Luisah Teish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iyanifa
Luisah Teish
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Teish in 2017
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| Native name |
Fajembola Fatunmise
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| Born | April 20, 1948 New Orleans, Louisiana |
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| Years active | 1977–present |
| Notable works | Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals |
Luisah Teish (pronounced TEESH) is a special teacher and writer. She is well-known for her book, Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals. She is also an Iyanifa and an Oshun chief in the Yoruba Lucumi religion. This means she is a spiritual leader in a tradition that comes from the Yoruba people. Her spiritual name is Iyanifa Fajembola Fatunmise.
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About Luisah Teish
Luisah Teish was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1948. Her father, Wilson Allen, Sr., was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His family had been servants for two generations. Her mother, Serena "Rene" Allen, was Catholic and had family roots from Haiti, France, and the Choctaw people. Luisah Teish also has ancestors from the Yoruba people in West Africa.
Early Life and Dance
In the late 1960s, Luisah Teish was a dancer. She joined Katherine Dunham's dance group. There, she learned and performed many traditional African and Caribbean dances. After leaving the dance group, she became a choreographer in St. Louis. A choreographer is someone who creates dance routines.
A New Name and Spiritual Path
In 1969, Luisah Teish joined the Fahami Temple of Amun-Ra. It was here that she chose the name "Luisah Teish." This name means "adventuresome spirit." She also led the dance group for the Black Artists Group (BAG) in St. Louis.
In the late 1970s, she became a priestess in the Lucumi religion. She started teaching students about this spiritual path in 1977. Today, she lives in Oakland, California.
Her Beliefs and Teachings
Luisah Teish has shared that her spiritual tradition is very joyful. She said, "My tradition is very celebratory - there's always music, dance, song, and food in our services - as well as a sense of reverence for the children. It's joyful as well as meditative."
Many people recognize her work. One writer described her as "perhaps the most well known... Yoruba priestess... of the [San Francisco] Bay Area." Another writer called her "...well known internationally in Goddess circles as a writer and ritual-maker."
