Community
Apá Oránmiyàn
Character Development Program (CDP)
“It takes the entire village to raise a child.”
Overview
The men of Egbé Sankofa Kingdom of the Gods of Afraka are writing to inform you and your family of our ever-rising responsibilities and expectations we have for your sons as participants in the Apá Oránmiyàn Character Development Program (CDP)
The mission of the CDP is to develop improved character, as evidenced by improved decision-making/”thinkikng” skills, exemplary behavior and good manners at home and in school, and maturing conflict- resolution skills in boys aged 4-13.
The success of the program is dependant upon a partnership between the parent(s), the boys and the men of Egbé Sankofa. Your sons’ participation in the Apá Oránmiyàn Character Development Program is very much a privilege, not a right; therefore we have developed guidelines in order to ensure a mutually fulfilling and positive experience for everyone involved.
The Character Development Program expects these things from the Apá Oránmiyàn:
- Apá members will be required to maintain a high level of excellence in
school, at home and at Egbé functions. The criteria for determining
whether an Apá member will remain a member will include but will not
be limited to:
Maintaining at least a “B” average in school (cumulative)
Absentee rate less than 5% (per report period)
“Satisfactory” behavior (minimum) in all subjects
Arrive on-time and prepared for all CDP sessions and programs
- Enthusiasm - In a positive frame of mind and ready to work
- Bring ALL school books to class on meeting nights to facilitate tutoring
- Adhering to the “call-in” policy
- Make regular monetary offerings to ESKGA
- Leadership- positively influences the behavior of self and others
Your sons must bring in a copy of their report cards signed by you in order every report card period, in order to continue in the CDP. If their grades are below a B in any of the major areas of study (Math, English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies), they may be barred from participation in the CDP. If they receive any “poor” grades for behavior they may be similarly barred from participation. We expect them to act with good character at all times, especially at school! Each boy has a mentor that he is expected to contact everyday. Please get to know your son’s mentor, so that the two of you can work together to keep him measuring up to our expectations.
Next, your son(s) will need to take a physical and be cleared by a licensed doctor to participate in the physical activities that are planned. Also, the Oranmiyan Brotherhood must be informed if your child has any illnesses, allergies or if he is taking any medication for any reason.
Another important note: for safety reasons it is very important that you (the parent or adult responsible for their arrival) make sure that each child is escorted up the stairs to the door and placed in the care of one of the men of the CDP. Upon their departure, we will escort your boys down the stairs and into your care.
Finally, we need to remind you that the brothers that work with your sons are volunteering their time, money and talents. Their reward is the respect and appreciation that you (parents) and your sons demonstrate for their time. Please communicate any changes in schedule to your sons’ mentor, or to the director in a timely fashion so that our time isn’t wasted. Please feel free to contact our director at the number on the cover page with any of your questions and concerns. We remain very enthusiastic about this program and we fully expect, with your cooperation, to fulfill our mission.
Apá Oránmiyàn Class Agenda
-
Salutations
Shrine
Officers
Standards
-
Pledges
Pledge of Allegiance
National Anthem/Afrakan World Community Anthem
Recitations
- Study Hall
School Homework
- Calisthenics
- Apá Lesson
- Drill Formations
- Dance/Drumming
- Discussion Time
- Dinner and dinnertime story
- Adjournment
Roles, Responsibilities & Commitments for Parents.
I understand that the Character Development Program (CDP) sponsored by the Oránmiyàn Brotherhood of Warrior-Kings of Egbé Sankofa Kingdom of the Gods of Afraka will use a curriculum rooted in Nu Afrakan cultural, spiritual and educational experience. I understand and accept that a key goal of the CDP is to involve parents in the life of the CDP as active participants in the learning experiences of the children.
I understand that children do what they see their parents do, therefore to do my part to build the CDP and to be an active role model to my child(ren) by communicating the importance of academic achievement, strong Afrakan consciousness, cultural awareness and to contribute to the creation of a caring and nurturing teaching environment in which every child is valued and is expected to achieve to the best of their ability.
