Ifa is the name of the religion and the Oracle. Ifa is the cultural treasure of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The synthesis of Ifa and Catholicism came to the U.S. through the Caribbean as Lucumi Ifa and Santeria. Meanwhile it has kept its original roots in Nigeria to this day. The name it is known as in Nigeria as well is Isese L’Agba”. The Traditional Yoruba practice has a few basic understandings:

• There is but One Supreme God, or Universal Intelligence

• Except for the day you are born and the day you are supposed die, there is not a single event in one’s life that cannot be forecast and, if necessary, changed

• Your spirit lives on after death and can reincarnate through blood relatives

• You are born with a specific path

• Divination serves as a road map to your path

• Our Ancestors exist and must be honored, venerated and consulted

• Orisa, or forces of nature, live within us and deal with the affairs of men

• You must never harm another human being, or the universe, which you are a part of

• Spiritual, emotional, physical and mental realms of our existence must all work together and be balanced

The lineages and families of Ifa and Orisa are many… Just in Nigeria there are over 500 dialects, with many different groups having their own practice either known under this name or as another, yet centered around identical teaching. Location, diet, language differences etc will bring about varieties and expressions of practice.

The word Babalawo translates as the father of mysteries, and as such, is well-versed in most or all aspects of the religion and culture, from prayers to ceremony, history and stories and everything in between. A Babalawo is a high priest within the tradition, with many other sub-titles to be earned and given over time within the priesthood. Learning the practice of Ifa is a lifelong endeavor for all involved. The Babalawo sheds light on things that are unseen and works with the forces of nature (Orisa) to right them again.

Ifa teaches us in Idi Meji that diversity is the hallmark of God’s creation. Which means Ifa, while Yoruba in source of origin, belongs to humanity as a whole.

Odidi kirimukirimu

Awo of Ori

Cast Ifa for Ori

When Ori was living in isolation

He was asked to offer sacrifice

He complied

Eyes came, eyes came to stay with Ori

Kerekere, my Ori will no longer be in isolation

Ear came, ear came to stay with Ori

Kerekere, my Ori will no longer be in isolation

Nose came, nose came to stay with Ori

Kerekere, my Ori will not longer be in isolation

Mouth came, mouth came to stay with Ori

Kerekere, my Ori will not longer be in isolation

The Orisa are commonly held as spiritually elevated ancestors-turned-divinities, that support a person’s destiny or Ori. Ifa teaches that all individuals are born with particular spirits or guardians, what we call Orisa, that form a covenant with us in this lifetime to assist us with fulfilling our life’s spiritual contracts.

The Orisas, from the perspective of Ifa teaching, are divinities who were once human, and who due to their contribution and selfless service, were eulogized and remembered for generations. Later, they became elevated to their status as deities who assist humans as part of their continued service.