Blackness in Spirituality - Oyeku Meji
Blackness/Darkness in spirituality isn’t evil. Blackness is the primordial progenitor force. It’s the mystery of insurmountable power, and knowledge; and it’s the feminine (yin) energy which embodies the primordial force of contraction.
In Ifa, the second Olodu (major Odu) is Oyeku Meji. Oyeku Meji is the Odu of Oduduwa (Odu+dudu+Iwa= Womb/Mystery+Black+Character) the progenitor feminine Orisa that birthed existence, and the first humans from her own vast darkness that she is. She’s encompasses all the mysteries of creation. Historically speaking, Oduduwa is thought to be the founder of Yoruba civilization that hailed from Egypt. The reason that Oduduwa’s Olodu is second and not first, is because it’s believed in Yoruba thought that when twins are born, the youngest is born first to let the oldest know its safe to be born. In Ifa it’s also believed that Oduduwa is the feminine form of Obatala. Oduduwa as the older twin of Obatala is therefore considered the second Olodu.
In the Diaspora Oduduwa’s role is occupied by other orisa’s or spirits. In Santeria/Lucumi it tends to be Yembo, while in Candomble it seems to be Nana Baruku who’s a spirit with the same exact role in the Ewe religion of east Benin.
Black exemplifies the power we latently carry within us. As the yin/feminine principle of contraction it is passive and therefore is the power that has to be embraced rather than simply receptive too. Blackness is vast and without limits other than that which we place with out mind. This is a pivotal aspect of spiritual development and progression.