Ifa

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.

"The sacred texts of Ifa, repository of the accumulated wisdom of countless generations of Yoruba people, are an invaluable source not only for all students of African oral literature and Yoruba civilization, but also for future generations interested in the continuing vitality of Ifa divination and a Yoruba way of life and thought." —Henry Drewal This landmark study of Ifa, the most important and elaborate system of divination of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, remains a monumental contribution to scholarship in anthropology, folklore, religion, philosophy, linguistics, and African and African-American studies.

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.

An introduction to the spiritual source of the beliefs and practices that have so profoundly shaped African American religious traditions. Most of the Africans who were enslaved and brought to the Americas were from the Yoruba nation of West Africa, an ancient and vast civilization. In the diaspora caused by the slave trade, the guiding concepts of the Yoruba spiritual tradition took root in Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Brazil, and the United States. In this accessible introduction, Baba Ifa Karade provides an overview of the Yoruba tradition and its influence in the West. He describes the sixteen Orisha, or spirit gods, and shows us how to work with divination, use the energy centers of the body to internalize the teachings of Yoruba, and create a sacred place of worship. The book also includes prayers, dances, songs, offerings, and sacrifices to honor the Orisha.

There is no available information at this time.

Afrika gilt als die Wiege der Menschheit und begeistert immer wieder aufs Neue durch die archaischen, ausdrucksstarken Kunstobjekte seiner Volksstämme. Unter den vielen afrikanischen Volksgruppen gelten die Yoruba als die Kunstsinnigsten. Ein besonderer Bestandteil ihres religiösen Lebens und ihres daraus bedingten Kunstschaffens sind die Orakelbretter. Diese runden, ovalen oder auch rechteckigen Kultobjekte aus Holz zeigen am oberen Rand das Gesicht des Trickser-Gottes Eshu. Der Orakelpriester, der BABALAWO, übertrug mittels Strichzeichnungen die Ergebnisse der Würfe von 16 Palmnüssen auf das bemehlte Orakelbrett. Aus der Kombination dieser Striche ergaben sich über 3000 Orakelsprüche. Das Buch gewährt anhand von zahlreichen Abbildungen einen Einblick in den Formenreichtum der Ifa-Orakelbretter sowie in die Glaubensvorstellungen der Yoruba, speziell des Ifa-Orakelbundes. Bis vor kurzem wurde noch jeder Verrat des Geheimbundes mit der Todesstrafe geahndet. 2005 wurde das Ifa-Orakel als immaterielles Kulturerbe der UNESCO anerkannt und 2008 in die repräsentative Liste des immateriellen Kulturerbe der Menschheit aufgenommen.

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…