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The Intricacies of the Odun-Ifa

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The Odun-Ifa festival of lle-Ife is an international festival usually referred to as the World Ifa Day. It is so-called due to the fact that; people from different countries of the world, whose origin have been traced to the foremost Oduduwa race, travel from all over the world to Ile-Ife for the event.

The event marks the beginning of a new calendar year for the African Traditional Believers. The festival which runs for a period of two weeks was at its peak on 2 June 2018, when the mammoth crowd joined Ooni to visit Oke-Itase. This is to pray at the bosom of the first palm tree and also to hear the voice of God (Ifa Agbaye).

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 The Ifa Agbaye for this year as pronounced at the end of Odun Ifa today is as follows:

The Odù Ifá of the year 2018/2019 from Òkè-Ìtaṣẹ̀, Ilé-Ifẹ̀ is Ìrẹtẹ̀ìká. It came with Ire aya, fortune of spouse. Ẹbọ is recommended. Happy New Ifá/Òrìṣà/Yorùbá Calendar Year. May we witness many happy new returns. Ọdún á yabo o. 

Aseeo

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An average individual like me, with little or no knowledge of the concept of Ifa may assume that, it is just a form of proverbial recitals for human guidance. Prof. Wole Soyinka posits similar idea in an interview with Ulli Beer (Tempo, 6th Nov. 1997 p.8) where he stated as follows:

“It is a very curious phenomenon that Yoruba scholars are reluctant to come to terms with Yoruba (lfa) religion. The worst part of it is that those fellows who speak about “false consciousness” … are all totally preconditioned. Even when they are trying to ‘be objective about ‘African religion’ in general, they are totally incapable of relating to it. They say it is a contemporary world. What use is Traditional Religion today? … And I feel tempted to say to them what use is a system of beliefs like Islam or Christianity in the contemporary world? And they cannot see that they have totally failed to make the leap: to take Yoruba (Ifa) religion on the same level as any system of belief in the world; that they are committing a serious scholarship lapse. In other words they are totally brainwashed by what I call these “elaborate structures superstition”

On this note, I deem it fit to explain the concept of Ifa as a religion, the nature of Orunmila and the significance of the World Ifa Day as explained to me by my king, the Arole Oduduwa.

I enquired his H.I.M with respect to the relationship between Orunmila and Ifa and this is what he said:

“Ifa is just like every other religion created by God. While Orunmila, who had lived in the form of what is today known Obi (kolanut) before his earthly existence is the forerunner and interpreter of the divine message of Olodumare while the message is Ifa. Orunmila is next to Olodumare in terms of fore-knowledge, wisdom and spiritual salvation. He knows the secret of man’s being; due to the fact that, he was with Olodumare at creation.”

This corroborates the words of Prof. Idowu Odeyemi in his lecture; what is Ifa? Where he stated as follows:

“Orunmila, in order to make access to the retrieval of the Divine Message (Ifa) easy, devised the computer compatible binary coding system, thousands of years before the emergence of computer consciousness in so-called modern man! So, Ifa is preserved in binary coded format and is output Parable – Format.

Ifa is coded within 256 Odus or Corpus, each Odu representing an esoteric pigeonhole, itself divisible into 256 sub-holes. Within each of the 256 Odus, there are 1,680 Sacred Verses all presented in Parable – Format. Thus, the body of Ifa consists of 430,080 messages for mankind.”

H.I.M agreed to the composition of the Odu Ifa as a replica of today’s binary coding system which had existed before the advent of computerisation. I was bemused by the Oonirisa,when H.I.M made the assertion that Ifa and opele  as used by the Ifa priest can be traced to the Bible. Kabiyesi asked me to research the meaning of Urim, Thummin and Ephod; this is what I found…….

