I remember Afolabi saying to me,with such a soothing and calm voice,"Frank,don't let no one hold you back"..thank you Afolabi,may you be blessed,ashe-o!
The passing of Oluwo Afalabi Epega in early September 2006 came as a surprise. I guess I am always surprised when someone younger than myself dies, but in the early years of my own development and learning Afolabi had provided not only great wisdom, but perhaps equally important, exhibited a joy of life that served as an important example for us all. He simply seemed always unfazed by life's annoying trials and tribulations.
I particularly remember one Ifa initiation we were doing together. Everything was ready...the initiate was in place...those helping were in attendance...only the animals had not arrived! It was hours after their promised delivery time, and as it continued to grow later and later, I became more and more distressed. I was pacing around the living room like a caged lion while Afolabi sat quietly in a comfortable leather recliner, sipping coffee and showing no signs of concern. Finally, out of sheer frustration, I turned to him and asked:
“Afolabi, how can you be so relaxed when the whole initiation might not take place?” I will always remember his quizzical look, the smile that filled his face, and his response:
“My Brother, Orunmila lives inside us,” he said while patting his significant stomach,
“and he wants to live in a happy home” I got it. I relaxed. Of course the animals arrived and the initiation went smoothly.
I also remember his sleeping habits...or should I say lack of them? As our house guest so many times, he would retire early, but sleep only short periods, and could be heard padding around the house until his next nap. During those long night hours, if you knocked on his door and entered his room, he was always to be found reading his personal copy of his grandfather's odu interpretation...each time seeking deeper meaning and understanding.
The Foundation's connection with the Epega's goes even deeper. Through what at the time seemed an almost miraculous accident, but I have come to understand was simply the Universe providing us with something important that we needed, we came into possession of the personal Igba Iwa of Alolabi's Grandfather, the Patriarch Epega, who had been one of Bascomb's primary informants. At the time Afolabi had been visiting us from New York and had brought the Igba by train to our home to help in the initiation ceremony of yet another Ifa priest. Following the ceremony Afolabi was eager to go on to a meeting he had in New Orleans, and did not have the time to take a train. He strongly believed you could not fly with the Igba Iwa. We had spoken of his creating an Igba for the Foundation earlier, when suddenly he turned to me and asked:
“Would you want the Igba of my Grandfather for the Foundation?” I was stunned, and frankly could not conceive of his even considering it, but I managed to stammer out:
“we would be honored!” And so, the Ifa Foundation became the home for the Patriarch Epega's personal Igba Iwa...and joined forever, at a level that transcended the temporal – to the Epega bloodline.
To my good friend and original mentor...may you now be seated in the Council of Elders at the feet of Orunmila.
Blessings
Philip Neimark
Ifa Foundation of North America
http://www.ifafoundation.org
http://www.ifacollege.com
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Afolabi Epega and the Igba Iwa
it must have happened :)
i am honored to know the lineage. i am more honored to know that complacency is never accepted.
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