I understand and agree that male parents/guardians of boys in the Apá Oránmiyàn Character Development Program are expected to be involved in the program. Mothers and/or female guardians may not attend the regular meeting sessions because it may inhibit participation, bonding and candid expression amongst the boys; however, both fathers and mothers are encouraged to chaperone trips.
I agree that during the time that my child(ren) are enrolled in CDP, I will:
- Help to organize and contribute to one major fund-development activity every year and to solicit donations for the CDP
- Volunteer in the production of the annual Ìbejì Children’s Festival
- Attend in Parent Open House
- Abide by the Parent/Apá Pledge of Mutual Love and Support
- Attend at least one Sunday Veneration service at Ilé Ìwà-Pèlé per month
- Ensure that my child is in regular attendance
- Ensure that my child is consistently on-time
- Ensure that my child is clean and in good health when attending
- Assist in the creation of Our Family Tree exercise
- Attend the Apá Oránmiyàn Kwanzaa Ceremony
MISSION/PURPOSE STATEMENT
The mission of Oránmiyàn Brotherhood of Warrior-Kings is to develop and proliferate virtuous Sankofa men who exemplify the highest standards of character and dedication and who serve the “common good” of Sankofa society.
WHO IS ORÁNMIYÀN
Oránmiyàn is the Guardian of the Brotherhood. The life and legend of our Spiritual Father, Oránmiyàn, teaches us the attributes and characteristics of the ideal husband/father figure for Sankofa men to aspire to. Oránmiyàn means, “the living or Ra (Sun God), or Risen Savior,” and he is the light, the way and the truth of Àkámarà; and as such, he provides his spiritual suns/sons with the right to proclaim similar “dominion and sovereignty” over themselves, their families and their nation under the divine guidance, and protection of their Creator, Àkámarà.
There are many stories, legends, tales and fables about the renowned Warrior King of Ifè, Oránmiyàn. In Ifè tradition, it is Odùdúwà, rather than Obàtálá, who is credited with descending from the sky to create dry lend on the surface of the earth, found the city of Ifè and become its first leader. Oránmiyàn, whose real name was Od ede, was the youngest of the sixteen suns (sons) of Odùdúwà. His father Odùdúwà made him the ruler of Benin, after Òrúnmìlà grew tired of that post and departed. Later, before Odùdúwà died, he sent for Oránmiyàn. Oránmiyàn returned to Ifè after leaving his own son in charge of leadership in Benin and became the Oòni of Ifè. Oránmiyàn displayed two of the most important virtues in Ifá tradition that of filial piety, in his role as a son to his father Odùdúwà. He also represented the virtue of leadership of his family and nation. All men of Ifá should aspire to do the same.
Oránmiyàn is recognized as the second Alafin of Oyo, and the founder of the Order of Eso (Guardians of the Kingdom). So mush was the title Eso (Guardians of the Kingdom) thought of by ancient Yorùbá military men and others, and so great was the enthusiasm it inspired, that the children and grandchildren of an Eso held themselves bound to maintain the spirit and honor of their sires. It is said, that above everything else an Eso is noble in act and deed. Of the ancient Eso, 150 served as Oránmiyàn’s personal bodyguard.
Oránmiyàn lived to be sixty-one years of age, having begun his reign at age thirty-one. There are sixty-one spikes, or large nails arranged vertically in the Opa Oránmiyàn in Ilè Ifè, Nigeria, West Afraka. There are also two columns of thirty-one spikes on either side of the sixty-one. One of the columns represents Oránmiyàn’s age at the time his rule began, and the other column represents the number of years that Oránmiyàn ruled.
The men of Oránmiyàn are men of honor, dedication and character and as such, we are front-line defenders, builders and maintainers of our community. We are the definers and examples a Nu standard of manhood. This is the standard we use to measure all men, and ourselves. The Oránmiyàn standard represents of the kind of man we desire to emulate and become. He was a husband and father. He was filial, and loyal to his own father, Odùdúwà. He ruled over two kingdoms, leaving a legacy, the throne of Benin to a son and assuming the throne of his father at Ifè. Oránmiyàn made Ifè great, the envy of all. He led the defense of his society from the front for he was always at the center of the battle. Oránmiyàn prepared for the transition of leadership by counseling the people of Ifè to continue to be courageous and to continue to make Ifè great. He left the elders with the instruction necessary to call him forth should he be needed in time of war. Oránmiyàn was serious, dutiful and committed to the greatness of his people. He was so serious, that he mistakenly slaughtered his own people when they defied the instructions he left with the elders and they summoned him to Ifè when it was not under attack.
