#vodoun

Rituals, Possession, Sacrificial Offerings, Symbolism

from Kafou: Haitian Art and Vodou, the exhibition catalogue

This field recording was made during a family funerary ceremony at the vodun temple palace grounds of his majesty, Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II in Agondji, Ouidah. The women chanting are the matriarch elders of the family.

Recorded by Nayetési

Veneration ritual to bring forth prosperity and abundance into the house.

I recently received my results for my ancestry DNA test. One of the main reasons is because I wanted to be able have a tie to ancestrial work. My family on my mother's side was told we are indigenous, but that isn't enough information to go on. Even if I knew what tribe exactly etc, it is still closed practice and I have no one to teach me.

The information I received shows my ancient ancestors were mainly in Nigeria and Camaroon which means they most likely practiced Yoruba or Vudoun. In order to practice and work with the Orisha (the Yoruba "deities"), I would have to be initiated, which I cannot be. I have instead chosen to devote a part of my life to recognizing them (though they may not recognize and work with me in return due to me not being initiated).

The Orisha I found that stood out to me are Orunmila, Osanyin, Yemoja, and Oya.

Orunmila is the Orisha of knowledge, wisdom, divination and prophecy.

Osanyin is the Orisha of herbs, healing, magic and protection.

Yemoja is the Orisha of motherhood, water, moon and creation.

Oya is the Orisha of winds, change, revolution, and death/rebirth.

These are areas of my current practice that I feel drawn to. Does this mean I practice the Yoruba religion? No, I can't perform the rites or rituals of Yoruba religions, but I can incorporate those attributes of the Orisha into my life as a connection to my ancestors who did practice.

The first thing I did was to learn about the practices in the Yoruba religion online and in books (waiting for the books I requested to reach my library). I is great to read how connected to the energy of the earth and universe this practice is. That is how I found the Orisha that I gravitated toward.

Now I understand that all of this is more than likely on the surface. Like how a person might gravitate towards a celebrity, but that celebrity doesn't even know they exist. The person buys merchandise with the celebrity's face on it and quotes things they say, but ultimately it's for them as a person because there really is no connection to the ACTUAL celebrity. -- I get that --

When I get excited about things, I like to create. So after researching, I created divination cards with the Orisha I liked. These are for me. Unless I am ever initiated, I would not sell them for others to use without the understanding that I am not a practicing Yoruba initiate. The cards, though they have representations of the Orisha, really channel my own energy and connection with the elements/lunar energy.

I will not write about them on my @stardustnsorcery blog since this is personal subject and that blog is a business blog.