#akantunse

[osengwa]

Project: #AKANTUNSE (Photoseries Segment) Figure No.7: #OSHUN  Regions: West Africa (Nigeria), South America, Caribbeans Documentation Status (1- 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being very good): 4 Description: In Yoruba mythology, Oshun is the Orisha goddess of love, beauty, luxury, fresh waters, and statesmanship. She is often depicted in honey-yellow or gold, while holding a mirror up to herself. In many Yoruba sagas Oshun was often portrayed as a little vain, a shrewd strategist, fiery, and very generous. In one such saga, the supreme Orisha (Olodumare) sends Oshun (along with 16 male Orishas) to create the earth. The male Orishas fail at their task but continuously refuse to include Oshun. Oshun, recognizing a forming system of disregard, goes off to mobilize a band of mystical women with special powers called Iyami Aje. Oshun and the IyamI Aje protest and win the attention of Olodumare. Soon, Olodumare comes to the male Orishas and tells them that anything they ever do will fail without women. Hearing this, the male Orishas hurry to beg Oshun for her help. It was also believed that Oshun once lived a mortal life, and that during this period she was elected the first female Iyalode. An Iyalode is a high-ranking female chieftain in traditional Yoruba states. There are many versions of Oshun, but in each one she is assertive, stylish, ambitious, motherly, and a primordial womanist. Her story is just one of the many examples of ancient African value-systems that championed equal opportunity, the vital role that women play in the success of communities, and the necessary dialogue for achieving this. Fun fact: Oshun was one of the few major inspirations for @Beyoncé's groundbreaking album 'Lemonade'. This is the seventh of 9 figures of African mythology, folklore, and cosmology celebrated on the #AKANTUNSE project. Production & Creative: @kabumbazm Visuals: @kabumbazm, @kwituguykb, @mwenya_ . . . . . . . . ------ #Osengwa | #AfricanArt | #AfricanFashion | #AfricanMusic | #AfricanStyle | #AfricanPhotography | #Afrocentric | #Melanin | #African | #Art | #AfricanInspired | #InspiredByAfrica | #BlackIsBeautiful | #ContemporaryArt | #OutOfAfrica https://www.instagram.com/p/B5OFfYrAqsE/?igshid=i32xxshke15h

[osengwa]

Project: #AKANTUNSE (Photoseries Segment) Figure No.3: #OBAYIFO  Regions: West Africa (Ghana, Benin) Documentation Status (1- 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being very good): 2.5 Description: An Obayifo was a vampire-like mythological creature of West African origin that first appeared in the folklore of the Ashanti (of present-day Ghana). Obayifo were also known as Asiman by the Dahomey people (of present-day Benin) and were sometimes considered a kind of sorceress. The Obayifo are believed to have also fed off fruits or vegetables and to have particularly enjoyed destroying cocoa crops with blight. It is also suggested that Obayifo may sometimes have used their abilities to sustain the life of others, however opinions on the Obayifo’s ability for kindness vary. When blocked by the Okomfo (the village warlock) from feeding off the blood of the innocent, the Obayifo could patiently survive on plant sap as long as necessary. It is important to note that there are differing stories regarding how one became an Obayifo, some say an Obayifo was born with their abilities, others state it was a curse or an ailment. It is purported that often times it was assertive, ambitious, or unmarried young women that were accused of being Obayifo. As such it is implied that the Obayifo legend was created as a speculative means of oppressing particularly threatening women. The penalty for being found an Obayifo was death. This is the third of 9 figures of mythology, folklore, and cosmology off the #AKANTUNSE project. We’re extremely eager for everyone to engage with (and learn about) these figures with refreshing, deliberate, relatable, and renewing energies! Check out existing content from this project on our socials and stay tuned for more. Production & Creative: @kabumbazm Visuals: @kabumbazm, @kwituguykb, @mwenya_mumba Makeup: @itsmissvee Graphics/Artwork: @kabumbazm, @mwenya_mumba, @angelachilufya Wardrobe: @k . . . . . . . ------ #Osengwa | #AfricanArt | #AfricanFashion | #AfricanMusic | #AfricanStyle | #AfricanPhotography | #Afrocentric | #Melanin | #African | #Art | #AfricanInspired | #InspiredByAfrica | #BlackIsBeautiful | #ContemporaryArt | #OutOfAfrica https://www.instagram.com/p/B5OFM-oAfx7/?igshid=hf5csweypjet

[osengwa]

Project: #AKANTUNSE (Photoseries Segment) Figure No.7: #OSHUN  Regions: West Africa (Nigeria), South America, Caribbeans Documentation Status (1- 10, with 1 being very poor and 10 being very good): 4 Description: In Yoruba mythology, Oshun is the Orisha goddess of love, beauty, luxury, fresh waters, and statesmanship. She is often depicted in honey-yellow or gold, while holding a mirror up to herself. In many Yoruba sagas Oshun was often portrayed as a little vain, a shrewd strategist, fiery, and very generous. In one such saga, the supreme Orisha (Olodumare) sends Oshun (along with 16 male Orishas) to create the earth. The male Orishas fail at their task but continuously refuse to include Oshun. Oshun, recognizing a forming system of disregard, goes off to mobilize a band of mystical women with special powers called Iyami Aje. Oshun and the IyamI Aje protest and win the attention of Olodumare. Soon, Olodumare comes to the male Orishas and tells them that anything they ever do will fail without women. Hearing this, the male Orishas hurry to beg Oshun for her help. It was also believed that Oshun once lived a mortal life, and that during this period she was elected the first female Iyalode. An Iyalode is a high-ranking female chieftain in traditional Yoruba states. There are many versions of Oshun, but in each one she is assertive, stylish, ambitious, motherly, and a primordial womanist. Her story is just one of the many examples of ancient African value-systems that championed equal opportunity, the vital role that women play in the success of communities, and the necessary dialogue for achieving this. Fun fact: Oshun was one of the few major inspirations for @Beyoncé's groundbreaking album 'Lemonade'. This is the seventh of 9 figures of African mythology, folklore, and cosmology celebrated on the #AKANTUNSE project. Production & Creative: @kabumbazm Visuals: @kabumbazm, @kwituguykb, @mwenya_mumba Makeup . . . . . . . ------ #Osengwa | #AfricanArt | #AfricanFashion | #AfricanMusic | #AfricanStyle | #AfricanPhotography | #Afrocentric | #Melanin | #African | #Art | #AfricanInspired | #InspiredByAfrica | #BlackIsBeautiful | #ContemporaryArt | #OutOfAfrica https://www.instagram.com/p/B5OEamlgvBa/?igshid=84z8rsicnkyq