Culture Is Enough: Honouring the Path Without Forcing the Journey

Some people are naturally drawn to the cultural side of their heritage — the language, the dress, the music, the food, the festivals, and the history of their people. This cultural interest does not always mean they are ready, willing, or even meant to take on the spiritual, religious, or herbal dimensions of that same lineage. And that is perfectly valid.

It is important to acknowledge that every individual has a different calling. Not everyone wants to become a priest. Not everyone is ready to work with herbs or learn the sacred chants. Not everyone desires to go through initiations or begin a deep spiritual practice rooted in traditional religion. And that does not make them any less connected to their roots.

Some people simply want to learn the cultural fabric of where they come from — to understand the names of their ancestors, to speak their mother tongue again, to cook the meals their great-grandparents once shared, to wear the clothes their people designed with meaning, and to dance to the drums that once echoed in their ancestral towns. This is their doorway, and it is sacred too.

Too often, we burden seekers with more than what their Orí is asking them to carry. We complicate the journey by insisting they must also adopt spiritual rituals, make sacrifices, or begin religious devotion. While these paths are powerful and life-changing for those called to them, they are not meant for everyone. When we insist on blending all aspects together, we risk overwhelming people and turning their curiosity into fear or resistance.

The work, especially for those who teach or guide others, is to offer what is requested. If someone comes asking about their culture, give them the culture. If they want to know about their family history, teach them. If they desire to reclaim their names or language, walk with them in that. Let their journey unfold naturally.

We must respect every person’s rhythm. The soul has its own timing. Some begin with fashion and end with Ifá. Others come through music and stay with drumming. Some may never go deeper than food, language, and lineage stories — and still live a fulfilled and honorable life. They are not less awakened, they are simply walking their path in the way their soul understands.

Real understanding of tradition is not about control, but about trust — trust that the ancestors know how to call their own. And when it is time for someone to go deeper into spiritual, religious, or medicinal practice, they will be guided clearly and surely.

But in the meantime, let us honour those who simply wish to reconnect with culture. Let us give them access without judgment. Let us not scare them away with unnecessary pressure. The dignity of one’s culture can stand alone as a gift and a bridge to deeper self-awareness.

Everyone’s path is different. Every Orí carries its own divine instruction. The journey home does not have to look the same for everyone. What matters is that we each return with truth, clarity, and authenticity.

And so, when someone only wants to learn the cultural side of their people, let us welcome them warmly, teach them joyfully, and honour their place in the story — just as they are.