I once live with a babalawo who was teaching me the rudiments of the practice, the Old Man had his own daily food provision from the farms he had, the man was not relying on the Ifa practice for his daily sustainance.
This message touches me bcuz from someone on the outside looking in I see a friend who has this godmother that is always having her do rituals and what not, going deeper into financial debt bcuz of the cost of said rituals. Nothing in her life seems to get change except for the well that gets deeper then you see the godmother and her family living it up. Then wen I ask my friend they turn and say they cannot explain what is happening, all they know is that it has to be done...and me tryna convince them that hey they might be using you ends up to me being the bad guy. Really do hope that one day they get themselves in check and as you would usually do with a Dr and get a 2nd opinion, they get someone else to guide them into the practice
Thank you. I love the tradition and have been around it for over 40-years (grew up in Spanish Harlem) I can still hear the drums , lol. I just never got initiated … due to fault of my own… I don’t understand why this tradition of truth as I call it …is so commercialized to the point that you pay for an IFA reading… and then it is required to pay again for explanation?? I just don’t understand 😢
Aboru, Aboye, Abosise brother ObafemiO, true our family overseas in Nigeria are doing the best they can with what they have, but to ME? The tradition of IFA, is for the upliftment of humanity, first and last. Your video is doubly preparing me for what I've already been warned by my original Babalawo about {(thank you Ogun) YEAH!} Getting back to the subject, and that is the selecting of different Babalawos for guidance. I can only PRAY that I've learned my lessons well, as I and that Babalawo no longer in contact with each other. I see what you're saying but there is some privilege in purity of the tradition.
the title is misleading, you didn't talk about becoming a Babalawo in one day; anyway, U are correct, before things fell apart you had to be Yoruba to be initiated into Ifa, today you don't have to be Yoruba but if your money somebody will initiate you even if your DNA says that you Mende, Irish, or Chinese. West African belief systems are not a one size fits all. In our genetic memeory is the true belief system of our ancesters. What if you're an African American of the Balanta people, from Guinea-Bissau, and you convert to Ifa. now you've dumped Ifa on top of your Balanta indigenous spirituallity. First, we should find out what ethnic group we're from then convert from that space.
What about the Edo babalawo, the Fon and Ewe bokono (babalawo)? Ifa is absolutely Yoruba. But Yoruba is bigger than we have been conditioned to perceive.
@@ObafemiO I think I understand where you're coming from. You are correct you will find Yoruba people in the country of Benin and in Edo State (the great Benin City). Yeah, when the British & French partitioned West Africa they carved legal bounderies that placed ethnic groups in countries away from their main DNA source. That's why you have Akan people in the west side of Ivory Coast but the main group is in Ghana. The same with Senagal & Gambia, it also happened with the Bubi people on Bioko Island. The island legally belongings to Equatorial Guinea but the Bubi people on the island are related to the folks in Cameroon. Although Malcolm X once said, "Of all our studies, history is best qualified to reward our research." But DNA has changed the game. We can now find out what country & ethnic group we're from. For those of us who want no part of Islam & Christianity, Ifa does a wonderful job of teaching us about noble character, patience, & humility but if your ancestor was not Yoruba then you have to find the true origin of your genetic memory.
I fell upon your video by "accident" or if you would rather the universe dropped me off here. I have heard of Babalowa. I'm not seeking to practice it. I am curious now though if you can suggest what I can to read to understand it better. I know it is a priesthood. I know there is divination involved. I practice divination but I am not seeking to take on a different modality. I just want to understand the culture and the beliefs. Thank you for your time.
There's plenty of blame to go around. Devotees and leaders have to examine our motivations for participating in the Ifa Orisa Lifestyle. Devotees, dismantle the pedestals we place our leaders on and leaders, have mercy on your devotees.
@@ObafemiO It's a bit of a paradox. Each school has its own style and approach, and since none of us agree it's hard to carbon copy. At the same time we are extreamly, interconnected and dependent. Our annual "baptisms" and initiations quite often require the help and participation of other groups. Often these are clashes of vastly different schools. But we all know each other. Outsiders stick out. The gossip line is HOT when a gym teacher starts teaching. I have no insight as to the overlap with Orisha tradition. Just sharing in hope that it meets understanding at some point.
Right. That’s the issue. We aren’t going to them throwing money around lol. They’re hopping in our Dm’s saying they have messages. Don’t know how they keep finding me
A real Babalawo will never contact you or approach you to tell you they have a message for you. Even after you've finally found one and you've gone for divination, they won't call you afterwards to say they have a message. It's just not how Ifa works, the client approaches a Babalawo, every time.
