Iya l’Orisa

world of Rivers — Gratitude Ancestors

feed what feeds life
Gratitude Africa, Comemmorative Plate
Stoneware, underglaze colors, pastels, 11.75″ diameter, © 2020

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Conjure! and the Cemetery Sweeping Ritual

Conjure! is a class at California College of the Arts taught by Shylah Pacheco Hamilton. The Cemetery Sweeping Ritual has been done annually by members and friends of Ile Orunmila Oshun since the 1980’s. It is a community service ritual for ancestors who reside in untended areas of Piedmont Cemetery, Oakland. In recent years Professor Hamilton and CCA Students have also participated in the ritual.
Click on the photograph to visit the Conjure! page

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Clay Vessels for Orisha and Ancestors

I make unique custom made clay vessels by commission; shown are two Oshun pots on a bembe altar © 2020.
LINK to Clay Vessels for Orisha & Ancestors Gallery page
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Etu Cloth

Indigo dyed silk and cotton weavings, custom made by commission. This is a weaving in-progress, still on the loom, © 2020.
LINK to Etu Cloth page
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Festival of the Bones II, What is Remembered Lives

Festival of the Bones II is a collection of personal writings, stories and portraits about ancestors and ancestor reverence practices by members and friends of Ile Orunmila Oshun, published by Orikire Press, 2010; I was a Contributor and Co-Editor on the project. The book is paperback, currently distributed by Lulu Press, $18, Purchase your copy with this LINK for Lulu.com
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Orin ire, Songs for Orisha & Ancestors

Orin is Yoruba for songs, ire means good fortune. Orin ire is my ongoing research of Orisha songs, melodies, lyrics. It includes comparative study of Yoruba, Lukumi and Brazilian versions of songs; and for some, developing English translations. I also record songs mainly to support teaching students who are studying or on the path of Orisa, and occasionally write original songs.

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being white in Orisa, Guidelines for Respect & Relationship on the path of Iwa Pele

In Orisa tradition our prayer is that each person’s best spiritual development and destiny for this life be realized. As humans we must fully engage and collaborate with all relations in bringing goodness to the world. Being white in Orisa, is a teaching and learning project for encouraging understanding and the practice of good character (iwa pele). The format is workshops, the work involves learning and examination of the structures and protocols of Ifa Orisha community, white privilege, white supremacy, and how white people’s racist behaviors—conscious or not, can negatively impact ourselves and our relationships with Orisa elders and community. Contact me by email for more info.