Talk:Ifá
Deleting Relevant Link to Ifa page
We have re-added the link which was deleted to the "Afa in Mami Wata Yeveh Vodoun page." It was listed under "External References." We do not understand why our link was omitted. It is we who have contributed the crucial information on the Ewe global aspects of Afa/Ifa, as well as the chart on Afa of the Ewe. The Ewe have a different legitimate historical perspective on the origins of Afa which is important to include if we are to finally gain a full understanding of this important system of divination. Our house consist of native Africa Ewe priest and Bokonos who know their own history. Please do not just accept our contributions to this article, but omit our resource as an important reference. Anagossii--74.229.102.208 (talk) 18:03, 6 October 2008 (UTC)
Deleting changes made to Ifa page
We have made what we believe are important contributions to the Ifa page, yet they are automatically deleted (reverted) without cause.
The Ewe of Togo, West Africa and Southern Ghana and Benin also practice the same system known as Afa or AFÁ-DU, in which the vodou dieites and ancestors speak. Divination is performed by specialized priests or priestesses of Afa known as Bokonos or Afavis. Afa is inextricably tied to the West African & Diaspora Vodoun religion. This historical fact is crucial in understanding that this system of divination (of whom the Ewe possess their own mythology of its origins), is utilized by many West African groups in which their own gods speak, and are not exclusive to only the Orisha. The references below support this historical fact, and should not be excluded. In the spirit of historical accuracy Anagossii --MWHS 13:30, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
Hexadecimal
Should hexadecimal be mentioned?
Names
The names of the different numbers of shells should be checked. This website is saying something different than what we have: http://www.geocities.com/revhyperion/growth_diloggun.html Whatcanuexpect 19:34, 30 April 2006 (UTC)
- The names were originally taken directly from the Bascom book. In a subject like this, variations are perhaps to be expected. Smerdis of Tlön 22:34, 30 April 2006 (UTC)
In response to your discovery, it should be noted that some of the names for the meridilogun and the odu ifa are different, but the corresponding odu for the name differences are the same.
Also, for the cuban diloggun, when the odu 13-16 (i have to look up the names) fall, the client is told to consult ifa because no more information can be yielded from the meridilogun.
BABALAWO
ONCE A PERSON IS SCRATCHED BY HIS GODFATHER DOES HE HAVE TO GET MARRIED TO AN IYANIFA 69.115.173.217 03:51, 5 December 2006 (UTC)
^What does that mean?Mahmud II 22:07, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
Babalawo Training
It is very important to discuss Ifa divination from a post-structural view. The traditions and cultural practices associated with this world view have changed over time, and acknowledgment of the transformations is essential when defining and contextualizing Ifa divination. For example, the training of babalawo is not necessarily the same in all geographical and/or cultural contexts. From some points of view, training is only fulfilled when the trainee memorizes all ese (i.e., verses) associated with all 256 Odu. This may take up to sixteen years of rigorous training during which the trainee must pass a series of oral exams.
There is also a difference between a trained babalawo and a diviner through inheritance. A son of a babalawo may inherit the opele (divining chain). Because of his lack of training, he is only supposed to divine for his immediate family members.
The concept of ignorance and humble wisdom are both important traits of a babalawo, but, again, this depends on the specific time and place where Ifa divination is being practiced.
For more information, see Bade Ajayi, Ifa Divination: Its Practice Among the Yoruba of Nigeria (Illorin, Nigeria: UNILORIN Press, 1996).