Feminine Empowerment in Anago Orisa'Ifa
For the Anago Ifa'Orisha devotee, everything that we are, were, and will be is enshrined in the holy Oracle of Ifa. Our doubts, questions, and unsureties are clarified by the sacred Odu (oracular scriptures) which constitute the foundation of Ifa. And so, we strive to search through the dibris of our ancestral memories embedded and buried deep in the subconsciousness our past. While in the dream state, we are told that during the primal period of our cultural development, ancient African elders carefully monitored and developed the indigenous system of Ifa ethics and paid close attention to every major activity and social behavior in their world. From this analogy a sophisticated, foolproof, pragmatic framework was developed from which their descendants could live and use as a basis to create wonderful, 'civilized' societies and maintain peaceful existence within the communicty, should they choose. To date, Ifa is one of the few classic religions retentions of our ancient past and is preserved as a viable cornerstone of continental African ethics. Its holy scriptures have survived as the most "in tact", despite the cultural genocide that has either destroyed, devastated or contaminated most other African traditional indigenous systems.

In societies where the patriarchial nature of western ethics predominate, the issue of femininity empowerment and the role of women are constantly being discussed and 'fussed' over. The importance of women in western societies is often underestimated, legally restrained and socially controlled to their detriment. However, the ancient Yoruba although gender specific in their cultural format, were extremely considerate of women and their welcomed importance as mothers to the 'balance' of society.

In this article, we shall reveal the traditional Ifa perspective of how ancient Africa speaks with regards to the issue of femininity and offer it as an optional position that African people can ressurect as we approach the 21st century. We shall use data presented in the Odu's Osa Megi and Oshe'Tura to support our position on the issue of femininity. Let us then observe what Ifa says about one of the most controversial issues of the nineties.

The Orisha who is the embodiment of femininity from the Anago perspective is Oshun. Ancient Babalawos whisper even in today's Orisha temples, that Orisha Oshun continues to have a prominant position of enormous wealth and honor among the Irunmale. But when we study. . . the Oracle also tells us in Oshe'Tura, that in primordial times, it did not start out that way. Quite the contrary, the Irunamle did not welcome the participation of Oshun in the creation of the world, nor did They respect Her special 'gifts'. Ifa teaches that in the beginning of the creation of the world, when the first 'team' of Irunmale were sent to design and prepare the world for habitation, Oshun was commissioned to walk with equal standing among the Irunmale. The aura of the sacred Orisha was so infused with Iwa Pele caused Olodumare to be especially pleased with her that she was given the 'beaded crown' which entitled Her as an honored Elder among them. Indeed, our blessed mother was further provided with the enterage necessary to complete Her court and compliment Her ashe. But, after the Irunmale had given salutations to Ifa, Orunmila noticed that They shunned and ignored Oshun. He asked why none of Them wanted to deal with Oshun, and They replied, "It is because She is female". Orunmila then warned them, "Don't even go there, unless you want your very words (ashe) to perish!" He further told them....if they judge Her feminine nature as a weakness, or strange, or something to avoid and ignore, She is extremely powerful and has a devoted enterage of powerful Irunmale followers who answer only to Her! Once this was revealed, the Irunmale thanked Orunmila and started to consult with Oshun. It was at this point, that Their work made progress!

The Oracle Osa Meji is one of the senior Odu Ifa that dictates the correct protocol that all must use when approaching totality of femininity. Ashe is an African (Yoruba) expression that has a number of generic uses, but its fundamental meaning is, the ability to make something happen, i.e., Power! More specifically, Ashe is that expressed ability when executed, causes a significant, noticeable, and changeable impact upon its subject or the object of its direction. The concept of gender, being the second law of the universe, exists for the purpose of seriality, i.e., order. It is the other part of the 'formula' needed for appropriate maintaining of energy balance. This is the reason why the African ethics are gender specific and world is always considered according to two primary genders; female and male. These two genders must ideally operate at certain frequencies with each other in order for the operations of world order. According to tradition, everything has a predetermined social hierarchy in Africa and is arranged in a strata according to their chronological coming into existence. And a human being is defined according his level of behavioral attributes, i.e., Iwa Pele.

The mandated law that was given to Iya Mi Aje Oshoronga by Olodumare, Supreme Controller of the Universe, in the beginning of creation is enshrined in the sacred Odu, Osa Meji which says,
"Your Ashe (AH-SHEY) shall be to sustain the world...
That Ashe shall be a bird contained in a covered calabash.
Exercise your Ashe with caution!

offtopic.gifOk I am trying to understand the elements of negative energy that is practice among Black Women using Vodun Religon. There are some women who use it to get men to do what they want or even to destroy his relationship with a person's signifigant other. Please explain!! There are too many Black women both African,Carribean ,Black American ,and African Latino who are in their 20's and 30's ,and 40's are using Vodun to their own advantage to make men weak.

