WHAT IS IFA?
IFA is the religion of the Yoruba peoples of Africa. Unfortunately, within the last 100 years traditonal forms of religion in Africa have declined under the influence of colonialism, Western acculturation and proselytizing by Islam and Christianity. In the African Diaspora (mainly in the Americas) African-derived belief systems are in a state of impressive growth.

Today Yoruban religion has undergone a phenomenal surge in popularity and interest. Santeria, the adaptation of Yoruba and Ifa with Catholicism, came to the U.S. - first with Puerto Ricans in the forties and fifties and then with the flood of Cuban refugees in the sixties. The pantheon of major Yoruba deities has survived virtually intact, along with a complex of rites, beliefs, music, dances and myths of Yoruba origin. <snip>

Yorubas believe in a supreme being, in primordial divinities, and spirits that have been deified. God is known as Olodumare (the one who has the fullness of everything) and Olorun (the owner of heaven, the Lord whose abode is in the heaven above). Other names are also used that reflect the Yoruba belief that God has all the possible attributes of a person.

The Yoruban philisophy includes the beliefs that:
There is One Supreme God
Except for the day you were born and the day you are supposed to die there is not a single event in ones life that cannot be forecast and if necessary, changed.
Your spirit lives on after death and can reincarnate through blood relatives
You are born with a specific path.
Divination serves as a road map to your path.
Our ancestors exist and must be honored, respected and consulted.
The Orisa (forces of nature) live within us and deal with the affairs of men.
You must never harm another human being or the universe, which you are a part of.
Spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional realms of our existence must all work together and be balanced.
Sacrifice is necessary to assure spiritual success.

source: http://www.neworleansmistic.com/services/santeria/ifa.htm
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Some call it idol worship but the misconception was brought in by the colonialists. Due to their ignorance,they termed a very sophisticated religion to be idol worship. The Yoruba had been worshipping the Olodumare (All in All, the Creator of all) through the deities before Christ.

We've been conditioned to believe that our indigenous customs and traditions are bad, yet the imported religions and cultures we've embraced has not made us any better, isn't it time we embraced our own religions and cultures ?

what are your thoughts on this issue ?

There are of course people who still believe in IFA. Are they any better than some of us?
Religion is not a thing to be mixed with sentiments. I dont see any difference IFA will make. In fact it would worsen issues cos its going to give almost limitless powers to the diviners who would also be used by politicians and it would lead us back to square 1.

There are of course people who still believe in IFA. Are they any better than some of us?
Religion is not a thing to be mixed with sentiments. I don't see any difference IFA will make. In fact it would worsen issues because its going to give almost limitless powers to the diviners who would also be used by politicians and it would lead us back to square 1.

I don't think you know what you are saying. This guy is talking about why we have abandoned our own culture for something else you are talking about politicians, does the two gel together?

Real IFA worshippers live in real peace and harmony with people. My grand-father[i] (of blessed memory)[/i] is an IFA priest and he never joke with his Bible till he died.

joftech:

I don't think you know what you are saying. This guy is talking about why we have abandoned our own culture for something else you are talking about politicians, does the two gel together?

Real IFA worshippers live in real peace and harmony with people. My grand-father[i] (of blessed memory)[/i] is an IFA priest and he never joke with his Bible till he died.

Can U see that u are the confused one here. The guy is talking about leaving western influences for our original religion. U r talking of ur ifa grandfather and Bible. Na that one come gel abi?

I don't see any difference IFA will make. In fact it would worsen issues because its going to give almost limitless powers to the diviners who would also be used by politicians and it would lead us back to square 1.

From that comment of yours you are infering that IFA will give limitless power to people as if that's the main reason for IFA divination. I only cited the Bible thing for you to know that both can co-exist because IFA worshippers live in peace and harmony with people around them, no matter their race or creed.

layi:

There are of course people who still believe in IFA. Are they any better than some of us?
Religion is not a thing to be mixed with sentiments. I don't see any difference IFA will make.

Christainity et al was 'sold' to us on the basis that our own traditional religion is bad and theirs was better. Yet people still resort to traditional methods when existing religions can not resolve the issue.

layi:

In fact it would worsen issues because its going to give almost limitless powers to the diviners who would also be used by politicians and it would lead us back to square 1.

How will it make the current situation worse ? one of the main philosophies of ifa is that 'you must never initiate harm to another human being or to the universe, which you are apart of'
Politicians already use ethnic and religious leaders for their own selfish ends. Or are you saying Ifa is more powerful than existing religions ?

ijebuman:

Christainity et al was 'sold' to us on the basis that our own traditional religion is bad and theirs was better.

