On Saturday, April 6th, Brazil witnessed a vibrant celebration of one of the most revered deities in the Yoruba pantheon of Orisas. The deity of Iron, Ogun, was elevated and venerated amidst a multitude at the festival held in honor of Cristiane de Yasan.
The festival, highlighting the significance of Iyalorisa Cristiane de Iansa in the cult of Orisa, brought together important dignitaries and practitioners of Isese in Brazil. Held in the grove of Babalorisa Airton ti Ogun in São Bernardo, São Paulo, the event was a colorful and highly spiritual affair, celebrating the Odu Okanlelogun de Ekedji, an essential aspect of Brazilian Yoruba traditional religion.
A night filled with spiritual invocations of Ogun lakaye, the festival witnessed the presence of notable figures such as Oba (Ogboni) Adekunle Aderonmu, Iya Andreia Guedes, and Dr. Adeyinka Olaiya, alongside several other important personalities.
Commencing at 7 p.m. on the 6th of April, the event saw dignitaries, devotees, and participants alike engage in dances and chants, invoking the praise poems of Ogun, known as the Orikis. It was a night of spiritual fraternity, where devotees came together to honor and celebrate the best of Yoruba traditional religion.
The festival served as a poignant reminder of the enduring cultural heritage and spiritual practices of the Yoruba people, resonating deeply with the Afro-Brazilian community. As the rhythms of drums echoed through the night, it was evident that the spirit of Ogun lakaye was alive and thriving in Brazil, fostering unity, devotion, and cultural pride among all who attended.
The event not only celebrated the deity of Ogun but also showcased the resilience and vibrancy of Yoruba culture in Brazil, serving as a beacon of hope and solidarity for generations to come.
