Anagó 101: Full Intro To Lukumí Ritual Language

2026 will be the 2nd annual cohort of this intensive and comprehensive course, open to all practitioners regardless of initiatory level

Taught by Oluwo Leo Suárez, MA, PhD(c)

Suárez is a Lukumí Babalawo who holds an MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from New York University. He is also a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied modern Yorùbá language under Dr. Omoniyi Afolabi

Course Overview

There are many books and PDFs on the internet that contain Lukumí translations, but only this course can teach you the logic and structure of Yorùbá-Lucumí language.

This course covers trans-atlantic Lukumí history, comparative linguistic analysis, and classic language instruction over 6 hours of live meetings.

Materials cover hundreds of words and terms, along with dozens of phrases and proverbs, as well as dozens of translated Orisha songs.

Course meetings will be held over Zoom, Participants will have future access to course recordings.

Students are encouraged to download the Lukumi A-Z app on the Apple App Store, the 1st and only Lukumí to English dictionary and language guide.

With Lukumi A-Z you can easily reference and study essential vocabulary loyoyumó (everyday)!

One-Time Fee, Full Access

Anago 101 - 2026

$110

Course curriculum

1

Meeting One: Saturday Oct 31st, 2026
- Essential History: Yorubaland and the Middle Passage
- Theoretical Basics: Why Is Lukumi Language Called Anago?
- Linguistic Foundations: Yoruba Morphemes, Word Structure, Pronunciations
- Parts of Speech: Nouns and Pronouns
- Important Vocab: Numbers and Colors
- Proverbs and Common Phrases 1
- Orisha Song Translations: Elegba, Ogun, Ochosi
2

Meeting Two: Saturday November 7th, 2026
- Essential History 2: Orishas in Cuba Before the Fall of the Oyo Empire
- Theoretical Basics: Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Lydia Cabrera, John Mason
- Linguistic Foundations: Differences Between Lukumi and Yoruba
- Parts of Speech: Verbs and Advebs
- Important Vocab: Body Parts and Animals
- Proverbs and Common Phrases 2
- Orisha Song Translations: Oya, Yemaya, Oshun
3

Meeting Three: Saturday November 14th, 2026
- Essential History 3: Orishas in Cuba After the Fall of the Oyo Empire
- Linguistic Foundations: Agglutination and Elision/Contractions
- Parts of Speech: Prepositions and Adjectives
- Important Vocab: Ritual Materials
- Proverbs and Common Phrases 3
- Orisha Song Translations: Shango, Obatala, Oduduwa
- More Resources and Learning Materials from Lukumi A-Z