The new 3-Volume series, Yoruba Theology & Tradition, provides truly in-depth study of the culture that is the foundation of the spiritual systems of Ifa/Orisa, Lukumi, Vodun, Candomble, and others.
IFA: A Complete Divination delivers great insight in to the divine oracle of Ifa, providing two verses of each of the 256 sacred Odu Ifa (in both Yoruba and English), the doctrine of Yoruba tradition. This book is sold through other resources, for as much as $89 plus shipping. Through... (continue reading)
On May 4, 2008, a fellow BP member left a comment, stating that I had sold my soul to the devil. Sadly, this was from an African woman who abandoned her true culture and heritage. Below is my response to her comment, followed by her original posting.
Posted 11-Nov-2008 by Awo Ojelola Ifasakin:
I am just now seeing the comment (noted below) you left on 04-May-2008, regarding a photo of mine from my ite'Fa in Nigeria. While I can appreciate your efforts in sharing what you... (continue reading)
personal message
Ire aiku, ire owo, ire alaafia!
Translated from Yoruba:
Blessings of longevity, wealth, and peace!
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OKAY, SO BLACKPLANET WENT WILD WITH INVITATIONS!
BP sent out more than a half million invitations in my name. Thousands of people accepted the invitations. I now have a long list of friends whom I have yet to know. If you would like to be a friend of mine, you are more than welcome. If you prefer to remain a stranger, please pardon the intrusion. THERE IS NO COINCIDENCE. ALL THINGS HAVE REASON.
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I am one of the million men who marched on the National Mall in Washington DC, on October 16, 1995.
We really did something on that day. I wonder how many of my brothers are really doing something today.
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Peace and blessings to everybody on the Planet!
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GOD: You may call him Yahweh, Allah, Jah, Elohim, or one of several other names or titles. I call him Olodumare ("oh-LO-doo-mah-ray" ) or Olorun ("aw-LAW-roong"), as the Yorubas of West Africa have done since the creator breathed life into humans.
IFA ("ee-FAH"): The oracle of God, provided to guide humans in all matters of life, Ifa is the spirit that brings knowledge and wisdom -- knowledge of all that was and all that is, and all that will be -- and wisdom to understand this knowledge and how best to use it. Because of the significance of Ifa in the Yoruba culture, the religion of the Yorubas is often called Ifa.
Orunmila ("aw-ROONG-mee-la"): Teacher, prophet, priest of priests and king of kings, and witness to creation, Orunmila is the role model for all priests of Ifa. Such a priest is called babalawo ("ba-ba-LA-wo"), which means "father of secrets".
When a person is faced with trouble in life or is approaching a major milestone, he or she goes to a babalawo. The babalawo consults Ifa,on that person`s behalf. Ifa reveals a certain "odu" (one of 256 signs or guides) that pertains to the person`s situation. The babalawo applies theknowledge and wisdom from Ifa, tointerpret the odu and present answersto the person who has come to him. The babalawo is also the spiritual leader of his family and his community. Orunmila is the spiritual leader, sent by Olodumare, to show humans how to live right and good on this earth and earn a good place in heaven.
What Does God Have In Store For You
How Can the Orisa (God`s Angels) Help You?
"Except for the day we are born and the day we are supposed to die, there is nothing in our lives that can not be changed."
Through the practice of ancient African tradition, fortify your relationship with Olorun (God) and acknowledge his Orisa who exist to help you.
SPIRITUAL CONSULTATION is available to you, for a better understanding of your life. I will help you to cultivate your spiritual garden and let Olorun`s wonders unfold.
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I am an Awo (diviner of Ifa), American born, initiated in Nigeria into the ancient priesthood of Ifa ("ee-FAH"), trained in Ifa divination to help in understanding the mysteries of life.
God`s word to the Yoruba people is through Ifa, the sacred oracle, the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. The oracle of Ifa has 256 chapters, called Odu. Each Odu contains hundreds (or even thousands, for some chapters) of verses. Each verse gives us a message that instructs us in how we should live.
In the first verse of the odu, Eji Ogbe, Ifa tells us:
Orunmila says that we should measure at the length and measure at the breadth. The hand reaches much higher than the head; new palm fronds reach much higher than old palm fronds. No forest is so dense that the iroko tree cannot be seen; no music is so loud that the gong cannot be heard. "Mineis important; mine is seen", is the cry of the grey heron.
Well then, whose affair is most important and seen above others?
Clearly, those of the palm tree are seen above all.
A ground shrub spouts in the forest and it reaches the road.
Still, the affairs of the palm tree are seen above all, clearly.
A vine sprouts in the forest and it reaches the road.
Still, the affairs of the palm tree are seen above all, clearly.
"Mine is important, mine is seen", is the cry of the grey heron.
Yet, the affairs of the palm tree are seen above all, clearly.
