IFA, THE RELIGION OF THE YORUBAS

THE PLACE OF IFA STUDIES IN OSUN STATE

By Raheem Oluwafunminiyi

Since the announcement made by the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola, few days ago that a comprehensive plan was on the way for the state’s secondary school students to study Ifa as one of their subjects, not many in and around the state were impressed with and disposed to such idea.

Aregbesola made the idea known during the special prayers session to usher in the New Year, organized with clerics from all religions. He disclosed that his government had returned religious studies to all public primary and secondary schools in the state, adding that the free computer tablet tagged ‘opon Imon’, which the government would present to secondary school students had an application for Ifa studies.

Despite the Aregbesola administration not appealing to quite a few, it behoves one to say that this is one policy whose coming is timely and highly needed at a time when religious consciousness of others should be examined to better appreciate who we are as a people, especially when the issue of religious tolerance, unity, love and peaceful co-existence, which Ifa divinity enjoins, eludes us in this country.

For many who have started castigating the state government for such a laudable initiative, this writer make bold to state that they are quite ignorant of the Ifa world view and therefore, should begin the process of finding out what Ifa worship or Ifa divinity has always been and what it is today before condemning outright what ordinarily needed to have been embraced before now. For the single fact that many of the people who claim to be Africans today or coming back home now, Nigerians, were once followers of African Traditional Religion, which Ifa worship belongs, should not look in disgust or awe at a period in history when religion brought all together under one bloc.

As a result of misconceptions which may arise due to the introduction of Ifa studies in Osun state public schools, this writer (though not initiated or well versed in traditional Yoruba religion (Ifa) or any religion that is based upon Ifa such as Lucumi, Candomble and Santeria) will enrich readers with what Ifa and Ifa worship denotes.

Ifa refers to the system of divination and the verses of the literary corpus known as the Odu Ifa. The Yoruba believe in divination and therefore, believe that Ifa is the source of all knowledge and that the Orisa Orunmila is the keeper of this knowledge. It is through divination that man is told what must be done to change things that are negative to things that are positive. On the other hand, according to a blog, Ile Emi Ifa, 'Ifa worship is not intended to be about the worship of Orisas, ancestors, communities, or priests, rather, Ifa followers may venerate and perform rituals to show appreciation to the spiritual entities that comprise their belief system and in all honesty the worship of Orisa and veneration of ancestors is incidental. The blog went further to state that 'The primary point of the belief system of Ifa is the development of strong, responsible, spiritual character and Ifa doesn’t even require people to believe in Ifa, Orisas, or ancestors for their so-called spiritual salvation.'

In Ifa is found the vision of the world, the destiny of mankind, the social relations, the morals of life, from birth to death. Through the system of Ifa of the Yoruba, one can find the knowledge of the community. Ifa is deep rooted in and among the cosmology of the evolution of the Yoruba. The Yoruba since its evolution had developed a form of religion which today has become one of the world's most influential religions, claiming no less than one hundred million believers worldwide. Millions who engage in Ifa worship or its study could be found most especially in Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, and Togo in West Africa as well as Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Guyanas, Jamaica, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, St.Kitts, and St.Vincent in the New World.

According to Professor Ade Dopamu, he is of the opinion that Santeria and Candomblé are part of the Cuban and Brazilian manifestations of Yoruba religion. He also noted that out there, the beliefs and organizational structure of the Yoruba religious system remain generally intact, even though they may incorporate other African roots and a veneer of Catholicism.

For the fact that Yoruba religion and its various strands of worship play a very critical role in many parts of Nigeria and disapora, it is therefore, the reason knowledge of Ifa studies should be encouraged and introduced not merely for the purpose of initiating students into some 'occultic realm' which critics are wont to make us believe, but for the sake of knowledge sharing and in the spirit of knowing ourselves better in our everyday conversation and interaction.