Yeah. That's why everyone has a picture of a white God with white beard and a white Jesus. Like i see in pictures and what not.
isn't God supposed to be as spirit? w/o color that is.
and isn't Jesus supposed to be originally black/middle eastern.

christianity basically is "the white man's religion". No offense. 
they came to africa and did the missionary thing.
i think the muslims/middle easterners went to the north of Nigeria to do their thingy/conversion there.

i try not to think of "God" as white or anything but the image is kind of stuck because that's what i've learnt to believe since i was little.

anyone who practices their traditional african believes/ culture is basically practicing "witchcraft" according to many people. including my mom. i don't believe that though. Even the Native American Indians (before the british americans killed most of them off and stole their land) still hold their cultures as precious and have these wonderful tales and stories of their ancient gods and sacred objects. you don't have to worship them. just don't kick them like it's garbage. You can still be a Christian and hold your customs and that of your forefathers in high esteem (not by changing you last name to Moses. Keep your family name even if it says Ifa) it's your heritage or what should i say.

You can still be a Christian and hold your customs and that of your forefathers in high esteem (not by changing you last name to Moses. Keep your family name even if it says Ifa) it's your heritage or what should i say.

Good talk. I wonder why some will go ahead and change their name into something else because it has something to do with their forebears. Those people must really be suffering from ignorance.

Ifa That is the true world religion.

Ifa . Babalawo must not play 419 with it. Some church people consult ifa at night. More ....

Ifa is not dead. still alive and well. i was born to the family of ifa in ife but we dont practice it but others are still doing it. you should come to world temple of ifa in ile-ife during ifa festifal. just like mecca and jerusalem

WesleyanA:

Yeah. That's why everyone has a picture of a white God with white beard and a white Jesus. Like i see in pictures and what not.
isn't God supposed to be as spirit? w/o color that is.
and isn't Jesus supposed to be originally black/middle eastern.

I have never seen a picture of God before in any place in my entire life. But as per Jesus, the only reason why you'll always see Him as a white man is because He was born as a white man, in a white man's country. If He was born in Nigeria, He'll definitely be portrayed as a black man.

The white men brought Christianity here because Jesus commanded that the gospel should be preached worldwide. It wasn't sold to us in anyway.

goodguy:

I have never seen a picture of God before in any place in my entire life. But as per Jesus, the only reason why you'll always see Him as a white man is because He was born as a white man, in a white man's country. If He was born in Nigeria, He'll definitely be portrayed as a black man.

Of course why won't Jesus be portrayed as white, we're talking about the same people who told us Mungo Park discovered the River Niger as if the poor natives using the river were blind.

I suggest you do a bit more research regarding the race of Jesus 

The race of Jesus has been a subject of debate since at least the 19th century. The physical appearance of Jesus of Nazareth, though with no explicit emphasis on race, was also debated by theologians from early on in the history of Christianity. Different societies have depicted Jesus and most other biblical figures as their own ethnicity in their art, for example he is primarily white in western art, Semitic in the Middle East, and black in Africa. However, many historians and theologians dispute the accuracy of such representations. The current dominant opinion among secular historians and scientists is that he was most likely a bronze-skinned man, resembling modern-day persons of Middle Eastern descent. Others, however, have suggested other possible racial backgrounds, including African and Indian ones. For orthodox Christians the question is complicated by the belief that his birth was a unique miracle, an incarnation in flesh of divine substance.
Read the rest: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_of_Jesus

So what colour was Jesus
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3958241.stm

goodguy:

The white men brought Christianity here because Jesus commanded that the gospel should be preached worldwide. It wasn't sold to us in anyway.

“When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.” - Bishop Desmond Tutu

goodguy:

I have never seen a picture of God before in any place in my entire life. But as per Jesus, the only reason why you'll always see Him as a white man is because He was born as a white man, in a white man's country. If He was born in Nigeria, He'll definitely be portrayed as a black man.

The white men brought Christianity here because Jesus commanded that the gospel should be preached worldwide. It wasn't sold to us in anyway.

"Jesus was born at the East end of the Mediterranean, in the region of what is now Israel. It is a very hot area, and people native to that region have quite dark skin - they are certainly not caucasian (or "european white". Many Christian groups would have us believe that Jesus was a blue-eyed blonde white boy"

Jesus isn't that picture you see on the wall of your church.

and really now. when you close your eyes and think of what God looks like in your brain. you know it's a white huge man w/ a white beard and white long holy robe. you know!

WesleyanA:

and really now. when you close your eyes and think of what God looks like in your brain. you know it's a white huge man w/ a white beard and white long holy robe. you know!

