[this piece is currently published on the News page of the Harvard Graduate School of Design]
“The high priestess ceremoniously clanged a handbell as she called out to the audience: ‘To Osun, the Orisha of the waters of life, we pay homage. We say “asé.”’ Those in the room—practitioners, scholars, and students alike—joined in chanting ‘asé,’ which served as both the call and the response. ‘Let she clear the path of this conference. Let she clear the path of everyone. And may we have the successful outcome…and let the knowledge and wisdom that we share be useful for everyone…’”
banner for Sacred Groves & Secret Parks colloquium. Harvard Graduate School of Design
original images: Adolphus Opara, Osun Sacred Grove, Osogbo, Nigeria (left) and Leonardo Finotti, Terreiro Vodun Zo, Salvador da Bahia, Brazil (right)
