Conversations with A. Iya Yeye Olori Ma’Ye Oriyomi

Today we’d like to introduce you to A. Iya Yeye Olori Ma’Ye Oriyomi.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ekale, O Ekabo! Ekabo Means Welcome!

My name Is Olori Oriyomi. The Sekere Woman of Atlanta. I am the creator of Egbe Sekere of Atlanta. The word Egbe means Society in the Yoruba language. The shekere is an African hand percussion instrument made from a gourd. Her skirt is strung with colorful beads, nuts, or shells. Her music stands alone because it sings a harmonious melody of rhythms of stories created by women. I started my journey with Shekere in 1985. I have performed in festivals, parades, and conferences throughout the United States. When I moved to Georgia in 1995 there were very few people who knew about this portable delight.

Gourds are popular, especially in Georgia amongst women and are used for many different things like birdhouses, bowls, hats, decorations but today, we are talking about instruments. My students are generally but not exclusively female that have some exposure to the arts. They range from 24 to 76 years of age from single-family homes, some college, usually are involved in visual arts, music and enjoy hands-on activities which include meditation, breath, movement from a holistic approach. There are 6,574 women in Clarkston alone making up 51.56 percent of the population. NOW what was once a passion hobby for me has now miraculously changed into a business by sharing my culture, producing instrument makers and performers from all walks of life. Just like the shekere’s colorful skirts… Relationships were born. Conversations turn into stories. Stories are sung that can mend our broken world one shekere at a time.

Our challenge is a place to call HOME. During the pandemic, we worked consistently to maintain our student’s interest in classes by using empty parking lots, backyards, and parks. The weather always interfered with insects, wind, rain, and unpredictable conditions. Yet by word of mouth more students maintained their attention while sharing their experiences with others. Training women in the culture of making and playing Shekere became a business. There are approximately 6794 who live in Clarkston, Georgia.

Through intensive training, students could graduate by completing a 12-week course. Graduation would allow students to invite family and friends for a performance to celebrate their accomplishments. After graduation, highly qualified candidates could be hired to teach incoming students How to Make Shekere. All graduates with interest could perform with the Egbe Sekere at schools, festivals, parades, and other opportunities to bring the knowledge of our mission of musical healing with shekere to my neighborhood. Clarkston.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Most artists in the multi-cultural genre biggest challenge has been finding one local place to call HOME. A place where we can lay our roots and grow without interruption in dance music and theatre.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Shekere is my gift to share with everyone and whilst mending our broken world one rhythm at a time. The shekere is played to inspire healing, Shekere draws your attention which starts conversations and builds relationships that have lasted for years. Egbe Sekere Intensive Workshops not only teach you how to make your own instrument but train you to perform it proficiently. Iwapele: good character. Where everShekere is played, it brings cultural awareness and inspires good character, healing, joy, and wealth.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up as an only child, I would often play in my Aunt Willies’ rose garden with my Egbe (friends in Heaven). Teaching school, creating and performing theatre plays and dancing. I always danced at the sound of any music or song. I knew every social dance during the 60/70’s. There was no Tictok then but I would have been a hit with many followers if there was such a venue of expression.

My parents couldn’t afford piano or dance lessons for me. I could play piano by ear, never able to read music. My Aunts and Uncles would always eat and enjoy social music in my Aunt’s basement. My dance lessons were all those moments I shared with them. I didn’t actually get to a real dance studio until college in the 80s at Temple University. I was never shy per se but always the weird, strange ugly duckling people shunned often. In Elementary School, I was a straight A student. I was always invited to participate in school programs or extracurricular activities.

Pricing:

• Single Class $15
• Intensive Workshop $350 per person
• Make a Shekere Worksop for group $350
• Lecture/Demo $300 ( 45) minutes
• Performance /Presentations $$$

Contact Info:

• Instagram: sekerewomanatl100
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShekereProject100

Image Credits:
Credit Designer of Flyer: Wise Pine Designs MaYe’s Profile photo StartMe: Clarkston Egbe Sekere Photo Credit: Olori Oriyomi