Location: Brooklyn College, Ingersoll Hall, Lecture Hall: 1141

Date: August 15th 2024 (SESSION DATE HAS PAST, REGISTRATION IS CLOSED)

Time: 6:30-9:00pm

FREE CLASS (SPACE IS LIMITED) This course serves as an essential introductory point for individuals with a dedicated interest in exploring Yorùbá cosmology, particularly the Isese Lagba-Ifá/Orisa practice. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of Yorùbá cosmology and its diaspora. Through this course, students will delve into the rich history of the Yorùbá people, gaining insights into the Black Atlantic dialogue that connects Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, and Brazil. The curriculum emphasizes the historical and spiritual context of Ifá/Orisa practice, offering an in-depth exploration of its manifestations and significance within the African diaspora.

Furthermore, this course is structured to lay the foundational knowledge necessary for advanced study in the field. It is a mandatory prerequisite for the subsequent course, "Orisa and Identity in the Diaspora," ensuring that students possess a solid grounding in the essential concepts and historical background before advancing to more specialized topics.

By the end of this course, participants will have a well-rounded understanding of Yorùbá cosmology and its diasporic expressions equipping them with the critical tools and perspectives needed for further exploration and personal engagement with Ifá/Orisa practices.

This course serves as an essential introductory point for individuals with a dedicated interest in exploring Yorùbá cosmology, particularly the Isese Lagba-Ifá/Orisa practice. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of Yorùbá cosmology and its diaspora. Through this course, students will delve into the rich history of the Yorùbá people, gaining insights into the Black Atlantic dialogue that connects Africa, the United States, the Caribbean, and Brazil. The curriculum emphasizes the historical and spiritual context of Ifá/Orisa practice, offering an in-depth exploration of its manifestations and significance within the African diaspora.

Furthermore, this course is structured to lay the foundational knowledge necessary for advanced study in the field. It is a mandatory prerequisite for the subsequent course, "Orisa and Identity in the Diaspora," ensuring that students possess a solid grounding in the essential concepts and historical background before advancing to more specialized topics.

By the end of this course, participants will have a well-rounded understanding of Yorùbá cosmology and its diasporic expressions equipping them with the critical tools and perspectives needed for further exploration and personal engagement with Ifá/Orisa practices.

This class will cover topics of identity in the diaspora through the lens of Yorùbá Cosmology (Ifá). We will look at ways to (re)connect & reclaim black identity through knowledge in Ifá /Orisa practice. The Ifá spiritual & philosophical system can be utilized as a site for transgression & space for understanding selfhood for black individuals. Understanding one’s self through your personal Orisa equips us with the tools necessary to navigate life in the African diaspora.

Throughout the master class, we will cover many of the major Orisas, Odus ,offerings and oriki to name a few. These topics offer participants a comprehensive overview of these deities and their significance within the Ifá tradition.

Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to discover which Orisa governs their dehtiny(Ori) prior to the commencement of the course. This process will be facilitated upon registration, allowing participants to embark on the course with a personalized understanding of their guiding Orisa. By integrating personal Orisa identification into the course, we aim to enhance the educational journey, making it more relevant and impactful for each participant.