The Owner of Four Eyes

“The Yoruba term olujumerin means the “owner of four eyes.” It refers to someone who can peer into the spiritual dimension. In a world imprisoned by materialism, it’s hard to see with spiritual eyes. But that’s the task before us. Nigerian writer Ben Okri says: “most people are born blind; few ever learn to see.”

The reflection above also appeared in my 2008 Sacred Journey Fine Art Calendar along with this very image of the young girl with penetrating eyes. I wasn’t planning to write about this topic or this photo, or this girl today….but such is the power this child possesses. I feel “commanded” to write about her, even though I planned to write about something else.

This photo was taken around 2005/2006. I was in Ile Ife, Nigeria to undergo spiritual initiation to the orisas Sango, Yemoja, Ogun and Obatala. We were driving around the ancient city when the little girl dashed by the car. I told the driver to stop immediately. We followed the young girl and I ask her family for permission to photograph.

The photo session lasted a few minutes – but the memory and the image will speak to the world forever. This image reminds me of the power of Spirit, the ancestors, and the orisas. It’s also a reminder that we must make the world of Spirit our home.