Welcome to Osun Arts Foundation Incorporation: African dance, drama, music, visual arts & storytelling in United States

The charismatic Patheon of Deities performance, a 2006 project, which was accompanied by our educational workshops, gives the audience the opportunity to witness some of the West African cultural values and norms. It features dynamic dance routines, powerful drumming and elaborate traditional costumes, whilst being great fun, its also takes the audience onto an educational journey.

The Yoruba people of West African country called Nigeria believe that a collection of deities called lesser gods surrounds God in the heavens.

Humans cannot approach God directly, they tend to reach out to God through his deities, such as Ogun -the god of Iron, and Sango -the god of Thunder, each of who are believed to have affinities in particular areas of life.

Yoruba likewise believe that some powerfully spiritual people do not completely leave this world when they physical body passes away.

These spirits, known as Egungn or ancestors, are tended through special priest who keep shrines to the ancestors.

It is during annual festivities, and sometimes in times of community need, that these spirits (Egungun) come down to earth and come out in the form of masqurades to visit and reassert their spiritual presence.

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