Home for Christmas...

We'll be home for Christmas...

I love Christmas, don't you?
 I love the story of the first Christmas itself, the reason for the season, the music, the decorations and the general niceties that take place between Thanksgiving & Christmas. Everyone wishes you a happy holidays and they actually smile at you! If only the spirit would extend beyond the season. I live in hope...

Really I'm in the mood for Christmas all year long as I do my shopping as the year goes by. 

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Xmas in the family room!

 I start begging my husband in early November to bring down the Christmas tree from the attic. It takes him about 2-3 weeks to hear my pleas on that one.. ( He says, "isn't it a bit too early?")

 Our mantle decorated for  Christmas 

I start the process of decorating and decking my halls a week or two before thanksgiving. I figured that if I am going to take the time to decorate, then I'd like to enjoy it  for maybe 4 to 6 weeks.

The dining room fully decked out for Xmas..

I'm not sure what my family makes of it - you see, I live in an all male household, except for me (o, for a little girl to call my own!). I twist the boys' arms to help me string the ornaments. It takes my little boy another 4-5 days to absorb it all then he reads the inscription on the tree "happy holidays, mummy?" he says. Yes it is, baby.Yes it is... 

Our christmas tree...

The elves in my home office climbing up the ladder..

Then its christmas eve and the kids can't wait.  It's a family tradition to open one small gift under the tree. And finally, it's here!

 Can you hear the jingle bells?

It is the only day my 11 year old wakes up at 5am and says "can we open presents now?' There is now a house rule that no one wakes us up before 7am on Christmas morn....

A little tree in the master bedroom to bring the holiday cheer upstairs..

I'm sorry when it's all over but at the same time, I'm glad and ready to see it go away because I know it'll be back in 365 days, the twinkling of an eye really when you think about it...

Are you anticipating or dreading the season?
Do you deck your halls with boughs of holly?
Keep the joy of the season in perspective
And remember the reason for the season
 And it'all be just as in many christmases past....

  Funke Abolade, M.D

Social/Publicity secretary

Ajodun n' bo l'ono...

Here we are thinking about our Ajodun and the end of the year is approaching fast...

AJODUN OMO EGBE YORUBA NI ALABAMA

• It got me thinking again of home and what the end of the year would usually bring - a big celebration involving lots of family and food.

You see, it's my father's birthday on the 31st of December and on that day, all the cousins and extended family would gather around. An agbo (Ram) was prepared and there was merriment usually all around. It was Christmas, end of the year, birthday party and new year's eve all rolled into one.

We got sparklers and ran around saying "Ina oluwa ki i jo yan", which is not true really since if you got touched by those sparklers you knew they burnt! Ahhhh. We exploded "knockouts", shaking the neighborhood with excitement and the anticipation of a new year approaching, may be a new beginning for all...

Moving here to the United states is a new beginning for most if not all of us. I dare say we could all tell stories on how and why we came here.

 We won't be preparing an agbo but we will be doing something equally meaningful, which is to each bring of ourselves, an offering to share with others at the Ajodun. I guess in my mind what we are trying to do is to re-create that sense of extended family and kinship for our children, and for ourselves,  if I may say so, who miss that "Je le n ke"  in Nigeria of days gone by...

So on we go. Planning our Ajodun with intensity and loaded meaning, for ourselves. Hope to see you there. It will be here sooner than you think....

Funke Abolade,

Social/Publicity Secretary.

A quiet Thanksgiving...

How was your Thanksgiving?

We had a ...

A quiet breakfast at home with the 4 of us...

And then to the lake house with friends who've adopted us the last 7 years. 

Ms Jane and the two of us at her Leeds lake home...

Friends who have in turn become family to us and us to them...

We join in the anticipation and the preparation of thanksgiving.

Each family unit brings a dish, this time we took the cranberry orange sauce and the corn soufflé...

A lot of yumminess to go around.

And then peace and tranquility on the lake...

All "fed up" and ready to drive back to Montgomery...

How was your thanksgiving?

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 Funke Abolade, M.D

 Social/publicity Secretary

Happy Thanksgiving

If you want to see the full animated card, pls click on this link Giving Thanks Today and Always..especially if you didnt get the card already.

E ku Odun, e ku iyedun o. Emi a se opo e o. 

Wherever you are, whether with family, on the road or at home, we all have plenty to be thankful for, regardless of religion or creed. 

We look forward to celebrating our own Ajodun in fine style in a few weeks.  Ki Olorun o so gbogbo wa di igba ajodun wa o. Amin.

