Pop queen, Beyonce brings Yoruba culture to American mainstream

Beyonce channeled Yoruba goddess Osun for her performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 12, 2017.

Decked in golden gown and headdress, Beyonce performed on a long table surrounded by backup dancers. Her Grammy performance is Beyonce’s latest flirtation with Yoruba culture and mythology.

In 2012, Beyonce was involved in a photoshoot that honoured Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. During this period she recorded an entire Afrobeat album but eventually scrapped it.

Beyonce’s love for Afrobeat would open her further to Yoruba culture, more specifically Yoruba mythology.
Four years after her Afrobeat themed shoot, Beyonce released her sixth solo album titled Lemonade. In the video for ‘Sorry’, one of the standout tracks on the album, Beyonce’s dancers wore intricate white body paint. Even Queen B had the white paint on her face.

The intricate white designs are the works of Nigerian artist Laolu Senbanjo. He calls the white designs Sacred Art of the Ori.

“In my language, Yoruba “Ori” literally means your essence, your soul, your destiny and also comes with a mantra. When I work with a muse, the muse, their Ori, and I become one. My Art form is physically drawing what’s on the inside, what’s in your soul, and your essence and being;  on your canvas which is the skin.  It’s the deepest most spiritual experience I’ve ever had with my Art as an artist. It’s amazing and energizing. The connection is phenomenal” said Senbanjo on his website.

On the Lemonade album Beyonce also channeled the Yoruba goddess Osun, the goddess of love and fertility.