Iya Keturah Monroe
Iya Omisayade-Osunremimo, lovingly called “Iya Keturah,” was born and raised in Queens, NY to a strong African-centered, spiritually gifted and culturally diverse family. Her parents were musicians, artists and educators, which gave her an artistic approach to every endeavor.
The Journey to Global Community Service
As a young person, Keturah travelled extensively throughout West Africa and the Caribbean studying the healing sciences, philosophies and religious practices of her ancestors. She was impassioned by the stories of the courage and strength they had to keep their traditions alive as they suffered through the middle passage and gave birth to the African Diaspora. Her parents instilled in her that education was the true path to freedom. This fueled her dedication to a life of learning and community service. So it was no surprise to her family when she got her first initiation into the Yoruba tradition. Within that same year, she was enstooled as a tribal chief and became an internationally recognized priestess of Yemoja & Osun Logun by her elders in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Iyawo year, a year of seclusion in white clothes, is an important time to connect with Spirit and your mission and the meaning of her work as an Iya.
Following in the footsteps of her ancestors, as do many other diasporic people, “Iyawo” Keturah (new priest) decided to initiate into more African spiritual traditions to maintain their prominence and access to her bloodline. Her Caribbean Godparents “made” her a Grand Mambo in Sanci-Vouldoun (a Latino lineage of Vouldoun) and a “Yaya Nkisi” in Bakongo (Palo Kimbiza), a Congolese tradition that unites peoples and cultures throughout the deep interior and southern countries of Africa. This would ensure that future generations would be able to use these spiritual resources to actualize their destinies in whatever life paths they choose.
Embracing Diasporic Identity
All of the spiritual traditions Iya Keturah initiated were once principal governing systems for nations, led by kings, who were almost always priests as well. Ancient people understood that ancestral veneration, divination and spiritual counsel were essential to state governance and any successful reign of power for a ruler. All matters of law and order were addressed through spiritual means.
This marriage between spiritual and political power became ancient African peoples’ greatest strength and subsequent mortal fear of their enemies. All imperialists setting out to conquer African nations did their best to destroy these traditions during times of war and colonialism. Fear forced many traditions into hiding, away from those who would kill its priests and influence on future generations.
To keep many African spiritual traditions’ essence and roots intact, enslaved Africans reimagined them by merging with religions considered “acceptable.” These adaptations helped traditions survive cultural genocide and the demoralizing trauma of slavery. It is common to see ancestral shines in the home homes of African Americans celebrating their diasporic roots. You will often see elements of First Nation (Native American) people, religious texts and other elements on traditional shrines to honor all spiritual aspects contributing to ones bloodline. Diversity is the hallmark of diasporic identity. Today, the Yoruba tradition has two diasporic versions called Santeria and Lucumi, which are practiced and accepted by people of many different cultures and ethnicities around the world.
Ancestor Community Shrine Room at Ile Yemoja Achaba Obara Meji, Baltimore MD
Iya Keturah was ordained as a minister of the Universal Life Church in 2016. This provided her with an excellent bridge between the African traditions she was committed to preserving and her Christian roots. ULC provided her with access to rituals that would support the diverse communities she serves. Along with the benefit of providing spiritual counsel from many different religious and cultural perspectives, she can also perform conventional rites of passage ceremonies including but not limited to baptisms, weddings, and funeral services. Having a spiritually and philosophically diverse background in world religions provides a strong foundation for mission and commitment to create comprehensive community outreach programs that serve the increasing emotional needs of her growing community.