Ile Osikan practices traditional Lukumi/New World Yoruba Orisha religious way of life. We are dedicated to counseling believers and instructing them in Yoruba/Lucumi spiritual tradition.
We adhere to strict observance of Lukumi religion as it has descended from the Old Oyo empire, through Cuba, and to the rest of the world. Our lineage descends from Rigoberto Rodriguez, Oshunyemi of Madruga, Cuba, godson of Adela Alonso, Oduanla, goddaughter of Arabia Oviedo, Shangofunke, goddaughter of Monserrate Asinabi, who was brought from Africa as a slave. It is the tradition of this lineage that we practice.
We are dedicated to researching our traditions, discussing and debating them in order that the Lukumi religion shall remain strong, vital, and continuously evolving. We believe that it is the nature of West African religious tradition to grow and evolve with the constantly changing needs of our world, but that we must be careful and reasonable about this growth, as our ancestors were.
We feel that the only way to learn the practice of this religion is through apprenticeship with a competent elder, and NEVER through books, the Internet or other media. We believe that these should be reserved for the discussion of the religion and never the instruction.
Ile Osikan believes that each and every person, regardless of age, race, sex, national origin, ethnic background, mental-, physical-, or spiritual illness, sexual orientation, "lifestyle," "social position," citizenship and/or appearance has a full and proper place within the membership and priesthood of the Lukumi religion, as well as in the world at large.
We believe that any person or group who excludes from their Ile or attempts to deny any sort of freedom and/or equal status to any individual for any of these reasons, or for any other reason which is beyond their control, forfeits their legitimacy. It is the bond of the Awo and Olosha to allow Olorun, the ancestors and the Orishas to speak through our oracles regarding the role of any person in this religion. Judgment belongs only to God.
