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.
During the period between 1965 and 1980 Seifu Sharif studied
and trained with numerous Black Martial Artists. Many of these
warrior-poets were unknown to the larger, popular martial arts
world. But in the Black communities of major cities across the
United States, they were an inspiration. Those that Seifu met
were not only excellent martial artists, but were also individuals
who modeled the high ideals of humility, kindness, patience,
and diligence. African Americans brought a unique rhythm and
precision to the martial arts that was and is little appreciated
by the larger martial arts community. But for Seifu Sharif,
their presence put him on the path of inquiry into an African
Perspective and history to the martial and healing arts.
In some respects, the African perspective is much more spiritually
based than the Asian perspective on the martial and healing
arts. Though there is no doubt a point of convergence at the
esoteric level of both cultures. An example might be seen in
the distinction between mimicking and conjuring an animal. In
the Asian tradition the forms developed and are based on the
perceived characteristics of particular animals, insects, birds,
and mythological creatures. These observations are adapted to
the practitioners capacity for body movement and a new style
is born, such as, tiger, dragon, crane, monkey, praying mantis,
snake, and eagle. To mimick is to act like a something or someone
that you are not. In the African tradition these same observations
are made. However, to observe a creature from a distance is
enough to mimick, but not to conjure. To conjure, you must make
a spiritual connection with the soul of a creature and recognize
the essence of the creature that exists within your own soul.
In the context of training the warrior within from an African
perspective, to mimick is to act like. To conjure
is to call up from within. And our animal natures are not the only essences that we can
conjure.
Me'je Oruka ti Ogun ati Iwosan
Ogbon Elegbe (7 Circles Martial & Healing Arts Association)
is rooted in the spiritual traditions of Yorubaland, Nigeria,
West Africa, the homeland of the Path of IFA.
Me'je Oruka incorporates the Orisa Tradition
into the martial and healing practice of the System.
During the period between 1965 and 1980 Seifu Sharif studied
and trained with numerous Black Martial Artists. Many of these
warrior-poets were unknown to the larger, popular martial arts
world. But in the Black communities of major cities across the
United States, they were an inspiration. Those that Seifu met
were not only excellent martial artists, but were also individuals
who modeled the high ideals of humility, kindness, patience,
and diligence. African Americans brought a unique rhythm and
precision to the martial arts that was and is little appreciated
by the larger martial arts community. But for Seifu Sharif,
their presence put him on the path of inquiry into an African
Perspective and history to the martial and healing arts. 
In some respects, the African perspective is much more spiritually
based than the Asian perspective on the martial and healing
arts. Though there is no doubt a point of convergence at the
esoteric level of both cultures. An example might be seen in
the distinction between mimicking and conjuring an animal. In
the Asian tradition the forms developed and are based on the
perceived characteristics of particular animals, insects, birds,
and mythological creatures. These observations are adapted to
the practitioners capacity for body movement and a new style
is born, such as, tiger, dragon, crane, monkey, praying mantis,
snake, and eagle. To mimick is to act like a something or someone
that you are not. In the African tradition these same observations
are made. However, to observe a creature from a distance is
enough to mimick, but not to conjure. To conjure, you must make
a spiritual connection with the soul of a creature and recognize
the essence of the creature that exists within your own soul.
In the context of training the warrior within from an African
perspective, to mimick is to act like. To conjure
is to call up from within. And our animal natures are not the only essences that we can
conjure.