Respect My Terreiro - Part 1

Maria do Nascimento, Mãe Meninazinha de Oxum, was born in 1937 in Rio de Janeiro and was raised in the Ramos neighborhood. In 1960, she was initiated into the cult of the orixás by her biological grandmother, Iyá Davina de Omolu, at the Casa-Grande de Mesquita terreiro.  Heiress of an ancestral legacy, she founded Ilê Omolu Oxum in 1968.

Iyá (mother, in Yoruba) and Egbè (community, in Yoruba).  The position of Iyá Egbè is equivalent to a role responsible for the treatment and care of the axé family and the entire community in general. Based on these responsibilities, Mãe Nilce de Iansã becomes the coordinator of the ilê's social projects. She is the National Coordinator of Renafro - National Network of Afro-Brazilian Religions and Health.

Mãe Hilda de Oxalá is an ekedi of Oxum of Mãe Meninazinha and niece of the mother of saint. She was initiated in the first headquarters of ilê, in Maramabaia, Nova Iguaçu.

Mãe Neide de Omolu is one of the oldest daughters of saint in the ilê. She was initiated in the first "boat" (group of initiates in the same occasion), in Marambaia, Nova Iguaçu.  She has an important role in preserving the traditions of the house, with special attention to her talent in sewing the garments as taught by Mãe Meninazinha and before her, by Iyá Davina.

Pai Carlinhos de Nanã is the oldest ogã of the house and was initiated at the first headquarters of the ilê, in Marambaia, Nova Iguaçu. The function of ogã is that of a father and guardian of his community.

Pai Wilton de Oxalá is the second oldest ogã of Ilê Omolu Oxum and is part of the group of initiated remaining from the time of the first headquarters of the terreiro.

Mãe Solange de Oxaguiã is an ekedi of Oxum of Mãe Meninazinha and niece of the mother of saint. She has a fundamental role in the leadership of her community.

Mãe Zeneide de Nanã is an ekedi of Oxum and niece of Mãe Meninazinha de Oxum.

Mãe Rosinha de Oxum comes from a traditional candomblé family, whose grandmother, Tia Mocinha de Oxum and her Tia Florzinha de Oxaguiã belonged to the Casa-Grande de Mesquita terreiro, which was directed by Iyá Davina, until it closed.

Pai Nilson de Oxóssi was initiated in the 1970s in São Mateus, São João de Meriti. He plays a fundamental role in preserving the traditions of the terreiro, where he creates and teaches how to produce orixá garments and accessories.

Pictures in front of the land where the first headquarters of Ilê Omolu Oxum was built.

Mãe Meninazinha de Oxum is overcome by great emotion upon returning to the sacred site where the first headquarters of Ilê Omolu Oxum was built.

Mãe Neide de Omolu and Mãe Nilce de Iansã don't hide their joy to be back at the place where their stories as initiates began.

Mãe Meninazinha and her children honored her visit, as they did in the past, by offering flowers to Oxum in the nearby river.