About Ile Emi Ifa
Ile Emi Ifa is a collective whose primary purpose is the development of specific spiritual and moral thought processes that will directly lead to certain kinds of ethical and principled choices intended to motivate us as a group and as individuals to bring integrity back into the belief system of Ifa. Orisas and ancestors are no longer willing to simply sit back and tolerate the monstrous, the scandalous, and the traumatic behaviors that are too often contemptuously committed and yet poorly concealed by far too many of the priest, priestesses, the initiated, and the elders of the Orisa worshipping community.
Members of Ile Emi Ifa are intrinsically concerned about the exploitation of the uninitiated or adolescent Orisa initiates by their more experienced Ifa teachers. Our members are concerned about the disdain for equality for all in the community in favor of traditional, institutionalized support of disparity, entitlement, and privilege for a few at the expense of the majority. We are people exercising our collective intellectual, social, and cultural resources in the fight against the social injustice performed in the name of the Orisas.
Like virtually every other religions or organization based on beliefs, greed for personal benefit, status, and wealth runs amok in the midst of our deep and profound spirituality. Like most people who choose to live in a western culture heavily entrenched in an economic system of capitalism the source of this greed is deeply rooted in a sense of insecurity and lack of trust for what the future may hold. There is an inherent fear for most citizens and not just for the elitist that at any moment the plug will be pulled on this whole gig and most people want to make damn sure they have not just enough to survive, but an excessive amount to assure luxurious survival at the top of the social structure.
In a western culture that is so driven by personal greed, an organization must be able to communicate in a way that will stir people from their complacency and bring attention to bring attention to issues of the community’s right to truthful and accurate information regarding their spiritual path and overall wellbeing. The indifference of people who can help but refuse without being paid windfall sums of money is sad. But the number of people who actually prey on people’s superstitious beliefs and ignorance is truly tragic.
Ile Emi Ifa offers people an alternative to the traditional practices and methods of practicing Orisa worship and ancestor veneration. Instead of pandering to stereotypical expectations of praying or chanting in an African tongue while performing African dance in a room filled with typical African paraphernalia made in Taiwan, we offer a no nonsense, honest approach to assist you in developing your own spirituality and establishing your own personal connection to Orisa and ancestors.
Alaafia:
I just stumbled across this site and wow… I love your commentaries. A lot of thought provoking statements that made me humble myself and appreciate what’s to come. Modupe!
What is your lineage in Yorubaland?
Aboru, Aboye, Abosise
Good to see thoughtfull questions.
Osunyemi
i ‘ve just found your site and, as a ‘member’ of the white hegemony, i find your writings to closely mirror my own opininions/thoughts - especially the ‘the black experience from a white perspective’. keep your writings coming as i intend to visit your site often.
peace
colin d
Aboru Aboye Baba,
You have some very good articles. Very good! Some of them hit home…Deep in the home..lol….I do have a comment though about the hair cutting one… There are several odu Ifa which talk about the significance of getting your hair cut during initiation. If you’d like to know the reasons why…let me know..I can send you some of the info I have which was shared to me by my Oluwo and Baba Ifa Oloye Fasina Falade. It’s not about ego…Losing your hair is part of connecting with one’s destiny.
blessings, Fawole
ps: Awesome website!!!
OH!!! And I love how your group discusses very pertinent issues that most Ifa/Orisa temples don’t address. Like: Global warming, Capitalism, Western Culture/Philosophy, Racism, Politics, etc…
Our temple focuses on these types of issues too…Especially White Supremacy!! Must be done!!!
Fawole
Aboru Aboye Abosise!!
Thanks for the feedback and it’s always good to hear from another in the Ifa tradition. I appreciate the positivity and I hope you’ll come back for more. I’m always open to new dialog.
Peace
Really diggin your blogs.
I love your perspective and willingness to share.
Oshun Kunle
Alafia Oshun Kukle! Modupre! Thanks for the feedback. It’s always good to hear from another Ifa devotee. Please come back often and please keep the comments flowing.
Peace
If you are Black self-determination bloggers with a Black blog, you might want to apply for membership in the AfroSpear, a national and international group of Black self-determination bloggers. I read your article about tasering in Seattle. The AfroSpear has a movement on against the Tasered While Black Epidemic.
ALAFIA,
FIRST OFF, I WAS CURIOUS IF YOU WERE CONNECTED WITH THE OYOTUNJI VILLAGE IN BEAUFORT S.C.?
