This website is dedicated to the Students of Seifu A.S. Umar Sharif, MA. It is also dedicated to the promotion and propagation of the Traditional Afro-Asian Martial and Healing Arts. Our goal is to inform, educate, inspire, encourage, and motivate others to improve their lives by applying The Wisdom of the Ancients.
As your teacher and host, Seifu Sharif [aka: Xia` Xue' Gong] [aka: Tobi Alakoso] is dedicated to helping each of you to remember and nurture the Spirit of Wu-Te and the powers dormant within you.
Me'je Oruka Broadsword Part 1 Shango: Lightning Crashes From The Sky
Namaste’ Students and Fellow Martial Arts Enthusiasts!
Overview
The 7 Circles Broadsword Form has two sections, one traditional and the other contemporary. Our traditional form is an adaptation of a traditional form taught by Master Jerry Cook. Seifu Sharif developed the contemporary section of our form over a several year period in mid-2000s. This section has seven (7) parts. We will briefly discuss each of the seven parts of the contemporary form over the next few Posts.
The Contemporary Section of the 7 Circles Broadsword Form in called Me’je Oruka meaning Seven Circles. The name articulates a syncratization of the form with an ancient tradition. In other words, the name is a way of identifying and indicating the connection between the spirit and power of the form, and the Ifa Spiritual Tradition of Nigeria, West Africa. Seifu Sharif is also a Babalawo (High Priest) and Chief in the Ifa Spiritual Tradition. Yes, Me’je Oruka simply translates ‘Seven Circles’ in the Yoruba language but the connection that the language makes goes much deeper than simply linguistics.
In the Shaolin tradition we refer to the vital force of life as ‘Qi’. In the Ifa tradition we refer to the primordial energetic source of everything as ‘Ashe’ or ‘Ase’ which can be translated as ‘spiritual power’. The Ase is present in and expressing itself through everything. It is the very essence of power and the source of manifestation. In Me’je Oruka we recognize and accept that all physical power emerges from a spiritual source. In the Ifa tradition one of the ways that the Ase is expressing itself is called Orisa. The Orisa are ‘sentient energetic entities or matrices’. And the various Orisa have difference characteristics, attributes, and powers just as you and I have different personas, traits, and talents. The Me’je Oruka Broadsword Form is built around the Ase of seven (7) of the principle Orisa in the Ifa tradition. If you wish to know more about the Ifa tradition and the Orisa you can visit our Ile Awo Orisa website.
Structure of the Form
The Traditional section of the 7 Circles Broadsword Form has approximately 33 moves (cuts and blocks). The 33 movements flow smoothly and uninterrupted (with only strategic pauses) from beginning to end with the cutting movements carrying the greatest emphasis. The Contemporary section on the other hand is performed in seven (7) distinct parts with each part consisting of twelve (12) moves (cuts and blocks). Why 12? Twelve is a powerful number with important significance in science, mathematics, numerology, metaphysics, and spirituality. Each part of the contemporary form reflects the Ase of one of the Seven Principle Orisa. The form was designed for limited space, reflecting a close-quarter battle. The Traditional section tends to move and strike primarily in two directions (forward and backward) over a larger space. By contrast, the Contemporary section tends to move, block, and strike in multiple directions within a limited space. Part 1 of the Me’je Oruka form is dedicated to the Orisa Shango.
Me’je Oruka Broadsword Part 1: Orisa Shango: Thunder and Lightning
A brief description of the Ase of Orisa Shango
Lightning: Illumination and Devastation
Orisha Shango is the Orisa of Thunder, Lightning, and Rain. Lightning has two characteristics that are indicative of the Ase of Shango, Instant Illumination and Instant Devastation. Lightning can express itself as a bolt, a ball, a horizontal track, and as a dance of light branching out in all directions. Lightning can instantly illuminate the most intense darkness. This illumination can take the form of instant realization or insight. It is often the case that in the darkness, our eyes deceive us into seeing what is not there, or into perceiving what is there incorrectly. Likewise, in the darkness of ignorance, our intellectual perceptions and emotional reactions are often rooted in fear (False Evidence Appearing Real), and in this state of ignorance and fear, we are likely to act in ways that are Distressful at best, and Dysfunctional at worst. Problems on the battlefield of life for the Warrior Priest!
Personal power increases through the process of overcoming fear. It is the Ase of Shango that enables us to distinguish between the truth and the lie, and to face the consequences of making and acting upon that distinction. Shango represents courage, fortitude, and boldness. In this sense, lightning symbolizes the tongue of Shango that reveals to us the basis of our fear and offers us the opportunity to choose whether to proceed on the basis of truth, or on the basis of the lie or misperception. When lightning occurs, its brightness can penetrate our closed curtains and our closed eyes. It is not easy to deny the occurrence of the event when lightning strikes. This clarifying vision is invaluable in the heat of the battle for the Warrior Priest.
Likewise, when Orisa Shango reveals to a warrior the fallacy and the reality of their perceptions, it is not easy to deny the revelation nor is there time for hesitation. And for this reason, there can be severe consequences for acting contrary to Shango’s gifts of illumination. The Ase of Shango carries Instant Devastation because of the power of the energy and because of its instantaneous expression. This is why the Warrior Priest must be clear about his or her intentions and the price they are willing to pay to live their truth.
Thunder
Shango energy always gives a warning. Basically, it says, ‘Do not test me’! As lightning approaches from the distance, the voice of Shango can be heard getting louder and louder. Its power is so great that you can feel it in your chest and under your feet. Things around you shake in acknowledgement of his coming. Orisa Shango offers this warning so that the awakened Warrior Priest can seek proper shelter and protection from what is coming. The Warrior Priest gives a warning so that a potential enemy might think better of their actions. Thunder is Shango’s shout, and just as it (thunder) warns us of the impending danger of the approaching lightning, inner illumination is always accompanied by an awareness, an inner voice that calls to us, warning us that our attitudes and behaviors are leading us to dire consequences if they are not adjusted to suit the contextual reality. The Warrior Priest survives by staying aware of that inner voice.
There is so much more to the Ase of Shango, and to the understandings that are embedded in Part 1 of the Me’je Oruka Form, Thunder & Lightning. This however should be sufficient as an introduction.
Notice the 7th cut in the form. It is called ‘Lightning crashes from the sky!’ It is the signature move in this part of the form.
In this month's video lesson Seifu Sharif demonstrates Part 1 of the Me'je Oruka Broadsword Form.
Click on the Contact Us link above or below to comment or ask questions about this Post or other related topics.
It is not simply practice that makes perfect. It is perfect practice and consistent practice that makes perfect.
