Community Spotlight: Iya Dr. Funlayo E. Wood

Summer Magick Fest 2024 is right around the corner… and that means we’re coming to a close with this series. It’s been quite a journey, hasn’t it?

Today, I’m going to introduce you to Iya Funlayo E. Wood, PhD… but just in case you missed one of the earlier articles, they’re all centering around the talented teachers and presenters that will be headlining at SMF 2024, including:

• Ivo Dominguez, Jr.
• Iya Funlayo E. Wood, PhD
• Ellen Evert Hopman
• Yeshe Matthews
• Sandra Tabatha Cicero & Chic Cicero
• Ginger Doss & Lynda Millard

And of course, I also chatted with the wonderful women who organize the festival! If you haven’t already gotten your ticket(s) for SMF 2024, they’re on sale now. Look, if there is one thing that you accomplish today (other than reading this article, of course), then let that thing be buying your ticket. It’s worth it. I swear.

But now back to Funlayo…

Iya Dr. Funlayo E. Wood

Iya Funlayo E. Wood, PhD, affectionately known as Your Favorite Scholar-Priestess, is an Ifa-Orisa priestess, diviner, meditation teacher, and South Carolina- and Virginia-descended Hoodoo. She was initiated in Isara Remo, Nigeria in 2008 and earned her PhD in African and African American Studies and the Study of Religion from Harvard University in 2017. Iya Funlayo is the chief priestess of Ile Ase Ire, Inc. and the founding director of the African and Diasporic Religious Studies Association. A dedicated public scholar, she lectures frequently and has appeared in documentaries for PBS and the National Geographic Channel. 

Learn more about Funlayo at https://aseire.com/.

I would think it’s become clear by now, but again, if it’s your first time, I’ll explain — I send people questions, they send me back answers, you read them, and we all go home happy. Here we go!

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Q&A

What’s the quick story of who you are, what tradition(s) you’re a part of, and how you got started on your spiritual path?

I’m affectionately known my my community as “Your Favorite Scholar-Priestess” as I am a priestess, researcher, and teacher within the Ifa-Orisa tradition, which is also known as Isese. It is an African spiritual tradition that originates with the Yoruba people of southwest Nigeria and which spread into the diaspora where it is known by other names like Lukumi and Candomble. I head my own temple, Ile Ase Ire, Inc. and I am also a practitioner of Hoodoo, diviner, and spiritual counselor. 

On the academic side, I earned my PhD from Harvard in 2017 in African and African American Studies and Religion and opened my own Africana Studies institute, Ase Ire Communiversity, in 2020. I am also adjunct faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute and do a lot of public teaching. 

I was raised in the Black Church and was always a spiritual seeker, as I loved the spirit and ritualism of church, but did not agree with what I saw as an exclusionary theology. I started down this path in my twenties while seeking the pre-Christian traditions of my African — and European and Native American — ancestors. I’ve been led practice many indigenous spiritual modalities, and was called to become initiated into Ifa-Orisa 16 years ago. 

Making spiritual bath soap in Havana, Cuba

Can you give me a teaser of what you’ll be teaching at Summer Magick this year?

My workshop, “Ori: Tapping the Power of Your Personal Divinity” will introduce participants to their personal divinity, known as ori. In Yoruba philosophy, ori is the most important aspect of a person and it lives in multiple locations on the body which might be likened to the Ayurvedic concept of chakras. I’ll share some stories of ori and some methods for connecting with it. We will also perform an ori alignment ritual designed to help balance our energy centers and leave feeling more calm, clear, and centered.

Those who are unfamiliar with Ifa-Orisa might benefit from my ebook Mo Juba! (Aseire.com/mojuba) which outlines the tradition’s major concepts, including the concept of ori, by breaking down its central prayer. 

What’s your most memorable experience at a festival?

I have not previously attended the festival; I look forward to creating some beautiful memories this year!

Who has been highly influential in your own spiritual growth?

I’ve been blessed with many wonderful teachers over the course of my life, for which I am grateful. My mother, Rev. E. Regina Hoist, was my first and most powerful spiritual influencer. From her, and from my father, Rev. Ralph H. Hoist, III I learned to express my connection to the divine and also to spiritually serve my community.

My Master Teacher, Baba Oluwole Ifakunle Adetutu Alagbede is my most central influence within the Ifa-Orisa tradition. The lion’s share of my knowledge of the tradition has come through him. 

Praying in front of an Obatala shrine

Aside from your own, what workshop are you most looking forward to attending at Summer Magick?

I’m very much looking forward to priestess Yeshe’s workshop on the Oracle at Delphi. The maxim “know thyself”, which she will highlight, is the central theme of working with ori, so our topics are beautifully aligned. 

What’s the best place for people to find out more about you?

My website is AseIre.com and I am @iyafunlayo on all social media platforms. I also have a YouTube channel at YouTube.com/AseIre where I host weekly Orisa Prayer and Meditation services. 

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

I always remind my community that our spiritual practices are meant to be joyful and to help us live more pleasant and successful lives. I pray joy, pleasure, and success for all who will attend Summer Magick and look forward to sharing with the community. 

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More about Summer Magick Fest 2024

Summer Magick Festival is an earth-based spirituality convention with workshops, celebration, and community in a comfortable hotel setting. Headliners, rituals, and musical entertainment have been chosen to encourage tolerance between the many different earth-based faiths and foster planetary stewardship. It’s a family-friendly event with programming for young ones as well as close proximity to all the wonders of the Orlando theme parks. Join us for a new kind of Florida festival!

Alright y’all, this is it. You’ve got less than two weeks. If you need one final push, you can read all about last year’s festival in my Summer Magick Fest 2023 Recap. Go get your tickets.

Come join us once and you’ll want to come back every year.

You’ve reached the end of the post. That’s it. You deserve a treat. Do you have any cookies nearby? If so, eat one. If not, find your nearest cookie store and go acquire some cookies. By the way, I’m really partial to Fudge Stripe cookies, so if you’re planning on getting some to share, well, I’m not saying you have to, but…