All Afrakan men would all do well to follow the example set by Oránmiyàn, for he was a great leader, a great warrior and defender of his people and the guarantor of a safe, nurturing and fertile environment for the development of the people of Ifè.
ORÁNMIYÀN: THE IDEAL SANKOFA MAN
In order for a male to be considered a man, he must be responsible for more than just himself. A man is responsible for the lives of others (i.e. his wife and children). The men of Oránmiyàn Brotherhood of Warrior-Kings believe that in order for an adult male to be counted a “man,” he must:
- Be married to a woman;
- Provide for his family financially;
- Protect the spiritual, cultural and physical environments of his family;
- Minister to the spiritual needs of his family (Priest);
- Rear his children in the Ìsèse tradition; and,
- Transmit his commitment to the Sankofa Movement and the actualization of Olùwa Ìsèse to his children and prepare them to transmit that same commitment to their progeny. (Legacy)
The men of Olrs rnmiyn Brotherhood of Warrior-Kings:
OlrsOmrsnlaOlynk
OlrsAkinwoleOlynk
Oorun Aknsy Brown
Iflt Beatty
Balgun Adaramola Baylor
EkndayJones
Obwajumi Olynk
DUTIES OF A SUCSESSFUL SANKOFA HUSBAND/FATHER
- He must openly and obviously love the mother of his children; ideally she should be his wife.
- He must maintain a personal and intimate relationship with his children.
- He must build strong Sankofa identity and self-worth in his children.
- He must encourage vision, discipline and perseverance and be verbally positive.
- He must guarantee perpetual endowment. His children must believe he will not desert them or their mother.
- He must be accountable to his family and for his family.
MORÈMI SISTERHOOD
Ìyálòrìsà Omowunmí Ògúndáisí is the chief priestess ( Òsun) and Ìyálóde of Morèmi Sisterhood of Patriot Queens (MSPQ). MSPQ is the women’s organization of Egbé Sankofa Kingdom of the Gods of Afraka a 501c3 non-profit organization. MSPQ is a reincarnation of the women’s society, initiated in the 60’s. We are honored to offer Afrakan American women the opportunity to further develop mind, body and spirit.
The women of Morèmi Sisterhood of Patriot Queens:
ylde Omowunmi Olynk
Olrs Old Olynk
Adtr Maynard
OlrsDlumo Horne
Motilewa Olynk
Koseefowokan Brizan
Ojolp Efnyal
Legend of Morèmi
Morèmi is the name of a famous woman in Nigerian history. She was a beautiful woman who made a vow to the deity of the river Esinminrin. She would make any sacrifice to free her people from the continuous raids and plundering from a terrifying being that kept ravaging the town. She succeeded in her plan and had to fulfill her vow. She was asked to sacrifice her son. In her honor, there is celebration of Odún Edi/M or èmi festival held yearly in Ilè-Ifè, the cradle of Yoruba Civilization and the mythical cradle of the Universe. She was a heroine indeed.
Programs
Our service expands to our community with women in various stages of life. Programs include as teen counseling for females, facilitating Afrakan American adoption by Afrakan Americans, a Saturday school for children, a mentoring program young girls between the ages of 5 and 18, and a female “rites of passage’, Workshop for Women Series, Mother & Daughter Summer Book Club, and Morèmi’s Closet.
Consultations & Workshops
The women of Moremi Sisterhood of Patriot-Queens are available to model, explain and demonstrate traditional and Nu Afrakan attire. Participation will learn about fabrics, styles, meanings and head-wrapping techniques.
We can tailor a program to meet your event needs from one-on-one sessions to group workshops.
We can offer fashion advice for:
Weddings
Kwanzaa
Women’s organizations
Schools
Black History events
Baptisms/Christenings
Naming Ceremonies
Family reunions
Chiors
For more information, call 215-747-5737
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