From the origin to the diaspora - Intro to Women in Yoruba Religion
OBÅ Nanni - The Queen of Oyo
Oba Nanni is a deity (orisha) from the Yoruba Pantheon. In her human form, she was the wife of Shango (God of Thunder and King of Oyo) She was his first wife and Oshun and Oya were her sister wives. Obba Nani is a beautiful, delicate,
and powerful Orisha who brings stability to the home and defends the rights of
women and children.
Medium - Photography on Print
Model: Naomee Musa | Set Designer: Omo Iserhienrhien | Stylist : Crystal Williams | Lighting Designer: Lowel Alomar | MUA: Dijah
Obatala - The child of God
Child of God - The creator of mankind
Obatalá is the sky father, son/daughter of the one God (Olodumare), and creator of Earth and humans He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Though it was Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatala who is the creator of the world and humanity. Obatala s the source of all that is pure, wise peaceful, and compassionate. He has a warrior side though through which he enforces justice in the world. Obatala is androgynous and free of gender, however, Obatala could be male, female, or neither. This asexuality makes Obatala the god of all human beings without regard to gender. Obatala has no patience for gender fights that break out in human communities.
Medium - Photography on Print | Crown and Staff sculpture crafted by Destinie
Model: Tiana Smith | Set Designer: Omo Iserhienrhien | Stylist : Crystal Williams | Lighting Designer: Lowel Alomar | MUA: Dijah
YEMOJA - Queen Mother of the sea and Orishas
Queen Mother of the sea and Orishas
She is the mother of all Orishas. The patron spirit of rivers,
particularly the Ogun River in Nigeria; and oceans in Cuban and
Brazilian orisa religions. She is often syncretized with either Our
Lady of Regla in the Afro-Cuban diaspora or various other Virgin
Mary figures of the Catholic Church, a practice that emerged during
the era of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Medium - Photography on Print
Model: Christaunte Irons | Set Designer: Omo Iserhienrhien | Stylist : Crystal Williams | Lighting Designer: Lowel Alomar | MUA: Dijah | Hair Stylist: D’andra Morris
GELEDE - The mystical powers of women
During the rainy season, a festival called Gelede (Geh-Leh-Deh) takes place. Gelede honours the power of women, acknowledging their importance through masked dances. Gelede masks show an incredible variety. The groups of figures carved at the top of each mask can represent a historical event, make a moral statement, or even poke fun at a local incident. Like the Egungun festival, cloth plays a significant role during Gelede. Some Gelede masks represent Yoruba women but are actually danced by men who dress as women and employ movements that
mimic feminine attributes—thereby consciously playing with gender roles. The objects and masquerade performances discussed in this exhibition put into practice the theoretical claim that gender is “performed” through gestures, clothing, and actions. Gelede pays homage to the Spiritual Powers of Women, especially Elderly women.
Medium: Photography on print - Headress sculpture made by Destinie Adelakun
Model: Justine Shoreline | Set Designer: Omo Iserhienrhien | Stylist : Crystal Williams | Lighting Designer: Lowel Alomar | MUA: Dijah
Olokun - God/Goddess of Wealth
Olokun is an Orisha in Yoruba religion as well as a pantheon in Edo traditional religion. It is associated with the vast and deep sea, marshes, and wetlands, and is the protector of the African diaspora. Olokun is the Goddess of the bottom of the Ocean of the West African Yoruba people. Once upon a time, she was the
Goddess of all the waters and all of the oceans. Her name means the owner (Olo) of Oceans (Okun). Today, especially amongst the New World Yorubas, Olokun is generally associated with the dark and cold Botton of the sea, ruling all the wealth at the bottom of the ocean, whilst Yemoja the Goddess in her life-giving aspect is linked to the light top of the ocean. Olokun is associated with great riches. She is said to be a Goddess of Wealth and Abundance. Olokun is both female and male and in a way neither. Some see Olokun as being female, while others consider her to be male.
Medium - Photography on Print
Model: Taryn | Set Designer: Omo Iserhienrhien | Stylist : Crystal Williams | Lighting Designer: Lowel Alomar | MUA: Dijah | Hair Stylist: D’andra Morris
EGUNGUN - The Masquarade
In Yoruba, “Egungun” means “masquerade.” Egungun is an annual masquerade
festival that publicly honours ancestral spirits. These rich and colourful festivals
involve a series of elaborate masked dances and are celebrated throughout
Yoruba culture during the dry season — December through March. Each Egungun
costume covers the entire body of the masquerader because the ancestral spirit,
which is believed to be concealed inside the cloth, is too sacred to be touched.
Cloth is important in all Yoruba rituals. During Egungun, people “sacrifice” cloth
to ancestors by placing them on shrines as a gift.
Medium - Digital Photography Collage
OYA - Goddess of War and Wind
Oya is the powerful Yoruba goddess of the winds and change.
A Warrior-Queen -- She is the sister-wife of the Orisha Shango (God of Thunder).
Much of Oya's power is rooted in the natural world; she is the Goddess of thunder,
lightning, tornadoes, winds, rainstorms, and hurricanes. A Fire Goddess, it is Oya
who brings rapid change and aids us in both inner and outer transformation.
Other depictions: Hindu Goddess Kaali, Greek Goddess Athena, Storm from
Marvel.
Medium: Photography on print - Braided Headdress made by Destinie Adelakun
Model: Elise Abang | Set Designer Assistant: Cat Calica| Lighting Designer: Lowel Alomar | MUA: Rahnell Branton
IYALEJE - The Oracle
In the Nigerian community, there are some special women, they call them Iyalaje.
It means women who have special powers to see the future. These are special women and important people to the diaspora.
Medium: Photography on print
Model: Tamar Ellah | Lighting Designer: Lowel Alomar