By Olóyè Adéyẹlá Bennett Ìyalájé Ọbàtálá ni Ifè In the cosmological system of the ancient Yorùbá Empire in present day southwest Nigeria -- and now in the global Yorùbá dispersion -- Olódùmarè is the silent, unseen and ever-present Supreme One. Olódùmarè is the Author of Peace, Love and Bliss. Olódùmarè requires no worship. No praise. The Essence of Olódùmarè can only be experienced by Living with Divine Love. In Yorùbá, this quality is called Ìwà Pẹlẹ́, Divine Character. Ol

In December 2025, Iyalaje Adeyela Bennett enlightened people of different faiths about Yoruba spiritual and cultural practices at the Interfaith Montgomery hybrid monthly meeting. People from Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Bahai faiths, as well as Yoruba practitioners, listened respectfully and engaged in dialogue about Chief Adeyela's message. Chief Iyalaje Adeyela Bennett is the author of  Only the Strong Survive: A Womanist Journey . The anthology is a tribute to mythical a

Caw! Caw! Caw! The African Guinea Fowls squawk relentlessly in the back yard Right outside my bedroom window

By Ìyà Ibejí, Adeyela Bennett Happy, happy birthday, my dearest Ìyálóde ! On your 32nd birthday in March 2025, Ẹkú Ìṣẹ ọmọ mi ! I...

Obìnrin Àsìkò Episode 1: How to Attract Womanist Journey highly recommends Obìnrin Àsìkò for both English and Yoruba speaking women...

The Arugba Oṣun is always a virgin from the royal family in Osogbo. She is ordained to lead the procession to the Osun River

Iyansa governs the ancestral realm; therefore, I advise you to pay special respect to both your maternal and paternal ancestors.

For the past 11 years, This is Alabama  asked Alabama residents to tell them about women who have made a difference in the community. The...

As a child, adults would often ask: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I usually responded: “A writer!”  My mother and stepfather...

This reading is based on my memories of time spent with my mother, Queen Esther Ward Barnett. I proudly feature my mother's bio at the...