Elements of Ifa, Part I

Posted on 22 September 2009 by Babalawo Aworeni

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Ifa is the word that came from the mouth of Orunmila.  The entire Ifa corpus encompasses the strengths and pitfalls of human existence.  The philosophy of Ifa is vast and has been described in a myriad of different ways, however the basis of Ifa is TRUTH.  To follow and practice the tenets of Ifa, one must not only have patience, but they must speak and practice the truth in the purest sense.

In Ile-Ife if you want to practice Ifa the following is discussed with the potential devotee:

If one practices Ifa to have drink, then they will have drink.  If one practices Ifa to have meat, then they will have plenty of meat.  If one practices Ifa to have a wife/husband, then that is what they will get.  If one practices Ifa for juju or money, then that is what will come to them.  However, if one practices Ifa with a pure mind with truth on their tongue, then all these things will be theirs, drink, meat, wife, children, juju and money.

Ifa knows the future.  Ifa knows the beginning and end of all things.  There is no problem that Ifa cannot solve, with the exception of death.  Ifa tells of one’s destiny as well as an individual’s life purpose, path and personal journey.  Because each person has a specific individual destiny, Ifa will tell a different story and have different advice for each person.  Ifa will tell a person the food the should or shouldn’t consume, what colors they should wear or avoid.  Ifa will also tell a person about certain pitfalls they should avoid, such as walking at night, or marrying a man/woman with tattoos, etc.

Ifa is specific about how to care for all the Orisha as well.  Ifa tells of when and to whom to make sacrifice.  Also about the food they should eat.  Ifa is consulted for entire towns, kings, senators, priests and common people alike.

The Elements of Ifa is a three part series on the basics of Ifa.  It will include the Philosophy, the Spirit and Metaphysics, and the Physical Implements of Ifa.  Please feel free the reply to this post if you have any questions or would like further elaboration.

11 Comments For This Post

  1. OLUWO ÌFAGBAMILA AWORENI Says:

    hi very good article thanks its my respects to you and I estube The family now with his father in San PABLO BRASIL are all very well
    ASE
    OLUWO IFAGBAMILA AWORENI
    URUGUAY

  2. Soulosophy Says:

    Greetings, great site. When will part two of Elements of Ifa be available??

  3. Orilana Aworeni Says:

    Aboru Aboye!!!!

    I have an important question!

    In the Egbe Orisaoko of Vzla, Edibere presents to women front Iba Odu with the bandaged eyes.

    In Ilé-Ife you have this practices?

    Bàbá Araba authorized to Edibere to present to the women front Iba Odu?

    If this is not one practices correct, I believe that they would have to take corrective with Edibere, since it is being bad in front of people the name of Bàbá Araba and the Aworeni family.

    Thanks for your reply.

  4. saajida Says:

    I am deeply touch on importance of learning Ifa…As a woman, I want to learn the correct way of things without being lied, dupe, or mislead

  5. ifa abatan tokun Says:

    Disculpa señora orinala aworeni antes de hacer un comentario creo que deberías investigar mejor, porque en ningún momento en casa de baba edibere ifa itaniyi se a presentado a la mujer en igba odu ni con los ojos vendados ni destapados, al momento de esta ceremonia la mujer ni se acerca. Creo que somos religiosos y no debemos decir mentiras gracias.

  6. Orilana Aworeni Says:

    IFA ABATAN TOKUN:

    Yo lo disculpo, como disculpo a cada uno de los seres humanos que llaman a otros mentirosos a otros (como en este caso ud me llama mentirosa a mi), cuando ellos mismos son los primeros en mentir.

    Son uds mismos los que se han encargado de decir que en el Egbe Orisaoko presentan a las mujeres ante Orisa Odu con los ojos vendados, (lo cual quiere decir que entre sus miembros hay mentirosos, ahora, el saber quienes son los mentirosos, silos que afirman que se realizan estás practicas o ud…, no lo sé ni me interesa averiguarlo, “Walá tie ni yen”.

    Yo solo estoy preguntando si es ésta practica correcta. No acuso a nadie y menos a los miembros de dicho Egebe pues es sabido mundialmente que las practicas de uds son Diaspora, que distan mucho de las practicas Yorùbá, como lo puede leer en esta misma pag. en el artículo IFA AND ORISA IN THE DIASPORA.

    Que tenga una felíz y maravillosa vida al lado de sus seres queridos.

    Odabo.

  7. Frank Says:

    I have been involved a long time venerating the orishas…..but nobody has taught me anything.It’s hard here in Miami to find a teacher. Can you please help.

  8. Awo Falola Says:

    Aboru, Aboye, Abosise,

    I would like further eloboration. Please contact me with the details to acquire the information.

    Modupe
    Awo Falola

  9. awotunbi ifasanmi Says:

    Me gustaria preguntar a los mayores de ile ife como es que el companero Edibere habiendo sido iniciado en la diaspora (ifa cubano)esta realizando iniciaciones al estilo tradicional? cuando sabemos que numerosos odu de ifa apoyan que debemos continuar nuestro linaje y podemos dar o hacer solo lo que tenemos
    recibido o hecho!!! o estos son Babalariwo homologados??? apreciaria mucho
    la respuesta sabia de un mayor y preferiria que nigun ogberi(ignorante) opine Aboru Boye!!!

  10. Fabio Says:

    Aboru abosie,
    Please help me.
    Ifa and I left my house in my esu babalawo, and he threw away the two, something can happen to me?
    Thanks

  11. otalade Says:

    Buenos dias.
    Ante todo mis saludos cordiales y mi mayor respeto a todos. Estoy muy confusa entre tantas opiniones adversas. ¿pueden o no hacer iyanifa las mujeres? Quisiera completarme espiritualmente, pero estoy observando diferentes opiniones y no termino de decidirme porque no quisiera ir en contra de los mandamientos de ifa por ignorancia, me gustaria que me dierais vuestro consejo.
    Con todo respeto otalade omo elegua.

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