Olorun Kolofe,

Lo siento Iya Gamo. I had you confused with someone else. My pai de santo is Cornelio Santos d'Ogum, who lives in Queens. His terreiro is Ile Axe Bambarucena in Sao Paolo. He's away in Brazil right now. The Candomble community in NYC isn't very active. There was a xire for Oxum in Nov 2004 but I haven't gone to any event since. I know Paulo de Logunede and Mae Mainyha d'Oxum and one ile out on Long Island but that's about it. I wish we had more xires here.

Axe,
Dominick

Axe Gamo!!!!!!

great topic! i grew up always hearing 'mean what you say, words have power!' and not really understanding the underlying concept of ofose. would love to hear others' thoughts too.

axe,
idowu

Motumba and Bendicion to my elders~

Gamo - it was quite lovely seeing you there- I am sad you are moving to Atlanta, but so thankful to have spent some time with you in person first! I know my godfather LOVED having you there....

As per word and ashé, this is why prayers should be said out loud to me- thoughts are one thing, but voicing those thoughts and bearing witness to the thought itself it powerful. There is so much aché in the word- in the tongue- while I respect anyone who prays at an orisha altar- I am always so deeply moved when the person speaks loud enough for their prayers to be heard by those present and allows those in the room to participate in their prayer. I especially like it when someone goes through Yoruba, Castillian Spanish and English verisons of their prayer, even if it takes a little longer time.

As always, a pleasure~
Jesse