Haga clic aquí para leer en Espanol

In this article we talk about women in the Ifa Yoruba religion. We take a glimpse into their roles and responsibilities. We also talk about Iyanifa initiation and its history along with the controversy manifested by a mindset arising out of a lineage of the Ifa Yoruba religion.

Iyanifa Women of Wisdom

What is Iyanifa?

The Yoruba term Iyanifa refers to a highly trained Yoruba Ifa priestess. An experienced Iyanifa with many years of Ifa practice will have the skills to identify problems in a person’s life. She will be able to determine root cause of issues and prescribe solutions that aid to resolve those issues.

The translated meaning of Iyanifa is “mother of secrets” or “mother of wisdom”. The term Iyanifa is derived from the Yoruba word Iya, meaning mother.

Other similar Yoruba terms used for an Ifa priestess are Iyalawo, Yeyelawo, and Mamalawo. There are minor differences between these terms, although the common definition among them is related to the wisdom possessed by the female Yoruba Ifa priestess,

As an example, the term Iyanifa could indicate the Ifa priestess is well versed and actively practices Ifa divination.

The male counterpart of Iyanifa is known as a Babalawo ifa priest. Learn more about a Babalawo here.

Iyanifa women of wisdom

Iyanifa Responsibilities

Like a Babalawo, an Iyanifa that chooses to practice Ifa is also tasked with the primary responsibility of helping others. They have the ability to help individuals and whole communities progress in life in a very positive manner.

Through many years of proper training and practice, an experienced Ifa priestess can provide the understanding of how to address or proceed in any given life situation. They help to bring clarity to uncertain scenarios being experienced.

An Iyanifa may use Ifa divination tools such as the divining chain known as the opele chain or in some regions of the world they way use Ikin ifa (sacred palms nuts) and the opon Ifa. A combination of these divination tools may be used within the complex system of Ifa divination to help determine solutions to problems and help guide people towards the manifestation of their destinies.

At a high level, an Iyanifa Yoruba ifa priestess provides spiritual guidance to all people of any culture or religious backgrounds. She can prescribe and perform ebo sacrifices that are used to correct situations in a person’s life. She can also specialize in herbal healing medicines that help heal illnesses and improve health.

Iyanifa Initiation Controversy

Initiating women into Ifa has been a controversial topic in certain regions of the world. This has been primarily due to regional differences and the Ifa lineages derived from traditional Ifa religious beliefs.

One of the lineages that has felt strongly about women being initiated into Ifa is the Lucumi tradition from Cuba. This mindset was developed at some point in Cuba as the traditional Ifa religious beliefs were being integrated into Cuba and evolved into what is known today as the Lucumi lineage. Although not all Cuban Ifa practioners share the same mindset.

Throughout the years, there have been continuous influxes of Cuban migrations to the United States. They have brought with them what they have learned in early Lucumi Cuban traditions related to initiating women into Ifa. Not much was known in the United States related to the possibility of women being initiated into Ifa due to these influences.

Not until women started going back to Africa and seeking out root source information did it become apparent that women were able to initiate into Ifa.

Iyanifa – History of Women in Ifa

There has been much debate in recent history about the historical aspect of women being initiated into Ifa. This debate has caused confusion about the position of Iyanifa. Speculation over the time frame of existence has been the topic of conversation. Questioning if the position has existed since the beginning of Ifa or if it was created throughout time.

A very well respected elder in Ifa, honorable Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon from Osun State Nigeria has provided clarity for this topic. He is a direct descendent of Olutimehin one of the founders of the ancient city Osogbo. In the following video he explains the role of a woman in Ifa. He also mentions historical events related to the progression of women in Ifa and Oshun the orisha who started it all.

Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon on the role of women in Yoruba tradition

In this second video, Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon talks about the role of Babalawo and Iyanifa. He mentions their duties related to divination and ebo sacrifice as well as learning and practicing Ifa prior to and after initiation.

