Though we honor our Afrikan women at all times, on our official azanlilen (calendar) the month of Di (this our fourth month corresponding to June 19-July 19 of the Gregorian calendar) is officially Afrikan Women Appreciation Month at the Kilombonu (Maroon) Monarchy of Ganlodo. It is during this month that we take extra special care to honor the existence, achievements, love, loyalty and much more of the Afrikan woman. The Afrikan woman is increasingly leading the way and holding down the fort. She is a mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, entrepreneur, warrior, and nation builder. In the Afrikan Vodun tradition a married woman is known as Xwenon (mother and owner of the house) and in the Isese (“Yoruba”) tradition she is known Iyaale (Mother of the house) which implies she runs the house. The home is where one of the first tenets of sovereignty is practiced which is family development. She is responsible for how the nation is first shaped by shaping the family properly.
In the sacred Kpoli Fá (Odù Ifá) Sámézi (Osa Méjì) we learn that Ogun, Obatala and Odù were sent to the world to improve creation. Odù was confused about her role and went to MáwùLisa and said: “Ogun has the power of the machete and a sword. Obatala also has everything he needs. What remains for me, the only woman among them? What will I do. MawuLisa said: the power of motherhood that keeps the earth in tact, belongs to you. The power of the Birds (reference to the inherit power found only in women to control certain mystic phenomenon) belongs to you. I will give you a calabash filled with these things“.
MawuLisa then said “Use your power with coolness and not with violence, or I will take it away from you.” Since that time, because of Odù, women have the power to always say things of power, for in the absence of women men can do nothing. Nobody, children nor old men, will dare to mock women. The power of women is great. Women give life through giving birth, and whatever men may want to do, women must help them or it will not be successful.” So they sang together, and Obatala said that every week everybody must praise women, for the world to be peaceful. Bend your knee, bend your knee for women, for women brought you into this world; women are the wisdom of Earth, women have brought us into this world; have respect for women.“
In the sacred Kpoli Fá GbeTula (Ogbe Otura) it is said that Orunmila (deity oom) set out to learn the secret of the world. Orunmila was told by his diviners to place an offering near the bush and hide behind a tree and he would discover the secret of the world. Orunmila did so. Shortly thereafter, he saw an imposing woman coming down the road. This was a woman who was chief of the Aje (the bird women representing the secrets and power of women). She started to consume the food as if to know it was left there for her. After she was finished eating she called Orunmila to come out of his hiding place. Orunmila was shocked that this person knew of his presence. When approached by the imposing woman Orunmila was told that women were the secret of the world.
She stated: The success or failure of any person rest on women; the love or hatred of any person rest on a woman; the happiness or sadness of any person rests on women; the honor or disgrace of any person rests on women and so on. He was advised by Ifá to never underestimate any woman, no matter how small or unimportant the woman may seem to be.
Join us as we honor our women. Give special extra gifts and praises to the Afrikan woman in the month of Di – and always.
