Nydia grew up with her grandmother Doña Blanca. It was Blanca that taught Nydia how to cook traditional Puerto Rican foods.
Nydia and her husband Oba Pichardo visited [mid 90s] Blanca in Puerto Rico. In this photo Blanca is preparing meat to make Alcapurria-accompanied by white rice, red beans, and fried plantains!
The same Spaniards built El Morro in Puerto Rico & Cuba
Nydia Pichardo’s youth in Puerto Rico involved her training in numerous art and religious disciplines. At age six she joined B-Ballet with Irene Mcklein who was the founder of Areito de Puerto Rico. She performed classical ballet, flamenco, jazz, plena, baquiné, and bomba as a member of Areito until the age seventeen.
Concurrent with her dance career, Nydia also exhibited an early passion for the culinary arts. Her grandmother, professor Blanca Ofelia, who was among the University of Puerto Rico’s first female graduates, took notice of this interest and trained Nydia in traditional Puerto Rican cuisine and bakery. During her teen years, Nydia formally studied Cuban cuisine, etiquette, and general cuisine.
Nydia’s ordination into the priesthood of Shango occurred in 1978. Her elder, Oba Oriate Benigno Dominguez (a renowned founder of Puerto Rican orisha worship), along with other local elders became Nydia's mentors in the arts of orisha sacred foods. When Nydia moved to Miami in 1980, she became an owner of Las Mercedes Bakery. After joining the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye in 1987 -- and meeting her husband Oba Oriate Ernesto Pichardo -- her knowledge of orisha sacred foods continued to grow exponentially. The result of this decades-long devotion is the creation of Adimu Network, the first video internet website dedicated to the preservation of Lukumi sacred food heritage.
Concurrent with her dance career, Nydia also exhibited an early passion for the culinary arts. Her grandmother, professor Blanca Ofelia, who was among the University of Puerto Rico’s first female graduates, took notice of this interest and trained Nydia in traditional Puerto Rican cuisine and bakery. During her teen years, Nydia formally studied Cuban cuisine, etiquette, and general cuisine.
Nydia’s ordination into the priesthood of Shango occurred in 1978. Her elder, Oba Oriate Benigno Dominguez (a renowned founder of Puerto Rican orisha worship), along with other local elders became Nydia's mentors in the arts of orisha sacred foods. When Nydia moved to Miami in 1980, she became an owner of Las Mercedes Bakery. After joining the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye in 1987 -- and meeting her husband Oba Oriate Ernesto Pichardo -- her knowledge of orisha sacred foods continued to grow exponentially. The result of this decades-long devotion is the creation of Adimu Network, the first video internet website dedicated to the preservation of Lukumi sacred food heritage.
CLBA Founder, Ordination: USA, 1971
Is a Lukumí Shango priest for more than 40 years, is recognized throughout religious, academic, political, and social communities nationwide for his outstanding contributions to African Diaspora studies. As a scholar, teacher, and community activist in South Florida, in particular, his untiring efforts have been directed toward promoting knowledge of Afro-Cuban religions, especially the Lukumí-Yoruba religion [known as Santería]. He was an Honorary Africana Research Fellow at Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University where he taught an innovative undergraduate class on Cuban-Santería in Transnational Perspectives. He has organized numerous symposia and outreach programs and was curator of “Cuban Santería on Canvas,” an exhibition of Lukumí-inspired paintings shown at FIU.
Obá Pichardo co-founded Church of Lukumí Babalú Ayé (CLBA) in 1974, and has since then served as its president. CLBA is recognized as the first Lukumí church with a corporate structure in the history of the African Diaspora. He crafted that structure along with the church’s educational and outreach programs. On June 11, 1993, Obá Pichardo won a landmark First Amendment case in the United States Supreme Court against the ordinances of the City of Hialeah that discriminated against Lukumí-Yoruba religion. The seven-year legal battle and its victory earned Obá Pichardo’s place among the “100 Americans Making Constitutional History” in ___same of publication____ (Melvin I. Urofsky, ed; CQ Press, 2004). The case of Church of Lukumí Babalú Ayé v. The City of Hialeah was funded and represented by ACLU.
