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Orisha AI Imagery fostering cultural dissonance, decay, and disrespect
My voice is the inconvenient stone on the path of cultural irreverence and religious disrespect. However, some things must be stated in...
Omimelli
Jan 8, 20243 min read
204 views
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The making of an ashó Shangó
“Todo niño nace con el pan debajo del brazo,” or “a child is born with a loaf of bread under his arm,” this is a Spanish food idiom I...
Omimelli
Apr 14, 20212 min read
418 views
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Olorishas and fisherman, lessons from the deep ocean
How are fishermen and olorishas alike? Some olorishas can be seen as deep-sea trollers with huge nets. Others fish for sport and...
Omimelli
Mar 2, 20212 min read
186 views
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The most powerful of Lukumí offerings
This morning I woke up thinking about the many times I have gone to the ocean to bring offerings to Yemayá. Be it an elaborate offering...
Omimelli
Feb 24, 20212 min read
197 views
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The Most Precious of Cowries
Yemayá’s ocean is full of treasures, and one of them is equivalent to currency. Cowrie shells (Cypraea moneta) are used as currency in...
Omimelli
Feb 23, 20211 min read
79 views
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When saying happy Okú Odún is not enough
Okú Odún is the expression the Lukumí use to mark a kariosha or ordination anniversary. However, okú odú is not just the passing of...
Omimelli
Feb 1, 20214 min read
593 views
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Three Lukumí Lessons on Spiritual and Physical Hygiene
In a recent conversation, the subject of the body as a temple came about. The question raised by the Aborisha was, is the body considered...
Omimelli
Jan 24, 20214 min read
346 views
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Lukumí 101: Considerations to enter an Ilé Orisha
It is better to take time and walk the path towards the Orisha step by step than to stumble along the way. Missteps are a waste of time...
Omimelli
Jan 13, 20214 min read
540 views
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The Odú of the Year or Letra del Año, a Compass for the New Year
The Year’s Odú or Letra del Año is a Cuban tradition that started in the latter part of the 19th Century. Its purpose is to establish a...
Omimelli
Jan 2, 20213 min read
190 views
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On the edge of the sword, how the Lukumí Yearly Odú shapes daily life
Since 2010, I have been following closely the yearly odú readings done in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Venezuela, Panama, the United...
Omimelli
Jan 1, 20212 min read
974 views
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Between Yemayá and Poseidon: Musings about the Ocean
A year ago, I had the privilege to visit Greece with my family. Being a priestess of Yemayá, I am always very excited to see a different...
Omimelli
Dec 28, 20202 min read
164 views
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Lukumí and Palo Rituals Overexposed: What to show and not to show.
It has been ten years since I wrote this article. However, the realities I underscored then are exacerbated now, making me heartsick;...
Omimelli
Dec 18, 20206 min read
693 views
2 comments
Comience el año renovado: baños para la limpieza, el amor y la paz
El 2021 está ya a la vuelta de la esquina y tenemos muchas esperanzas de poder dejar atrás la basura del 2020. Ha sido un año horrible,...
Omimelli
Dec 9, 20205 min read
180 views
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Start the Year Refreshed: Baths for Cleansing, Love and Peace
Spiritual baths to improve your luck in 2021
Omimelli
Dec 9, 20204 min read
339 views
0 comments
Florida Water, learn to make your own!
Have you ever wondered what is in that nice smelling stuff called Florida Water? The original Florida water dates back from the 1880s,...
Omimelli
Nov 29, 20202 min read
716 views
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The Backbone of an Egún Shrine
The Lukumí, the Yoruba, and followers of the Rules of Orisha, the Egún are the foundation of our belief system. The Egún, or egungún in...
Omimelli
Nov 17, 20207 min read
453 views
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A Fiery Petition to Egún
We are all united by one fundamental and irresistible force: Egún. We also face a crucial moment where the fate of the most powerful...
Omimelli
Nov 2, 20202 min read
506 views
0 comments
Can the Lukumí Survive Trump’s America?
One of the few blessings of COVID-19, if we can call them that, has been having more time to consider subjects that are always in the...
Omimelli
Oct 22, 20207 min read
303 views
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The Year in White: Setting Goals for Iyawós
Becoming an iyawó is a great ordeal for many people. To start, it is hard to save money in this economy to do kariosha (to have the...
Omimelli
Oct 9, 20205 min read
145 views
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The Year in White: Communications and Iyawós
If you are considering becoming an iyawó or are one, read this to improve communications and avoid potential heartache.
Omimelli
Oct 9, 20203 min read
84 views
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