Orisa Priestess Helps Expand West African Faith's Reach through Her San Bernardino Shop

March 14, 2008

Author: David Olson

Source: The Press-Enterprise

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_nigerian14.4260d79.html

Chief Fama chanted as she stood on a straw mat in a bamboo-walled room behind her home near San Bernardino.

The priestess sprinkled water in a white ceramic pot containing a single sacred kola nut and then prayed to God for peace, longevity, protection and good health. Her husband, Chief Ifabowale Sohma Somadhi, shook an "iroke," a long wooden object filled with metal pieces used to communicate with a spirit of Orisa devotion.

Across the world on Saturday, millions were participating in similar ceremonies.