Giving thanks that Ifa reached the Western world. I cannot forget the fact that during the slave trade the Babalawo was never given over until toward the end. Africans had to do the best they could without the Babalawo. Hence the 'santero/a was born. In places like The Bahamas, we have actual Yoruba Villages. And a rich Nigerian past. I cannot stand this mentality of segregation that seems to exist. Are we less African because our ancestors were brought here? When many folks from the mother land are devout Catholics etc. I spent my time in the room as ChAngo was crowed in my head. Am I less his child because I did not grow up in it? Or spend months with my godmother? No.
Aboru..Aboye..Aboshishe... I understand the analogy how we must remember that the two countries in which IFA is the most popular: Nigeria and Cuba, are impoverished countries economically therefore people are desperate . If one truly makes Ifa...they find out . as their life can truly be torn asunder. Many dilettantes..want to dip their toes in the water. .but not jump in the pool. .learning Yoruba..,wearing African clothes. .etc
yes, yes and yes. they (i.e., nigerians and cubans) need money. we (i.e., americans) need identity. at this point, we're trying to make the exchange by way of religious transactions but it cannot work. it's time for a whole new set of agreements.
I'm from Guyana and I'm so Eger to learn my history and correct spirituality but I'm not getting the guidance my brother please help I'm begging or anyone who can, abukhalidenmore2822@gmail.com
your orisa is ancestral. it has everything to do with your lineage. before you explore orisa, it's much more powerful and impactful to know your ancestral promise, as well as your destiny. i can help you with all three of these. email me at obafemio@yahoo.com or call me at 530.316.1150.
(( I really don't want to impose.)) = Do you think, folks are going to get EDUCATED / ENTERTAINED by a different style that's imposed ?... There's a sixteen syllable word in Cherokee that's more or less a phrase, having to do with 'One Tribe Ursurps Another'...
I once live with a babalawo who was teaching me the rudiments of the practice, the Old Man had his own daily food provision from the farms he had, the man was not relying on the Ifa practice for his daily sustainance.
This message touches me bcuz from someone on the outside looking in I see a friend who has this godmother that is always having her do rituals and what not, going deeper into financial debt bcuz of the cost of said rituals. Nothing in her life seems to get change except for the well that gets deeper then you see the godmother and her family living it up. Then wen I ask my friend they turn and say they cannot explain what is happening, all they know is that it has to be done...and me tryna convince them that hey they might be using you ends up to me being the bad guy. Really do hope that one day they get themselves in check and as you would usually do with a Dr and get a 2nd opinion, they get someone else to guide them into the practice
Thank you.
I love the tradition and have been around it for over 40-years (grew up in Spanish Harlem) I can still hear the drums , lol.
I just never got initiated … due to fault of my own… I don’t understand why this tradition of truth as I call it …is so commercialized to the point that you pay for an IFA reading… and then it is required to pay again for explanation?? I just don’t understand 😢
The way this message was phrased drove the point home. Àdupe pupo.
THE BEST ANALOGY!!!…. Had to watch it again just to giggle ….. how silly the truth can be 😩
Aboru, Aboye, Abosise brother ObafemiO, true our family overseas in Nigeria are doing the best they can with what they have, but to ME? The tradition of IFA, is for the upliftment of humanity, first and last. Your video is doubly preparing me for what I've already been warned by my original Babalawo about {(thank you Ogun) YEAH!} Getting back to the subject, and that is the selecting of different Babalawos for guidance. I can only PRAY that I've learned my lessons well, as I and that Babalawo no longer in contact with each other. I see what you're saying but there is some privilege in purity of the tradition.
Excellent analogy!
i am glad you appreciate it. thank you for your support.
the title is misleading, you didn't talk about becoming a Babalawo in one day; anyway, U are correct, before things fell apart you had to be Yoruba to be initiated into Ifa, today you don't have to be Yoruba but if your money somebody will initiate you even if your DNA says that you Mende, Irish, or Chinese. West African belief systems are not a one size fits all. In our genetic memeory is the true belief system of our ancesters. What if you're an African American of the Balanta people, from Guinea-Bissau, and you convert to Ifa. now you've dumped Ifa on top of your Balanta indigenous spirituallity. First, we should find out what ethnic group we're from then convert from that space.
What about the Edo babalawo, the Fon and Ewe bokono (babalawo)? Ifa is absolutely Yoruba. But Yoruba is bigger than we have been conditioned to perceive.
@@ObafemiO I think I understand where you're coming from. You are correct you will find Yoruba people in the country of Benin and in Edo State (the great Benin City). Yeah, when the British & French partitioned West Africa they carved legal bounderies that placed ethnic groups in countries away from their main DNA source. That's why you have Akan people in the west side of Ivory Coast but the main group is in Ghana. The same with Senagal & Gambia, it also happened with the Bubi people on Bioko Island. The island legally belongings to Equatorial Guinea but the Bubi people on the island are related to the folks in Cameroon.
