Ife Akinroyeje

Spirituality and Orisha Worship for gal-dem (print mag)

This piece was published in gal-dem print magazine.

I was really fortunate to interview and photograph some wonderful people practicing Orisha worship, a practice that originated amongst Yoruba people in West Africa and now also exists in South America and the Caribbean (largely due to the slave trade). During colonialism the practice was outlawed in many places and deemed “backwards” by colonial powers who sought to enforce their concepts of the enlightenment and modernity

Today people across the globe are still practicing Orisha worship. And, many people are readopting these forms of worship as a way to connect with their heritage, empower themselves and others, as well as foster self-love and healing (amongst other things). This practice challenges the Male domination and eurocentricity often found in mainstream religions and has created a space for those often at the margins of mainstream religions

Very brief summary! Get the mag for more