In addition to his religious work, Obá Pichardo is recognized for his advocacy on a diverse platform of secular issues. He has successfully represented uninsured working poor Americans, charter schools, mobile home owners, Immigrants, foreign not-for-profit charity projects, and government affairs issues. He frequently appears as spokesperson in national and world media, and has served as an advisor to the film industry.
Obá Pichardo is the author of numerous published works, including Oduduwa Obatala [book], Urban Forest Miami's Sacred Landscape [DVD], Portal of Ashé [DVD], Egun Raw [CD].
Obá Pichardo co-founded Church of Lukumí Babalú Ayé (CLBA) in 1974, and has since then served as its president. CLBA is recognized as the first Lukumí church with a corporate structure in the history of the African Diaspora. He crafted that structure along with the church’s educational and outreach programs. On June 11, 1993, Obá Pichardo won a landmark First Amendment case in the United States Supreme Court against the ordinances of the City of Hialeah that discriminated against Lukumí-Yoruba religion. The seven-year legal battle and its victory earned Obá Pichardo’s place among the “100 Americans Making Constitutional History” in ___same of publication____ (Melvin I. Urofsky, ed; CQ Press, 2004). The case of Church of Lukumí Babalú Ayé v. The City of Hialeah was funded and represented by ACLU.
In addition to his religious work, Obá Pichardo is recognized for his advocacy on a diverse platform of secular issues. He has successfully represented uninsured working poor Americans, charter schools, mobile home owners, Immigrants, foreign not-for-profit charity projects, and government affairs issues. He frequently appears as spokesperson in national and world media, and has served as an advisor to the film industry.
Obá Pichardo is the author of numerous published works, including Oduduwa Obatala [book], Urban Forest Miami's Sacred Landscape [DVD], Portal of Ashé [DVD], Egun Raw [CD].
Iya Carmen P. Rodriguez, Founder of CLBA: Ordination, USA 1970
Oba Oriate Juan Carlos Cabrizas: Ordination, Cuba 1961
Oba Oriaté Juan Carlos Cabrizas is recognized throughout the Lukumi community for his knowledge of sacred food. Equal to this knowledge is his well-known passion for cooking. He is a living elder of the Humberto Perez lineage and was godfather of Nydia's pinado ceremony.
Ordained to Elegba at the age of 3 months by Humberto Pérez Shango Leye, Juan Carlos has been a practitioner of Lukumí throughout his entire life. He was born in Havana, Cuba in 1961 and moved with his family to Miami in late 1960s. Over decades of building professional experience and relationship with elders, Juan Carlos earned recognition as Oba Oriaté through the sponsorship of Abelardo Hernández Oshun Funke, one of Miami's senior priests and host of other senior Oba Oriaté. Juan Carlos has been recognized by CLBA certification in the status of Obá Oriaté.
Ordained to Elegba at the age of 3 months by Humberto Pérez Shango Leye, Juan Carlos has been a practitioner of Lukumí throughout his entire life. He was born in Havana, Cuba in 1961 and moved with his family to Miami in late 1960s. Over decades of building professional experience and relationship with elders, Juan Carlos earned recognition as Oba Oriaté through the sponsorship of Abelardo Hernández Oshun Funke, one of Miami's senior priests and host of other senior Oba Oriaté. Juan Carlos has been recognized by CLBA certification in the status of Obá Oriaté.
