Ọ̀riṣa Ọ́ṣún: The Essence of Life, Evolution, Revolution and Resistance.

This lecture will explore the force of Ọ̀riṣa Ọ́ṣún as she is worshipped in Brazil. We will discuss the Itans of how she revolutionized women’s rites during the time when the Irumoles were forming the world and her revolutionary approach to gender rites in a male dominated space, and (how and why) this is important for us in present day context. Attendees will learn how all persons, (humans, animals and all things green) are integrated into an ecosystem that cannot exist without Osun and how religious rituals, political movements and resistance mobilizations require Osun for their success.

During the presentation we will chant and examine oriki of Ọ̀riṣa Ọ́ṣún and Ọ̀mí (water) that address her revolutionary power.

Topics to be covered include, but are not limited, to the following:

– Water in different religious segments;
– Ọ̀riṣa Ọ́ṣún and water
– REDA: Rede Ecumênica Da Água (Ecumenical Network of Water) and its mobilization around the world
– The importance of water for A Irmandade da Nossa Senhora da Boa Morte (The Sisterhood of Our Lady of the Good Death) and the mobilization against Religious Racism, Hate, Terrorism, and Intolerance.