Elegba Folklore Society, Richmond

The Elegba Folklore Society in Richmond is a dynamic cultural institution dedicated to celebrating African and African American heritage throughout the year. This society provides a vibrant space where individuals can engage with African Diasporic cultural experiences through a variety of events and activities.

At its core, the Elegba Folklore Society aims to deepen the community's connection to African world culture by promoting an understanding of the past to illuminate the present. Visitors can enjoy an array of imports and art at the society's cultural center, or feel the pulse of an African village with performances by their resident company. For those looking to delve deeper, the society offers guided heritage tours along the Trail of Enslaved Africans and other notable historical sites.

Named after Elegba, an Orisa from the Yoruba cosmology of West Africa known for opening roads and bringing clarity from confusion, the society embodies this spirit by offering educational and cultural programming. These programs not only provide experiential learning but also incorporate ancient cultural wisdom and traditions. This approach helps define what it means to be fully human, reconnecting African Americans with their cultural foundations and fostering broader community understanding through immersive artistic experiences.

Thus, the Elegba Folklore Society stands as a beacon in Richmond, inviting families and individuals to explore, learn, affirm, and celebrate the rich gifts of Mother Africa’s cultural legacy.