Baba Medahochi Kofi Omowale Zannu Mogbarimu Ajinaku El

Who Is Baba Medahochi?

"Medahochi spent his entire life on a never-ending quest for knowledge. He is a cultural activist, but he claims no labels. He was a priest of the African Traditional Religion, a visual artist, a writer, a lecturer, a humorist, an avid reader, a teacher, a healer, and he spoke several languages. His extended family and friends knew him respectfully as Baba..." ~ Dee Robinson

"Baba Medahochi is and has always been an Afrikan nationalist. Years before he would eventually immerse himself into Afrikan religious systems, Baba had already internalized Pan Afrikanism as a way of life. It is impossible to measure the level of Baba Medahochi’s influence in Afrikan spirituality. The lives he touched have touched the lives of countless more. For this we are eternally grateful to him. Throughout his life’s work, his understanding has always been that religion is the deification of someone’s nationalism and religion is only relevant if it deifies your nationalism." ~ Ason Gbehanzin Ajinaku

"In his role as pioneer of the revival of Afrikan tradition, spirituality, and identity, Medahochi Kofi Zannu was a genius who has been responsible for the development of a perspective that has the potential of restoring dignity and integrity to Afrikans in America and worldwide and restoring our civilization and World. Medahochi was a visionary and gifted thinker." ~ Vodunsi Akinyele Umoja

"... his career had Grown and Expanded So Much, and he was Sought All Over The Country for His Knowledge of African History and Culture." ~ Iya Afin, Ayobunmi Sosi Sangode

"My Fafa saw the importance of looking at the continuity of African spiritual systems and that is possible for them to be practiced together." ~ Sweet Honey-Umtwana

"Baba's level of influence was infectious and those that were fortunate to cross his path, study under his tutelage and temporarily share his life's road truly knew this. His influence will continue to pervade and ripple throughout many generations to come. Baba sought to have the sons and daughters of cotton, understand their place in the faith systems that they would give rise to and work in concert with one another in order to rebuild and put to a new/high standard the faiths of our ancestors." ~ Kobena Esubiyi AlaKetu

"This site is Dedicated to the Life, Wisdom, Art, Songs & Teachings of Baba Medahochi" ~ Ogunlade

Class in Session! The 16 Great Signs

Besides being a great scholar, Baba Medahochi was/is a great practitioner of Ifa. He was one of the few Babalowo's of the Nu Afrikan tradition.

That is why it seems most appropriate to open our classes to the research and reflections of the Great Mighty Mighty as he lectures us about how the 16 great signs are seen in ancient traditions from West Africa, Arabia, Europe, India and China.

So, get your pencils out, and a thick notebook.  And welcome to Baba Medahochi's class of the 16 Great Signs of Odu.

Special note: Most of the sources that Baba used to create these writings were written in French and Arabic. Baba Medahochi taught himself how to read these languages so that he could translate these important works. A true scholar.

1st Annual African Indigenous Unity Festival

Experience the wonder, Oct 12th -14th, when the SANKORE FOUNDATION in collaboration with Morehouse School of Medicine and the Bonaboto Association hosts the Ghana delegation of Bo-Naba Alemyarim Baba Salifu and the Taimako family for the first Annual African Indigenous Unity Festival. Bo-Naba Alemyarim Baba Salifu, Paramount Chief of Bongo Traditional Area, Bongo, Upper East Region will headline the three day fest of international networking, indigenous knowledge and politics, and seminars on African enterprise, traditional medicine, African spiritual philosophy; and opportunities to live, invest, learn, and experience Africa. Bo-Naba Alemyarim Baba Salifu requires no introduction! He will be joined by Faiza Ibrahim Taimako presenting, Northern Ghana: Traditional Healing & Indigenous Medicine At A Glance. Friday - Women's Wellness - Mind, Body, and Spirit : Women's Only Conference Friday - Women's Wellness - Mind, Body, and Spirit Mingle & Networking w/ vendors and participants Food, H2O, Supplements, Finance, Fitness Spoken word by Tamera, Sound Right Healing Presentation by Aset Meduty Featured Guest Speaker - Faiza Ibrahim Taimako "Traditional Healing and Traditional Medicine " Georgia State University, 30 Pryor St. College of Education-Room 150 7:30 - 11:00pm Admission : Free!!! Saturday - African Indigenous Unity Festival You are welcome, to join us for a full day of Guest Speakers, African Dance, Children's Corner, Vendors, and Business Networking. Guest Speakers Bo-Naba Alemyarim Baba Salifu, Paramount Chief of Bongo Traditional Area, Bongo, Upper East Region; Northern Ghana: Politics, Investment, & Tradition Faiza Ibrahim Taimako, Ghana Federation of Traditional Medical Healers (GHAFTRAM), Regional Coordinator: Northern Ghana: Indigenous Healing and Traditional Medicine At A Glance HABESHA Inc. presenting Black To Our Roots film Documentary Morehouse School of Medicine 720 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Admission : Free!! Sunday - Northern Spirits & Ghanaian Tradition Lecture by Faiza Ibrahim Taimako Spiritual Readings by Faiza Ibrahim Taimako Afrikan Djeli Cultural Center 840 R.D. Abernathy Blvd, SW * Atlanta, GA 30310 Free Admission!! Wednesday October 10th - Ase', Igniting the Power Within! Sankore Foundation, in collaboration with Spirit of Truth Foundation, presents Ase', Igniting the Power Within- a documentary featuring various elders from around the world sharing their wisdom and their knowledge. Join us on an a journey into the indigenous mind. October 10th from 6-9 pm, at the Five Spot, 1123 Euclid Avenue, L5P Free Admission! Sankore Would Like To Thank Our Partners - "The Sankore Foundation is determined to embody the highest since of integrity, honesty, and absolute selfless pursuit of nation building". - Sankore Founders Please see their website: http://www.sankorefoundation.org

Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III

I had the pleasure of travelling with Dr. Asa Hilliard several years ago.  We and a group of African-centered people went Bahia, Brazil to visit the African temples and houses.  I especially remember spending time with him in a tent at the Zumbi festival.  I think it is appropriate to start posting this trip on Medahochi.com.

To Dr. Asa Hilliard, I know you are home again.  I guess you really didn't want to leave Africa.  You decided to stay.  Peace onto you.

~ Ogunlade

Below is an article posted about Dr. Hilliard.  Thank you Makena for the link.

Georgia State Professor Asa Hilliard Dies in Egypt

by Ibram Rogers
Aug 15, 2007, 07:11

About 200 members of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC) gathered Tuesday morning in Luxor, Egypt, at the tomb of Thutmose IV to commemorate the passing of one of the organization’s founders, the renowned multi-faceted scholar — Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III.

Hilliard died Sunday in Cairo, Egypt, 10 days shy of his 74^th birthday. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but one source says that he died of malaria, which he contracted in Ghana where he was enstooled as a king and another says that he was sick before he left the United States...

(More from this article about Dr. Asa Hilliard)

The Memoirs of an Old Swamp Priest

I cannot help but see the value and necessity in finding unity in diversity - especially being Afrikan-American!

Our ancestors have made a way out of no way; we brought together everything we could to continue our survival. Sometimes we had to just go with what we had (and still do) to do the best we could in that moment. Nobody can tell me that some of the things our ancestors did (i.e., synchronizing/blending/creating spiritual systems) was wrong, because it was effective. It meant survival for us then, and believe it or not, it will mean survival for us now. We had to rely on our own spiritual light to discern what was useful and what was not...

Read More from The Memoirs of an Old Swamp Priest by Baba Medahochi

Diaspora - Roots & Rooted

In our attempt to connect the various traditions and people of African descent that are practicing African culture, Medahochi.com will feature websites that we feel exonerate our collective ancestors.  Introducing Roots and Rooted, run by Olokuntogun Ifasehun Ojedele.

Quote:
"Roots and Rooted is for those devotees, priests, spiritual seekers and academics that are interested in Traditional African (Afrikan) Religion. This site is about spiritual empowerment and evolution, political and social justice, cultural reorientation and respect for tradition and history.

For those that love Traditional African Religion!"

We uphold sites like Roots and Rooted that are founded on principles of collaboration, diaspora and collective enlightenment.

For more information about Roots and Rooted

O Digba, Odabo Medahochi

By Adeniyi Salam

    Awa o soro ilewao…Awa o soro ilewao
Igbago o peee…Ooo eeee
Igbago o pe kawa mosoro
Awa osoro ile wao
Mo juba Akoda…Mo juba Aseda,
Mojuba awon iya mi osoronga
Ajigini…Arin gini
Arin gini gini woja ti kije keru o
bomode titi d’ojo ale.
mo juba o.

Giving honor to the creator, honor to the ancestors, honor to the elders, honor to this house of worship, and honor to Medahochi’s entire family, friends, and distinguish guests.  We are here today celebrating the living legacy of Baba Medahochi.  He’s not just a baba for us.  He’s a priest.  He’s the Oba.

Kile nfoba pe
-----oba o oba alase, oba
Oba toto bi aro
Oba o oba alase, oba
Oba rere bi osun
---oba o oba alase oba

Mothers!!!!!  Fathers!!! Brothers and Sisters!!!
Knowing I will get sick…I breathe in
Knowing I can’t escape sickness…I breathe out.
Knowing I will have to go home one day…I breathe in
Knowing I can’t escape going home one day…I breathe out.
Knowing that one day, I will have to abandon all that I cherish today…I breathe in
Knowing that I can’t escape to abandon all that I cherish today…I breathe out
Knowing that my actions are my only belongings…I breathe in
Knowing that I cannot escape the consequences of my actions…I breathe out
Vowing to offer joy each day to my beloved…I breathe in
Vowing to ease the pain of my beloved…I breathe out.

