•Says I’m learning Yoruba to understand ifa divination better
Maleeka Harris, a popular dancer in Harlem, United States of America, was in Osogbo, Osun State recently for the town’s annual Ifa festival. An adherent of Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder, Harris, who currently works at the New York African Chorus Ensemble in Harlem, spoke with GBENGA ADERANTI about her love for the African religion, her Nigerian experience and how she came in contact with Sango.
HOW did you come in contact with Sango?
It started with my curiosity in African traditional religion. It started back in my college days when I met Chief Adewunmi. I learned that she was an ifa priestess and I started asking questions about orisa. Eventually, I met Baba Oluwo, Dr. Ifagbenusola Atanda. I was able to find out about orisa and I found out that I’m a child of Sango.
That helped me greatly because I was thinking about moving away from arts and culture and go to something in the opposite, but I realised that I was becoming more unhappy as I was finishing school and trying to figure out my next step. I found that I was a child of Sango and that made me to stay in what I was doing in arts and culture. So knowing that Sango is somebody of music and dance, that is what naturally makes my spirit happy.
Yes, I know I have other skill sets. Making sure that I’m doing something that is organic to me and finding out that Sango is the orisa on my head confirmed that I need to stay where I am and keep on growing and developing.
What I naturally knew since I was a child was dancing and music. I started when I was about eight years old. My mum put me in a dance school. I did it all the way through high school and college and then I stopped. Spiritual art kind of put me back to my first love in addition to other skills.
How did your parents react when you embraced Sango?
My parents support everything that I do. To be honest, they don’t know much about African traditional religion, but they see my mummy No 2, Chief Adewunmi, they met Baba, Chief Ifagbenusola Atanda, and they see how they carry themselves. They see the efforts and the changes that I made and in terms of leaving the storm and they see everything positive. They don’t say much because they embrace everything that I do. My parents are very supportive and flexible. They are not strict. They don’t say ‘you can’t do this or you can’t do that.’ They trust me, and they trust the family I am with because of their character. They didn’t think much about it.
How about your friends? How receptive were they to your new ‘love’?
It is the same response because they are also into art and culture. When you understand the art you affect other people. They might ask questions, depending on what they ask and the answers. But we remain friends. They have been part of the experience. And also because I was in the documentary on African religion, they could not understand this fully until they saw the video and they wanted to make a trip back to Nigeria themselves when they are ready too. This screening created a sort of inspiration, something to look forward to doing. Thank God it has been positive for me so far.
What are out to achieve with this?
Ifa has taught me to have a better understanding of myself. Since I was little, I have always wanted to seek knowledge. I don’t want to be limited. Learning ifa made everything possible. I don’t know as much as Baba and Chief, but I am on a journey and I am using the tool and the wisdom they give to me to define my character because nobody is perfect.
I want to make it close to being my best self and that is what ifa gives to me. I want to touch myself and have my own personal experience but they didn’t answer the question in the way I felt was good enough. So when I learnt about ifa, I felt like I was getting full answers, I thought more organic, something more original. You can practice ifa at any time or period; it doesn’t matter if it is in the past, present or future, it applies to life. I’m practising something my ancestors have been doing since the beginning of time of God. I want to take it with me to the next generation, pass it down to my family and whoever is open to hearing and understanding will pick part of it to better their lives.
How much of positive influence have you had on your community and peers?
In learning tradition, in doing different projects, I have been able to help other people too. The community receives something from people too, and right along assisting those people. Then I get positive feedback as well because I’m there to serve and assist.
For you to have a better understanding of Sango and ifa, you have to be versed in Yoruba language. How versed are you?
Baba (ifa priest Chief Atanda) translates, and that makes it easier for me to understand. I also make efforts to understand Yoruba by training and learning Yoruba songs with my chief. I also ask questions which are explained to me and I’m able to pronounce some of the words. It is a gradual process. You have to be the type of person that feels ‘oh, I want to learn the language.’ I’ve been coming here (Osogbo). I have been able to pick some things and understand the language better. It doesn’t stop me from knowing that the essence of tradition is good character. So anything I want to know, anything I want to understand is just ask and they will explain it to me and provide this in Yoruba.
I sing Sango songs. I studied the songs and asked for the meaning. I ask questions As Baba always says anyone who asks questions will not get lost. It is not a major barrier how much you want to learn. I know people before me that studied never spoke Yoruba and now, years later, they are speaking Yoruba as well.
If I want to reach that point I can do the same. But it doesn’t stop me from learning the foundation, isese, taking care of your parents, honouring God, honouring your ori, the way you carry yourself, the way you treat people; that is the basic in nature. Language is not a barrier; it is how much you want to learn.
How do you resolve the conflict between your new found love, isese, and the one you were accustomed to?
You mean my faith before? To be honest, I was never committed to Christianity. I need to be honest. When they were preaching, I was falling asleep. When they were jumping about the Holy Ghost, I would just be looking. I was just a child, open and needed to learn before I jumped into anything. I wanted to know everything before I decide which is comfortable with me. Ifa is most comfortable.
How does it interfere?
It does not because I always ask questions for understanding and I have peace of mind.
What are you going to do with the knowledge you acquired?
The knowledge I have acquired so far has made me able to control my reactions. Sometimes I get emotional. The knowledge has made me respond and navigate to different situations better with the knowledge of ifa. There are so many teachings in ifa that explain how to handle different situations and I have to use that and apply it to real life.
For example, the way I speak to big mummy. If I want her blessings, I have to carry myself in the right way, respect my elders; that is part of the culture. In America sometimes they get lost because people do whatever they want.
How would you describe your experience in Nigeria?
My Nigerian experience has been fantastic. It was a positive experience.
Before you left the United States, you must have had expectations. Would you say your expectations were met?
I can’t remember if I had expectations.
Were you disappointed when you got here?
No. I wasn’t disappointed. I was welcomed by four kings. I’m humbled. I know where I am is a good place to be.
Yes. It was exciting. I wasn’t afraid. Except that I wanted to know if we were going to sleep in the dark but Baba Oluwo said no.