The Story of Oroíña — The Exhibition

December 2026 | Debbie J's | Hanover, PA

The Story of Oroíña is a 4-part collection — a visual representation in watercolor and gouache of a patakí (story of the dilogun — cowry shells) in the odu Iroso Meji.

Part One — Olorun is Sick and Tired

The sun — Olorun — feels so agitated that the Creator was taking so long to form the world, that he vomits a fiery stone from his belly.

Part Two — Water Can't Extinguish All Flames

No amount of water could extinguish the fiery ball that burned at the core of what would be Earth. A heap of dirt was hastily thrown upon it by the Creator in hopes to pacify it.

Part Three — Oroíña

In wails and laments, Oroíña doesn't understand how she ended up alone with no escape from her situation. Olorun tries to "fix" the situation by giving her a son, Agayú, to accompany her. Yet she moans and groans to this day.

Part Four — Mute by Molten Residue

Oroíña's passion and rage will never extinguish. Her son, Agayú, speaks her rage. Oroíña is the creative powerful force in all of us. Your creations — your "sons" — are the product of your passion and your rage.