Go easy on the second helpings of that turkey and sweet potato casserole!

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Funke Abolade, M.D

Social/Publicity Sec.

Olojo ibi!

A 10th birthday celebration for one of our kids! 

Olojo ibi, Ijo kan e o, se were, ko da 'mi l'ohun...

Eyin ore, e wa ba jo o, se were ke da'mi l'ohun...

Were you there at the 10th birthday celebration of 

Oluwaseyori Adagunodo? O le ku o, ija ore!

Oluwaseyori Adagunodo, the celebrant in traditional Yoruba iro and buba

It was held during the last weekend in October at one of the hotels in Montgomery, Alabama.

The celebrant herself looked radiant and smiled plenty for the cameras!

2nd from left, Mrs Adagunodo, mom of the celebrant and friends.

Our president, Dr Oluyinka Adediji and other members, Mr and mrs Babatunde were in attendance at the party, supporting the Adagunodo family. (see below pics)

B'o se ye k'o ri ni yen. E ku aduro ti.

A  a pe fun ara wa o.

Happy Birthday to Yori and many happy returns!


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Funke Abolade

Social/Publicity Secretary

Happy Eid al Aldha to our members on Sunday, 6th Nov, 2011!

From the rest of us to our fellow members of the muslim faith, we wish you a very happy Eid al - Adha wherever you are and celebrating it! Emi a se opo re o. Amin.

Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, will likely fall on Nov. 6, 2011 in the United States. One of two feast festivals celebrated by Muslims, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar’s last month, Dhu al-Hijjah. Eid al-Adha concludes the annual pilgrimage to Mecca known as the Hajj. 
The festival commemorates Abraham's willingness to follow God's command to sacrifice his son Ishmael and Ishmael's consent to being sacrificed. Today, it is is marked by slaughtering animals to feed the poor. Coming at the end of the Hajj, a journey of dedication and purification, Eid al-Adha is understood as an opportunity for second chances.

May the Lord of second chances and new beginnings look kindly on us Nigerians and allow us a new beginning. Amen.

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Funke Abolade, M.D.


Social/publicity Secretary

A homecoming...

E ku ile o.

A week ago today, we made the 11 hour non-stop trip from Atlanta to Lagos, back home to the land where I was born, the land of our ancestors. My fatherland.

Murtala Mohamed Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.

And what a homecoming it was, both for us and the children, for whom it was only their second time - a return visit for their paternal grandfather's 80th birthday celebration, and an opportunity to see my parents..

Grandpa on his 80th birthday with Tobi & Tomi in Ikirun

Grandma Ibadan (above) and Grandpa Ibadan below with writer 

Writer & kids and brother in law,  Ikirun.  Osun State

Tunde, Tobi, Tunde's Uncle, Dejo and Grandpa Ikirun.

I won't go into all the cliches about Nigeria ( re: water, electricity, transportation, security, etc) - they remain all true and a long discussion for another day. My comment and focus really is on the seemingly indefatigable, optimistic spirit of our people, who soldier on, despite the odds stacked against them, and the odds are legion.

On they go, about the business of existing in a society such as ours. When you ask how long it might be for the traffic to start moving again, they say cheerfully "why, look - it's already showing signs of moving up ahead!" - (not the reality that you are looking at and it does take another hour to move.) Power shortage? " Ah, ko nii pe de ni isin yi" (i.e it won't take long for the power to come on again, meaning anywhere from hours to days - an eternity when you are sweating buckets & mosquitoes are having a feast at your expense.) The car is making an explosive sound and sending out noxious plumes of carbon emissions that put the entire state of california to shame? "A a lo wo ta ba de ile, Ko si ohun to se motor, se bi ohun l'on rin yen. E ma worry"

It is a "glass is half full" view of their current situation, about which they are powerless to change much, at least not in that instant that you are asking the questions. It takes some time & thought to understand why the human spirit sometimes resorts to seeing things in that light. It is one of nature's built-in protective mechanisms. You know why? The alternative view - "the glass is half empty" variety, is a harsh reality that most can not withstand on the daily basis that they have to deal with it, i.e a reality in which the answer to the question "when will traffic start to move again?" is "who knows, we might be here for hours". Who can go on indefinitely against those staggering and depressing odds? i.e without carrying around a heavy bag of optimism, and the prayer that "things will be better in a minute, you wait and see..."

So. I return to my adopted home, glad to be here, yet wistfully longing for the best to come to pass now, for the place I once belonged...



