Dramatic aspect of ese ifa in yorubaland arc journals. Hidden for centuries, ifa is a nature religion that helps to develop relistic relationships with the natural forces which govern the universe. Take time out for prayer, meditation, silence, ritual, yoga, journaling, exercise or any activity that lifts your spirit and helps you forge that connection to the divine. Maulana karenga nowhere is the profundity and beauty of african spirituality more apparent than in the odu ifa, the sacred text of the spiritual and ethical tradition of ifa, which is one of. Those are just a few of the components of yoruba culture, the genesis of which is the. Its ability to survive seems to lie in its flexibility and its adaptability to new circumstances. The african superhighway of wisdom asar imhotep online. In fact, an average person is totally unaware of that wisdom and many of todays thinkers who study ancient writings do not understand their true meaning. According to one popular belief, ifa or orunmila as he is also called, was one of those gods who journeyed from heaven to earth to found the ancient yoruba city. It is then that the wisdom of kabbalah will appear. While archaeology has provided us with an extraordinary view of the past, there are other sources from which much can be learnt, particularly in the realm of wisdom. Like the computer, yoruba at a divination session, several ibo instruments for casting lot, may be used to find detail information about a clients problem. Others agree that ifa has its origins more ancient in the close orient. Many more ask us whether there is any truth in the teachings of those who purport to receive knowledge from so.
This was done so that one person would not become so powerful as to dominate others. Afolabi a epega reveals for the first time to the general. His approach and methodology is based on spiritual training he has under gone in various places including africa, asia, south america, united states and the caribbean. Right thought is necessary to right conduct, right understanding to right living, and the divine wisdom whether called by its ancient sanskrit name of brahma vidya, or its modern greek name of theosophia, theosophy comes to the world as at once an adequate philosophy and. Weve searched all over the web and through some of the very best online stores looking for nothing but the most incredible products so that we can bring them all. He is the custodian of the deity, moral, economic, language, origin and metaphysical orders of the yoruba culture, and of its believers throughout the world. In spite of the numerous articles and books devoted to it, ifa remains an intractable subject for many, a bewildering cellar of ancient wisdom. Ifa the ancient wisdom afolabi a epega by jamiefoxer. Nonetheless, we have retained the authors original title because it was and remains the name by which every true teacher of the sublime occult mysteries was dignified.
Afolabi a epega reveals for the first time to the general public the ancient wisdom of the yoruba who live in south western parts of nigeria and west africa. A comparative study of ifa divination and computer science. And this is not only due to the complex web of fetish associated with it but also and this is more. Mar 17, 2012 in one of the sacred texts of ifa, orunmila says. With a preface and introduction that contextualize the powerful messages of ifa wisdom for modern life, and classic and western interpretations. Now, for the first time, all 256 sacred stories of this ancient oral tradition have been translated into english by dr. Now, for the first time, all 256 sacred stories of this ancient oral. By edda livingston ancient wisdom and occult truth.
Pdf a comparative study of ifa divination and computer. If we cant cure serious illness, we dont earn great wealth. The system of divination of ifa signifies, for the traditional yorubas, the center of the consultation about their life and actions. Pdf on jan 1, 1999, maulana karenga and others published odu ifa. Pdf a comparative study of ifa divination and computer science. Ramon llull connected ancient wisdom to 21st century science.
It was recorded from babalawo ifatoogun, a famous ifa priest from ilobuu, near osogbo. An exposition of ifa literary corpos by wande abimbda. The ancient people believed that heavy power should not be left within the hands of one person only, that it should be spread among the people of a community to provide checks and balances. The book of proverbs and ancient wisdom literature 223 shuruppak as well as the famous akkadian work, the counsels of wisdom, which he dates to the cassite period 15001200 b. Our next story from the ifa literary corpus about osun is taken from okanransode.
