Faculty Reports

Yoruba Influences in Florida ROBIN POYNOR the region of Nigeria where I did visual environment of Ola Olu. The earlier research. I have examined publication of the book will be in other shrines to Ogun both in North time for the 500th anniversary of Florida and in South Florida for the arrival of explorers of African comparative purposes. descent in 1513. I am also working on Further research explores the a comparative study of Ogun Altars Orisha Gardens in Central Florida in Florida which may be published in maintained by the Ifa Foundation a journal that plans a special issue on of North and Latin America. Philip “Ritual Arts of the Black Atlantic.” Neimark is of Jewish heritage, but he converted to Yoruba religion by way of Cuban Santeria in Miami. He practiced as a babalawo in Chicago for many years and then practiced in Indiana before relocating to Florida. His wife Vassa is of Greek descent, and she too converted to orisha veneration. The two formed the foundation in order to reach out to people around the world who are seeking spiritual guidance through the Yoruba religion. The Ola Olu My current research traces the retreat in a rural area not far from the impact of African thought and Ocala National Forest, is filled with African example on populations in sculptural forms from Nigeria and Florida. My original research in Nigeria into elsewhere as well as objects created the arts of the Yoruba-speaking peoples focused by Iyanifa Vassa. Initiates from on arts used in leadership context and in religion. around the world come to Ola Olu Those studies are the basis for my explorations to be initiated. Robin Poynor is professor of art history in into the arts and visual environments created in the I have signed a contract with United States (and especially Florida) by those who the School of Art and Art History and has the University Press of Florida for a been affiliated with the Center for African have converted to Yoruba orisha veneration. book tentatively titled Africa in Florida Studies since 1978. Part of my research addresses the visual that will address 500 years of African environments created by Yoruba Americans living presence in Florida, beginning with in Alachua County, particularly Baba Onabamiero Juan Garrido, a conquistador of Ogunleye of Archer. Ogunleye lived in Oyotunji African descent who accompanied in South Carolina for nine years, where he was Ponce de Leon on his initial voyage initiated into the Yoruba religion. Later, after in 1513. The book, co-edited with settling in Archer, he traveled to Oshogbo, Nigeria, Amanda Carlson of the University to be initiated as a babalawo. His mentor in Nigeria of Hartford, will include essays by travels to Archer to preside over initiations. I a range of scholars from the United have investigated not only Ogunleye’s sculpture States, England and Mexico. One of but also the visual environment the creates in my chapters on the art of Ogunleye shrines and altars. Of particular interest to me is co-authored by Ade Ofunniyin, is the development over time of the altar to the a recent UF PhD in Anthropology. orisha Ogun, who was exceptionally important in Another chapter addresses the

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