Chief Adelekan is a sixteenth-generation Babalawo, who has traveled
widely outside of Ife for the purpose of instruction and healing, and
is celebrated for his knowledge of roots and herbs and his tireless
work in healing and in promoting understanding Yoruba religion. He is
the founder and patron of Egbe Isese Esin Yoruba (The Root of Yoruba
Religion, Science and Cosmology), a society based in London which is
a focus for the practice of Yoruba tradition.
It was Sunday morning around 9:00am. I slept well even under the poor
conditions and did some meditation. I hadn’t eaten since Wednesday
(except for a few crackers to take my meds) but I felt great, energized.
It was now 1:15pm. I thought I’d be on my way to Lagos to pick
up my luggage by now. I was beginning to feel isolated and dependent.
I talked to Orisa. I asked if I should be making plans to exit Nigeria.
The answer was Okanna (conditional no). I asked if they would protect
me on my journey and take me home safely. The answer was Owonrin/Ejife
(balanced yes). It’s now 4:15pm. No one has made contact with me
and I have no way of making contact with anyone. I meditated on Patience
and Perseverance. Chief Adelekan came by my room about 5:00pm and explained
that he was very busy today receiving other guests to the Congress and
preparing for the evening. He assured me that he would have someone
pick me up in the morning and that I would be at his side for the rest
of my stay. I felt reassured. Another day without my luggage, but in
my journal I wrote "trust the process!" My reading had spoke
of emotional and mental difficulties that would be removed, and to avoid
making hasty judgements. I hadn’t considered how busy Chief Adelekan
must have been on this day. Orisa’s guidance was unfailing.
Adebisi picked me up on Sunday evening and I spent time with Chief
Adelekan and some of his family. The level of acceptance was very comforting
and the Chief’s knowledge, spiritual guidance, and compassion
were expressed in his interactions with everyone he encountered. A
special
bond grew between us and before the night was out he was Baba (father)
Adelekan to me, and I was Baba Umar Sharif to his family. The ride
back
to the University was very revealing. No street light! Utter darkness!
Then suddenly, car lights blinding the driver and guiding pedestrians
in their next dangerous steps along unpaved and pothole infested roads.
I thought how little it would cost we Americans to adopt a small community
and sponsor the development and maintenance of their basic infrastructure
so that they could work towards self-sufficiency. I began to feel a
sense of purpose for being in Nigeria that went beyond my expectations.
I was being affected by this journey. My circumstances, (the night
in
Lagos, the death of Yemi, the night ride to Ile-Ife, the room I was
staying in, my fourth day in the same outer garments, the lack of access
to communication with the outside world, my fast, the connection with
Baba Adelekan and his family), were being orchestrated with a design
and for a purpose. I went to bed content to trusting in Orisa.
