This book is written for the benefit of the Yoruba people and others who appreciate Yoruba Traditional Religion but do not know how to go about the acquisition of knowledge pertaining to it and all African Traditional Religions. This holy book is a pointer to all the 256 Odus in the Ifa literary corpus. This book is therefore written to bridge that gap. I am quite certain that this book will be of immense benefit to whosoever reads it, for this book is an exposition to African Traditional Religions, particularly the Yoruba Traditional Religion in which Ifa occupies a pride of place. This book is recommended to all lovers of knowledge, the Yoruba Traditional Religion and Ifa.
One of the first steps to Ifa is getting a Hand Of Ifa. It’s reception marks a turning point where an individual begins to line up with their destiny, While a hand of Ifa is not a full initiation to Ifa, it is an advanced step beyond general interest and before you Initiate fully. Many practitioners at this level find themselves lost, not quite being a beginner and not an initiate either. A book like this has never been done specifically for practitioners at this level. It is a guide for people who have received a hand of ifa, gone through an Isefa ceremony, intend to initiate to Ifa, and also for people who are initiated but have had little instructions on how to manage and work with their Ifa. It can also be very valuable for people who are ready to take the next step in their Ifa journey as they prepare to receive a hand or initiate. Hand of Ifa is a workbook with exercises to further the Onifa and devotee development. It also offers an introduction to the 16 Meji Odus, their verses, and significance with soul development and personal growth. The individual will learn key foundational skills for success in Ifa such as: How to utilize Oriki for invocation and even create an Oriki How to care for Ifa and Esu shrines How to perform Ose Ifa How to assess our spiritual debts and cress through a Spiritual Balance sheet How to understand and interpret Ifa verses How to read Ifa signatures How to prepare some Ifa Akose (Spiritual Medicines) How to gain a personal understanding of Odus via their psychology and practical expressions. And more… One of the first steps to Ifa is getting a Hand Of Ifa. It’s reception marks a turning point where an individual begins to line up with their destiny, While a hand of Ifa is not a full initiation to Ifa, it is an advanced step beyond general interest and before you Initiate fully. Many practitioners at this level find themselves lost, not quite being a beginner and not an initiate either. A book like this has never been done specifically for practitioners at this level. It is a guide for people who have received a hand of ifa, gone through an Isefa ceremony, intend to initiate to Ifa, and also for people who are initiated but have had little instructions on how to manage and work with their Ifa. It can also be very valuable for people who are ready to take the next step in their Ifa journey as they prepare to receive a hand or initiate. Hand of Ifa is a workbook with exercises to further the Onifa and devotee development. It also offers an introduction to the 16 Meji Odus, their verses, and significance with soul development and personal growth. The individual will learn key foundational skills for success in Ifa such as: How to utilize Oriki for invocation and even create an Oriki How to care for Ifa and Esu shrines How to perform Ose Ifa How to assess our spiritual debts and cress through a Spiritual Balance sheet How to understand and interpret Ifa verses How to read Ifa signatures How to prepare some Ifa Akose (Spiritual Medicines) How to gain a personal understanding of Odus via their psychology and practical expressions. And more…
The Ifa Oracle is an ancient African divination system that has been passed down orally through the generations. Like the hexagrams of the I Ching, the odus - or stories - that comprise the oracle are consulted for their sage advice and wisdom regarding life questions. Now, for the first time, the 256 sacred stories of the Ifa Oracle have been translated into English by Dr. Afolabi Epega, a fifth-generation Nigerian babalawo, or Ifa priest. Both classic and Western interpretations by Dr. Epega and American babalawo Philip Neimark clearly illuminate each translation, setting the context for using and understanding the power of Ifa wisdom in modern life.
First published in 1921, and cited on the Africa's Best 100 Books List, this is a standard work on the history of theYorubas from the earliest times to the beginning of the British Protectorate. The first part of the book discusses the people, theircountry and language, religion, government, land law, manners and customs. The second part is divided into four periods, dealing first with mytheological kings and deified heroes; with the growth, prosperity and oppression of the Yoruba people; the time of revolutionary wars and disruption; and, finally, the arrest of disintegration, inter-tribal wars, and the coming of the British. There are two appendices, on dealing with treaties and agreements, the other giving tables of Yoruba kings, rulers, and chiefs. The book also includes an index and map of the Yoruba country.
An inspirational overview of the West African Yoruba traditional indigenous religion and tradition of Ifa, which has spread to worldwide importance. Related to Orunmila, Orisha, Ifa, Odu, Esu, Olodumare, and so on.
In this book, Oyěwùmí extends her path-breaking thesis that in Yorùbá society, construction of gender is a colonial development since the culture exhibited no gender divisions in its original form. Taking seriously indigenous modes and categories of knowledge, she applies her finding of a non-gendered ontology to the social institutions of Ifá, motherhood, marriage, family and naming practices. Oyěwùmí insists that contemporary assertions of male dominance must be understood, in part, as the work of local intellectuals who took marching orders from Euro/American mentors and colleagues. In exposing the depth of the coloniality of power, Oyěwùmí challenges us to look at the worlds we inhabit, anew.
