Iyoba

date. March 4, 2025

city. New Orleans, LA

Big Queen of the Beautiful Creole Apache:

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I am a Chief Priest of Ifá and my entire Indian suit is a dedication to Òrìṣà Ọ̀ṣun.  This masquerade explores the warrior aspect of Òrìṣà Ọ̀ṣun and the depths she goes to for her children.  My ipele (the shawl that drapes over my left shoulder-a clothing staple piece of clothing for women in Yorùbá culture) features my most prominent patch-Queen Idia.  Queen Idia is was an Edo queen who’s son Esigie was was unlikely to rise to the throne.  It is through his mother’s love and her dedication to ancient Ancestral wisdom that he ultimately became Oba of Benin.  My ipele also features patches a mortar and pestle, machetes and droplets of water to signify the tools Queen Idia used to summon her power as a priest and fight on behalf of her son to ensure he was able to fulfill his highest destiny.  While it was protocol to end the life of the mother of the King, Oba Esigie changed the law and instead bestowed the title of Iyoba (Queen Mother) to Queen Idia, making her a high ranking chief and primary advisor who continued to use her spiritual powers to help her son win wars on the behalf of the Kingdom of Benin.  

The Queen Idia patch is a beaded replica of the ivory mask Oba Esigie commissioned to pay homage to his beloved mother.  This mask, along with other images of Iyoba (including the Bronze Head) has since been looted and featured in various European museums.

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My entire suit reemphasizes the need for women in our society and, like Queen Idia, our need to return to our Indigenous/Ancestral ways to assist us in achieving our highest destiny.