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Funke Abolade

Social/publicity Secretary

Focus on the family - Mr Solomon Adeyinka Sholanke

If you were at our last Yodaai meeting in October, then our member family this month needs no introduction. Awon ayan, alagba Sholanke - our surprise onilu at the meeting, providing us with indigenous entertainment.

Ayodele Babatunde Sholanke (son) and Solomom Adeyinka Sholanke.

Mr. Solomon Adeyinka Sholanke was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria in 1952. From an early age, Mr. Sholanke has been passionate about and proud of Yoruba culture. He began studying Yoruba-style drumming at the age of 7.  Living in Nigeria and studying extensively about prolific Nigerians & Yoruba pioneers like Wole Soyinka, Madame Tinubu, the Iyalode of Egbas, Pa Fela Sewande, and Mrs. Fumilayo Kuti had a profound impression on him. Also, growing up around fellow Yorubas taught him how wise it is to respect and learn from the elders and those who come before you. He knew that the Yoruba culture is ripe with knowledge. 

Mr. Sholanke came to the United States in 1975 to attend college. He settled in Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He married Cynthia Bradford Sholanke in 1978 and had two children, Abiola and Ayodele Sholanke. 

After coming to the United States, Mr. Sholanke discovered that Yoruba culture is everywhere. In fact, he learned how Yoruba culture is respected and regarded around the world outside of Nigeria in places like Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, the Caribbean, parts of South America, other places where African culture survived the Transatlantic Slave Trade. He also learned that the culture is also celebrated by people who are not even descended from Africans. The culture is so rich that it attracts people from all over the world. Mr. Sholanke has always been and is still very proud of this culture. 

Disillusioned by the misinformation and prejudice toward Africans and African culture in the West and the lack of respect for the culture by even some Africans, in 1988 Mr. Sholanke was inspired to found the Osumare African Drum & Dance Ensemble, a vehicle to present authentic drumming, dancing, singing, and drum-making from the Yoruba culture, other ethnic groups in Nigeria, and other parts of Africa. His philosophy was that if he can educate people then they would be better informed and begin to appreciate the wonderful, powerful cultures of Africa. 

He utilized the ensemble as a vehicle to specifically preserve Yoruba culture as well as educate Westerners about African culture in general. During performances and lectures, audience members are exposed to traditional music and dance from the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and other ethnic groups of Nigeria, as well as from other countries on the African continent and the African diaspora - hence the name “osumare,” which means “rainbow.” 

 The ensemble has performed extensively in the city of Birmingham, state of Alabama, and various states in the Southeastern United States. Most of his programs have been sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, including performances and educational presentations, the council’s Apprenticeship Program, and the Rural Schools Touring Program in which the ensemble exposed students in rural schools to African culture for the first time. The Osumare ensemble is well-known in Alabama’s fine arts communities and he continues to be a practicing artist.

Aside from his family, one of Mr. Sholanke’s deepest concerns is the preservation and reverence of his native Yoruba culture. He wants people to know that we must embrace all aspects of our culture - the traditional drumming, the singing, dancing, oriki, fashions, etc - because it is our history and it is who we are.


*Thank you to Mr Sholanke for sharing a little bit about yourself and your family. We appreciate it.

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Funke Abolade Social/publicity Secretary

Save the date!

Please keep the December 18, 2011 date free for our upcoming Ajodun. 

Click on this link An invitation to our friends and family to see the full invitation if you didnt already get one. Hope to see you and your family there!

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Funke Abolade


Social/publicity Secretary

A scavenger hunt, a drummer surprise & another fine Yodaai meeting!

E n'le n 'be un o. A ku ipade Satide! Was that not another fine Yodaai get together?

If you missed our October gathering, not to worry! A full recap is on the way in our Yodaai news letter. In the meantime, here are some photos from the meeting.

There was a lot of love and affection in the air...

New faces, Mr and Mrs Lawal. E kaa bo so'ri eto yi o!

Dr Badewa,  Board member

Dr Ogunbi, l'ati isale Eko

Awon alagba wa n'ko m'ole pelu onilu wa...!

Yodaai President, Dr Adediji & Mr Latunde Addey

A scavenger hunt - those kids actually had to read & follow instructions...

More love...

Left to Right - Mr Sholanke and son, Mr Babatunde

L to r Dr Sesi Ogunbi, Mrs Adagunodo and the Secretary of Faaji, Mrs Abolade...

Awon omo Babatunde, omo Odeleye, omo Badewa, Omo Fadamiro, ati omo Adediji

Our Onilu surprise, Mr Sholanke, the senior and Mr Sholanke, the son.

Surprise!