Brothers!!! and Sisters!!!!  Medahochi is not gone.  He has just relocated.  He has a new address—somewhere that we can not go right now.  However, one day, we shall see him again with his magical pick (tooth pick).  With my due respect I’ll say:

Aje gbegbe niti gbegbe
Aje rere niti rere
Oro mi digba orin loni…Igba eni
Igba eni niwaiye
Igba orin ni losalakeji
Oro teromi base lale’odo
Eja ni won fi bi
Ese ti moba seiye loni
Ki e fi b’omo elominnnnn
Mo juba!!!

Insinku (Celebratory Funeral Rite)

Insinku (Celebratory Funeral Rite)

On Friday, July 13, 2007, at 8:00pm, the forty-one days ritual commences. This will be the final ritual to guide Baba Medahochi to the ancestral realm.

All who loved Baba and all who have been touched by his work and his spirit, directly or indirectly, are welcome to come and to assist in doing the necessary rituals - honoring him and all that he has done.

This ritual will take place at the
African Dieli Cultural Center
840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW
Atlanta, Georgia  30310-1808 

The Sun Has Set

on the Great Elephant!

Wisdom is a Quality a King Must Possess

It said that there are many departments in fá, in which one gathers expertise and Baba was that of the scholar, philosopher, or master teacher; although many of us emulated him out of our profound admiration of him, he gathered no one close to him for his own sake. He often stated " a true measure of a teacher or wise person is not to lead the student to the door of his/her wisdom, but to that door of their own understanding"...

Read more from Wisdom is a Quality a King Must Possess by Kobena Esubiyi AlaKetu

Memories of My Fafa

Most people know Medahochi as a priest of IFA, a Priest of Songo, a linguist a philosopher, a teacher, and a great thinker, but his life as a grandfather and great grandfather is a story that must be told by his grandchildren and great grand children...

I came by this name because Medahochi heard the word Abantwana, which means children, and thought it was one of the most beautiful words he ever heard. He asked someone who spoke the Zulu language, what is the word for just one child? The man replied, “Umtwana”, and ever since that is the only name he has ever called me...

Read more from Memories of My Fafa by Sweet Honey-Umtwana

Iba Baba Medahochi!

Arise, Great Elephant!

On Saturday, May 26, 2007, 7:43 a.m.,
Baba Medahochi began his journey to the land of the ancestors.

The knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that he shared with us in life
is now our responsibility to carry into the future.

Ase!


Celebrating the Life of Baba Medahochi!

Medahochi.com is dedicated to

the life and extended family of Baba Medahochi.

May the spirit of Medahochi enlighten the world like the sun!

A Tribute to Baba Medahochi

My Re-Birth into Traditional African Culture and Priesthood, as other African-Americans, is due to These 3 People, OBA OSEIJEMAN ADEFUNMI I "Ibayi Ara T'orun", CHIEF MEDAHOCHI KOFI OMOWALE ZANNU "Ibayi Ara T'orun", and IYA OLUBUMI ADESOJI, who Formed and Began "The TRADITIONAL ADEFUNMI RITES Of INITIATION Into ORISA PRIESTHOOD" in the United States of America...

More from A Tribute to My God-Father by Iya Afin, AYOBUNMI SOSI SANGODE

See the website of Iya Afin, AYOBUNMI SOSI SANGODE

The Great Dismal Swamp

In the nineteenth century, the Great Dismal Swamp was a morass of huge trees towering over dense underbrush and delicate ferns, inhabited by black bears, wildcats, wild cattle and hogs, and poisonous snakes. It was to this inhospitable place many slaves came. The foreboding swamp provided a natural refuge for runaways...

Read more from Slaves in the Dismal Swamp from the Camden County, North Carolina History website

Participate in Medahochi.com!

Now is your chance to water the tree that is Baba Medahochi, to spread his seeds throughout the world, and to make the forest a sacred grove.

Medahochi is now the Sun that will make sure our efforts receive all the light we need.

Participate in Medahochi.com!

The Genius of Medahochi

"In his role as pioneer of the revival of Afrikan tradition, spirituality, and identity, Medahochi Kofi Zannu was a genius who has been responsible for the development of a perspective that has the potential of restoring dignity and integrity to Afrikans in America and worldwide and restoring our civilization and World. Medahochi was a visionary and gifted thinker. Let me recount some of his significant contributions..."

Read more from The Genius of Medahochi by Vodunsi Akinyele Umoja

Insinku (Celebratory Funeral Rite)

The Sun Has Set

on the Great Elephant!

Insinku (Celebratory Funeral Rite)

On Sunday June 10^th, at 7:30pm, we will invigorate Baba Medahochi's spirit - to give it strength and energy to continue his transition.

All who loved Baba and all who have been touched by his work and his spirit, directly or indirectly, are welcome to come and to assist in doing the necessary rituals - honoring him and all that he has done.

This ritual will take place at the
African Dieli Cultural Center
840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW
Atlanta, Georgia  30310-1808

Forty-one and one days following the day his body was returned, on Friday, July 13, 2007, there will be a final ritual to guide him to the ancestral realm.  This will also take place at African Dieli at 8:00 p.m.