About The Institute
Indigenous Ideas + Inspirations
Welcome to the tribe!
Iruke Institute International is a center for arts-based research into African-centered spiritual practices. The Institute’s mission is to promote the discovery and recovery of America’s African ancestral heritage through the exploration of the creativity, spirituality and politics of Africa and its Diaspora.
Founded in 2009, the Institute was previously known as The Iruke Project, a multimedia production company that explored social justice and sustainable communities through theater, music and video. The Institute will continue the Project’s work of creating multimedia productions, facilitating workshops, and hosting community forums, and it will produce research publications, online courses and social media.
What’s That on the Mat? @ Black Psychology as a Professional Gateway Project
The Institute is directed by Anthony “Butterfly” Williams, MFA, PhD, an expert on the decolonization of culture through creativity. Dr. Butterfly is a cultural alchemist who has created and organized numerous artistic productions, academic presentations and community collaborations. This website showcases his work both with The Iruke Project and with other organizations.
“Iruke" is pronounced "uh-ROO-kay." It is the Yoruba word for "fly whisk." African tribal chiefs would swat away flies with an iruke as they conducted the people's business. Irukes are also associated with the deities of the Yoruba called the Orishas. Above, a red and black iruke lies to the left of the mat in the photo of an altar to the Warriors in the Lucumí tradition. A white iruke made with a blonde horse tail is shown in the photo of an altar to Obatalá on the front of this website.
Ancestral veneration is central to African-centered spiritual practice, and is shown in the photos below of the Ancestral Lounge that Dr. Butterfly created for the Urban Healers’ Citywide Ceremony for Male Vulnerability.
Iruke Institute International is fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit Artsandmedia.net.
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