Ogbọn is a pop-up seminar series exploring and celebrating wisdom in ancestry and culture, founded by Ọ̀RỌ̀ ÀNÍKÉ

The first seminar on the 19th September, is an evening of all things cuisine, as we explore storytelling through food with The Vegan Nigerian. Her dishes are a fusion of traditional ingredients from her heritage combined with other ingredients that she has come across on her food journey. The session will feature samples of food staples from Nigerian cuisine as well as a talk followed by a Q & A session reflecting on the various ways that food offers a chance to connect to ancestry and culture, and the lessons that we can learn and apply to our own lives in the process.

Your experience will include: complimentary snacks, drinks, enriching conversations and a discount offer on The Plantain Cookbook by Tomi Makanjuola. Click here to purchase your ticket.

The second seminar on the 17th October, is an evening of all things music as we explore storytelling through music with Diamant Ballou , who describes herself as a ‘4D Bantu Griot and Dreamur from Afriquana’. Diamant draws on her Ivorian heritage to tell stories relating to healing and growth on this journey called life, through her music. The session will feature samples of her work as well as a talk followed by a Q & A session reflecting on the various ways that music offers a chance to connect to ancestry and culture, and the lessons that we can learn and apply to our own lives in the process.

Your experience will include: complimentary drinks, enriching conversations, an opportunity to learn about Griots and their role in pre-colonial African societies and an opportunity to connect with the work of Diamant Ballou. Click here to purchase your ticket.

The third seminar on the 14th November, is an evening of all things craft as we explore storytelling through design with Hand of Gaia, a brand which seeks to ‘create purposeful gifts that inspire spiritual growth and serve as a reminder to connect with our Divine Selves’. The brand’s pieces represent a celebration of ancestry and craft with a ‘focus on hand drawn and traditional symbols that speak of self care, spiritual growth and share my healing experiences’. The session will feature a talk on ancestry and creativity followed by a Q & A session reflecting on the various ways that design offers a chance to connect to ancestry and culture, and the lessons that we can learn and apply to our own lives in the process.

Your experience will include: complimentary drinks, enriching conversations, an opportunity to purchase pieces from the Hand of Gaia line and an opportunity to learn about design and its importance in pre-colonial African societies. Click here to purchase your ticket for this seminar.

All seminars take place at the same venue and tickets cost £15 per person.

Illustration by @line_and_honey