience if there ever was one. For me, Black is King showcases the depth of Afro-Diasporic religiosity by highlighting that following Jesus doesn’t mean one has to relinquish, ignore and demonize indigenous ancestry and ways of understanding the brilliance and vast interconnectedness of Olorun’s creation.     

Orisha Divination is Not Fortune Telling

by Iyalorisa Melissa Olosun People often come to Orisha religions and think the first step they should take is to get a reading. While divination is absolutely important in all of the Orisha religions, it is usually not the very first step one would take. North Americans are quite familiar with Ouija boards, tarot cards, crystal balls,

Screening: Xirê dos Orixás

Yemoja & Candomblé

Documentary: Orisha Xirê

Xirê is the word used in Candomblé to describe a drumming feast for the Orisha.

Documentary: Odo Ya! Life With AIDS

Before modern medicine, indigenous people around the world took care of themselves with medicine from the earth.  There was always someone in the community with knowledge of herbs who could help heal the sick, and even prevent illness. During and immediately following slavery, where Africans and their descendants in the diaspora seldom had access to

Orisha Religion & Maintaining Success

On our journey to success, it’s not enough to have a plan and be responsible. It’s also important to safeguard the plan – even being secretive at times – in order to ensure the plan’s success. Orisha wants us to be successful. Orisha religion, through, prayer, divination and sacrifice, provides the tools we need to be met with success.

“What is Ori and Why do I Need a Bori?”

One of the basic beliefs in Candomblé is that harmony is essential, and in order to have harmony there must be balance.

But in Candomblé They Only do Head & Foot…

I’m not sure where the myth began that Candomblé initiations are done “head and foot,” but it’s a grave misconception.

Yemanja and Juneteenth

Maintaining the practice of honoring Yemanja at the ocean is important, because it is intricately linked to honoring the ancestors of our religion. Without them, we wouldn’t have Candomblé.

Yoruba Dance From West Africa Across the Atlantic

There are many similarities and differences to be observed when comparing Yoruba religion in West Africa and the Yoruba diaspora. Scores of ritual songs for the Orisha are similar in both Brazil and Cuba. While the drums and rhythms of Candomblé Ketu and Lukumi are different, many of our dances are quite similar. When the

Worshipping Orixá isn’t About Expecting Miracles

When we make ebo, it’s not a business transaction we’re making with Orixá; we need water, but water doesn’t need us.

A Refuge in Thunder: Dr. Harding Lectures About Candomblé

A Refuge in Thunder, by Dr. Rachel E. Harding, takes a close look at the trajectory of Candomblé in its Brazilian home as a religion of resilience and affirmation of a Black identity in Brazil.