Mr Okeowo ati Akowe imowe, secretary of education committee, Mrs Popoola.

Mrs Babatunde, (Thanks for the catering asistance)-, Dr Sesi Ogunbi, fine collector, Mrs Adagunodo

Mrs Adediji, (thanks for the catering assistance) and Mrs Abolade, Secretary of Faaji.

See the "comments" or "Post a comment" section in green down here at the end of the post? Go on! Click on it and see what happens. Join the community. Leave a comment! You can be anonymous too. Just say something to be an active participant.


Funke Abolade.

Social/Publicity Secretary

Yodaai members in action at the Nigerian Independence day Celebration by the Nigerian Community of South Central Alabama Inc.`

*Thanks again to our "guest editor", Dr Oluyinka Adediji,  for submitting this post.  He was in attendance at the celebrations of Nigerian independence day by the Nigerian Community of South Central Alabama Inc. 

At the Nigerian 51st independence Celebration organized by the Nigerian Community of South Central Alabama Inc, yesterday, members of YODAAI featured conspicuously.  In a surprise move, Dr Adediji was called to the high table as the chairman and he had to give a key note address.  Mr Latunde-Addey  was busy coordinating the event,  collecting funds with an unparalleled  level of seriousness. Co - hosting the event was our vice president, Mrs Sola Popoola  who brilliantly - ( in YODAAI fashion, with time consciousness and discipline) moved the event along seamlessly,  leaving every one with plenty of time for fun and dance.

Our members are encouraged to participate in the national events in their areas of residence as much as possible. Thank you.

See the "Post a comment"  or "comments" section in green down there? Go on! Click on it and see what happens.  Join the community. Leave a comment! Even anonymously.

 Funke Abolade

 Social/publicity Secretary

A video invitation and reminder...

Ipade wa bi oyin. O d'igba kan na. Ki Olorun Eledumare so wa d' igba na a ati ju bee lo. Amin.

E ma ya se o.

Funke Abolade

S/P/Sec

Poetry friday and The good race

This is from an excerpt of the poem "The Good Race". It's from the book, "Echoes of Conscience" by Oluyinka Adediji, M.D . Click on the "post a comment" section at the end of the post to say something and join the community.

Do well without exploitation (Se rere m'a s'eka)

For the reward is never direct (Ere w'anibe bi o t'ile ri)

 
Goodness brings goodness (ohun rere l'ohun mu 'rere wa)

Evil promotes evil (Ebu ika asi ma s'eso ika)

Only goodness has a chance, (Iwa rere l'ole k'ayeja)

A chance to thrive on any soil (ohun n'ikan lo le t'agbo)

As I opened my eyes and looked around (Mo y'aju mo tun aye wo)

My limbs trembling, (ese mi ngbon pelu eru)

Realizing the baton is idle (o dun mi pe a ti f'asiko s'ofo ni'nu ije ere)

When I should have passed it on... (Oye k'a ti na opa ere si omo elomiran)

edited for posting by blog editor

F. Abolade

S/P/Sec.

The preeminence of food security

*Originally written by Dr Adediji, president of Yodaai, this post is excerpted from comments to a blog post on Efo Riro. In case you missed the comments section, this is one of some of the interesting comments people left. If you haven't commented yet on a post, join the community and say something. You can post a comment anonymously too. Click on the little green "comments" at the end of every post to make your comments. Thanks for your support.


The preeminence of food security: 

Ohun t'a a je l'agba ohun t'a a se.
(Seeking what we are going to eat is more important than what we are going to do) 

Eru Inu la a k'odi k'a to di 'tode
( one must pack his or her stomach full first before packing the luggage) 

ALL FOODS ARE NOT EQUAL:

Iyan l'onje (Pounded yam meal is the true beffiting  meal),

Oka l'oogun (Heavy starch cassava meal -oka - is strong like energy drink),

A i ri rara l'a a j'eko (Eko - corn meal - is only the last resort in the absence of the 2 above)


Ki enu ma dile ni ti Guguru. (Guguru(pop corn) is mere snack )

Quenching hunger is the first step toward success. (Ti ebi ba kuro ninu ise, ise buse.)


*Edited for posting by blog editor


F. Abolade


S/P/Sec

Congratulations to one of ours!

Please say a big congratulations to another one of ours, Dr Henry Fadamiro, who, today has been honored at Auburn University for his excellence in teaching and research.

 We are happy for you and your family. Anytime one of us does well, we all shine in their reflected glory for the moment. More grease to your elbow.  More where that came from!

Funke Abolade.

S/P/Sec