Oba Oriate Eduardo Faina: Ordination, USA 1966
Glem Garcia: Ordination, Puerto Rico 1979
Glem Garcia, Oba Ernesto Pichardo, Oba Oriate Eduardo Faiña
Was ordained to the priesthood of Yemaya by the renowned Ogun priestess Celia aka La Millonaria. He enjoyed the unique privilege of long relationships with such elders as the Josefina Beltran, Concha aka La Polvacera, and many other alagba during the 1960s and seventies. Accordingly, his orisha worship knowledge derives from an amalgamation of learning from pioneer alagba lagba and Obá Oriaté.
A senior Obá Oriaté, Obá Faiña is recognized as a progenitor of hundreds of olorisha godchildren and has officiated as Obá in thousands of ordinations and ceremonies. He is recognized for giving the orisha Dada to Obá Oriaté Ernesto Pichardo, for officiating as Obá in Nydia Pichardo´s pinado, and for the ordination of her mother and sister. Obá Oriaté Eduardo Faiña was also among the senior priests who sponsored the recognition of Juan Carlos Cabrizas to Obá Oriaté status. He is a senior certified member of CLBA.
Glem Garcia: Ordination, Puerto Rico 1979
Olorisha Glem Garcia was ordained in Puerto Rico as a priest of Oshun by Francisco Cruz Ofun Dola and senior Obá Oriaté Eduardo Faiña. Glem Garcia is a graduate of International Cuisine from the prestigious La Escuela Mundial of Puerto Rico.
Olorisha Garcia is recognized as a culinary master specialized in orisha sacred foods. He has officiated as head chef in thousands of orisha ordination and celebrations. One example of his expertise is the custom Shango cake made in the form of a castle for Nydia´s pinado ceremony. Beyond the culinary Glem Garcia is recognized for his expertise in the art of orisha bead work.
A senior Obá Oriaté, Obá Faiña is recognized as a progenitor of hundreds of olorisha godchildren and has officiated as Obá in thousands of ordinations and ceremonies. He is recognized for giving the orisha Dada to Obá Oriaté Ernesto Pichardo, for officiating as Obá in Nydia Pichardo´s pinado, and for the ordination of her mother and sister. Obá Oriaté Eduardo Faiña was also among the senior priests who sponsored the recognition of Juan Carlos Cabrizas to Obá Oriaté status. He is a senior certified member of CLBA.
Glem Garcia: Ordination, Puerto Rico 1979
Olorisha Glem Garcia was ordained in Puerto Rico as a priest of Oshun by Francisco Cruz Ofun Dola and senior Obá Oriaté Eduardo Faiña. Glem Garcia is a graduate of International Cuisine from the prestigious La Escuela Mundial of Puerto Rico.
Olorisha Garcia is recognized as a culinary master specialized in orisha sacred foods. He has officiated as head chef in thousands of orisha ordination and celebrations. One example of his expertise is the custom Shango cake made in the form of a castle for Nydia´s pinado ceremony. Beyond the culinary Glem Garcia is recognized for his expertise in the art of orisha bead work.
Michael Mason Atwood, PhD, Ordination: Havana, Cuba 1992
Michael Atwood Mason, Ph.D. was ordained to Ochún by traditional Lucumí elders in Havana in 1992. He has strong working relationships with influential elders in Cuba and US, including Obá Ernesto Pichardo.
Beginning in 1996, Michael ordained the first four Oricha priests in Washington, DC, and later performed the first legally recognized marriage by an Oricha priest.. His scholarly research also focuses on the religion, and he is also the author of Living Santería: Rituals and Experiences in an Afro-Cuban Religion and the blog: Baba Who? Babalú.
