Lucumi: Yoruba Traditions Transformed in the Americas

Learn about one of the sacred traditions that has survived and thrived in the Americas – the beliefs of the Yoruba of West Africa.

We are living in a time of intense change—personally, within our institutions and communities, and in the world at large. One of the most essential skills we can cultivate is the ability to navigate change in such a way that it becomes transformative, an opportunity for us to grow into our fullest and most authentic selves. The process that leads to transformation through change is transition, which will be the focus of our exploration in this weekend retreat.

One of the sacred traditions that survived and has thrived in the Americas is the beliefs of the Yorubas of West Africa. Throughout the Americas wherever Yorubas were forcibly taken, African descendants have continued to practice spiritual ancestral memory and nature-based traditions that honor the forces of nature as sacred. These ancient practices continue to inform and transform to address and guide practitioners through their contemporary daily lives.

This introductory course will show how these traditions have remained, transformed, and continue to infuse the spirituality of communities in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Trinidad, Haiti, and other communities in the Diaspora. The universal concepts of forces of nature are sacred and integral to all practices, and these traditions can enhance one’s understanding and honoring of the source of the traditions and the sacredness of life. The knowledge gained can further increase one’s understanding of and impact on racial and cultural diversity, inclusion, and equity. Attendees will be immersed in the traditions through lecture, readings, film, sacred dance, and interaction.