About Us

Hmmmm . . .it’s not quite "us". Okay, it’s just me. An anthropologist at heart, I first traveled to Brazil in 1996. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful, spiritual art of the Candomble tradition. The Nigerian Yoruba spiritual tradition, now spread across the African Diaspora by the Atlantic slave trade, is one of the oldest and most complex religious systems on earth and African Brazilian adherents have been developing their own brand of Orisha worship and art for over 300 years.

I brought several pieces back to New York and gave them as gifts to friends and house mates in the Lucumi (Cuban Orisha) Tradition. I had never made people as happy as I did when I handed over a piece of this art. I understood how they felt. The beautiful crowns, the hand mirrors and fans, the art inspired me in ways I hadn’t experienced before. All religions are serious and heavy business but this art brought in a beautiful, inspirational side. I got hooked on the smiles, and twelve years, and many artists later; here I am, still at it.

I’ve since traveled to Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico and other islands, New Orleans and Nigeria studying the Orisha tradition and I try to transmit my love of all these cultures and what I’ve learned of them through the art that I select.

Granted, I do most of the heavy lifting on this experiment but so many people make this effort possible. My gratitude lists are included and I’ll be adding on as I go along. This effort wouldn’t be possible were it not for those who’ve educated, supported and inspired me.

I’ve been nurtured by the Orisha Community worldwide and I am profoundly thankful.

Who Am I?

I’m definitely not Oprah Winfrey. There is absolutely nothing that I "know for sure". Strange for a child of Obatala, right? But there are a few things that I believe right now;

I believe Cornel West when he says that "Justice is what love and truth look like in public."

I believe that the poet Ntozake Shange was telling the truth when she said "Where there is a woman, there is magic."

I have faith in the writer James Baldwin’s words "Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

I agree with the historian Thomas Cahill "The history of the world is written in blood."

I’m convinced by the poet Sekou Sundiata "The earth is made of matter but the world is made of words."

I agree with playwright Tony Kushner, "What you are capable of, let nothing stand in your way."

And I suspect that the poet Robert Frost was secretly referring to me when he wrote "I am not confused, I am just well mixed!"

From my own head, I would add;

Humility is the largest and the hardest part of freedom
Beauty is way more important than we understand
People are the most important part of the "Market Place"
The Orishas are not here to make the world fit for us, but to make us fit for the world

I’m not much of a poet but I thank God for all who came before me and with me; wisdom is all around us. I depend on your wisdom to guide me in making good choices about this business. All suggestions are considered even if we both know that I can’t possibly please all people, from all houses, from all lines, from all cities, all countries and all factions of the tradition at the same time. Have mercy on and patience with me.

For more about the process of creating the business called Orisha Accessories, visit my Blog, "A little mystery". Stay with "us" as we grow. "We" have the best customers in the world!

Sincerely,
MK

Gratitude List
In deep and heartfelt gratitude to both the living and the dead, Modupe!

WAYMAKERS
"Super Sanaa Msemaji" Ogundipe Fayomi Artists in Brazil	Artists in Nigeria Artists in Cuba Customers from 1998-2004	Carlos Pereira Mohammad Saddique

ANCESTORS (IBAE)
Dagmar Penn Wesley Dodd	Alvilda Ross Molly Dodd	Bobby Dodd Lionel Penn

FOUNDATION BUILDERS (IBAE)
Juana Monrique Alfred Davis	Chief and Barbara Bey Fayola Reyes	Tunde Samuel Beverly Robinson

ROYAL TRAILBLAZERS (IBAE)
Zora Neale Hurston	Pearl Primus	Katherine Dunham

TRADITION BUILDERS
John Mason Ernesto Pichardo	Willie Ramos-Ilari Oba Marta Vega	Mae Estella Dona Detinha de Xango

GODPARENTS; KNOWING AND UNKNOWING
Cynthia Turner Alberto Oceguerra Magali O’farrill Joseph Reece	Barbara Leonard Lloyd Weaver Joe Quinones Neil Clarke	Ifalade John Marrero Marcos Vega Yeleina Morgan

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
Tulani Kinard Ed Dessisso	Deborah Oughama Rita Green	David Brown

FRIENDS, ADVISORS AND PURE INSPIRATION
Carmen Ghyll Princess Jenkins Peter Schneider April Silver	Miguel Herrera Jennifer Torres Diana N’Daiye Renee Stout	Paul Debell Nicole Williams Keyshia Covington

About Us

Who Am I?

Gratitude List In deep and heartfelt gratitude to both the living and the dead, Modupe!

Gratitude List
In deep and heartfelt gratitude to both the living and the dead, Modupe!