On October 29, 2017 Arden Keren, the Queen of Ile Baalat Teva, performed an ebbo for Yewa, the Orisha of the underworld, decay, decomposition, and fermentation. Because her energy is a little too inhumane for the average person to handle, and the ebbo would include blessing tools, it was not open to the community at large so as to ensure absolutely appropriate behavior was observed, and not to bring too much masculine fire or sexual tensions to the event.
It was a beautiful ceremony, and a reminder of all the wonderful gifts Yewa brings us. Many of the best things in life, like the surface of our skin that protects us, our hair, wine, cheese, soy sauce, miso, yogurt, and much more comes from Yewa’s grace and generosity. So during this time of year, when we give respect to our Ancestors, the Egungun, and to Death itself, we also give thanks to Yewa. May she always facilitate the ends that lead to beginnings. Ashe!
