By the initiative of Association Amor Ilé Àṣẹ Ìgbà Mérìndínlógún Ọ̀ṣùn, in partnership with Casa do Brasil in Lisbon and the AGRRIN Project – Generative Bodies: from Aggression to Insurgency. Contributions to a Decolonial Pedagogy (Project Ref.: 2022.06269.PTDC), we hereby invite you to the event:

“Èṣù and the Decolonization of Thought – Documentary Screening and Conversation with Babá King”, to be held on July 16th, 2025, at Universidade Lusófona (Room S.0.11 – Campo Grande, 376, Lisbon), featuring Professor Babá King and moderated by Babá Pedro Barbosa.

Prof. Dr. Bàbálórìsà Adesiná Síkírù Sàlámì (Babá King) is a Yoruba priest and internationally recognized scholar in the fields of African culture, religion, and epistemologies. Holding a Master’s and a PhD in Sociology from the University of São Paulo, he has played a pivotal role in the systematization of Yoruba oral knowledge and in the affirmation of African cosmologies—especially with regard to the worship and symbolism of Èṣù.

The documentary "Èṣù and the Universe" offers a critical reflection on the effects of colonization on social and religious imaginaries. It exposes how Èṣù, a central figure in Yoruba cosmology, has been erroneously associated with evil and malevolence through colonial narratives. The event emphasizes the importance of preserving African collective memory—not only as a historical record, but as a living structure of knowledge, resistance, and ancestry. In this context, the cosmology of Èṣù serves as a vital tool for rebuilding epistemes that challenge Eurocentric logic and for advancing the decolonization of knowledge.

In his lecture, Babá King will delve into these themes, highlighting Èṣù’s role as a mediator, transformer, and guardian of knowledge, whose understanding is essential for strengthening Afro-diasporic identities and for building truly decolonial thought. The event will conclude with a debate featuring scholars, religious leaders, and activists, fostering a space for critical and intercultural dialogue on possible paths for the decolonization of thought and spirituality in the contemporary world.

Event Program

18:00 – 18:30 | Reception and Welcome
Arrival of participants and opening remarks.

18:30 – 20:00 | Screening of the documentary “Èṣù and the Universe”
A film exploring the decolonization of thought and the influence of the Yoruba people in Brazil and beyond.

20:00 – 21:00 | Lecture by Professor Babá King
Topics: Ifá epistemology, the worship of Ori and the Orisha Èṣù, the dismantling of colonial stigmas, and Èṣù’s vital role in education and resistance within the Yoruba diaspora.

21:00 – 21:30 | Debate and Q&A Session
Exchange of ideas and reflections based on the themes presented.
Moderator: Babá Pedro Barbosa

21:30 | Closing
Final remarks and acknowledgments.
Presentation of the book Exu and the Order of the Universe.

Film Briefing – ÈṢÙ AND THE UNIVERSE

Website: esufilm.com

Production: Druzina Content, Livres Filmes, and En Caliente Films

Trailer: MUBI – Èṣù and the Universe

Running time: 95 minutes

Directed by Thiago Zanato

Filming locations: Nigeria, Brazil, Spain, and Slovenia.

Èṣù is an African deity revered for thousands of years, and we may never know his exact origins. However, it is possible to understand how Èṣù transformed—from being a revered god in Africa to being demonized as the devil in Brazil. This tragic transformation, shaped by colonization and slavery, is still unfolding. Èṣù and the Universe traces the complex journey of a culture that has turned oppression into enduring resistance over centuries.

Awards

Jury Award for Best Documentary at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival (2022)

Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 49th São Paulo International Film Festival (2022)

Featured at FICCI – Cartagena Film Festival (2023)