Download Now/Descarge                        Oggun: Forever Present
1991, English subtitles, 52 min

In making the documentary "Oggun: Forever Present," film director Gloria Rolando skirts the edges of enchantment, enters Yoruba philosophy, and, especially, pays homage to the singer Lazaro Ros, one of the most important personalities in recent AfroCuban culture: 52 min, available with English subtitles.

In Oggun, Gloria relates the patakin or mythical story of Oggun, the tireless warrior who, enamored of his mother, decided as punishment to imprison himself in the mountains: only Ochun, goddess of love, succeeded in captivating him when she let fall a few drops of honey on the lips of the god of metal, war, progress, and civilization. This film of 52 minutes includes chants, dances, a "tambor" (Yoruba religious ceremony with the bata drums), and the experiences of Ros, who not only made his the beauty of the African chants, but had the opportunity to sing them in trips throughout the world. The noted "apwong" works incessantly to preserve the lore and transmit it to the younger generations.

Oggun is the first effort of the team later to be known as Images of the Caribbean, now chartered as an independent video group.

Photo Gallery from Oggun: Forever Present

The Yoruba - Lukumi identity in Cuba

Schedule at 2017 Pan African Film Festival (PAFF)

PAFF is the largest Black American film festival. Oggun was selected to be among 20 films from over 2,000 for the PAFF 25th anniverary Spotlight retrospective.

Oggun: Foreverl Present
(1991/Cuba/Short Doc/52m)
Dir: Gloria Rolando
Through song, Lazaro Ross, lead singer of El Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, tells of his personal experience as a godson of Oggun. The world of the Yoruba religion, the primary religion in Cuba, and the Orisha come alive in this mesmerizing film which intertwines traditional stories with present-day Yoruba worship in Cuba.
Sat, Feb11@4:30p; Fri, Feb17 @1:15p

www.paff.org/assets/uploads/2017/02/2017_PAFF_Schedule.pdf

Lazaro Ros dancing

Couple at a toque

Se subio Oggun

Oggun at the forge

Woman singing at toque

Dancers at Toque

Prenda de Oggun

Initiate saluting 
the drums

Oshun about to lay honey on Oggun's lips

Oshun entering the river

Order Oggun, DVD or VHS, $25