The history of OLU began in the summer of 1997 when a few Lukumi practitioners became acquainted through internet mail lists and chat-rooms.  They shared their fascination with philosophy, magic and beauty of Lukumi faith and Afro-Cuban culture.  Through their interactions, they soon came to share a common vision – they wanted to see all Orisha children come together in unity.

They felt that unity was needed to ensure that Orisha children would receive adequate religious education, support, recognition and legal protection, to preserve Lukumi culture, to establish and promote high ethical standards of our spiritual practices, and to ensure freedom from religious discrimination for all Ifa and Orisha practitioners nationwide and worldwide.

They decided to form an organization in support of Unity among Lukumi practitioners and by the end of August of 1997 a small internet web page was published to announce the Organization for Lukumi Unity.