A number of years ago, I had heard the story or pataki, of Oshun, an Orisha from the Ifa Tradition of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. Oshun is the youngest of the Orisha and quite beautiful. The story was about dance, the dance that ended war. I thought to myself, now that sounds good and sexy. I like that.

Here is the story as I remember it…Oshun came across a village of women. All of them were crying. Oshun asked, “Why are you crying?” The women informed her that all of the men were off to war and the women, the wives, the mothers, the sisters, the aunts, were not happy at all. Oshun said to these women, “Stop crying. Come let us dance.” The women all gathered together in the village and they danced and danced and danced.” The men came home. The war ended.

I have to laugh when I remember a brother asking me, “How are a bunch of gyrating women going to change the world?” Hmmm. He didn’t know the story of Oshun or the power of rhythm in the womb of a woman.

Malika Sarabhai shares how the arts are a way to change the world. She shares some beautiful stories in this video. Take a look and enjoy.