In the heart of Expo Favela’s light,
Where culture’s flame burns fierce and bright,
A gathering of souls, both old and new,
To witness wisdom’s dawn break through.
Oba Adekunle, sage and seer,
With words like rivers, flowing clear,
Unveils a tome of ancient lore,
Of Èşù, guardian, myth, and more.
Not Satan, but a guide divine,
A messenger on life’s thin line,
Between the realms of earth and sky,
Where mortals live and spirits fly.
Oba Adekunle Aderonmu, a distinguished traditionalist and scholar, has released a revised edition of his seminal work “Èşù: A Divindade Essencial da Cultura Yorùbá.”
This edition was launched at the opening ceremony of Expo Favela, an event that celebrates Afro-Brazilian arts and culture. “ The book is a significant contribution to the understanding and appreciation of Yorùbá spirituality, particularly the role and significance of Èşù, a deity often misunderstood and misrepresented in popular culture” Oba Aderonmu retracted.
Expo Favela is a prominent cultural event that highlights the rich heritage and contemporary contributions of Afro-Brazilian communities. It is a platform for artists, scholars, and cultural advocates to showcase their work and engage with a broader audience. The event’s opening ceremony, where Oba Aderonmu’s book was launched, attracted a diverse group of attendees, including traditionalists, scholars, and literary figures.
The launch of “Èşù: A Divindade Essencial da Cultura Yorùbá” was marked by a series of lectures and discussions focused on promoting Afro-Brazilian arts and culture. Speakers emphasized the importance of preserving and understanding Yorùbá traditions and deities, particularly in the face of widespread misconceptions.
In his keynote address, Oba Adekunle Aderonmu articulated the core message of his book: “Èşù is not Satan.” He explained that Èşù, in Yorùbá cosmology, is a vital messenger of Olodumare, the Supreme Being. Aderonmu stressed that the misidentification of Èşù with the biblical Satan is a result of cultural misunderstandings and colonial narratives that have historically misrepresented African deities.
Aderonmu highlighted the critical role of Èşù in Yorùbá spirituality. Èşù is the deity of communication, change, and the intermediary between the divine and human realms. He is responsible for ensuring that messages from the gods reach humans and vice versa. This function is crucial in maintaining the balance and harmony within the Yorùbá cosmological framework.
A significant part of Aderonmu’s address focused on correcting the misconceptions about Èşù. He argued that the demonization of Èşù as a malevolent figure akin to Satan is a distortion rooted in the imposition of foreign religious beliefs on African spiritual systems. Aderonmu called for a reclamation of the true identity of Èşù and a broader effort to educate both African and global audiences about the richness of Yorùbá culture.
The launch event featured several prominent figures in the literary and cultural spheres who delivered lectures on various aspects of Yorùbá and Afro-Brazilian culture. These lectures covered topics such as:
- The Role of Oral Tradition in Preserving Cultural Heritage: Speakers discussed how oral traditions have been instrumental in maintaining and transmitting Yorùbá beliefs and practices across generations.
- The Influence of Yorùbá Spirituality on Afro-Brazilian Culture: This lecture explored the ways in which Yorùbá deities and spiritual practices have influenced and enriched Afro-Brazilian religious and cultural expressions.
- Reclaiming African Deities: Scholars emphasized the importance of re-examining and reinterpreting African deities in their own cultural contexts, free from the biases of colonial and missionary interpretations.
In addition to the academic discussions, the event also included advocacy efforts aimed at promoting Afro-Brazilian arts and culture. Participants called for greater recognition and support for Afro-Brazilian artists, writers, and cultural practitioners. They highlighted the need for more platforms and opportunities to showcase the contributions of Afro-Brazilian communities to the broader cultural landscape.
The launch of the revised edition of “Èşù: A Divindade Essencial da Cultura Yorùbá” by Oba Adekunle Aderonmu was a significant event that defined the importance of understanding and preserving Yorùbá spirituality. Aderonmu’s work represents a crucial corrective to the misconceptions surrounding Èşù and offers a deeper insight into the Yorùbá culture. The event at Expo Favela not only celebrated this important work but also reinforced the ongoing efforts to promote and preserve Afro-Brazilian arts and culture.
“The revised edition is available on Amazon, through Ifa Editora, and directly at the African Cultural Center in São Paulo, Brazil,” said Andrea Marques.
