Working out amongst Gods
Several of you have asked about the mural that you see before you. As promised, I wanted to write out this content to explain to everyone what you’re seeing.
Much like other cultures in the world, the African people believe in higher beings that explain creation, help shape and guide their lives with balance and understanding, and explain the natural phenomena of the world. The African Diaspora, a collection of different Afro-centric religions that are distinct in their own nature but may have influences from other religions of the world, believed in Orishas. If you think of Greek, Roman, Nordic, or even Polynesian gods and demigods, the orisha are identical to this. The Yoruba people of West Africa believed that Ogun is one of the most important orisha of them all. Before you sit Ogun, god of iron, metal work, war, hunting, rum making. It is said that the orisha descended down to earth, and Ogun was the one who cleared a path through the tickets and forest with his creative tools. As the other orisha tried and failed to clear a path through the abundant ticket, Ogun was the one who figured out how to forge tools and weapons from iron. With a path cleared, Ogun was the trailblazer for the others to follow. The other orisha then asked him what material he used to carve the path, and Ogun told them it was iron, but refused to share his knowledge. As they pleaded with Ogun, they finally won him over, and he shared his secrets with the other orishas and humankind in exchange for being named king. Ogun, who preferred to be in seclusion, declined the offer.
There are other accounts of Ogun, which you can watch here. Ogun is also said to be a blacksmith and a warrior. His tools can be used for carnage in battle, implements that pierce the earth to sow seeds or clear paths, as well as instruments for removing disease. He was known to be vastly misunderstood because of his sure warrior mentality, thirst for blood, and seeker of victories on the battlefield, yet is loving and somewhat over protective of his people. From all I have read and heard about Ogun, he is a mixture of opposites that reside within himself, yet coexist respectfully as on. Examples include blind rage yet protective, being a creator as well as a destroyer, and forger as well as reclusive, a hunter and devote partner. He rules over oaths and cementing of pacts. In Yoruba courtrooms, iron is used to administer oaths instead of the Bible or Koran and it is still symbolic to kiss a piece of iron to swear to them and trust in Ogun’s power as the keeper of that oath. Iron represents the orisha with Ogun being the Osin-Imole (first primordial orisha to come to earth) and god of iron. People around the world turn to Ogun as a way of converting fear and anger into strength.
I commissioned a friend of mine, Edimbo Lekea, to complete this beautiful and symbolic piece.
Below is his bio: “Born of Congolese parents, Edimbo Lekea (born Lucien-Edimbo Lekea) is a "Franco-Congolais" artist painter born in a small town of Creil, France. It wasn't until the early ages of 5 to 6, that Edimbo got to develop his creative skill through various sketches. From there, it would be an on and off relationship. After moving to Kent, WA in 2003, Edimbo was exposed to so many different cultures. Within the African diaspora, there was a saying that Black folks didn't know there history enough or at all. Being so fascinated with different sound in black music (from reggae, Rumba, Hip Hop, jazz, Old School R&B, zouk and other genre), Edimbo decided to take it upon himself to unearth the mystic of Black History, and merge it into his Paintings. In 2015, Edimbo started The NDI movement (Natty Dread Illustration) for 1 soul purpose, to create a sanctuary were Blacks could find/learn about themselves and also learned about their cousins from across the oceans.”
