Ifa
A Spiritual Tradition from Africa to the World

So many of us are drawn to the culture, music and dance of Africa, whether or not we are directly from there. We in the West are now beginning to recognize what it is that Africa has to offer the Western world; beauty, strength, wisdom, a sense of community and a recognition of the presence of our ancestors. It is this wisdom that will provide the antidote so needed in the industrialized nations of the world, where so many of us have lost our sense of place and belonging to our community and the world around us. The connection to one another, to our environment and to our ancestors is Africa’s gift to us all.

However, I am often frustrated by the realization that the spiritual traditions of Africa have not only been misunderstood, but deliberately distorted and supressed here in the West. While other non-Abrahamic traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, or the Tao are (with varying degrees of comprehension) acknowledged and respected, African spiritual traditions are comfortably dismissed and ridiculed by the society at large. Other spiritual traditions, such as those practiced in Hawai'i and Native America, have been similarly marginalized. It seems that those originating in Africa have been particularly singled out for disparagement.

Whenever the subject of an African religion does come up, it is usually as a metaphor for the opposite of everything considered good about Western religion.

Most assume that African spirituality is nothing more than a collection of simple-minded superstitions. Sadly, these assumptions are often based on the actions of some Western practitioners of African derived traditions, who persist in following a fear based system. These practices took root from the time when the knowledge of African spirituality first arrived the New World in the hearts and minds of African people brought here to be made into slaves. During those tragic days, if the religion were to survive at all, it had to be practiced in secret, hidden behind Christian icons. These secret practices became a necessary part of keeping African traditions from being completely destroyed in this part of the world. Additionally, the traditions were corrupted by the Western example of the separation of the material and the spiritual. In responding to the realities of life in the Western Hemisphere, African spiritual traditions subsequently were abused by some (certainly not all) practitioners and misunderstood by most observers.

Unfortunately, the persistance of these secret practices in the modern era encourages a dysfunctional atmosphere of fear and misunderstanding. So sad!

I feel the time has come for those of us who practice traditional African spirituality to do so openly and proudly without fear of derision or dismissal. To that end, what follows is my description of what is, and what is not, our tradition.

I practice Ifa, an African spiritual tradition originating with the Yoruba people of ancient times.

We believe in one Supreme Being. The Supreme Being is without gender and is not an active participant in the affairs of living humans. The Supreme Being is benevolent and has provided a Universe for us with all that we need to grow to be independent adults by staying in balance with the energy matrix. We were not meant to be forever dependent on the Supreme Being, or on any paternal or maternal figure.

According to oral literature, the practice of Ifa originated as far back as eight thousand years ago. This means that Ifa may be the oldest monotheistic religion in the world.

Ifa is characterised by a deep sense of the interdependence of all life. We maintain a profound belief that every life form and element of Nature has an inner soul force - including rivers, rocks, clouds, metals, flowers, thunder, and the wind. These natural energies that comprise the universe are called Orisa. Each Orisa has its own specific function.

Some Western practitioners of African spiritual traditions consider the Orisa to be Gods, or anthropomorphic forces with human-like characteristics. This is incorrect. The Orisa are energy complexes found in Nature.

We are in constant communication with Orisa energy, whether we’re aware of it or not.

We believe that our Ancestor spirits are always with us and must be honored, acknowledged and consulted.

We believe that all people are born good and with a desitny meant to develop their character (Iwa-pele). Divination was given to us so that we could periodically check in to make sure we are we are doing what we are supposed to do.

We also believe that everyone alive on the planet is the descendant of a single East African woman.  This idea is supported by genetics. Therefore, in a very real sense, we are all African.

We do not regard our Spirituality as a “religion” in the way that many Westerners do. It is not something that we do once a week or before we eat a meal. It is an integral part of how we are in the world.

We do not believe in zombies, witchcraft, the devil, spirit possessions, or scary predictions.

Instead, our tradition is based on staying in balance with the Orisa, our ancestors, the world around us, and each other. Ifa is built around common sense, personal responsibility, and an appreciation for the sacred in everyday life.

Systems which have evolved in the New World such as Voodoo, Candomble, Palo and Santeria are based in a small part of Ifa principles. However, the bulk of what comprises these systems is a blend of Catholocism, French Spiritism, and a blend of various New Age beliefs.


This is not “New Age” psyco-babble. This is Old Age - very, very Old Age. In fact, we strongly discourage the “New Age” practice of blending miscellaneous paths together.

"I am because we are, and we are because I am."
         ---Nguni Proverb

Ase!

Iyanifa Mahealani

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