Y O R U B A . S P I R I T U A L I T Y
Yoruba spirituality (Ifa/Orisa worship) is an intricate belief system. It was created to guide you through life, build your character and connect you with the forces of nature. This belief system has been around for at least 10,000 years.
According to the Yoruba Kojoda calendar, this is the year 10,061, while it is just 2019 in the Gregorian calendar. Ifa/Orisa worship is not only practiced by the Yoruba but many other cultures across Africa like the Fon and Ewe. This belief system does not discriminate. Therefore, you do not have to be Yoruba, Fon or Ewe to practice Ifa/Orisa worship.
Unlike foreign religions, Yoruba spirituality is about you - not a saviour or any other central figure. Yes, there are the Irunmoles and Orisas. However, the things you learn, like your taboos and even the energy of your guardian Orisa, specifically apply to you. It is not a “one-size-fits-all” belief system but a personalised one. Initiation is an essential part of Yoruba spirituality. This ancient ritual was created to connect you with the energy of your guardian Orisa and reveal your life path, among other things.
In this belief system, each person has a different guardian Orisa. To a certain extent, you have the energy of your guardian Orisa. Therefore, understanding and revering your guardian Orisa (and other Orisas) is key to fulfilling your purpose and navigating your journey through life.
The Irunmole represent forces of nature. They were created by Olodumare (the supreme being) and charged with different roles. We do not interact directly with Olodumare, but with the Orisas. The Orisas are Irunmoles who reincarnated on earth and lived exemplary lives. For example, there is Sango (pr-shango) the Irunmole and Sango the Orisa, who reincarnated as the third Alaafin of Oyo. They are the same divine being.
The Ifa/Orisa divination system makes use of mathematical formulas and an extensive body of text/information known as Odus. Although it may look confusing or haphazard to the uninitiated, divination is a complex process and is always accurate. People are often stunned by the revelations from divination. It could highlight things about your past, present, future. Ifa/Orisa priests and priestess use kola nut, palm kernels or cowries to perform divination. Most times, you do not need to tell the priest or priestess what you need, but the divination will reveal it.
Usually, after divination, you are required to perform a sacrifice to avert or support the things revealed in the reading. Like other belief systems in Africa, animal sacrifice is part of Ifa/Orisa worship. However, it is not every time that you will be required to perform animal sacrifice. The priest or priestess does not arbitrarily tell you the things to offer as a sacrifice. Instead, divination is performed to determine the kind of offerings to make.
A lot of “modern” people abhor animal sacrifice because they see it as disregard for animal life, but that is due to lack of understanding. Animal sacrifice is a sacred ritual that has been performed for thousands of years according to strict rules. It is not a wanton thing. The very act of sacrifice affirms that animals have a powerful life force. This solemn ceremony shows respect for the inherent spirit in the animal. It is not a waste of life. The criticisms of animal sacrifice betray our little knowledge about the continuity of life and spirituality.
Death is not the end of life!
There are many aspects of Ifa/Orisa belief system that we cannot discuss in this brief article. The goal is to give you a basic introduction. This short post may leave you with questions, and we encourage you to learn more from the right sources and continue to grow spiritually.
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