Orunmila, Olorun`s prophet of Ifa, is often referred to as "the great palm tree". In Ifa, Christianity, and some other faiths, the palm tree or palm fronds (leaves) are considered sacred. (Christian reference: Palm Sunday celebrates the arrival of Jesus, riding a donkey. The townspeople placed palm fronds on the ground before Jesus, that he would tread on a sacred and clean path.) As Christians believe that living according to the teachings of Jesus is to live according to God`s word, we in Ifa live according to the teachings of Orunmila. Hence, we live in God`s word.
The ground shrub and vine may grow to reach some distance, but they do not grow tall like a palm tree. Things outside of Orumila`s teachings may reach far and wide, but they do not become greater than Ifa and the teachings of Orunmila.
Why does the grey heron insist that his affairs are important and to be seen? The grey heron roosts high in the palm trees. That is his home. If we make our home in Ifa, living by the teachings of Orunmila, our affairs are important. It is living in God`s word that makes one important.
In a verse from the odu, Okanran Oturupon:
After once reaping the benefits of Ifa, and rejoicing, a large group of people of foreign faith renounced their faith in Ifa. The message of Ifa, to this massive group of foreign faithfuls, is:
"You said that you would not worship in Ifa gain."
"That is allright."
"You did touch your head to the ground for Ifa, just once."
"Now, you will touch your head to the ground, countless times.."
"And you will do the same with your buttocks."
"Ifa is not angry."
"We all worship the same God; no one can prove that he knows the secrets of God more than another."
"It is in Ifa that you should worship."
The people of foreign faith replied:
"We are worshiping in Ifa."
Although the people of foreign faith had been the beneficiaries of Ifa, and had once praised and worshiped in Ifa, they decided that they would never again praise and worship in Ifa. God holds us accountable for the things we know. We must not enjoy the benefits of approaching God by a certain path, unless we are willing to continue praising and worshiping God by that same path. After they were shown their error in renouncing their faith in Ifa, the people of foreign faith agreed to praise and worship in Ifa.
Ire ati alaafia! (Goodness and peace!)
~ Awo Ojelola Ifasakin
"Ibi ire ni`F n gbemi i lo."
It is only to a place of goodness that If carries me.
(Yorub proverb, from the Odu-If of seb l )
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Just a thought:
At times, we can become impatient for something that is destined for us. We begin seeking eagerly. When we find something that looks like that which we seek, we might jump at it, for fear it would slip away. This pounce is the very thing that may push our destiny farther away. Patience is in deed a virtue.
-- Awo Ojelola Ifasakin
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For those of you who want to contact me, catch me on AIM (Oje Ifasakin) or Yahoo (Oje_Ifasakin). I can be reached via e-mail at Oje_Ifasakin@osebiile.org
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Here is a short posting I made in one of the BP Channels, regarding religion and spirtuality. At the very least, please consider it food for thought.
What is Religion toyou?
Created by Moiraine-Sedai on Wed, Aug 30, 2000 @ 17:16 EST
If a person is not religious, does that mean that s/he does not believe? Are they doomed to be lost forever?
Oje_Ifasakin (Sun, Sep 17, 2000 @ 06:48 EST)
Religion, Spirituality, and Life
People tend to think of religion as some documented rite, centered in and around place of worship, a physical structure. That perception is the main problem with religion. Religion is not the building you enterto pray. It is not the book you read. Religion is a way of life. Religion IS life, and life IS religion.
Most African languages have no word for "religion". Sometimes we are asked, "What religion do you practice?" Would you ask a person, "What life do you practice?" Most likely, you would not ask such a question. Belief in a higher power, a supreme creator, is just a fact of life for traditional African faith. All that stems from the creator make this world -- this life we have. So,asking of one`s religion is also to ask of one`s world. "What world do you practice?" The question is illogical.
The so-called religions are merely pieces of true life, small bits of this world. None is complete. None provides "the only way" to the graces of God.
The `practice` of spirituality, in its simplest form, tends to put aside the human perception of religion, and recognize that we are beings with an essence that transcends our physical bodies. Spirituality indicates a connection between our physical world and a supernatural world of which we are also a part.
While some of us turn to spirituality and experiment with the unknown, we forget that our supernatural essence still depends on a higher power. We forget religion as it is meant to be... we still forget that life, religion, and our world are one.
This world is our life. Life is religion. Religion is our world andeverything in it. Through the experiences in this life, our spiritual being matures. Through experience inthe spirit world we gain maturity to face the next round in the physical world. Untilwe come to balance in the physical world and in the spiritual world, understanding on both planes, that life is religion, religion is life, life is the world, the world is life, and the world is religion and religion is the world, we live in the darkness of misconception. Hence, neither the religious nor non-religious can be assured for salvation. Those persons will be doomed torepeat the cylce until the truth becomes reality in their eyes.
I pray that God`s blessings of peace, love, happiness, prosperity and longevity are set upon each of you, and that your heart is open to receive.
