This was the question Baba Adelekan posed to me. During my visit to
Ile-Ife, I was permitted to photograph various initiation ceremonies.
I fully understood the privacy and secrecy of what was being witnessed,
as well as the fact that the film, not even digital quality, could capture
the complete energy or meaning of the moment.
One evening Baba and I were sitting at my computer viewing the web
site and some of the photos I'd taken in Nigeria. We came to the file
labeled Initiation. I opened a picture and said, Baba, I won't put
this on the web site. He looked at the picture, then looked at me
and asked, Why not? I answered, Because this is initiation
and I wouldn't want to share anything that we deem as secret. He
replied, Put it on the web site baba, how will they know unless
they see? I will not share in any detail what you are witnessing
in the photos to follow. But let me make an analogy to help you understand
the importance of the Sacred Shrines and Initiation Ceremonies of Ifa.
Imagine that you grew up in a wealthy family and have your own
great mansion. You also have several residences around the world,
and you are also agreeable to being a guest at places to which you
are invited (if they respect your status and position in life). At
your primary residence is to be found the full expressions and manifestations
of your lineage, status, and power. Your secondary residence are places
where you like to frequently make your presence know and your influence
felt. But, you do not take all of your belonging with you to your
secondary residence. Only what is necessary to accomplish your will
and meet your needs. And further, when you go as a guest to a place
that you are invited, you take what is essential and personal and
you expect that your hosts will provide for your other needs.
After you have visited with someone and found them to be a honorable
host, you may then invite them to visit with you at one of your secondary
residence. This is a time for you and your guest to see if a genuine
relationship is in the making. After all, your world is not open to
just anyone. There are matters of character and protocol, knowledge,
trust and power to consider. If all goes well, you may then invite
them to your primary residence. There they will witness you in the
fullness of your Presence and Power. The veil will be removed and
all that lay in the shadows will come to light. They will know from
whence you come and what you own. They will know what you expect of
those whom you allow to meet you in your special space. They will
know you.
So it is with Orisa, the Sacred Shrines, and Initiation!
