By Ayodele Johnson

So much fuss has surrounded Isese and traditional religion in Nigeria. In Yorùbá psychology, Isese is the spiritual path to righteousness through consultations with divinities that are known as Orishas. Yet, Isese also places absolute confidence in Olodumare – God, the Creator. It is the binding connection with other religions like Christianity or Islam, where there is belief in a high authority that created the heavens and the earth. The God that every human and being originated from.

On earth, an Osun priestess who is dressed in a white wrapper chants praise of the water goddess. Beads with yellow, blue, reddish brown, and white distributions line around her neck In her chant. She acknowledges the Osun River goddess who has bestowed her with benefits because she has been committed to her service. A light bell dangles loudly from her right hand with which she maintains a grip. She is in Osun State, one of the parts of the southwest of Nigeria where the government has declared August 21 as a public holiday in celebration of Isese Day, although the main date on the calendar is a day before.

This is why Yorùbá traditional worshippers say Isese L’agba which can be translated roughly to mean “culture is paramount”. It is right to say this now because their advocacy finally bears fruit. Long have Yoruba monarchs clamoured for a day set aside to celebrate Isese. Now, they have the recognition that they seek, but it is worth knowing that the spiritual practice of Isese transcends beyond the locations such as Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun, where there is acceptance. Let’s take you to other parts of the world.

• Santeria

A trip to the West Indies and the island nation, Cuba. There, there is a population that practises Santeria, a hybrid sort of religion that considers merging the Yoruba religion with other aspects of spirituality. And the result is a fusion that gives credit to the 19th century as the period when it started. The common feature between Santeria and Isese is the consultation of an Orisha who derives its source from God.

• Umbanda

Off to Latin America now and in Brazil. This practice, Umbanda also began in the 19th century, when Spanish and Portuguese colonies were seeking liberalisation. The religion connects with the spiritual world with the help of an emissary, the Orisha who after receiving sacrifice delivers messages and instruction through a warden in the image of a priest or priestess who then communicates with ordinary people in need of direction.

• Trinidad Orisha

From the name, it is quite obvious the resemblance between Isese and the African diaspora of Trinidad and Tobago where this religion has its base. It is sometimes mentioned as the Shango religion and its followers are known as ‘Shango Baptist’. Perhaps, it is the musical representation in Trinidad Orisha that brings it close to the Yoruba homeland. As the bembe drums beat out, the accompanying sound is what is known as Trinidad Yoruba, a language of exile.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.