SECOND, THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD FIND SOME OF THIS INFORMATION MORE THAN INTERESTING….:
(JUST GO THROUGH YOUTUBE AND REMEMBER AN OPEN MIND IS THE DOORWAY OF MIRACLES)
JORDAN MAXWELL: UNVEILS THE REAL FACES OF THE DARK MAGICIANS THAT NOT ONLY RUN AMERICA BUT THE WHOLE WORLD.
MICHEAL TSARION: A MOST INFORMED INDIVIDUAL, IN THE ARENA OF THE HISTORY OF P-EARTH, RELIGION, AND THE OCCULT.
CREDO MUTWA: ONE OF THE TWO REMAINING ZULU SHAMANS KNOWN AS SANUSI WHO IS A LIVING TOMB OF AFRICAS SECRETS.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF RECORDINGS FROM THESE PEEPS WHO REALLY PUT THEIR NECKS ON THE LINE. SO THEY SAY TOUCH MAGIC, PASS IT ON.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
ALASHE, ALASHE, ALASHE, ARIKU BABA WA ASHE
Alafia,
I read you post about Nana Buruku and would llike to know where I can get more detailed information about Her.
Ase O
Thanks for the feedback BRIDGE,
I apologize for taking so long to reply. But no, I am not affiliated with Oyotunji Village. My former spiritual teacher was. Their methods of practice are a little too traditional for my taste.
Peace
Alafia Nylsa “Okuniwa”,
I apologize but I am not familiar with any source for more detailed information. Do you have specific questions in mind? I can see if I can get an answer for you.
Peace
Greetings Brother Peacemaker,
I am the producer of the Empowered Black Perspectives Radio Show which is a blog live radio format used to dessiminate information regarding Black communities. We have been contacted by people who have read your blog and wanted us to have you on as a guest of our upcoming show in reference to the Dunbar Village incident. Our broadcasts are structured as roundtable discussions with guests who have empowered perspectives on various topics. Shows are broadcast live and you can participate from the comfort of your own home via your cell or land line phone. You can also use our shows to promote your blog or any of your endeavors. Please respond by April 7th if you are interested. The show will air live on April 11th at 9pm eastern time. Thanks Kay, Producer, Empowered Black Perspectives. Empoweredblackperspectives.com
Pele o brother peace maker
I was wondering what you mean when you state that Oyotunji was a bit too traditional. Just kind of curious. That’s all.
odabo
Alafia Baba Awotunde,
By traditional I mean by following the spiritual practices deemed acceptable by most people who follow African doctrine. A lot of people prefer the hierarchy and ceremony of African tradition simply because that’s the way we’ve always done it. We should not be so rutted to think that the best way to practice spirituality is the exact same way people four thousand years ago practiced it. In fact, I wouldn’t expect my neighbor to practice African spirituality the way I practice it.
Peace
Hello brotherpeacemaker!
I stumbled onto this site while searching for information on the uses and origins of the word ‘Alafia’, and this is the first place I landed, and I am really glad that it was!
Thanks for the feedback William!
Peace
Great commentaries, all completely true and i totally agree with you! keep ‘em coming
Thanks for the feedback Sara,
Peace
PEACE
I ENJOY YOUR POSTS BROTHER. I HAVE BEEN VICTIM OF THE SAME MONEY HUNGRY YORUBA TEACHINGS. I OVERSTAND NOW THAT SPIRITUALITY IS NOT LOCKED INTO TRADITION … TRADITION IS LOCKED INTO SPIRITUALITY.
KEEP DOING WHAT U DO!
PEACE
Thanks for the feedback AMIR SANKOFA,
I appreciate the positivity. Things will never change for us in the diaspora if we stick to the traditional way of doing things that our ancestors developed five thousand years ago. The world has changed and we need to adapt. To stick to tradition yet expect change is insane.
Peace
I must say brotherpeacemaker, this site taps into a serious prevailing consciousness amongst us. I look forward to learning a lot. In all humility I ask, where can a person like myself begin in learning more about ifa,orishas, rituals, the practice, and as stated above reaching an “honest approach to assist.. in developing your own spirituality and establishing your own personal connection to Orisa and ancestors.” Blessings
Alaafi,
I stumbled accross this site and knew why once it loaded. Ifa has changed my life and I am constantly running into followers of the tradition.
Stay Blessed.
C