Oturupon Wonnifa Temple
Our mission is to help bring about the Good Condition
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Welcome to Our Community
The Holy Odu OturuponOwonrin is our Guide. Ifá says that the Holy Odu OturuponOwonrin is too demanding for the novice priest to recite; it is the prerogative of the elder awo to speak upon it. This was Ifa's teaching for Onira Sa Ira - the King of Ira - who was told to venerate Orisa Oya at Oja Igbo market in order to transcend and overcome. Consequently, The primary orisa of Ira is Oya. Likewise, the patron orisa of Oturupon Wonnifa Temple is Oya!
Are you someone who really wants to practice Orisa Lifestyle, but have nobody to guide you? Are you trying to study and develop in your practice, but you have no idea where to start? Are you trying to integrate your spiritual life with your "other life" but struggle to connect Orisa Lifestyle with your work, family and daily activities? Are you interested in practicing Orisa Lifestyle from an African Centered perspective?
Oturupon Wonnifa will give you lots of structure and direction, without eliminating your freedom to choose what's best for you and your family. Through regular worship services, educational programs, online support, and one-on-one attention, you will get the support you need to finally connect the dots!!! Oturupon Wonnifa is ideal for Africans who not only want to study, but also practice Orisa Lifestyle every day.
Temple Leadership
We are led by world class thought leaders who have dedicated their lives to building community and establishing authentic, West African practices in the diaspora.
ARABA OLAIFA OKEMUYIWA is the Araba of Oturupon Wonnifa Temple. The Araba advises and supports the Olu Awo. He shares sacred text, provides ritual support and facilitates initiatory rites in Nigeria.
OLUWO
OLOYE OBAFEMI ORIGUNWA serves as the Olu Awo of Oturupon Wonnifa Temple. He guides all members in spiritual matters, including Ifa divination, sacrifices, shrine upkeep and ritual proficiency.
Olu Awo oversees the temple's annual calendar of events. He officiates the Oturupon Wonnifa Ifa festival.
The Olu Awo serves as the Dean at the School of Orisa Studies.
Awo Otun
AWOLOWO ALAJE
Delegate of the Olu Awo. The Awo Otun supports the Olu Awo by managing all the men in the Temple, priests and laity alike. The Awo Otun provides leadership in the way of initiating business opportunities for the membership. The Awo Otun also serves as the head of the Egbe Okunrin. In this capacity, he facilitates activities associated with raising awareness and increasing engagement amongst all the men of Oturupon Wonnifa.
Awo Osi
FADARA ADEREMI
The Awo Osi supports the Olu Awo in all the temple's ritual activities. Awo Osi manages the acquisition of ritual materials and supplies. In addition, he coordinates temple personnel to ensure that every detail of our rituals are addressed according to best practices.
Aseda
EKUNDAYO IMODOYE BRENNAN
The aseda awo functions as a teacher/philosopher/theorist. He is well versed in Odu Ifa, oriki, Yoruba proverbs and history. The aseda awo is a scribe and a lecturer. He works in conjunction with the araba and the olu awo to organize educational experiences for temple members and their families. This includes publications, classes, lectures and workshops.
Iyalode
ORIMIDARA FASEYE
Iyalode is the head of all women in the temple. As such, she assembles all other female leaders to support awareness and engagement in temple activities. Iyalode serves as the head of Egbe Obinrin. In this capacity, she works in conjunction with the Olu Awo and the leadership team to manage temple projects and initiatives. Iyalode is a strategist who balances the spiritual, professional and personal interests of temple members.
Ojugbona
JEGBE FASORANTI
The ojugbona works closely with the Olu Awo. He supports the temple's educational initiatives by organizing learning opportunities, answering frequently asked questions, suggesting learning initiatives, supporting students when they have ritual challenges and more.
Iyaloja
SHANNON LOUYINDOULA
The iyaloja is in charge of internal marketing and branding for the temple. The iyaloja works in conjunction with the Olu Awo and the leadership team to deliver messaging, temple style guide and themes to all members. The iyaloja builds our brand from the inside out by helping members gain awareness and practice our shared values.
Elewi
The Elewi teaches recitation and songs. This includes leading weekly chanting sessions, periodic song clinics and management of transcriptions. The Elewi also coordinates participants to recite the Ijosin liturgy,
Oluwanje
Aiyeloja The Oluwanje attends to the Olu Awo, including grocery shopping, budgeting, cooking, calendar review and support. The Oluwanje oversees all scheduling, staffing and activities associated with food preparation and service.
Iya Olomo Wewe
APETEBII DUNMOLA ALAJE
The Iya Olomo wewe works directly with the Olu Awo to provide educational experiences for the school aged children in the temple. This includes coordinating personnel and activities, developing learning materials and training for the home and ceremony settings.
Iya Agan
JOKOTIFA ALAYE
The Iya Agan works directly with the Olu Awo and the temple leadership team to provide companionship, comfort, and guidance to members who are facing a terminal illness or death. The Iya Agan's support encompasses emotional, spiritual, and practical care. She offers resources to help the dying person, or their family and loved ones make informed decisions in a supportive environment that is consistent with the principles and practices of our temple.
Amuludun
DIDAKEJE JUMOKE GRIFFIN
The aumuludun works directly with the Olu Awo and the temple leadership team to coordinate temple excursions to destinations that are of cultural and or historical significance to Africans in the United States of America.
