Oríkì Challenge

Building on yesterday’s ideas of identity, let’s have some fun today! We are going to make Oríkìs! All of us!

This exercise comes from Luvvie Ajayi Jones’ new book Professional Troublemaker. She is fabulous – check her out.

What is an Oríkì?

This comes from her Nigerian roots:

“It is a Yorùbá word that combines two words to mean “praising your head/mind.” Orí is “head” and kì is “to greet or praise.” An oríkì is a greeting that praises you through praising your kinship and speaking life to your destiny. It is your personal hype mantra, and can be spoken or sung.

The original attempts to tell you who you are make up your oríkì. It’s used to remind you of your roots and your history. It might include the city your father’s from, and where his father is from. It might include the things that make your family name special. It brags on your people. It lets people know who you WERE, who you ARE, and who you WILL BE. It reminds you of those who came before you and blesses those who will come after. It might even include some shade.”

I love this. So much! If this isn’t the true definition of owning our identities, I don’t know what is! It ties our history together with who we define ourselves as. Not our experiences, not other people’s unwanted definitions flung upon us – this is identity ownership. With sass!

“When we think about how people are introduced in something as made-up as the TV show Game of Thrones, it tracks. “Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen. First of Her Name. The Unburnt. Queen of the Andals and the First Men. Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea. Breaker of Chains. Mother of Dragons.” THAT IS SUCH AN ORÍKÌ! Didn’t you feel gassed up on her behalf anytime they introduced her? I know I did. That’s what it is for!”

Do you have parts of yourself that you are shy to brag on? Do it here! Own your badassery! Accentuate all parts of your life, not just professional. Tap into your superpowers, personality, and accomplishments.

Here are some examples Luvvie has written:

“For Beyoncé: Beyoncé Giselle of House Carter. First of Her Name. Snatcher of Edges. Killer of Stages. Citizen of Creole Wonderland. Legendary Black Girl. Wakandan Council President.”

“For Aretha Franklin: Aretha Louise of House Franklin. First of Her Name. Dame of Detroit. Empress of Elevated Sound. Reverberation Royalty. Vocal Victor. Sovereign of Soul. Aural Authority.”

Let’s write our own. Here is the beginning of the formula:

First Name and Middle Name of House Last Name. Number of Her/His/Their Name (i.e., Juniors are “Second of Their Name”).

After that, go to town! Get creative and have fun!

Here’s mine so far:

Carey May of House Martin. First of Her Name. Fireball of Fortitude. Precocious Polymath. Collector of Experiences. President of the Relentless Forward Motion Society. Maestro of Music. Fleet of Foot. Eater of Elephants. Bjinuz Braces Baller. -Est to the -Est. #UniqueUnicorn. Cake.

These are so fun!

YOUR TURN!! Stop what you’re doing and go write your own and share it with me! Post it in the comments. Get your family to write their own, too, and glue them to the walls.

What is your identity as you see it? What makes you, YOU?

Check our Luvvie’s OríkìChallenge page for even more.

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