I’ve been told, if I know where I came from, it can make my life easier to navigate. Self-knowledge is not only freeing, but can also be beneficial as far as making adjustments and corrections to one’s outlook and day to day living patterns. It can also assist in achieving what we came here to do by identifying our purpose. Here are a few of my thoughts on certain topics. Look for more with the coming of my second book, in the spring of 2024! And, check out the pictures and videos below, from my travels and experiences!
Ifa Initiation in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, West Africa 2016
Singing at Church!
EgbeOgba (Comrades in Heaven): Experiences of a New World Initiate
(This paper was originally written for presentation at the Association for Dream Studies Conference in 2001, Modesto, California, and has since been revised)
I have been a dreamer for as long as I can remember. Messages come to me in my sleep and manifest over a period of time. I was accident prone, as well as somewhat sickly at times during my infancy and childhood. As an adult, my Nigerian godfather consulted with me, and suggested I receive ancient initiation rites that would “be most beneficial to my development.” I did as he suggested in 1996 in Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria. This document is the beginning of further study, research and experiences. My goal is to share information, shed some light on activities that manifest in many people’s lives and hopefully provide a level of understanding of other cultural perspectives on aspects of human spiritual, psychological, and emotional life. Remember: as an “unseen” energy, the human mind is one of the most phenomenal, powerful, mysterious and complex energies in the universe. Also consider, certain behavior traits and potentials are passed along through family lineages, just like hair and eye color. Some of the behavioral tendencies we display, we got honest! Investigate your family history and see what you come up with.
The term “Egbeogba” is a name given to a group of what are described as child-like, sometimes mischievous energies that when recognized and worked with, can provide one great support. The word “egbe” means society, and “egbeogba” means “the group does not accept”. (“The group is precocious” sounds like it might be appropriate as well!) When unrecognized or otherwise not worked with, “they” through the energy they exude, can be somewhat disruptive. Sometimes MAJOR disruptive… (*continued)
*(The above paper is included in my second book, which will be published in the spring of 2024. Look for the complete paper at that time)
© Barbara J. Barrett 2001, revised March 2020
Culture R Us. Can You Hang?
As a child, I used to go camping every summer. I liked being outside and I was fascinated by most creatures. Just, not spiders until the last five years or so. I’ve heard a lot of people say when they get frustrated with the state of affairs in the US, how they’re going back overseas to live. But, I’ve only known of four to actually do so.
I don’t want to relocate that far away because my family and friends are still here. I would miss them more than I do now, and the thought of it being so expensive and challenging to return to see them, or have them visit me, is overwhelming. For that reason, I’ll stay here, although dual citizenship or right of abode may work. I STILL enjoy my trips home. They give me life! I decided not to write a lot this week. Instead, I’m going to give you video and pictorial food for thought.
The change in culture is noticeable upon arrival in the airports. Almost exclusively, people of color traveling and working; the language difference; the laid back atmosphere, but the hustle on the streets; the “lack of” what we’d call “order.” First, let’s look at the hustle in the first video. I ain’t mad at him, but I was in awe of him. Running alongside of even slowly moving traffic, carrying a case of bottled water on your head is like some stuff a trainer might have you attempt to do in the gym!
As much as we complain about traffic control, I can definitely see a beneficial side to having it. On the other hand, in all honesty, I did not see as many fender-benders or wrecks in West Africa as I do here in the US. A week here versus a week there? This is what I observed. What about you? Would you choose the laxity in traffic control or the popo speed traps? And what about road rage, especially given the political, cultural and racial climate here in the US, and the aggravation post-COVID?
Finally, there’s the issue of ADLs or, “Activities of Daily Living.” When I was young, I remember the wringer washing machine for a really short period of time before the automatic washing machine took over. Even after the acquisition of the washing machine and accompanying clothes dryer, my mother would oftentimes choose to hang the bed sheets outside in the sun on the clothesline. Her reasoning was they smelled so fresh! Well, of course now they have Fresh Scent dryer fabric softener sheets. Nope, not the same. There was no clothes dryer where we stayed in Nigeria or Ghana but the clothes always smelled fresh and clean.
Water was dipped from a well the first two stays in private homes. The third time there was running water and indoor plumbing. See the well below? The water was drawn and dipped out every morning and stored for the day’s usage in that huge plastic canister. The teenage girls carried the water from the well outside, to the indoor canister, on their head.
I had a system for using that water and avoiding “contamination” as it applied to not swallowing any, as well as not over using it so they’d have to haul it again. It wasn’t that deep because I was used to improvising from my camping days, and liked it. Again, who needs a gym when you do that back and forth walking with a bucket of water on your head?
Finally, this gives new meaning to mashed potatoes. Well, mashed yam. Make that, pounded yam, which it’s actually called. It’s really good, a staple food in their culture, used for “sopping up” thick soups and stews. I tried pounding yam. Some of y’all know I don’t like upper body or arm workouts at the gym, right? I only do it because I need upper body strength, I wanna be cute in strapless, back out dresses, I like my arms toned, and I wanna catch myself if I start falling. Well, I’ll tell you what, I was happy for some level of upper body strength when I was trying to pound those yams! And all of that kitchen equipment was clean as could be, I guarantee you it was.
Plan to take a trip to your ancestral land. Whatever your ancestry, go check out where your people came from. Walk in the dirt, bring some dirt home, tour, take some pictures, eat the food, talk to people. I’ve been blessed with four trips to West Africa and will go again, God-willing. It’s through experiences such as these, that we’ll gain greater understanding of who and why we are.
That goes for ALL of us, and ALL of our ancestry. Everyone living has ancestors. Do a Sankofa move and “go back and get it” and be honest with what’s found. That’ll help tremendously with healing.
Copyright Barbara J Barrett (Osunnikantomi Egbeninhun Ajoke Ifabosede) September 2020
(The track below was recorded live in concert for Black History Month at St Agnes Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio, 2008. Danny McElroy Sr, keyboard; Danny McElroy Jr, organ; Tyrone Grady, lead guitar; John Vega, bass; Marty Hughes, drums; Keith McKelley, sax; and myself, Barbara Barrett, vocals. Cover art Larry G. Lyles, © 2008 This song is in the public domain.)
“Ori mo ja ju won. Eni ori, da kola fa ra we o.”
“Head is a better defender. One whose head is good has no equal.”
What’s most important to me is destiny and purpose, gentleness of character, and the condition of my Ori. The concept of one’s Ori, or “one’s own head” is of primary importance in Ifa theology. My primary teacher in Ifa is Awise Agbaye (spokesperson to the world for Ifa) Dr. Ogunwande Abimbola. It’s because of him that I’m able to take a scholarly approach to the theology, compare it, and pass it on to others. The concept of Ori is truly universal, despite one’s choice of belief.
The African American church is still extremely important in the history of African Americans in the US. The need to adapt under horrific conditions forged a bond that’s been lasting despite historical challenges. In my humble opinion, both spiritual perspectives are important so as not to erase ANY parts of our history, no matter what process we choose to approach life.