Ifa initiation – Basic characteristics a person should possess

Rest assure in traditional African Yoruba beliefs, women have the right to be initiated into the mysteries of Ifa. The agreement made between Oduduwa and Orunmila in relation to a woman seeing or receiving Oduduwa must however continue to be respected. Due to this agreement, initiation ceremonies are slightly modified as to avoid exposing Oduduwa to a woman.

Regardless of gender, the most important characteristics that you must possess prior to embarking on your journey into Ifa are those that can be learned without Ifa initiation.

Your current state of mind plays a major part in determining your readiness of being initiated into the mysteries of Ifa. Having a good positive foundation of your self-character is important for yourself and for others that you will be helping along the way.

If you aren’t in good moral standing with yourself, you will want to start making the cognitive behavioral changes to include honesty, humbleness, integrity, loyalty, patience and understanding. These are just a few of the basic moral attributes an Iyanifa should possess. Developing and maintaining good morals such as these mentioned will start you off in the right direction towards becoming an honest practicing Ifa priestess.

Conscious positive changes create good character – Iwa Pele

Learning Ifa

Becoming Iyanifa requires the same stringent study habits associated with becoming a Babalawo. They go through a long process of memorizing the 256 odu ifa.

Odu Ifa is known as the literary or oral corpus of ifa, it is the foundation of Ifa containing historical and timeless wisdom and knowledge that apply to all given scenarios in life.

Each odu ifa contains verses or ese of traditional Ifa knowledge and wisdom. This information is what helps guide all of mankind towards the manifestation of their destiny in a positive and progressive manner.

The person learning and memorizing the odu ifa will also need to learn how to interpret most if not all the ese (verses) of each odu and know how to apply them to any given scenario.

Learning the secrets of ifa is not as simple as picking up a book that contains all the information you’ll need to become proficient at Ifa practice. You can find different sources of information, books and websites like this one that provide helpful information about Ifa. Information that can give you a good understanding of what Ifa is all about.

Most of the secrets of Odu Ifa are passed down word of mouth from generation to generation through training and teaching. You’ll also find interpretations of odu Ifa here in this website.

The path to becoming enriched with the knowledge and wisdom of Ifa is a life long journey. Time and patience are synonymous with the nature of learning Ifa. Through these characteristics a person may have the privilege to become blessed with the knowledge and wisdom of Ifa.

This is one of the reasons why the title of Babalawo or Iyanifa is not immediately obtained when initiated. Only after a significant amount of time and dedication towards learning Ifa and practicing the Yoruba religious concepts may a person earn the title of Iyanifa or Babalawo.

Learn more about the concepts of the Yoruba Ifa religion here

Ifa Yoruba teacher – How to find a good elder and mentor

Choosing your Ifa Yoruba teacher is a very important decision you will have to make before you start your journey into Ifa in a positive way.

Get to know the person you are considering in guiding you through the process of learning Ifa. You will want to use your common sense when getting to know the person.

Be aware of their behavior in general, asses what type of person they are. Do they have good morals? Are they honest, humble, genuine, patient, understanding and loyal?

How do they treat their home, family and others? Are they responsible and reliable? What type of people do they affiliate themselves with?

These are just a few common-sense questions you can ask yourself to help guide your decision.

Apetebi Orula

Being married to a Babalawo

An apetebi is the term used for the wife of a Babalawo. This term does not necessarily signify the woman is an Ifa priestess. Apetibi is not initiated into the mysteries of Ifa and has not received the training to become Iyanifa. Although an apetebi can become Iyanifa if it is in her destiny.

The role of an Apetebi is similar to the role of the first lady of a church, the spouse of the pastor. The primary responsibilities of an apetebi include supporting her husband in Ifa related ceremonies and processes. Making sure that all the operations of Ifa related operations go smooth.

In some instances, the role of Apetebi may be held by a woman not necessarily the wife of the Babalawo. For example, a mother, grandmother, or aunt of the family.

Other duties performed by this role include attending to the day to day family related household work, cooking, cleaning, and attending to her family. She is always making sure the operations are going smooth.

An Apetebi, just like any caring and loving woman, should never be taken for granted. She should always be well respected and acknowledged for all she does.

Ase to all Iyanifa and Apetebi

Please share this article with someone you know. Ase – Thanks!