OrisaWorld

The International Congress of Orisa Tradition and Culture (OrisaWorld) by Wande Abimbola. OrisaWorld is the world's largest organization of practitioners and scholars that research or teach topics related to Orisa tradition' religion and culture. OrisaWorld promotes cooperation' understanding and excellence in a world where Orisa Tradition and Culture plays a central role in the day-to-day lives of over 100 million people. OrisaWorld has individual and institutional members from over fifty countries.

The International Congress of Orisa Tradition and Culture (Orisa World) was founded in 1981 in Ile-Ife' Nigeria. Since then' two other Congresses have been held in Nigeria (1986 and 2001)' three in Brasil (1983' 1990 and 2005). One Congress took place in the United States in 1997; one in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999' and one in Cuba in 2003. These World Congresses were designed to provide a forum for practitioners of Yoruba Religion to be able to meet and interact with one another' compare notes on Orisa worship' and socialize among themselves' to be able to create a better understanding about the religion and move the religion forward to another level of greater understanding.

The World Congresses have been a huge success and are now attended by participants from more than 25 countries of the world—in Africa' Latin America' North America' the Caribbean and Europe. The Congress meets once every other year' or at any time deemed fit by its International Steering Committee. Awise Wande Abimbola was elected as President of the Congress in 1981' and has been re-elected at every subsequent Congress' both as President and Chairman of the International Steering Committee. The latest Congress was held in Rio de Janeiro' Brazil' from August 1-6' 2006.

The next OrisaWorld Congress will be held in 2011. Details will be announced soon.

A selection from the papers presented at the Congresses held between 1981 and 2001' edited by Wande Abimbola and Kolapo' will soon be available.

Aims and Objectives

1. To revitalize and rejuvenate the Orisa Culture and all its traditions.

2. To organize periodic meetings so as to evaluate' promote and encourage dialogue on various aspects of Orisa tradition and culture.

3. To hold regular cultural festivals.

4. To issue publications on the activities of the Congress.

5. To rotate the venue of meetings from one place to another so as to increase knowledge of cultures and to generate mutual understanding amongst members of the Congress.

6. To serve as an umbrella to all other Yoruba Cultural Organizations.

Membership is open to those who subscribe to the aims and objectives of the Congress all over the world.

Visit www.orisaworld.org for further information.