From Ogboni to Palo, from Ifa/Fa to Voodoo, from Orisa to Mami Wata, Iyami to the Internet
The Journey of Melba Farrell
Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju
Comparative Cognitive Processes and Systems
"Exploring Every Corner of the Cosmos in Search of Knowledge"
Abstract
A celebration of the life and work of an explorer and innovator in classical African esoteric traditions.
Where is she to be found?
She is to be found where the palpitating darkness of arcane knowledge pulsates.
She is to be found in those places where spirit awaits the bold adventurer.
She is to be found where congregate those who wish to see with more eyes than two.
Where has she not been, what has she not done, of all possibilities legitimate and humane, in questing for the ancient mysteries discovered by her ancestors in the continent heated by the sun?
Arcane knowledges spoken of in whispers, she is penetrating.
They beyond flesh and blood, she congregates with.
Melba Farrell during spiritual rites in Togo
Yet, she stands firmly upon the earth, voluptuous and sexy, big boned and luscious, bold and dynamic, sensitive yet combative as necessary, lover of ancient cultures yet reformer of stifling orthodoxies, tireless yet contemplative, fighter and worshipper, priestess and soldier, embodiment of the spiritual force and beauty of Osun and the clearer of the path that is Ogun, at home in shrines uncanny yet she is alive with the glory of day, venerator of the mysterious feminine ones, Iyami, Our Mothers Occult, yet pace setter on the Internet.
When the torch carriers of the glory of the ancient ones are counted, you must be counted, who cannot see your light from even a great distance must borrow eyes to avail themselves of this radiance....
Trailblazers in the Orisa Tradition
Melba Farrell Co-Developer of an American Centered and Female Empowering Ifa
Melba Farrell is a pioneer in rethinking the Yoruba origin Ifa system of knowledge as African yet universal, adaptable to various contexts in which it takes root. She yet takes pains to build her own roots in the Yoruba origins of Ifa and its companion system Ogboni. She grounds herself in various African centres of Orisa and related spiritualities though initiations and studies undertaken from Togo to Nigeria as she criss-crosses these environments from her base in Florida.
Along with Iyalemole DrQueenchiku Ngozi-Ikameji "the brain behind the concept of American Ifa/Fa/Afa", as Farrell describes her, she has doggedly championed a form of Ifa that is adapted to the uniqueness of the American experience. She "is the face of this organisation, spreading the awareness across the waters from the diaspora to Africa and back", in her own words.
She has also contributed, in collaboration with Ngozi-Ikameji, to laying grounds for serious re-examination of the role of women in Ifa, working to sweep away entrenched patriarchies and recognize the centrality of the feminine principle in this ancient tradition.
Her broad ranging public activity in relation to African spiritualities is carried out through an expansive use of various communications platforms, from social media to websites and radio.
Ogboni initiation. Farrell, centre
Hear her speak:
"OMG! I have to give thanks to Olodumare (our Creator God) first and foremost. I am thanking Olodumare, this creative force, for life.
I am thanking Ajala (the head maker) and Obatala, master of the manifested will of my Ori (Consciousness) from Heaven (Orun) to Earth, for sending this humble brother at this space in time, to remind me that the forces that be support my every effort in helping others along in this way that we call 'African Spirituality'.
I am thankful that my convictions, faith, and gifts began with the strength of my ancestors who have led me to embrace different Orders of African Spirituality while on my long journey in living my destiny on this earth with the many other good people who I have met and will continue to meet along the way.
I really cannot express enough thanks to [those] who...reached out with messages to me on this very day.
May Olodumare, your Ori, your Ancestors, and all the pantheons of elevated spirits bless you both as well as all of us who are walking steadily towards manifesting a great destiny. Ase Ase Ase."
Also published on Facebook
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