Steven

Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, child of Judith Vega and Carlos Cherena. A priest of Eshu Elegba in the priesthood of Kari Osha, under Bobi Cespedes "Obalade" in full representation of Ile Ewefun. Omo Ayan Bata drummer, under Alfredo Koyude Vidaux "Ogun Yemi" (2nd from left), playing the fundamento "Ayan Ire Aye", same set I was sworn into*
My Babalawo is Fagbemi "Ogundele". My Obas, Felix "Oni Oshun", Baba Skip "Omi To Lokun" and Carlos Aldama "Obankuelu"
Me Akpwoning at a performance.
My Bata that I ropped:
Proud Boricua and I take Puerto Rico everywhere I go in full representation. Love my daughter Alafia Cherena, always my first priority and her mother, Sara Rosa for birthing her. I'm also the spiritual priest of the 360 Nation, founded by Kepra Ptah, AKA Jamal* Extremely proud of my family, community, God brothers and sisters, friends and ancestral lineage
Eshu Elegba
God and Creation*
In our Yoruba (Nigeria, Africa) rooted spiritual practices of Ifa and Kari Osha all that exists has a source, Ashe. Olodumare is said to be the source of all rays of Odu, which are the roads of assigned destiny given to all that exists. Olodumare was birthed by Ashe (thought and its manifestation) through Nana Buruku (Dahome diety, womb that birthed all into existence), represented by black holes in the universe that birth time, planets, Irawo (stars), the seen and unseen.
Olorun is said to be the keeper and maintainer of the solar system and Orun (the Sun). It is Orun (Sun) that our solar system evolves around. Olorun is also the keeper of the realm that spirit comes from and returns to for judgment and reassignment before birth and after death.
Our mother, Oshupua (the Moon).
Olofin Aye, said to be the keeper of all laws of nature and evolution. He is also keeper of the sacred Ozone, which protects Iya Ile (Mother Earth). Iya Ile is said to have birthed and manages Orisha (forces and elements of nature).
All reside in the realm of our Egun (Ancestral liniage), which traces all the way back to creation. Yes, ASHE and OLODUMARE (God) ARE WITHIN each and every one of us and if one goese within, we all will realize that I/We are God.
Ori, Osun and Osain:
Osun, the staff of Osain received during one's initiation of warriors and represents ones stability. Osun can also be received under certain Odu in the oracle. Osun also comes in different shapes, sizes and heights. Originally, the Osain staff (AKA Osun) was a tool of the Babalawo. An Iron staff, upon which the pigeon known as Kori Koto would sit. On some of the staffs, depending on the recievers authority, there were more birds than one. It was a tool used to ward off Aje. Aje are witches who are said to turn into birds and fly throughout the night sucking the Ashe and life out of people. Today, the staff is received by anyone in need of it. It's not as tall as before unless specified in Odu, and is usually topped with an Akuko (rooster) instead of Kori Koto (pigeon).
An actual Akuko (rooster) is very stable and can even sleep upon one foot, not to mention a fighter for ones head. Small bells also hang from the four cardinal points of the modern style Osun to alert anyone if it falls. It contains a cup with seeds, deadly to birds (Aje) who come to pick on ones "Head / Osun". If it falls, one is to consult immediately to see what is needed to prevent any harmful or deadly situations. I want to make it clear, a broken Eleke or tipped Osun is a warning for one to prevent, not a sign that one is doomed.
In the Oro Igbodu (rundown of Bata rythems), some elders play for Osun after Oshosi, as he is received with Eshu, Ogun and Oshosi (first three Orisha played for in Oro Igbodu), while others play for him in between Osain (the Orisha in which he is a road of) and Obatala (the Orisha of "The Head").
Due to our ancestry tracing back to creation, we begin all ceremonies and prayers with ancestral hommage and invocation. During the experience of death, it is said that we are divided and that our physical matter returns to Ile (Earth), while our spirits return to Orun (heavens). The Orisha "Oya" transfers our spirit, while the Orisha "Yewa" returns our body to the Earth. Both rays of Egun are called upon. They are invoked with the stomping of the "Opua Egun" (an often decorated stick/staff) upon the earth/floor to invoke the earthly matter and energy of the Egun. Upon the Opua, one may also place bells and rattles to call on the ancestral energy that returned to the heavens; the essence and Ashe of those ancestors. Cajon and Bata drums also invoke Egun, along with Oro.
Oro Ishe. The bullroarer used to invoke ancestral energy. Coincidentally, it sounds like the flapping wings of the giant cockroach which belong to Oya, orisha who is in charge of transfering our spirit to the heavens. It is also said to be the voice of Osain, Orisha of herbs and keeper of the bush. He is often represented by the hummingbird. I was able to get hold of a recording of a hummingbird's wings flapping, which seemed to generate a similar sound.
Oro Ishe, the bullroarer
Through our Kongolese ancestry we have the practice of Mayombe, also called "Palo". In Mayombe, we have Nzambi as God, Ngonda as the moon, and Ntoto as the earth. They too, have a cosmological priesthood run by the Yaya (Mother) and/ or Tata (Father) of the temple. The Secrets of the Earth, Solar System, and Universe are found in the Nganga. The Nganga is cauldron, sack or heap of cement that contains the ingredients and tools to operate as a mini universe. It also has one or more spirits of selected ancestors who work for the Tata/ Yaya of that Nganga, who, in exchange, gives the spirit what it needs to work.
Tata next to his Nganga
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