Iyaami and the others.

Read without prejudice even if the conclusion is not what you have read or been taught. This is not about Iyaami per se but those who are not or find themselves somewhere in between. Those who for the purpose of this writing I will refer to as "the others". It is my belief that there are humans who have been blessed with special power/gift from the most high that are not necessarily a witch/iyaami/aje depending on the terminology you chose to use to describe such people. Tagging every one as Aje/Iyami/witch is disrespectful. I said that because, not every one want to be looked at as a witch. It could be because of historical stereotype or just because they are not one. Also, not everyone will be welcome by the mothers. So it is disrespectful to both sectors. On the other hand, people are so easily to tag themselves as Agba/Aje/Iyami without proper education and understanding of who they are and the source of their power. They are quick to pronounce themselves Iyaami. It could be that Iyaami is the most common group of powerful women known per history, so there are no terms readily available to describe "the others" who may be as much powerful within themselves, live freely and go unrecognized. Those who can sit down, get into trance, create a scenarios in their head with their mind and have it manifest in reality. Those who are not necessarily "evil'. Due to the fact that this territory have not been deeply explored, It may not be a fallacy to say or assumed that 'the others' derived their powers from the same source as the mothers or mimic the same power structure. Yoruba spiritual history do not provide us any other alternative to properly address them and put them in the right position spiritual wise.That been said, just because it was not mention doesn't mean it was non functional. So who are "the others"? When I know more about them, I will surely write about them. They could be the natural healer, those with powerful Egbe, the vivid dreamers, the Emere's e.t.c. I am not insinuating that Iyaami are all evil or so terrible to the extent of not wanting to associate with them. On the other hand, I want the term to be use appropriately.

What ails you? Spiritual Tourist.

                                             Aboru Aboye

              I have read Facebook posts in the past about people who go to Africa for Initiation and come back with little or no knowledge and no training. What I find amusing is that most people who travel home for whatever it is rarely spent more than two weeks in Nigeria.  I don't think it is possible for anyone to attend a medical school and ultimately become a certified Doctor within one year let alone two weeks. 

              People have different reasons for returning home, some people go back to motherland to get initiated and for initiation only and not to enrolled in studentship, some embark on pilgrimage for personal development alone and to find their path, while for some, its for the purpose of becoming a practicing priest or priestess.

           

  Whatever your reasons are for going to Africa for spiritual pilgrimage, it is important to make your intention and purpose known to the people who are going to be accommodating, initiating you, educating you in order for them to be able to propel you in the right directions. That been said, most of the things you will be able to learn within the short time of your visit will be preliminary, but if you had already educate yourself before you embark home, you will be able to understand the process better.

                     

              Majority of the people back home in Nigeria are not aware of  how deep the root of the religion is here in America, Brazil or any other countries and most especially, the extent of knowledge that people from outside world possesses. So there is a tendency of been treated like a baby even though many have practicing for extended period of time. 

             The cultural difference played a lot of role when it comes to acquiring knowledge. Even though a Yoruba proverb said "a bere ona kii sina" meaning he who ask for direction will not miss his way. The culture still have a no no about asking some questions especially in the spiritual cycle where most things are treated as secret. If you ask suspicious questions, the gate will be shot at you. Watch, observed and ask the right questions. This is because some information is released to students based on the level of commitment and tenacity.

             

              So how does one learn if one cannot ask questions? It is not that one cannot ask questions, but some people frame the questions in an investigative way. Some information are only revealed to the people that I will refer to as Baba, these are real sage Baba and Iya not the two years initiate ones or religion newbies. One need to know how to be humble and romance the elder in such a way that they will feel comfortable to share. There need to be a measure to bridge the gap and ensure free flow of information for those who are willing and committed.

               We all know how expensive the journey is, so make good of your time while at home and make your intentions known, so as not to return as an unhappy child or client. I will round this up by sharing the Fisher King story with you.

               What ails you? This is the right question that the knight must ask the Fisher King in the Grail Legend. In one version of this legend, the king lives in his castle with the grail. He has a wound that does not heal and all about him, his kingdom is a wasteland. He can only be healed when a knight finds the castle and the grail and asks the right questions. Only then will the king return to health and the land becomes green and fertile again. If the knight does not ask the question, the castle vanishes and the knight must start the search for the grail all over again.

In this legend, a Jungian interpretation is that the Fisher King represents the Self: his wound is a symbol of the split between the rational mind and the self or the divine aspect of our being. The wound never heals unless the right question is asked; unless we begin to do self-inquiry, contemplating, “Who am I?” or as the legend states, “What ails you? This form of self-inquiry leads us on the path to wholeness. 

                 Many of us are like the knight who arrives at the castle and sees the king but fails to ask the question. We are spiritual tourists; we go to visit sacred sites, we go to meet venerated spiritual teachers, we read spiritual books and fall in love with the trappings of spirituality. We miss the opportunity to truly begin the hero’s journey that will bridge the divide between the ego and the Self. It is fitting that the path to wholeness is called the hero’s journey because it takes courage, a willingness to be stripped of what ails us; our ego and its accoutrements.....

                                           Ire o

                    Ela boru, Ela boye, Ela bo sise

Call your Ancestors.

“let us call him

 Let us call Ifa

Let us invoke the spirit

So they can hear us in heaven”

         Ancestral worship is almost universal in Africa. The goal of ancestor veneration is to ensure the ancestors' continued well-being and positive disposition towards the living, and sometimes to ask for special favours or assistance.

        

         I was at a point in my life where I was facing so many obstacles.I had a deep meditation and prayer before I went to bed and had a dream about seeing an elderly man. I sat down with him and pour my innermost to him. He told me not to worry and he called some other people within reach and told them to get some materials and get ready to do work for me. He started making prayers for me and he gave me all kind of  medicines. I was in tears all through the process because I have so much emotion lock within. 

      When I woke up in the morning, I went to my father house and explain the dream to him. He told me that was my grandfather in my dream helping you. I was surprised as he had long passed before I was born. I started asking my dad questions about his father and that was how I reconnect with my grandfather and  I eventually had to get my own ancestral object made and I make it a priority to communicate with him and every other person I have as ancestors. I love to share my testimonies to give people hope and help them build their faith and remain firm in it. 

          In life, there are times when you will going along without a care in the world and nothing to weigh you down, then without warning you hit a great impossible. Do not let yourself sink under the pressure of uncertainty. Sometimes the only actions require by us doing trouble times is to call upon our ancestors.

        Maybe you are facing adversity in physical, emotional, or financial area of your life. Do not panic, do not dwell in worries, it won't fix anything. Call upon your ancestors. Pray!

      Even when it seems there is no way out. Call them. Open your heart, ears and mind and listen to the truth spoken through them by Olodumare. Keeps these in mind whenever you face adversary.

                               

          Iba fun Egungun

          Iba fun Ara Orun

          Iba Baba mi

          Iba Yeye mi

          Eje n ri temi se.

       

         Homage to Egungun

         Homage to the Ancestor

         Homage to my father

         Homage to my Mother

         Do let me prosper.

                  Ase o!

                                     Ifangelist Ifayemisi Elebuibon