Odunde - A Celebration of African Culture

Pheralyn Dove Photo

African traditions in all their glory and splendor are celebrated every second Sunday in June at Philadelphia’s Odunde Festival. I always look forward to Odunde. Here I have captured photographs and written a series of Haiku verses to commemorate this observance that embraces the African Diaspora and pays homage to West African rituals. Odunde was created in 1975 by Lois Fernandez upon her return from a profound journey to the Motherland.

  

Odunde is a

Spiritual gathering that

celebrates Oshun.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Odunde is based

on African traditions,

folkways and mores.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

The second Sunday

in June is set aside to

Celebrate Oshun.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Pheralyn Dove Photo

For each Odunde
Festival, Oshun holds back
the clouds and the rain.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Water is a part

of Odunde rituals

we observe each year.

South Street Bridge overlooks

Schuylkill River, where we

Praise our Ancestors.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Blessings pour down while

Praises go up to Oshun,

our River Goddess.

We chant prayers to our

Ancestors; We hold hands and

ask Oshun’s blessings.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Mountains, Rivers, and

oceans do not separate

us from Africa.

We give thanks and praise

for our Ancestors’ gifts and

their sacrifices.

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Dancers and drummers

perform with exuberance,

pure love, joy and pride.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Dazzling array of

beautiful families are

wonderful to see.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

We come attired

in our traditional garb;

We celebrate life!

Pheralyn Dove Photo

We hug old friends and

make new acquaintances in

the huge marketplace.

Some vendors sell food

Some sell clothes, while others sell

Textiles and sculptures.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Jewelry and handmade

trinkets of all sorts are on

exquisite display.

Lois Fernandez, Odunde Founder - Pheralyn Dove Photo

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Designers show off

their unique creations and

entice you to buy.

Pheralyn Dove Photo

Asante Sana. Peace, Blessings & Homage to Oshun Always!