Annually, CCCADI hosts a panel of Lucumi priests (oluwos, oba oriates, and oloshas) for an evening of multi-generational dialogue on the cultural, social, and philosophical implications of the long-standing tradition La Letra del Año or Odu of the Year. All are welcome to participate in this virtual discussion, the first installment of our Sacred Traditions series in 2024!
La Letra del Año or Odu of the Year is a forecast offered to the community as a result of the Lucumi divination ceremony held by a council of babalawos in Cuba. Announced on January 1st, this forecast provides a sacred blueprint and predictions for the year ahead.
In Yorubaland, the ceremony is usually conducted during the Odun Ifa Festival later in the Gregorian Calendar.
CCCADI’s Sacred Traditions: Letra del Año panel discussion centers the collective wisdom of the Lucumi community in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, in response to this annual tradition. This program is not a divination ceremony nor meant to replace the wisdom and guidance of Lucumí elders and practitioners across the globe who also divine on behalf of their countries, regions, and iles (religious houses and temples) and country-specific associations.
Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue throughout the program. To receive the link to the virtual program, you must register in advance.
Este programa contará con un intérprete de español.
OLUWO JOHN MCCOY
Oluwo John (Obataiye) McKoy was initiated to Yemaya Asesu on October 19, 1973 by his godmother, Mama Keke and John Mason, his ojugbona. He is the ocha grandson of pioneering iyalosha, Sunta Serrano (Osa Unko). A son of Olokun, Baba John was the first Black Native American initiated to Ifa in the United States, on May 9, 1983. He was initiated to Ifa by his godfather Oluwo Rigoberto Leonard (Iwori Boshe) in the house of Oluwo Delfin Gomez (Ogunda Leni). Baba John was responsible for coordinating early communication between the Miguel Febles Padron Organizing Commission for the “Odu of the Year” (Letra del Año)in Havana, Cuba, and other Lucumi Diaspora communities prior to the use of the internet and social media.
OLUWO JOSEPH CAROLL-MIRANDA
Dr. Joseph Carroll-Miranda is Awo Orunmila Oyekunbikalomi, Olo Oshun based out of Puerto Rico. For the past sixteen years he has collaborated with the Letra de Año of Puerto Rico hosted by the Templo Yoruba Omo Orisha de Puerto Rico founded by Roberto Boluffer Ogunda Lení. Currently he is working with Ancestral Knowledge Systems by establishing an Ancestral Research Network in ways that honor the bodies of knowledge from the Afro-Caribbean ancestors and experience.
OBA ORIATE DANNY RODRIGUEZ
Obabi was initiated to Shango on July 12th 1986 from the hands of his Madrina Oloshunde and his Oyubona, Sholanigue. He comes from a family of initiates and his wife and four children are also initiated. He has worked as Oba/Oriate for the last 21 years. He has presided among many ceremonies here in the Tri-State area, all over the US, and abroad. Obabi also holds a Masters Degree in Education, and other certificates such as Latin American Studies and Secondary Ed; Spanish. He has given many lectures and presentations on this tradition at several universities all of the the country: Harvard, Boston University, and Duke to name a few. He currently resides in New Jersey.
OLOYE RAMIN KHORASSANI
Oloye Ramin Khorassani, is a priest of Ifa, Orisa and Aña born in New York City of Cuban Iranian descent. His first steps guided by the late elder priestess of Yemaya Hilda Herrera Omi Iré Ile Ekun, at the age of 5. Early on it was instilled in him that respect of his elders and ancestors should always be in the forefront of our day to day lives. In 2004 he was consecrated to the sacred Aña drums Aña Ade, under the guidance and teaching of Babalawo Olubata Felix Sanabria Awo Oshebile. Being someone that knew the values and richness of our culture from an early age. He began to rise within the tambor scene where he became one of the main exponents of drumming culture in Nyc bembes. He was crowned Oshun in May 2007 under Iyalorisa Omi Iré Ile Ekun Hilda Herrera and her granddaughter Hildita Herrera Oshun Cuenda. Continuing the culture of being an Omo Aña / Olorisa led to his consecrating Ifa at Araba Onifa of Abeokuta, Adio Abatí’s compound in 2009. Being consecrated to ifa in the original home of Yemoja didn’t seem to be much of a coincidence especially since his biological mother and spiritual mother were both children of Yemaya. In 2010 he relocated to Miami, Fl where he continues to be a main pillar of the Ifa Aña Orisa community to this day. Consecrated into the sacred Ogboni temple in 2015 and received a title of chieftaincy in 2017 from Iledi Awon Omo Yoruba.
OLUWO RAYMOND CRAWFORD
Raymond Crawford is an Oluwo Ifa crowned to Obatala and initiated to Ifa in 1990 in the Bronx.
He has received Olofin in the Cuban tradition and Odu from the late Araba of Ile-Ife. He is titled Chief Bamigbodu Awo Agbaye.
OBA ORIATE FRANK BELL
Frank Bell has been a seasoned Oriate in the Cuban Lukumi tradition for over 26 years. He brings a wealth of comprehensive knowledge of the various song interpretations dedicated to the Orisha from the Afro-Cuban belief system. He is a traditional knowledge keeper through his mastery of the patakis and divination systems integral to the tradition. Mr. Bell is a Bata drummer and a performer of the dance traditions of the varied African based belief systems of Cuba. His expertise is well-known and respected throughout the Orisha community.
OLO-OBATALA MARINIEVES ALBA
Marinieves Alba is an organizational development and strategy consultant, cultural worker, and writer born and raised in New York City. She has worked in the international NGO and non-profit sector for over two decades, specializing in issues related to racial and cultural equity in the arts, education, and social justice more broadly. A seasoned trainer and facilitator, Marinieves is an advocate for holistic approaches to capacity building and leadership development and incorporates restorative and contemplative practices, somatics, and non-violent communication (NVC) into her work as an institution builder and coach. She was initiated as an Olo Obatala in February 2001.
SACRED TRADITIONS
In recognition of the role that spirituality plays in the cultures of African people and their descendants, Sacred Traditions is our series dedicated to advocating for the education and preservation of African-based Spirituality. Sacred Traditions programming is often offered in collaboration with traditional spiritual leaders, practitioners, cultural activists, and artists that retell and pass on the stories and practices that bind African descendants into one holistic family building resilience today and into the future.
Sacred Traditions is made possible by funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.