In the Hebrew Bible, Urim and Thummin are connected with divination, a set of two objects used by the high priest to answer a question or reveal the will of God (see Exodus 28:30), while Ephod  in ancient Israel is a sleeveless garment worn by Jewish priest to which Urim and Thummin is attached. Kabiyesi explained that the usage of these three items started in Ile-Ife and still in use by Ifa worshippers to date.

Kabiyesi further stated as follows while explaining the significance of odun Ifa in the comment below;

“I must acknowledge that God is great and He cares so much for Ile-Ife. Hence, we live and breathe in His mystery. Once every year during the Ifa festival, people come from far and near, all over the world; to hear the ‘Voice of God’  at the festival.  In the course of the festival of the voice of God, Olodumare often show himself in a mysterious way to prove that He is present and available to answer prayers of those who believe.

  The congregation of people are expected to pray on their choice of kolanut (a symbol and representation of Orunmila) and dropped  at the bosom of  the first Palm tree in Ile-Ife. Once this is done, people disperse until the following morning. You will be amazed at the discovery; most, if not all the kolanut dropped at the palm tree are nowhere to be found.

Let’s just say, the offering has been accepted by Olodumare and physical manifestation shall follow. Behold, the God of old is real and still resides in Ile-Ife; iroyin ko to af’ojuba – seeing is believing.”  

That was awesome interview from the number 1 custodian of the Oduduwa race. That said, Odun Ifa still continues as we await the Araba Agbaye to visit the Ile-Odua before the festival comes to an end.

In the meantime, please see for yourself the before/after video of the kolanuts dropped at the bosom of the palm tree as well as pictures at Oke-Itase. 

 

Gbemisola Bisi-Taiwo.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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Queen Lovelyn Is A Year Older

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Queen Lovelyn Is A Year Older

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Delectable queen and model, Lovelyn is a year older. Queen Lovelyn who is an aspiring international model is set to celebrate her birthday with pomp and pageantry on Thursday, November 7, 2023.

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PoshGlow Skincare Boss, Folasade Agbeluyi Goes Into Food Business, Launches FOLASH FOODS & FOLASH TASTE

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PoshGlow Skincare Boss, Folasade Agbeluyi Goes Into Food Business, Launches FOLASH FOODS & FOLASH TASTE

 

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In a remarkable expansion of her entrepreneurial portfolio, renowned beautician, Folasade Agbeluyi, CEO of PoshGlow Skincare, has successfully launched a new business empire – FOLASH FOODS. This venture specializes in exporting a diverse range of Nigerian raw foods in large quantities to the UK, US, and Canada.

The dynamic entrepreneur has not stopped at FOLASH FOODS but has also introduced FOLASH TASTE, an innovative online restaurant where delightful and mouthwatering dishes are delivered to customers anytime, anywhere. This dual-launch marks a significant milestone for Folasade Agbeluyi, creating a synergy between global food export and convenient online dining experiences.

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FOLASH TASTE, as an online restaurant, promises a culinary journey filled with delectable choices for customers. From traditional Nigerian cuisine to modern twists, the menu caters to diverse tastes and preferences, ensuring a delightful experience with every order.

Currently, the company is actively promoting its affordable hampers, extending a heartfelt invitation to politicians, families, friends, and churches to partake in this initiative. The aim is not only to showcase the richness of Nigerian cuisine but also to encourage the spirit of giving and love.

Folasade Agbeluyi’s foray into the food industry demonstrates her commitment to diversification and innovation. The seamless integration of FOLASH FOODS and FOLASH TASTE reflects a strategic approach to meet the growing demands of the global market while ensuring accessibility and convenience for customers.

With this 2-in-1 business launch, Folasade Agbeluyi is set to leave an indelible mark on the food industry, offering a taste of Nigeria to the world and redefining the online restaurant experience. As FOLASH FOODS and FOLASH TASTE gain momentum, they are poised to become significant players in the culinary landscape, presenting a flavorful blend of tradition and modernity.

For those eager to explore the rich tapestry of Nigerian flavors or indulge in a delightful culinary experience, FOLASH FOODS and FOLASH TASTE stand as the go-to destinations, promising a feast for the senses and a celebration of Nigerian culinary excellence.

