February 2
Celebração de Yemanjá
Celebration for Yemanjá
Opening the coming Spring we gather to celebrate Yemoja, the great Mother of the Orixás, to open the way for an abundant new year by washing us clean.
These are all the events we may hold throughout the year. Dates are approximate; our events are usually celebrated on the weekend closest to these traditional dates given here.
June 12
Festa para Ogum
Party for Ogum
We start our year of celebration with Ogum, master of the open road, the force of Uprising and Progress, first ironsmith and technologist of the Orixás. We welcome Ogum with fire-roasted yam, feijoada, and a round of shots of gin. Capoeira and samba complete the party.
June 29
Celebração de Xangô Airá
Celebration for Xangô Airá
Chief Orixá of the Egbe Omo Alairá community, Xangô Airá, as lord of Thunder and Lightning, is celebrated near the Summer Solstice and Fourth of July amidst the fireworks and light of the season. We make father Airá his favorite amalá, okra stew served with porridge, to welcome him into our midst, smooth and cool, well fed and acclaimed to bring justice, equilibrium, and abundance into our lives.
August 17
Homenagem a Nana Burucu, Obaluaiyê, e Oxumarê
Homage to Nana Burucu, Obaluaiyê, and Oxumarê
As late summer brings the wealth of the harvest to ripeness we celebrate the familia Querejévi, the Querejevi family of Orixás, owner’s of the earth and its abundance to cleanse, purify and fortify us in body and spirit.
September 24
Homenagem a Oxalá Obatalá
Homage to Oxalá Obatalá
With the arrival of the Equinox, and the evening out of day with night, we celebrate the first and eldest of Orixás, father Oxalá, the King of Cool, Creator of Creation, whose great White Cloth enfolds all of Existence in its infinite peace and whose elder’s cane is the Tree of Life that upholds the world. We pay homage to Oxalá by making his favorite foods, pounded yam and boiled hominy, and performing his sacred rhythms, songs, and dances; we dress all in white to remember his dedication to peace, charity, and harmony.
December 4
Festa de Oiá Iansã
Celebration for Oyá Iyansan
With the coming dark of Autumn looming we warm things up with Oya’s fire. We gather to make and share acarajé, bean cakes fried in red palm oil, as we sing and dance for our buffalo and butterfly Mother of Transformation.
December 8
Presente de Oxum
Oxun’s Present
Finishing up the end of the year near the Winter solstice we offer Oxum, as mother of the Waters, a gift to thank her for carrying away the worries and concerns of the old year and giving birth to new possibilities in the coming New Year. Our community gathers to fill a basket full of offerings to the Water Mother and sing and dance in her honor.
February 2
Celebração de Yemanjá
Celebration for Yemanjá
Opening the coming Spring we gather to celebrate Yemoja, the great Mother of the Orixás, to open the way for an abundant new year by washing us clean.
Spring
Festa de Carnaval
Carnaval Party
Come dance samba with us as we herald the coming of Lent with a “Mardi Gras” carnaval bash.