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His Eminence, Araba Agbaye journey to Trinidad and Tobago

Posted on 24 December 2019 by Babalawo Aworeni

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was graced with the presence of His Eminence, The Araba Agbaye Oluisese Makoranwale II, Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni on Saturday 7th December 2019 by the Kenny Cyrus Alkebulan Ile Ijuba (KCAII).  His Eminence visit to the twin island a short visit, but a visit to be able to accomplish goals of meeting the State Dignitaries and Heads of Shrines from the islands.

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The topic arose on the day of his official welcoming, that we must continue to have Love and Peace among ourselves firstly for us to keep going forward as we do not want the hard work of our ancestors to go in vain.  Trinidad and Tobago once a part of the enslavement of our fore-fathers and fore-mothers and colonialism, was somehow able to preserve and conserve the African Tradition which our Ancestors came with from the Mother-Land, Mama Africa during and after the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

 

His Eminence, The Araba Agbaye Oluisese Makoranwale II, Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni met with the President of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Tuesday 10th December 2019.  His Eminence was embraced and welcomed by the representative of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo, Acting President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on behalf of Her Excellency President Paula-Mae Weekes.

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His Eminence expressed his gratitude and extended his greetings to the people of Trinidad and Tobago to Her Excellency ChristineKangaloo.  His Eminence gave a brief history of his background and his late father’s visit, His Eminence Chief Adisa Awoyemi Aworeni to Trinidad and Tobago in 2007.  His Eminence informed Her Excellency of intentions of bringing peace, love and unity among Trinidad and Tobago and the Ifa/Orisa community and by extension maintaining the ties between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago.

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His Eminence, The Araba Agbaye Oluisese Makoranwale II, Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni met with Government of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago official, Monday 16th December 2019.  His Eminence was embraced and welcomed by the representative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, The Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs.

 

Minister Hinds gave a warm welcome to His Eminence on behalf of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and as the Representative of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr Keith Rowley.  Dr Rowley was not able to attend the meeting but his best wishes were received.  The role and importance of His Eminence, as the Araba Agbaye was explained to Minister Hinds which also a bio-data was provided.  His Eminence and Minister Hinds began their discussions with the purpose of the visit by His Eminence, the Araba Agbaye by giving a brief history when his late father, His Eminence, Chief Adisa Awoyemi Aworeni Makoranwale I visited Trinidad and Tobago in 2007 who was hosted by the late Iyalode Awo Agbaye, Chief Ifakorede Oyayemi Aworeni, Iyalorisa Joan Cyrus, the previous Spiritual Head of KCAII.

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His Eminence expressed to Minister Hinds, his greatest intentions for him to achieve during his visit to the shores of the twin islands is to pray and bring peace, love, blessings and the best wishes to Trinidad and Tobago as the Araba Agbaye Oluisese, the Arole of Orunmila.  Trinidad and Tobago is blessed as there are many diversities of cultures and races, and among them, the Ifa/Orisa community.  The Ifa/Orisa community has come a long way at least in the last thirty years, progress can be seen within the community in Trinidad and Tobago.  For example, there was once a bill that if anyone caught beating the drums, would have been arrested and/or imprisoned. Anyone under the Orisa tradition can now be married under the Orisa Marriage Act and it is recognised.

 

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On Monday 16th December 2019, a meeting was called by His Eminence to be held at the KCAII by inviting all Heads of Shrines and Elders of Trinidad and Tobago to hold a meeting to discuss a way forward as a unit, the Ifa/Orisa community.  Various heads of Shrines attended the meeting.  The discussion began after homage was paid to Olodumare and the Orisas and everyone introduced themselves and their shrines.  Baba Araba Agbaye shared to the community his visit and the reception he was received by the Representative of the President and the Representative of the Prime Minister.

 

The Ifa/Orisa community is recognised and is known as a community in Trinidad and Tobago, however, there need to be more strength and unity as a unit to be well recognised and well respected.  There must be at least two or three persons that can speak on behalf of the Ifa/Orisa community and not as individuals.  The otherreligious communities are represented and recognised and are able to benefit from the State.  We too need to be recognised and represented for us to go further than where we are currently.  Yes, the Ifa/Orisa community has come a long way, but we can reach further than where we are right now once we form as a unit and select someone who can represent us all as community and not as individuals.  Persons visiting from Africa to Trinidad and Tobago and by extension, the Diaspora, also have a role to play.  They too must also ensure when they visit, they add positivity by spreading peace and unity and not add tension and division among the shrines.

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Another concern raised in the meeting was the roles and responsibilities of persons who hold Chieftaincy Titles and their contributions which are needed in the Ifa/Orisa community to make it a better place particularly for Trinidad and Tobago. Persons received titles that are recognised among the Ifa/Orisa community in Trinidad and Tobago, but their roles and function may not be understood based on their title, which is also another issue to be addressed among the community.

 

Baba Araba Agbaye suggested we start practicing Ile Ijuba as the Ifa/Orisa community for us to be able to come together to serve Olodumare, the Orisas and Honourable Ancestors at a specific time.  This would be in our proposal to the Government for us to able to receive Land for the Ifa/Orisa community.  Minister Hinds mentioned in discussions with His Eminence that the Government is ready to assist the Ifa/Orisa community once a legal committee is formed and will represent all Ifa/Orisa practioneer throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

 

At the end of the meeting with His Eminence and the Heads of Shrines and Elders, a forum was created via social media to begin the discussions to start a committee and to continue the discussions for us to keep going forward.

 

His Eminence departed Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday 19thDecember 2019 to return to his native land, Ile-Ife Nigeria.  While his visit was short on the shores of the twin islands, we pray that His Eminence will continue to teach us and guide us through his teachings as Ifa/Orisa devotees in Trinidad and Tobago need to keep going forward.

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His father who visited our shores in 2007, left an indelible impression on the community of Ifa/Orisa community and his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, will never be forgotten.  History was again repeated in 2019 by the visit of as His Eminence, The Araba Agbaye Oluisese Makoranwale II, Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni who also left an indelible impression on the community with his words of wisdom and his desire for peace and a harmonious relationship among the Ifa/Orisa community.

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The future is bright for Ifa/Orisa devotees in Trinidad and Tobago.  The Ancestors laid the foundation for us to stand on in Trinidad and Tobago, all thanks and praises are to be given to Olodumare, Esu, Orunmila, all the Orisas and all honourable Ancestors.  His Eminence, Baba Araba Agbaye Oluisese Makoranwale II, the Arole of Orunmila, gratitude and appreciation would always be given for your knowledge and wisdom shared with Trinidad and Tobago.  Long Life, more prosperity and blessings to His Eminence Baba Araba Agbaye and we hope that this would be the first of many visits to come.

Iyanifa Omitosin Cyrus Aworeni.

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