 

PoshGlow Skincare Boss, Folasade Agbeluyi Goes Into Food Business, Launches FOLASH FOODS & FOLASH TASTE

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Ghana Takes Center Stage In Russia At Nana Tamakloe Is Set To Speak At BRICS+ Fashion Summit

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Ghana Takes Center Stage In Russia At Nana Tamakloe Is Set To Speak At BRICS+ Fashion Summit

Ghana Takes Center Stage In Russia At Nana Tamakloe Is Set To Speak At BRICS+ Fashion Summit

Nana Tamakloe, the face behind Accra Fashion Week and Africa’s leading fashion blog, FashionGHANA.com, has been invited as a notable presence at the ongoing BRICS Fashion Summit in Moscow. The summit, hosted by Moscow Fashion Week, kicked off its proceedings on November 28 and is set to wrap up on December 2.

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Tamakloe, known for his influence in reshaping African fashion, has been turning heads with his creative international approach. His journey from launching the continent’s premier fashion blog in 2012 to curating the celebrated Accra Fashion Week has been marked by trendsetting moments.

Last year, Tamakloe found himself on the international stage and being invited to and honored in USA at the Memphis In May Festival in the USA, sharing the limelight with figures like King Otumfou, Stonebwoy, and Okyeame Kwame. This global recognition speaks volumes about his impact on Ghanaian culture, and now, he’s bringing that influence to Russia to the BRICS Fashion Summit.

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Organized under the umbrella of Moscow Fashion Week, the BRICS Fashion Summit has become a gathering of fashion elites. Editors, event organizers, representatives from major publications, clothing specialists, bloggers, instructors, and emerging designers from various corners of the globe have converged to create an atmosphere of creativity and collaboration.

Originally synchronized with Moscow Fashion Week, the BRICS Fashion Summit is more than just a stylish rendezvous; it’s a strategic endeavor to cultivate the ethos of the BRICS Fashion community. Stemming from the BRICS—an intergovernmental organization uniting Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—the fashion community aims to redefine the industry’s dynamics.

The summit goes beyond national boundaries, boasting participation from over 30 countries, from the streets of China to the landscapes of Nigeria. The BRICS Fashion Summit is positioning itself as a global hub for sartorial excellence.

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Tamakloe’s role at the summit is more than just attendee status; he’s on a mission to ensure Ghana doesn’t just participate but actively shapes the narrative of the BRICS Fashion Summit. His goal is to play a decisive role in steering the creation of the BRICS Fashion community, putting Ghana at the forefront of global fashion discussions. Other guest from Ghana also include researcher Makeba L. Boateng and Nana Brenu.

As the spotlight intensifies on Moscow, Nana Tamakloe’s active presence becomes a symbol of Ghana’s growing prominence in the international fashion scene. The BRICS Fashion Summit isn’t just about trends; it’s a platform where cultures meet, and Tamakloe is steering Ghana’s fashion story into the global limelight.
This year, Accra Fashion Week is poised to welcome representatives from 17 nations to the vibrant city of Accra. This spectacular event is slated to unfold against the iconic backdrop of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, from December 13th to the 17th, 2023. The anticipation is further heightened as delegates from the BRICS Fashion Summit are set to grace the occasion, amplifying the international flair.

Adding an extra layer of significance, the African Fashion Summit, scheduled for December 15th, 2023, promises to be a pivotal moment. This special day will feature an exclusive update on the happenings at the BRICS Fashion Summit, creating a nexus where global fashion conversations seamlessly converge. Accra Fashion Week is poised not only to showcase diverse styles but also to serve as a dynamic platform fostering international collaboration and discourse. Save the dates for a week of sartorial splendor and cross-cultural connections.

Ghana Takes Center Stage In Russia At Nana Tamakloe Is Set To Speak At BRICS+ Fashion Summit

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