Women in Yoruba Culture with Ayoka Abiomi Lanloke

Ayoka Abiomi Lanloke is the mother of two children, Osaremi Lanloke and Fasami Ogunleye.  She is a member of The African Family, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida headed by Oluwa Ojomo Ogunleye.  She has been a teacher for over 30 years, having received her undergraduate degree from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and a Masters in Early Childhood Development from Georgia State University.

Ayoka became aware of the importance of learning about her ancestors in the early l960’s and has been studying them since that time.   In 1972, she was introduced to Yoruba culture and has been following this tradition every since.  She visited Oyotunji African Village inSheldon, South Carolina in 1973 and was very impressed by it.  In 1976, she decided to move there and lived there until February of 1985. While in Oyotunji, she was initiated into the ancestral society and the temple of Yemoja as a priestess.  She also served as the elementary teacher for the young girls and was an active member of the women’s society, Egbe Moremi.

She also does spiritual consultations and in the service of her orisa of over 30 years.