On this day, February 17, I honor and celebrate myself in this age of Aquarius.
I have been embracing my life’s constant evolution.
I am proud of my journey, my growth, and the love I’ve experienced here.
As a single parent, I will always nurture and guide my children with respect, devotion and reverence to my late wife, Kadeisha.
I am an artist, a student , scholar, a healer. My life’s work spans music, photography, film, holistic medicine, and African spiritual sciences. I continue to study deeply, always working towards mastering myself through these techniques and spiritual healing modalities.
I am here, in my power, deserving of every blessing coming my way.
With love and gratitude,
Nery Madrid
Èṣù Àlà ire 🔴⚫️ Àṣẹ !
Sun Re O Balogun OgunDeyi
Felipe Garcia Villamil 1931-2025 🕊️
I met my god father Baba Felipe when I was around 18. Growing up without a father, I had little trust in men no real relationships with them, aside from my uncle who taught me how to really play soccer (football). I always had more female friends and an interesting dynamic with males.
Felipe was the first man I opened up my heart to, he was the first man I ever saw cook for his family. He was a spiritual person, a master drummer and drum maker, deeply respected in his communities. He devoted his whole life to preserving and sharing ancient African traditions. He introduced me to the art of drum craftsmanship, particularly the scared Bata drums from the Yoruba Lukumi tradition as well as intricate beaded tapestry work. His skill in beading and drum making was world-renowned, featured in Beads, Body and Soul by John Mason and Faces of The Gods by Robert Farris Thompson. A National Endowment for the Arts recipient, Felipe was a recognized practitioner of several African spiritual traditions, including Yoruba Orisha, Bantu Palo Mayombe and the Abakua society from Matanzas, Cuba aka Ara Oko. He was an elder priest of Ogun, Olu Ayan Olu Bata. Despite any differences and challenges we faced, I will always be eternally grateful.
I grew up in these traditions but never truly embraced them until I started practicing Buddhism and Yoga at the age of 17. When Felipe and his family moved to LA from NYC, my godbrother Alberto Lopez-who lived in the same apt. complex my mother managed in Korea Town introduced us. My mother with her nourishing spirit, allowed Felipe and his family to stay rent-free for nearly a year as they got settled. I was around 19 when Felipe initiated me to the brotherhood of Àyàn (Aña) for ceremonial drumming and from that moment on I became obsessed with mastering the tradition and upholding it with the highest respect, gentle character and reverence for elders, women and children alike. I was 25 when he initiated me to Eshu Elegba. Though I did not receive my consecrated drums from Felipe, but from another elder in his town, he was the one who sparked my journey. For that, I am grateful.
I attended EID yesterday which is the festival that marks the end of Ramadan for Muslims all over the world. I was inspired to capture and share the spirit and diversity of the people who live and contribute to the beautiful cultural mosaic that I call home.
This is a late birthday post but I recently recovered an old drive with the original 35mm negatives from this trip. So these were taken about 16 years ago. Kadeisha had shared with me that she had never traveled out of the US before. I was so shocked and motivated that I set out the following day and purchased 2 plane tickets. Which in return motivated her to get her passport expedited.
As soon as we landed in Honduras she fell in love.
She loved the weather the landscape,market places, the food and the Garifuna villages we stayed in.
Cayos Cochinos in particular was her favorite spot. It was off the grid, gorgeous and familiar.
She would often express how much she cherished the connections that were made with folks that not only looked just like her but shared similar family customs, mannerisms, expressions and how African esthetics never die, they transcend space and time.
Excuse the long cap but it’s been a while since I’ve shared anything on here so it’s only right for me to start with honoring this Goddess my friend and the mother of our 2 children.
I honestly can’t believe it’s been 6 years since Kadeisha transitioned to the ancestral realm. The children and I miss her beyond measure.
Cherish the day. See the world. Live and love yourself to the fullest.
Peace.
🤍 LOVE YOU DEISHA 🕊 ✨ ♾ 🤍
#honduras #cayoscochinos #garifuna #garinagu #travel #laceiba #sambocreek #childrenofimmigrants #bephiesbeautysupply
#singleparent #fathers
3rd Ward | Houston, Texas | 2003 | 35mm B&W film 📸 @nerymadrid
Slab 🖖🏽
There are Six Wards of Houston. When Houston was incorporated in 1837, its founders decided to split the city into wards. Originally, there were four wards. However, today, there are six distinct Houston wards, each with a different culture and vibe.