Radiah Nunez, Ordination: USA 2003
Radiah Nunez was ordained to Yemaya by traditional Lukumi Elders (Valerie Smith; Ade Kun and Oba Moses Turner; Chango Wale) in New York City in 2003. Radiah is a graduate of New York University with a degree in Humanities/Media Studies. She is also the founder, producer, and host of The H20 Network, which prides itself on being the conduit for her community, and indigenous communities all over the globe. She is co-host with Doc Be Sirius, on www.innerlightradio.com, and Infinite Waters with Ralph Okrafo- Smart out of the UK. Radiah is currently working with CLBA, CLBA Community Farm Project, Adimu Network, and Eco-Lukumi Campaign. Personal assist to Oba Ernesto Pichardo
Paula Hutson, Apetibi: USA 2002
Paula Hutson was first introduced to indigenous culture while living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Working near the Sauk and Fox tribal lands, she nurtured her interest in Native American beliefs, attending numerous pow wows and other religious events. A move to Denver later brought the discoveries of metaphysical practices and paganism, followed by studies of world religions.
When Paula’s husband, OroShango, was literally struck by a bolt of lightning in 2001, the couple’s lives were set on a very different spiritual path, that of immersion in the study and practice of Lukumi. Paula is an Apetebi in Cuban Ifa, and daughter of Obatala. She continues developing her abilities as a medium and spiritualist while administering all the websites and social media for KDCL Media, an Internet radio station. Through Niht Graphics, Paula has created the websites graphics, sound files, and verbiage for the shows: Egun And Then Some…, Candelo’s Corner, Community Knowledge Project, Over The Road, The Door To The Mind, and After Dark. She set-up and maintains the websites for CLBA and CLBA Farm. Paula is host and producer for the shows on KDCL Media.
When Paula’s husband, OroShango, was literally struck by a bolt of lightning in 2001, the couple’s lives were set on a very different spiritual path, that of immersion in the study and practice of Lukumi. Paula is an Apetebi in Cuban Ifa, and daughter of Obatala. She continues developing her abilities as a medium and spiritualist while administering all the websites and social media for KDCL Media, an Internet radio station. Through Niht Graphics, Paula has created the websites graphics, sound files, and verbiage for the shows: Egun And Then Some…, Candelo’s Corner, Community Knowledge Project, Over The Road, The Door To The Mind, and After Dark. She set-up and maintains the websites for CLBA and CLBA Farm. Paula is host and producer for the shows on KDCL Media.
Laura Cerwinske: Writing Editor
Laura Cerwinske is a writer, editor, and publisher. She is the author of more than 20 books on art and spirituality and also a working artist. Her online course, Radical Writing: 15-minuts-a-day to Uninhibited Self-Expression, teaches a process of liberating creativity and perpetuating physical and emotional healing.
Blue Hair Lady Publishing, her publishing enterprise, is devoted to books and art that reveal the joyful intensity of Creative power. They are excursions through the secrets of transformation, weaving memoir and mythology, metaphysics and art, quantum thought and healing. http://www.lauracerwinske.com
Laura is the godchild of Oba Ernesto and Nydia Pichardo. She edits and contributes to their various multimedia productions.
Blue Hair Lady Publishing, her publishing enterprise, is devoted to books and art that reveal the joyful intensity of Creative power. They are excursions through the secrets of transformation, weaving memoir and mythology, metaphysics and art, quantum thought and healing. http://www.lauracerwinske.com
Laura is the godchild of Oba Ernesto and Nydia Pichardo. She edits and contributes to their various multimedia productions.
Dr. Akin Ogundiran
Dr. Akin Ogundiran, Oba Ernesto Pichardo
Florida International University African-New World Studies Program: Cuban Santeria On Canvas, Dr. Akin Ogundiran, Oba Ernesto Pichardo
Photography by Judith Hoch
El Negro, Olubata JuanRaymat: Ordination, Cuba 1963
Master drummer and drum maker Juan Raymat aka El Negro Olubata [Oba Aye] on FB has shared his royalty free music for our videos.
Chango Leye, Director Osvaldo Millet: Ordination, Cuba 1976
Director Osvaldo Millet to the right of Oba Picardo
Osvaldo Millet director of Chango Leye also shared his CD music royalty free for our videos.
All Content: images, program format, videos, etc. are copyright 2011 Nydia's Sacred Foods and the sole property thereof.