African Spirituality: Mythology, Religion, or Science

African Spirituality is often referred to using terms that are usually derogatory or degrading, absent of any understanding of its relationship to the culture or the environment from which it evolved.

This discussion, led by African traditional spiritual practitioners, will address the purpose, process, and rituals of two well-known practices that were brought to the Americas and the Caribbean. They will describe some aspects of training and knowledge that are a critical part of these practices as well as the mythology and science inherent in their practices. They will share the relationship between individuals, the community and the role that the natural world plays in African traditional spiritual practices.

Presenters: 

Okomfo Ama Nyamekye, MA, LGPC, NCC is an African traditional healer in the Akan Akom Traditional of Ghana, a holistic wellness educator, and Acudetox Specialist with graduate degrees in Africana Women's Studies and Clinical Counseling. For over 20 years, she has focused on rites-of-passage, traditional healing, and community wellness, studying with healers across Africa. Her work promotes and preserves Traditional African cultural and spiritual systems in the diaspora, aiming to restore spiritual balance in individuals, families, and communities, especially youth and women. She is the founder of Destiny Bound Wellness Institute and co-manages the Sankofa Emma Rites of Passage Program.

Iya Motilewa Osunniyi, known as Mama Tendai, is an initiated Awo (devotee) of Osun. She is affiliated with the shrine (temple) in Osogbo, Nigeria. Mama Tendai is a founding member of the Ladekoju Arts and Culture Foundation, which was established in 2021 to restore the renowned Osogbo, Osun Heritage house and reconnect indigenous ways of knowing to citizens and descendants of Africa and beyond. Mama Tendai’s PanAfrican core inspired her spiritual journey that has been coupled with her educational background in African and African Diaspora Studies. Her work, coupled with extensive international travel, have supported her commitment to the uplift of African people world -wide. She is honored to serve as the Program Director for the African Diaspora Commemoration Institute (ADACI).

This will be a virtual program on Saturday, March 14th, 2026

11am - 1:00pm

Please register in advance. You will receive a Reminder by 9 am on the day of the presentation with the ZOOM login link/info for the event.  If you register on the day of, you will receive the login link/info at that time.