Being a Centre for Yoruba traditional religion and culture the mission of the Oduduwa temple is to gather, preserve and spread the rich oral Yoruba heritage. Old wise men and women are gradually leaving us, heading towards the world of our ancestors; many of them do not have their own spiritual descendants. This is why our temple – besides initiations and events – also hosts the elders that are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom with us. In this way we are making sure that this knowledge is being carried on – even beyond the borders of Nigeria. Often we get visits from Brazil and Europe. From Brazil, because they wish to return to the primordial knowledge about the culture that was brought there by African slaves centuries ago and that over time adapted to the Christian influence. And from Europe, because through our heritage they were able to find the roots of their pagan past from which precious scripts about initiations, the specifics about rituals and offering practices were forever lost in flames.