Ifa can simply be said to be the religion or divinity brought into the world by orunmila. The following texts represent some of the most important relics from the. Popular ifa books showing 150 of 106 the way of orisa. Discover answers to lifes questions using the ifa oracle an ancient african divination tool and the spiritual foundation for candomble, santeria, and vodun. Ramon llull connected ancient wisdom to 21st century. Time and time again, technology, along with advances in neuroscience and even genetics, seems to be validating things our ancestors knew all along by revealing exactly what happens physiologically during meditation and how regular practice can improve our bodies and minds. In other words, it is a science about how to receive correctly, or how to properly utilize ones egoism to receive all the pleasures prepared. They occupied an area bounded by the niger river, and including what is now known as the benin republic, southwestern nigeria, and part of togo. The name is drawn from greek philosophy, but perfectly expresses the ancient idea, the word which emerges from the. Ahiqar was a sage in the court of the assyrian kings. The odu ifa a binary system of ancient knowledge are arranged in 16 major chapters with an additional 240 minor chapters making a collections of 256 odu ifa chapters or the wisdom of olodumare god the creator in 256 containers of sacred wisdomknowledge delivered to mankind in the form of ancient parables. Maulana karenga propriety, harmony, balance, reciprocity and order. An ancient legacy worthy of the most profound reflection.
Thats why we call it the ancient wisdom the supreme guidance. Ori functions in polarity with the physical heart called okan in yoruba. Sep 25, 2016 ancient wisdom reveals 6 rituals that will make you happy. Offerings of food, objects, song, money, or the blood of animals in sacrifice all revivified the. Mar 12, 2018 what is the difference between yoruba african spirituality and ifa. This book presents a broad account of the present knowledge of the history and outlines the system of islamic law.
Weve searched all over the web and through some of the very best online stores looking for nothing but the most incredible products so that we can bring them all here at ancient wisdoms, for. Odu ifa pdf the secret of ifa divination and the teachings of orunmila are embodied in the odu, a collection of stories having. At ancient wisdom we are dedicated to bringing you the best in wholesale giftware, delighting your customers and helping your retail business grow. Ancient wisdom for modern times across the kings river. Funny thing is, were more likely to live happier lives when we visit the classics section than the selfhelp aisle. The story is about a bag of wisdom which olodumare threw down from the sky and asked all the or. Osun and the origins of the ifa divination wande abimbola y ifa divination we mean ifa and related systems of divination based on the stories and symbols of the odu such as dida owo divination with the sacred divining chain called opele and. I do not practice this form of whorship,but i love the concepts of the relgion. An introduction to islamic law, joseph schacht, 1964, religion, 304 pages. We have seen that the orishas inhabit many aspects of nature, and the mutual respect implied by the covenant between humans and nature includes all nonliving things as well. However, the rest of it is filled with information, a lot of which presented new perspectives and insights to even a relatively experienced reader in the field of yoruba religion. The ifa concept of ancestor reverence awo ifa world.
Odu ifa pdf the secret of ifa divination and the teachings of orunmila are embodied in the odu, a collection of stories having a. The ifa divination system, which makes use of an extensive corpus of texts and mathematical formulas, is practiced among yoruba communities and by the african diaspora in the americas. From the oral culture of its distant past to its vibrant present and buoyed by its scholarly discourses, yoruba philosophy is best understood as a folk philosophy, a set of narratives and cultural practices that attempt to explain the causes and the nature of things affecting the corporeal and the. Babalawos initiated priests, are believed to be able to contact orunmila during their divination rituals. The age of growth of the system of ifa, in these kingdoms is unknown. Ewe oogun ifa preparations ifa medicinespreparations can be a powerful ally in our daily life and spiritual tool kit. We are often asked by readers what the ancient wisdom is and where it is to be found. Yoruba refers to a group of cultures linked by a common language.
The african superhighway of wisdom by asar imhotep july 27, 2009 much has been accomplished in the field of historical linguistics to demonstrate relatedness between african languages. What is the difference between yoruba african spirituality and ifa. The following texts represent some of the most important relics from the ancient world. Jun 19, 2016 ifa,divination,computer science,256 odus. The chosen status of humans is a second major tenet of ifa.
