SANDRA L BLOOD
Trinidad’s Shawn “Jagun” Payne and Nigeria’s Oloye Temitope “Tope” Owoeye are said to be spiritually-yoked. They share the same values, vision and beliefs pertaining to ancestors and their importance; passion for Egungun/Ancestral Worship and dedication to cultural preservation. One of their tasks is to debunk the myths associated with African spirituality.
Out of this commitment, in 2020, courtesy Anthony Carrera looked up to as a meaningful supporter, emerged the Ojé Egungun Society for Ancestral Veneration and Cultural Revivalism (OESAVCR). Located at LP81 Cumuto Road, San Raphael, Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo district in North-East Trinidad, it was officially registered in 2022.
Jagun is director, Tope is spiritual advisor, and newly-appointed president is Coleen London Quashie. The Society’s core values are Honesty, Integrity, Patience, and Alignment/Ori while the goal being, to establish traditional ancestral veneration as a powerful force for the healing of our communities.
“The organization is all-embracing and comforting as everyone has ancestors,” said Jagun. “It’s become a beacon of cultural preservation and spiritual growth, inspiring many to explore and embrace their ancestral heritage.”
Spiritual Advisor of OESAVCR Okoye Temitope "Tope" Owoeye
Jagun meets Egungun Festival
From a profound calling and vision that took root, in 2018 Jagun was chosen to lead the annual Egungun festival.
“The initial modest event evolved into a significant gathering, drawing people from various walks of life who sought spiritual enlightenment and a deeper connection to Egungun worship or appearance and overall culture, as well as a deep appreciation for ancestral veneration the West African way,” said Tope, who was very instrumental in its success.
Jagun was then a young member of Ile Ijosin Otura Meji Awon Osun when he was initiated into Egungun in 2019 by his Araba Adewale Oso, who advised him of the significance of celebrating his ancestors yearly by way of festival.
Both co-founders were eventually introduced by Jagun’s spiritual father Awotunde Ajigbotifa Elebuibon, to have a meeting concerning working together on two important projects, one being to assist with planning the fifth festival.
Empress Ajé, fourth left standing, with members of OESAVCR during an Orisha event hosted at the Orisha Temple of Light, Malabar.
Head of the Traditional Afrikan Chiefs of Trinidad and Tobago Oloye Orawale Oranje, centre, and director of the OESAVCR Jagun, left, share time with members of the Society at an event.
Director of OESAVCR, with towel, frolicking with his members at an occasion that was held at the San Raphael Community Centre during the 2023 festival.
Egungun worship
Tope, divination-trained and being an onisegun (herbalist), contributed requisite knowledge and drive to advance Egungun Worship mainstream affording non-devotees of Isese to be curious and interested. His impeccable teaching ability sprouted a related learning atmosphere.
The coming of Ojé Egungun Society
The effect of this fifth festival and impact of its spiritual mission, saw a structured organization that would sustain the annual festival and also provide continuous support and guidance to individuals with similar destinies, envisioned. Jagun and Tope then agreed to create a separate organization to cater specifically to Egungun Worship and to revive traditional African Culture in both West African and local ways.
They laid a foundation for OESAVCR, driven by a shared commitment to foster a deeper understanding of Egungun practices and cultural values, engaging the youth and young adult with traditional values, to remove the negative stigma and trauma associated with slavery and spirituality.
Sustaining the annual festival
On July 28, the second annual Egungun Tobago festival was held, and in December, its seventh in Trinidad is scheduled to be.
Learning the Society
· Ife: religion.
· Ori: one’s spiritual intuition/destiny.
· Ojé: the name of persons who practice ancestral worship.
· Egungun: a respective masquerade or masked costume figure.
· Ancestral Veneration: the practice of honouring our beloved family members/friends who have passed on.
· Cultural Revivalism: rich tapestry of history, spirituality, values and lessons incorporated.
· Official uniforms are used at occasions.
Yoruba education
Basic social graces
· Ekaaro (good morning/greetings).
· Adupe; modupe (thanks/we give thanks; I give thanks).
· Pele o (hello).
· Bawo ni o se wa (how are you).
· Bdagan ojo re (have a good day).
· Okuro mi ni Jagun (my name is).
Senior and junior Egungun Aniyikaye. Traditional meal, dessert, beverage · Meal: Fufu (pounded yam) and egusi (soup served with a variety of meats cooked together). · Dessert: Akara (fried bean cake) or moin moin (bean pudding). · Go-to beverage: Palm wine bottled like beer.
Strengthening generations
Tope and Jagun aim to cultivate a broader appreciation for traditional values and ensure that these practices are conveyed to future generations through workshops, educational programs, and ongoing mentorship.
“Apart from supporting leaders, the Society also educates the wider community about the profound wisdom inherent in Egungun Worship and Culture. We all have ancestors who we love and miss dearly, if we continue to venerate and connect with them, they can assist in all life’s problems,” apprised Jagun.
OESAVCR’s message; greeting
In the garden of remembrance, their spirit blooms eternal, filling our hearts with gratitude, for the love and light they bestowed upon us.
Idunu Ominira (Happy Freedom/Emancipation).
Facebook: The Ojé Egungun Society for Ancestral Veneration and Cultural Revivalism
Email: ojesocietytrinidad@gmail.com.
Phone: (868) 774.5108 or 752.2120