Now that i think of it, ever since i saw Bruce Almighty, i keep having this image of Morgan Freeman as god

nah. santa clause has a red robe w/ black buttons and belt. not white. 
santa clause isn't 1000000000ft tall.

WesleyanA:

nah. santa clause has a red robe w/ black buttons and belt. not white. 
santa clause isn't 1000000000ft tall.

actually i just realised that and corrected myself

hahahaha

You guys should note that whatever picture of Jesus you see is only a painting. People have tried to imagine what he looked like, judging from his race. So I wouldn't say they're trying to make Jesus a white man by force. He's not completely white, neither is he black. His complexion or what he looks like doesn't bother me at all. The most important thing is he hears my prayers.

@Wesley, I do not imagine Jesus as a tall, huge man with long beards. From different stories that people have told about their "physical encounters" with Jesus (in the spiritual realm), I have come to realise that Jesus appears to different people in different forms.

goodguy:



@Wesley, I do not imagine Jesus as a tall, huge man with long beards. From different stories that people have told about their "physical encounters" with Jesus (in the spiritual realm), I have come to realise that Jesus appears to different people in different forms.

you meant to say "GOD". Jesus is the man w/ long blond hair not long white beards.

Ok goodguy Jesus is neither black or white, lets get back to the issue of Ifa, any thoughts ?

Talking about Ifa,

If you guys want to go traditional, I suggest every other aspects of your lives too should change in the traditional aspect. If you're considering worshipping Ifa once again, you should also start considering wearing leaves as your clothings (or those things they used to wear in those days).

Goodguy,

I can't understand that you say such things. Do you realy believe the propaganda used in the 19th century by the western powers when they came to civilise Africa? You have some catching up on your own history.

goodguy:

you should also start considering wearing leaves as your clothings (or those things they used to wear in those days).

Nothing wrong with that, i won't mind a spear to go with that outfit  

ifa, i remember my yoruba days we used to sing:

ifa jigin jigin
ifa mo loro kan
ifa jigin jigin o
ifa mo loro kan o
won ni n o joye ilesami
won ni n o joye ilesanmi o

ah..odu ifa, ifa orunmila

goodguy:

Talking about Ifa,

If you guys want to go traditional, I suggest every other aspects of your lives too should change in the traditional aspect. If you're considering worshipping Ifa once again, you should also start considering wearing leaves as your clothings (or those things they used to wear in those days).

maybe YOU should consider going naked just like Adam and Eve did in those days.  
or if you'd prefer  latchets you can try those. Also, don't forget to grow your beard longer than Abraham's  

ijebuman:

Nothing wrong with that, i won't mind a spear to go with that outfit  

you look ready to skin an animal around here. his name starts w/ a G.  

nferyn:

Goodguy,

I can't understand that you say such things. Do you realy believe the propaganda used in the 19th century by the western powers when they came to civilise Africa? You have some catching up on your own history.

I admit I know nothing about history. But at least, I know a little about some things that happened in the past. Which of my posts are you attacking by the way?

ijebuman:

Nothing wrong with that, i won't mind a spear to go with that outfit

Good for you. I just hope you won't have to use any of ur family members to sacrifice to the gods when diseases strike the land.

goodguy:

I admit I know nothing about history. But at least, I know a little about some things that happened in the past. Which of my posts are you attacking by the way?
Good for you. I just hope you won't have to use any of your family members to sacrifice to the gods when diseases strike the land.

Ahh goodguy, you do liven up the place    if you read the first post of this thread you'll understand that Ifa is not about human sacrifices but like you said 'you know nothing about history' so i'll let that go 

goodguy:


Good for you. I just hope you won't have to use any of your family members to sacrifice to the gods when diseases strike the land.

Is that one of the infamous "10 plagues" God used to "punish" sinners?

mukakakakka

WesleyanA:

Is that one of the infamous "10 plagues" God used to "punish" sinners?

Is that what you think?

goodguy:

I admit I know nothing about history. But at least, I know a little about some things that happened in the past. Which of my posts are you attacking by the way?

Goodguy, how can I attack somebody I like

I just got a new old book from Amazon to dive in the history of my wife's people: A Short History of Benin [/i]by[i] J.U. Egharevba. I just like to understand the history and traditions of half of my family. I am very interested in my historical roots, as it gives me an insight into the character of the people (please understand this in the loosest possible terms, I don't want to stereotype)

It's hard for me to understand that you so easily forget about your own roots and use the stereotypical language of the colonisator to depict your own history. Those that don't know their history are bound to repeat the mistakes from the past.