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Oya: Something Happened On The Way to West Africa!
2016, 31 minutes

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Media type
Country of origin

Nigeria

United States of America

Production company

Seyi Adebanjo LLC

Technical specs

Colour

Languages

English/English

Yoruba/Yorùbá

Content Warnings
Unreviewed
Description

I wanted to tell a tale not often heard about gender and Indigenous Yorùbá Spirituality. Ọya: Something Happened On The Way To West Africa! follows my journey as a Queer gender-non-conforming Nigerian returning home to connect with Òrìṣà (African God/dess) tradition, and follow a trail back to the powerful legacy of my great grandmother, Chief Moloran Ìyá Ọlọ́ya. This personal and political story vibrantly investigates the heritage of command, mythology, gender fluidity, womyn's power and the hidden truth behind the power of indigenous Yorùbá spirituality. As I encounter obstacles of a national strike and anti-gay marriage legislation to find the roots of the practice, will I be able to find affirmation for myself as a person between genders/ worlds and take on this inheritance? The documentary illuminates the lives of Òrìṣà Ọya (Warrior Goddess), Chief Moloran Ìyá Ọlọ́ya and Seyi Adebanjo while interweaving Yorùbá mythology, poetry, performance, and expert interviews. The documentary is lyrical, interwoven with cultural nuances, ritual, interviews, chanting and narration.

Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre. “Oya: Something Happened On The Way to West Africa!” Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.cfmdc.org/film/4178.

Cast & Crew
Crew
Distribution
Distributors
Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (CFMDC)
Copyright
Under Copyright (All Rights Reserved) Seyi Adebanjo, 2015