The Yoruba religion, also known as Ifá, is the traditional religious and spiritual practices of the Yoruba people, an ethnic group primarily found in southwestern Nigeria. It is a complex and multifaceted system of beliefs that encompasses extensive pantheon of gods, orisa, spiritual forces and a belief in reincarnation. The Yoruba religion has spread significantly within the diaspora, especially in Cuba, Haiti and Brazil.
In Yoruba belief, there are several hundred orisa deities, each associated with a particular function or attribute. The supreme God is Olodumare (or Olorun), the sky god, and the creator of the universe. The most important orisa, called the “Seven African Powers,” are: Eshu Elegba (messenger and trickster), Ogun (ironworking), Oshun (love, beauty and fertility), Orunmila (divination), Obatala (peace), Yemaja (motherhood and fertility), Olokun (wealth) and Oya (storms and change).
Yoruba religious practices and rituals are often led by titled Babalawo (male) or Iyalawo (female) practitioners. Divination is central to Yoruba religious life. There are 16 basic patterns (called odu) that can be combined for a total of 256 possibilities. Each odu is associated with specific requirements for the client, such as offerings, taboos, and rituals. Divination is used for a wide range of purposes, from guidance for life decisions to healing.
In Yoruba belief, each person has a destiny which is chosen by them before birth. When a Yoruba child is born, it is believed that the child chooses its own destiny, and that the gods expect them to make the most of it. Ifá divination is used to determine the child’s destiny and provide them with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve it.
Ancestor worship also plays a role in Yoruba religion. Offerings are made to Egun, spirits of the ancestors, to honour them and ensure continued survival and family survival. Ancestral shrines are kept in the family courtyard and offerings are made there.
Yoruba practices have been spread around the world through the transatlantic slave trade. In Cuba, it is known as Regla de Ocha or Lukumí, in Haiti as Vodou, and in Brazil as Candomblé. While many Yoruba were forced into slavery, their religion survived and thrived. In fact, Yoruba deities are an integral part of Santería/Lukumí and Candomblé. Many features of traditional Yoruba practices, such as the use of cowry shells, the importance of the orishas, the role of the babalawo, and the keeping of sacred texts, still exist in the diaspora.
However, Yoruba religious practices have also been impacted by colonialism, Christianity, and Islam. Many Yorubas have converted to these religions, and ifá has largely been outlawed. But in both Nigeria and the diaspora, Yoruba religion remains an important part of cultural identity, spiritual practice, and community life. It offers a way to understand the human condition, one’s destiny and purpose in life. As such, while its numbers may dwindle, Yoruba religion continues to endure and even flourish in many parts of the world.
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