Africa's Ogun, Second, Expanded Edition: Old World and New

15 Ògún: Builder of the Lùkùmí's House

John Mason 15 6gun: Builder of the Lukumf's House he Lukumi love Ogun because he had the courage and ability to go out into the wilderness alone, armed only with his intelligence, strength, and a cutlass, and carve out a permanent and exalted place, for both himself and his followers, in the hearts and minds of men. The term Lukumi (Olukumi-v-rny friend) is an ancient designation still used by the Yoruba and their descendants in Cuba. It is found on several ancient maps of West Africa, where the kingdom of Ulcumi or Lucumi or Ulcami is shown to the northwest of the kingdom of Benin. This word is also used to describe the Yoruba language. In Cuba, the name is used when addressing African descendants who clearly distinguish themselves as having Nago, Egbado , ij~~a, Qy¢, or Ijebu ancestry. Since 1959, the United States has provided the latest site in the Americas where Lukumi-Yoruba culture has taken hold, brought by African-Cuban, African-American, and African-Puerto Rican initiates . In the United States the term Lukumi is seldom used but is replaced by the designations "Orisa worship" and "6ri~a follower." Ogun is the clearer of the path and creator of the road that allows both men and deities to travel from one level of reality to the next. Before we employed the sharpened stone of Ogun, we used his teeth to bite through the umbilical cord, allowing a new soul to enter the world. Ogun works tirelessly against the invisible, manipulative power of Fate, and Lukumi songs to the ori~a are the best vehicles for exploring the hopes and expectations we look to Ogun and his fellow powers to fulfill. These songs describe not only who Ogun and the other orisi: are but also how they can transform our existence. If you have ever suffered, you realize that there is nothing you can ever do to be prepared for it except to pray for a way out to materialize instantly. Ogun is called to cut the escape path. 354 John Mason FIGURE 15. I Ogun pot with miniature tools used to represent work done by Ogun in the smithy, on the farm, and during the hunt. Casa de Africa, Havana, Cuba. Photo by John Mason. 6gun: Builder of the Lukurnl's House Baba wa (0) 'ni. Baba wa 'ni. iya 6 maaQku o. iya 6 maa Qku o. Aare're Ogun baba wa.' Father come today. Father come today. Suffering is habitual; it is unexpected. Suffering is habitual; it is unexpected. Titleholder of ire, Ogun, Father come. 355 As blacksmith and artisan, Ogun is responsible for the invention and fabrication of all tools which enable hunters and laborers to pursue their livelihoods and provide us with the animal protein, medicine, produce, and finished goods that we need to survive. He and the craft guilds that look to him as their patron also create the carved, cast, and forged art that adorns our lives. (Fig. 15.I) Ogun Alagbede, Aare're, Alagbede. Ogun Alagbede il$ mo ku o. QmQ Ogun Alagbede il¢ mo ku o. A wa wo ona Ogun Alagbede.' Ogun the blacksmith, titleholder of ire, blacksmith. Ogun, blacksmith of the land, I salute you. Children of Ogun, blacksmith of the land, I salute you. We come to look at the art of Ogun the blacksmith. Ogun is the champion of laborers everywhere, and his movements and whereabouts are carefully charted by all workers. His appearance signals the locating and procuring of the raw materials needed for production, which in turn leads to the employing of workers, and the prosperity that comes with the manufacturing and marketing of finished goods. Women who, in West Africa and the Caribbean, own and operate markets also cheer Ogun's industry (Fig. 15.2). Ogun de (ij'le baayii-baayii. Ogun de baba y ri 0 Wo! Ogun de baba y ri 0 ~a~a~a. Ogun de alagbase gbase, Ogun de la baayii-baayii. Ogun de gbogbo ya re Ogun, Ago y¢ pa ri a t'ori 'J¢~a-'J$~a. Ogun de la baayii-baayii.' Ogun has arrived at the house just this instant. Ogun arrives. Father is seen, behold! Ogun arrives. Father is seen here and there. Ogun arrives, the laborer's laborer (the one laborers obey). Ogun arrives to save us just this instant. Ogun arrives. All are ready for the goodness...