Please Explain!!!!!! I do have respect for others beliefs ,but i have watched women use Voodoo the wrong way.

First and foremost, Orisa'Ifa or the Anago version of it is not the same as Vodun or Voodoo as white people like to call it. But they could be worshipped in tandem, as they are similiar in some respects.

So far as "women using Voodoo in the wrong way" - I understand your comment, but respectfully amend it so folks don't misinterpet things. In essence, yes some women (and men) are using Voodoo incorrectly. But this does not reflect on Voodoo, it reflects on that woman or man. Voodoo is based in morality and ethical structure. There are consequences in legitimate Vodun communities for using spiritual power to manipulate or control people.

Also, women have an innate power within themselves that requires no initiations or training to tap into. Now training may make them more proficient or more ethical in how they choose to use it. However because Afrikans (black people) of the Diaspora are so resistant to learn about their own culture and so brainwashed by christianity and islam in regards to the intent and character of Afrikan spirituality, women never get that training. So some women can actually be doing negative spiritual work, without even knowing it! That is, by the will of their sheer thoughts and words they can create unpleasant situations for their family and mates etc. Are women inherently bad? No. Should they be encouraged to seek and develop their spiritual capabilities? Yes. Should they be careful how their purposefully use other spiritual techniques, like use of menstrual blood? Yes, very much so. And smart men, learn how to avoid being the victim of both subconscious and conscious work by women, just like women need to learn how to not be victims of the subconscious and conscious spiritual and physical work that men have been doing for the last 500 years to persecute the woman. This is led by white men and mimmicked by men of color that are now his captives, lackeys and uncle toms (in all sense of the word - political, cultural and spiritual).

As a brother I honor the power in women, but also encourage the responsible use of such power. But Voodoo is the problem. The problem is that the more we live in western culture the more likely we are to apply our spiritual power with "their" ethics, which can result in misuse.

First let me say I forgot a word in my last post.

I meant to say, "As a brother I honor the power in women, but also encourage the responsible use of such power. But Voodoo is NOT the problem. The problem is that the more we live in western culture the more likely we are to apply our spiritual power with "their" ethics, which can result in misuse.

There are numerous Orisa. Some are Olokun, Osun, Yemoja, Esu, Sango, Ogun, Ifa, Ochoosi, Osanyin, Obatala, Dada, Irinle, Obaluaye, etc. Each of these Orisa is but a characteristic or manifestation of ONE God, Olorun. They are simply parts of a whole.

Within You the characteristics of being stern, happy, gentle, loving, protective, angry, war-like, peace-like, generious, stingy, spiritual, mental, active, inactive all exist - but you are still one. But when I come to you I approach the part that is most conduscive to my needs. If I need $100 I dont go to the meditative part of you, you wont be interested in mundane earthly needs, nor do I go to the stern part of you, you might not want to loan me any money with a great list of stipulations, but I could go to the side of you that is very generous or kind. Afrikans are practical in this way when approaching Olorun. We can not approach the FULLNESS of Olorun, but we can section out parts or identities and appeal to that aspect of the ONE to get our needs met and our spiritual evolution rolling.

Use of Spiritual Power is based on Ethics. Our Ancestral or Family Lineage teachs us right and wrong. We should look to the most respected and accomplished amongst our family to determine some sense of Right and Wrong. This is part of the reason why we respect Eldership so much. No person is great enough to embark on a spiritual or social journey without the wisdom of those older than her/himself. No one.

When cultivating and using spiritual power we should ask ourselves many question like:

1. Am I building or tearing down community?
   Am I getting even or resolving a conflict?
   Am I supporting the greater good or the lesser ego?
   Am I growing up or growing attached to my present self?
   Am I able to put "we" before "I"?
   Would my favorite and most moral Ancestor do this act?

ChubbiChix wrote:
There are a number of Japanese inspired "cartoon" characters that are named after Afrikan Deities. Personally, I find it replusive especially since they do not do the same thing with their own Spiritual Beliefs.

There will always be weak minded men guided by European and Arabic orientation that are afraid of female empowerment. As a brother that broken both of those yokes from my life, its not an issue for me (Thank you Olodumare-God) as it serves only to keep Black men and women at odds, which works to the advantage of others.

Orisa'Ifa is not Voodoo by the way. I will add the link to the spiritual traditions currently practiced in western nations so you can see the difference.

6 Indigenous Afrikan Spiritual Systems (Religions) Practiced in the West (See that Voodoo, Vodun and Anago Orisa'Ifa are seperated out)