This knowledge in the present time is represented in part by that of modern science, of religion and of philosophy, but science and religion are at times mutually antagonistic. Especially when combined with conscious effort to follow our taboos, work on transforming our weaknesses and negativity in combination with our willingness to change and develop as spiritual beings on earth. Sankofa, fa and ifa male deity of divine wisdom and divination in kamit, akan, ewe, fon and yoruba the term for nose in our ancestral language of kamit is spelled in the medutu hieroglyphs with the consonants. The ifa divination system, which makes use of an extensive corpus of texts and mathematical formulas, is practiced among yoruba communities and by. Aramaic proverbs are given in a collection known as the words of ahiqar. Ancient wisdom what is the ancient wisdom and where is it to be found. The ancient wisdom is knowledge, in depth, of the nature and processes of the cosmos as a living whole. This ancient wisdom known as ifa relects a timehonored tradition on which the yoruba philosophy, arts, music, customs, science, medicine, culture and religion are based. The mystical oracle and coauthored the sacred ifa oracle, is no longer physically present to answer my questions nor yours. If we dont learn great wisdom, we cant learn strong medicine.
With a preface and introduction that contextualize the powerful messages of ifa wisdom for. Empowering your life through the ancient african religion of ifa paperback. The arabic divination system ilm al raml is based on 16 elements. And its listing of things required to create a good world begins with moral wisdom adequate to govern the world and continues with sacrifice, character, love of doing good and struggle. The odu ifa says that the first criterion for a good world is full knowledge of things. This paper focuses on sacred wisdom from two traditions, the yoruba of southwestern nigeria and ancient kemet current day egypt. The book is the vedas,bible,ouran, bhavagad gita to those individuals that are dedicated to the divination of ifa. The spiritual and ethical tradition of ifa of ancient. Within ifa, there are numerous ceremonies and rituals used for personal protection, improving ones health, achieving goals, preparing for pregnancy, obtaining wisdom and knowledge, removing negative spirit energy, becoming more productive, becoming married, etc. Ifa is actually an ancient binary computer system which, in some inexplicable way, has successfully linked the probability of numbers with the complexities of the human condition and the ever complex flux of events.
The book ifa the ancient wisdom should rather be called a booklet. He was also crowned the most consecrated diviner title in the yoruba tradition, agba awo of. We have seen that the orishas inhabit many aspects of na. The spiritual and ethical tradition of ifa of ancient yorubaland holds. The yoruba believe that each object of nature has an ancient name that is used to communi. If you want to see the wisdom of an ancient people and relgion shine through please pick up this book. The systematic methods of morphology, phonology and typology have been the tools par excellence in bringing to light similarities in african languages. The ifa concept of ancestor reverence according to ifa oral tradition, ori is the seat of consciousness and the receptacle for spiritual influences emanating from the ancestral realm orun. Olodumarecreator orishanature spirits egunancestors in 1980, in recognition of his mastery, chief yagbe awolowo onilu was initiated into ifa, the ancient wisdom tradition on which yoruba philosophy, arts, music, customs, science, medicine, culture and religion are based.
We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. This ancient wisdom known as ifa relects a timehonored tradition on which the yoruba philosophy, arts, music, customs, science, medicine, culture and religion. We live in a world where were expected to pursue all things except our own connection with spirit and the innate wisdom that flows every day within for free. The ifa divination system is a set of divination acts done by a professional that has been granted authority a babalawo to create and make use of set of rules to communicate with the gods so as. Afolabi epega, an accomplished scientist with an honors degree in organic chemistry and a 5th generation ifa priest, or babalawo, who penned ifa. However, the rest of it is filled with information, a lot of which presented new perspectives and insights to even a relatively experienced reader. The wisdom of our ancestors frequently puzzles modern people. The second commitment is to be a con sistent servant of the people. From that foundation have yoruba philosophy, religion, and literature developed, all of which blend ancient truths and divine moralities with reason. Llull showed 120 lines connecting distinct pairs of the 16 vertices. If we dont learn strong medicine, we cant cure serious illness.
We have just seen that the source from which a universe proceeds is a manifested divine being, to whom in the modern form of the ancient wisdom the name logos, or word has been given. Most important, however, ifa provides a pragmatic and psychological cushion against the vicissitudes of life. In this process of scrapping, scrub and swallowing gave birth the ifa word. Chief alaje is the founder of the ogundase ifa temple and ile osunfikayo orisa temple. Afolabi epega, a fifthgeneration babalawo or ifa priest. Yoruba philosophy and the seeds of enlightenment vernon press.
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