***SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY TO BRILLIANCE…
Mistakes Are The Portals of Discovery * Play A Wrong Note = Insignificant * Play Without Passion = Inexcusable
Measure The Breath & The Length – The Hands Reaches Much Higher Than The Head – No Forest Is So Dense That The Iroko Tree Cannot Be Seen. May Your Life Be Clear & Pure Like Water Drawn Early In The Morning…
“The Goddess “Sekere” Invents Her Own Life & Lives According To…Her Own Vision. This Quality Requires = Imagination – Dedication & Practice.
*** Mother, with whom one enters into covenant for all good thing the Woman that supreme among other Women the mother that puts breast of wealth in her child’s mouth you are not up to a louse before an unbeliever you are not up to an egg of the louse before a fool you louse, the fire on head that burn them more than the real fire you are up to an egg of the louse and much more you are up to an egg of the louse and much more.
Existence Is Not About Learning To Accept Reality, But Rather Remembering Your Power To Create It…
*** The Calabash (Akeregbe) is a functional creation of nature with a wide variety of uses and traditions in cultures around the world. “Sekere” is a general name to describe the beaded calabash rattle. It comes in many shapes and sizes, is played in a variety of styles, and has many different names. In Africa it is found primarily, but not exclusively, in the countries of Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Benin, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire. Different language groups in each country often have their own names, styles, techniques, and traditions associated with the Sekere.
Mother Shekere…. A Beautiful Face Will Age…A Perfect Body Will Change…But A Beautiful Soul Will Always Be A Beautiful Soul…
Calabash (Akeregbe) is the embodiment of Women’s Mystical Power, the ability to control physical & spiritual forces, to create life through procreation, and the sustenance of life are considered to be ultimate power. The Female being has been chosen by the creator to be the portal between the spiritual realm and this physical realm.
Be Strong Enough To Stand Alone = Be Yourself Enough To Stand Apart = But Be Wise Enough To Stand Together When The Time Comes.
All Women of the Calabash (Akeregbe) ever really needed was someone who holds a safe space for us. Someone who sees our gifts and magic, understands the incredible potential this kind of presence is capable of and creates a safe place for it to unfold. You’re not complicated, you’re exquisitely created. You’re a unique gem waiting to be revealed from your raw form. Have you been touched by hands that don’t shake with the responsibility of revealing such extraordinary beauty? You deserve a confident touch and an experienced eye. If you’ve never felt fully seen, your beauty never fully revealed, know it’s not the perfection of your beauty that’s been missing, but the eye of one with the vision to see what’s been there all along. You’re more than enough. You always were.
There Is A Line Where Ignorance & Knowledge Merge As One. Everything That Can Be called Wisdom Happens On That Line.
The Vagina is the 3rd dimensional portal to Mother Earth. In order for all souls to have a physical experience here on this planet, they must come through her divine portal. It’s no wonder that she is considered the – Gate of Heaven. The intention is to offer practical guidance to connect and work with the divine Mother Ancestral wisdom, and to use it to empower lives today. The Calabash as symbol for the womb… because of Her shape, Calabash (Akeregbe) also symbolizes the “Womb”. In both the sense of the Female reproductive organ as well as in a broader creative sense.
This Audio/Video presentation is dedicated to all the Players and Lovers of Shekere.
Reference Sources: Google Search/Photo = Wikipedia =
I look forward to your comments below!
“Has this guy got stories to tell. Yagbe Awolowo Onilu rightly deserves a place at the table of the Elders. The passion with which he has investigated and shared African spirituality with the rest of the planet has left us all richer.” Modupue Baba !!! Scott Wardinsky
West African, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Haitian Master Drummer/Educator/Ethnomusicologist/Living Repository of Folkloric Knowledge/Keeper of the Flame…My Brother…Yagbe Awolowo Onilu…I am honored to know you. Kamau Mensah
“Thanks for posting this Chief Yagbe Awolowo Onilu Sometimes it appears that the shekere gets dismissed as a “rattle .” Like anyone can just pick one up and just shake it. Good to see emphasis on technique and rhythm.”
“The Straight Stick” Chief Yagbe Awolowo Onilu, My Friend, My Brother, My Mentor and indeed Master of many disciplines. You have been an inspiration to me and to many whom have crossed your path. Although it is only a fragment of the many secrets that you possess, this music/video is truly a blessing to me. The world needs to see and hear more of your work. Thank You for your unwavering energy and for breaking me down when proper instruction was necessary. Joe PIlly Martinez
Nothing so funky and profound can ever be dismissed…. Thank you Yagbe for making this available to us all. I hope more will be coming in the near future. Gustavo Kayro
Me gusta mucho todo lo publicas me lo trámites se ve que eres apasionado en todo lo que quieres y en lo que haces verdaderamente toda mi admiración. Mar Tandy
Excellent information. The gourd is really the belly symbol that generates life – Container of Wisdom Supreme Orunmilá Baba Ifa, which introduced the principle of humanity. The magic is in the ability to generate weddings, continuing the human species. Ire, o! Juliana Arruda
Your work is priceless my Brother! Thank you for sharing! Stan Corpus
Alafia! Adupe! Thank you for sharing the wisdom Yagbe. Ase’! Maria Medina
Gracias baba por todo su arduo trabajo y toda estas bellas enseñanzas. Yissell Diaz
Heart throbbing beat… Sekere lo n Oba jo. Great Vibes abound, around and colorful. Ire Awon Irunmole… Babatunde Kayode
I am hugely moved and humbled to be included in this photo tribute to the power of the Calabash Shekere to uplift and move people in both ancient and modern traditions! Thank you, Chief Yagbe Awolowo Onilu, for these very inspiring photos! And thank you for including me in this series! Blessings to you. Jim Greiner
Much appreciation for your efforts BABA needles to say that you’re constant dedication to the secrets of the CALABASH is second to none,I’m so blessed to have you as one of my closest Brother that I never had, I do really appreciate all that you do. Mosheh Milon Sr
Great presentation of the calabash!, The songs and playing are smoking!!!!
A tasty collection of visuals, I especially appreciate the homage our local artists. The Agbe at 1:13 caught my eye – so nice. I wonder where the picture at 1:49 is from… and is there a minimal number of beads on those gourds because otherwise they would over-power the music?
The music is beautiful, I wasn’t getting the bass until I plugged in full speakers; very nice.
Really, really great presentation of our sacred instrument.
May the Mensaje of our Great Mother of Her unconditional Luv & Abundance b heard & we her children, Omo Ayan, b blessed, ase tototo
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this beauty and wisdom and for educating!
What beautiful words of acknowledgment, encouragement and honor to women…You are truly wise❤️
Thank you for sharing Baba. This was very insightful and makes me want to learn more
Adupe Baba for this wonderfully sacred, rendition of the Shekere! Your work is so inspiring and motivating. May the continuity of knowledge, wisdom, and life continue as you pass on the deep understanding of the art, culture, Sacred, Divine, Heaven and Earth!
Ashe O to you and your Spirit! From Oshun Toki, Omo Ibu Anya