Afrikan Women's Appreciation Month

Though we honor our Afrikan women at all times, on our official azanlilɛn (calendar) the month of Di (this, our fourth month, this year corresponding to June 17 - July 16 of the Gregorian calendar) is officially Afrikan Women Appreciation Month at the Kilɔmbonu (Maroon) Monarchy of Gànlɔdó. It is during this month that we take extra special care to honor the existence, achievements, love, loyalty and much more of the Afrikan woman. The Afrikan woman is increasingly leading the way and holding down the fort. She is a mother, wife, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, entrepreneur, warrior, and nation builder.

In the Afrikan Vodun tradition, a married woman is known as Xwenɔn (mother and owner of the house) and in the Ìṣèṣẹ (“Yoruba”) tradition she is known Ìyáálé (Mother of the house) which implies she runs the house. The home is where one of the first tenets of sovereignty is practiced which is family development. She is responsible for how the nation is first shaped by shaping the family properly.

In the sacred Odù Ifá Òsá Méjì, we learn that Ògún, Ọbàtálá and Odù were sent to the world to improve creation. Odù was confused about her role and went to Olódùmarè and said: “Ògún has the power of the machete and a sword. Ọbàtálá also has everything he needs. What remains for me, the only woman among them? What will I do. Olódùmarè said: the power of motherhood that keeps the earth in tact, belongs to you. The power of the Birds (reference to the inherit power found only in women to control certain mystic phenomenon) belongs to you. I will give you a calabash filled with these things”.