The unique anthology that brings together an ensemble of irresistibly charming Yoruba gods was never intended as art. The myth of the seven braves in the forest of ghosts has always been my favorite of all the stories. Although it was written for entertainment, it has instructions and good advice, weird English and literary anomalies. Other fascinating stories include the more important story of Olodumare, the ‘lord of heaven, the almighty’ and ‘supreme one’. This is the sky god and the discerner of hearts. Olodumare is able to do all things, and is the enabler of all who achieve any ends. No one has ever seen this ‘watcher' -- who cannot be found by searching. Yet Olodumare is omnipresent: a mighty, eternal rock, forever constant and reliable. The Olorun (the heavenly ruler) is neither he nor she.
No shrine exists to Olorun, no organized priesthood. Olorun-Olodumare is invoked in blessings or in thanks, and with prayers. Yorubas originally worship the Orishas for divine intervention in their lives. Orishas are considered to be Olorun’s (God) way of intervening in human affairs. Orunmila is said to be `the prophet and structural originator' of the Yoruba religion. The purpose of the Yoruba religion is to achieve “divine consciousness, a balance of an earthly consciousness and a heavenly consciousness."
The book of ways and means of Yoruba epics and scriptures is known as the Odus, most of which has been lost in time. However, worshippers believed that the Odus are inherent and are constantly recreated by the invoker with rhymes and reasons. Oduduwa, the wise king and an embodiment of the Odus, led his people from the Middle East while fleeing from being prosecuted, came to settle and became the founding father of the Yorubas in what is Nigeria (Niger- river-area) today . His story is quite similar to that of Moses. The Yoruba epics are filled with fascinating tales. Their complexity could drive one crazy, but could also make a genius.
Yoruba soul is conscious searching for the right living to bring a person into alignment with the environment either native or foreign with the authentic self. Note that Yorubas do not worship ancestors, they respect them highly. Ancestors who had lived a good life are believed to be able to help their living descendants to also live good lives and to help them through troubles. Yoruba Soul is the reflection of passion and faith of Yoruba-influences from Angola, Brazil, Columbia, Benin, Nigeria, Cuba, Papua, Ghana, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Guyana, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, the United States, Germany, England, Australia, Malaysia, France, Ireland, Mexico and Venezuela and so on. Yoruba Soul is reflected through a combination of these Yoruba cultures as influenced by the interaction with other cultures. Just imagine what kind of products you could derive.
Expect great talents, great music, great food, and expect the aesthetic world of good living. In short, expect great things, because Yoruba Soul is coming soon to your neighborhood.
Golden Fishes in the Dark Sea
Twins Seven-Seven (1944 -), Oshogbo
Yoruba Language Basic Course: Click here to download the study material for free