The majority of native Yoruba speakers view the Ifa divination system as a form of dark magic, inconsequential shamanism or ritualistic fetish. Even some scholars of Ifa and its divination system have conveyed the impression that it is simply a primitive oracular instrument of narrative art that should be appreciated only for its poetic sublimity. The Ifa divination system has been greatly misconceived as a mere esoteric system, devoid of any form of technological information. This book, therefore, seeks to describe what the Ifa divination system truly is and to illustrate its pertinence beyond traditional divination and cultural-level information to modern technology. The author examines the process and structure of the Ifa divination system and highlights some of the elements of technological knowledge that are embedded in the Ifa divination system. In all, this book is both a lively introduction to some of the technological-level information in Ifa divination system and a concise reference for those who are interested in enhancing technological development within the context of the cultural knowledge of Ifa and its divination system.

This landmark volume compiled by Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun brings readers into the diverse world of Ifá—its discourse, ways of thinking, and artistic expression as manifested throughout the Afro-Atlantic. Firmly rooting Ifá within African religious traditions, the essays consider Ifá and Ifá divination from the perspectives of philosophy, performance studies, and cultural studies. They also examine the sacred context, verbal art, and the interpretation of Ifá texts and philosophy. With essays from the most respected scholars in the field, the book makes a substantial contribution toward understanding Ifá and its role in contemporary Yoruba and diaspora cultures.

"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.

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.

Divining the Self weaves elements of personal narrative, myth, history, and interpretive analysis into a vibrant tapestry that reflects the textured, embodied, and performative nature of scripture and scripturalizing practices. Velma Love examines the Odu—the Yoruba sacred scriptures—along with the accompanying mythology, philosophy, and ritual technologies engaged by African Americans. Drawing from the personal narratives of African American Ifa practitioners along with additional ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Oyotunji African Village, South Carolina, and New York City, Love’s work explores the ways in which an ancient worldview survives in modern times. Divining the Self also takes up the challenge of determining what it means for the scholar of religion to study scripture as both text and performance. This work provides an excellent case study of the sociocultural phenomenon of scripturalizing practices.

Previous scholars of If have conveyed an impression that If is a characteristic social institution with only religious, ethnographical and sociological significance. In fact, If has been greatly misconceived as a mere religious and mythic discourse, devoid of any meaningful philosophical import. There is also the misconception that If is now largely anachronistic. In If in Yor b Thought System, the author shows that an adequate understanding of a text requires a transition from the manifest to the latent meaning and, therefore, analyses the If literary corpus with a view to identifying the aspects of If that are of philosophic relevance. He shows that fundamental philosophical issues, including nature of reality, knowledge, human conduct are embedded in If . With reflective interpretation of an appreciable number of If verses, the author also examines the utilitarian functions of If, offers good insight into important political ideas and values that are relevant to much of the political challenges in contemporary society and how scientific and technological development can be enhanced within the context of the Yor b oral tradition. In all, this book shows that the If literary corpus, as a complete philosophy, has the prospect of providing a firm ground for the resolution of some of the pressing problems confronting contemporary societies. This book is part of the African World Series, edited by Toyin Falola, Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, University of Texas at Austin.

"This volume of finely crafted case studies is also the vehicle for an important general theory of divination.... this is a book overflowing with ideas that will powerfully stimulate further research." -- Journal of Ritual Studies "The essays in this collection provide a very useful overview of both the diversity of African divination systems and of recent approaches to their study." -- Choice This unique collection of essays by an exceptional international group of Africanists demonstrates the central role that divination continues to play throughout Africa in maintaining cultural systems and in guiding human action. African Divination Systems offers insights for current discussions in comparative epistemology, cross-cultural psychology, cognition studies, semiotics, ethnoscience, religious studies, and anthropology.

" . . . a landmark in research of African oral traditions." —African Arts " . . . a significant contribution to the understanding of Yoruba religious belief, magic, and art." —Journal of Religion in Africa Yoruba texts and English translations of a divination system that originated in Nigeria and is widely practiced today by male and female diviners in the diaspora. A landmark edition.

Ifa Orisa Spirituality is an ancestral wisdom tradition steeped in nature and West African history . Isese (Ee Shay Shay) refers to tradition in Ifa spirituality and refers to the wisdom passed down from our ancestors and spiritual progenitors. Descendants from the African Diaspora displaced during the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade are seeking to return back to our indigenous nature based roots for empowerment and spiritual transformation. The Isese Workbook offers a wealth of information, personal rituals, and exercises that can be done right now to begin to tap this expansive spiritual system whether or not a mentor has been found. It will also offer new practicial tools for those who are already devotees of the tradition to deepen their understanding. The workbook is specifically designed for inner work including exercises and rites drawn from traditional practices in Africa but also embraces the evolution of that understanding to be useful and relevant for the 21st Century African Diaspora population. In the Isese Spirituality Workbook, you will learn: * About your unique spiritual anatomy and physiology based on Isese and Ifa * The power of your Ori and its influence in shaping your destiny. * The Pillars of Isese foundations in Ori, Egun, and Egbe. * The role in Iwa or Character in spiritual evolution and healing. * About Asaro meditation and how to use it to cultivate inner peace and healing. * How to cultivate a relationship with your ancestors & healing generational trauma. * About Egbe, your spiritual support system ,soul family & multidimensional worlds * The role of divination in securing answers and how to use a simple method to gain immediate direction and guidance. * Sacred verses in the Ancient Ifa literary corpus to give us timeless guidance. * Sacred technology using Ewe and easy to find items. * Frequently Asked Questions of Beginners * How to begin the practice of Isese, Ifa Orisa Spirituality in the West and more.

The author focuses on one of the most important religious centers in Africa: the Yoruba city of Ile-Ife in southwest Nigeria. The spread of Yoruba traditions in the African diaspora has come to define the cultural identity of millions of black and white people in Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and the United States. He describes how the city went from great prominence to near obliteration and then rose again as a contemporary city of gods. Throughout, he corroborates the indispensable linkages between religion, cosmology, migration, and kinship as espoused in the power of royal lineages, hegemonic state structure, gender, and the Yoruba sense of place.