Although Malcolm X once said, "Of all our studies, history is best qualified to reward our research." But DNA has changed the game. We can now find out what country & ethnic group we're from. For those of us who want no part of Islam & Christianity, Ifa does a wonderful job of teaching us about noble character, patience, & humility but if your ancestor was not Yoruba then you have to find the true origin of your genetic memory.
I fell upon your video by "accident" or if you would rather the universe dropped me off here. I have heard of Babalowa. I'm not seeking to practice it. I am curious now though if you can suggest what I can to read to understand it better. I know it is a priesthood. I know there is divination involved. I practice divination but I am not seeking to take on a different modality. I just want to understand the culture and the beliefs. Thank you for your time.
please visit www.ObafemiO.com/publications
E Dupe Baba! This analogy was very funny. It also was very clear.
My Journey has started and Im trying to see all i can see to understand right now..
There's plenty of blame to go around. Devotees and leaders have to examine our motivations for participating in the Ifa Orisa Lifestyle. Devotees, dismantle the pedestals we place our leaders on and leaders, have mercy on your devotees.
How has capoeira remained authentic? What challenges are similar?
that has been one to watch for me, personally. i love the way they formed schools, exported the game but retained some control over the culture
@@ObafemiO It's a bit of a paradox. Each school has its own style and approach, and since none of us agree it's hard to carbon copy. At the same time we are extreamly, interconnected and dependent. Our annual "baptisms" and initiations quite often require the help and participation of other groups. Often these are clashes of vastly different schools. But we all know each other. Outsiders stick out. The gossip line is HOT when a gym teacher starts teaching. I have no insight as to the overlap with Orisha tradition. Just sharing in hope that it meets understanding at some point.
it hasn't. haven't you seen yogaeira? how about those inverted steel pan drums called hang pans?
Please let me know how am i supposed to know if a Babalawo who is contacting me is a REAL Babalawo?
It's very unlikely that a babalawo will contact you.
Right. That’s the issue. We aren’t going to them throwing money around lol. They’re hopping in our Dm’s saying they have messages. Don’t know how they keep finding me
A real Babalawo will never contact you or approach you to tell you they have a message for you. Even after you've finally found one and you've gone for divination, they won't call you afterwards to say they have a message. It's just not how Ifa works, the client approaches a Babalawo, every time.
Giving thanks that Ifa reached the Western world. I cannot forget the fact that during the slave trade the Babalawo was never given over until toward the end. Africans had to do the best they could without the Babalawo. Hence the 'santero/a was born. In places like The Bahamas, we have actual Yoruba Villages. And a rich Nigerian past. I cannot stand this mentality of segregation that seems to exist. Are we less African because our ancestors were brought here? When many folks from the mother land are devout Catholics etc. I spent my time in the room as ChAngo was crowed in my head. Am I less his child because I did not grow up in it? Or spend months with my godmother? No.
💕
Aboru..Aboye..Aboshishe...
I understand the analogy how we must remember that the two countries in which IFA is the most popular: Nigeria and Cuba, are impoverished countries economically therefore people are desperate . If one truly makes Ifa...they find out . as their life can truly be torn asunder. Many dilettantes..want to dip their toes in the water. .but not jump in the pool. .learning Yoruba..,wearing African clothes. .etc
yes, yes and yes. they (i.e., nigerians and cubans) need money. we (i.e., americans) need identity. at this point, we're trying to make the exchange by way of religious transactions but it cannot work. it's time for a whole new set of agreements.
Abour aboye abosise,
Wow baba.
I'm from Guyana and I'm so Eger to learn my history and correct spirituality but I'm not getting the guidance my brother please help I'm begging or anyone who can, abukhalidenmore2822@gmail.com
Do you do spiritual readings i seek to know my orishas
your orisa is ancestral. it has everything to do with your lineage. before you explore orisa, it's much more powerful and impactful to know your ancestral promise, as well as your destiny. i can help you with all three of these. email me at obafemio@yahoo.com or call me at 530.316.1150.
Very well said
Do u have a private page?
Visit ObafemiO.com
If you thumbed down your out of alignment with Ifa. 💯
(( I really don't want to impose.)) = Do you think, folks are going to get EDUCATED / ENTERTAINED by a different style that's imposed ?... There's a sixteen syllable word in Cherokee that's more or less a phrase, having to do with 'One Tribe Ursurps Another'...
Where are you located in America?
sf bay area
What is babalawo please teach me reply
babalawo is an ifa priest.
I see different but I do see corruption