If Jacob K. Olupona, a noted scholar of indigenous African religions, whose earlier research ranged across African spirituality and ritual practices, spirit possession, Pentecostalism, Yoruba festivals, animal symbolism, icons, phenomenology, and religious pluralism in Africa and the Americas, had taken giant strides in impacting the Yoruba and African traditional cosmology to American and international audience, or High Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, who is the founder of Ancient Philosophy International, a Cultural Adviser to the National Black Theater in Harlem, New York and spiritual adviser to the San Franscisco based WAJUMBE Cultural Institution and who also doubles as an international scholar in residence at San Francisco State University, where he lectures on African Traditional Religion and Culture, then we also must take that step forward in grooming our children on the need to have a grasp and appreciate the rich socio-cultural heritage we possess in abundance.

If we must begin to get it right through religion where everybody's faith is respected in Nigeria, then we should learn from the Chinese who have never toyed with Confucianism as a way of life and perhaps best understood as an all-encompassing humanism that neither denies nor slights Heaven. Followed by the Chinese for more than two millennia, Confusianism has deeply influenced spiritual and political life in the country.   

Since Osun state is one of the few whose people are tolerant of one another, the introduction of Ifa studies couldn't have come at a better time to further depeen this hand of tolerance. The initiative should also be pushed towards the tertiary institutions and made one of the key courses offered at all levels. The benefit of learning and understanding the Ifa world view cannot be overemphasized as it will train students socio-culturally, engage them in asking critical questions past generations refused to ask, keep them abreast of their historical past and most importantly imbibe in them the spirit of unity in diversity.

Osun state prides itself as a culturally vibrant entity and houses the embodiment of the Yoruba race. If nobody guards these abundant natural yet unique heritage through the knowledge passed by our forefathers, posterity will never forgive us.

When Fatai Rolling Dollar Slept

By Segun Adebayo and Seyi Sokoya

Residents of Oko Oba, Lagos State on Thursday woke up to see the unusual presence of frontline entertainers in the music industry, who besieged the Millennium Estate, Abattoir, new Oko Oba, to pay their condolences to the family of the late oldest practising musician and highlife pioneer, Pa Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, also known as Fatai Rolling Dollar, when his remains were received by his family members and friends amid tears.
The veteran highlife musician died on Wednesday morning of June 12 at Maritol  Medical Hospital, Surulere, Lagos State. The octogenarian was said to have been rushed to the hospital on June 10 by one of his wives,  Zainab and was said to have been responding to treatment.
The body of legendary highlife artiste, Fatai Rolling Dollar, was on Thursday, buried in Ikorodu, Lagos State. FRD as he was fondly called by his close associates, was buried at his uncompleted house on Number 4, Unity Street, Maya Village, Ikorodu. The burial was witnessed by dignitaries, family and colleagues in the entertainment industry, such as President, Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Admiral Dele Abiodun, Evangelist Obey and Stella Monye.
R had reported last week Sunday that the Ede-born singer was not in coma against what section of the media had reported. Rolling Dollar, during a telephone conversation with R last week,  had promised to get back on his feet and continue with his abandoned show, but that was not to be. “I will soon return for the continuation of  the show, which had stopped as a result of my illness. I want my fans to remain calm”, Rolling Dollar had said when speaking with R last week.
His last performance in Nigeria was on March, 14 2013 at the Nigerian Idol Season 3, where he performed one of his all-time classic’s ‘Won Kere si Number Wa’. He was later joined on stage by a group of contestants. After his performance, Fatai Rolling Dollar said, “I love what the young artistes are doing. They have a good message for the young crowd out there, and I absolutely love it”.
Kunle Tejuosho, whose label, Jazzhole Records, released Rolling Dollars’ popular hit track, ‘Won Kere si Number Wa’ among other albums, said the deceased came back from America some weeks back where he had gone for shows for about three weeks, “Baba was a great musician. He lived a life of music. He was happy whenever it was time to perform. May be he put too much on himself. He would be missed because he brought the past alive to the present. He re-lived the music of the 50s,” he said.
The deceased was said to have struggled to make ends meet, but got a new lease of life after French Cultural Centre brought him back into public consciousness. He later got a higher lift through Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while as Lagos State governor.
Emotions ran high as frontline celebrities wept. His family members, especially his wives and little children were still in shock; sympathisers were seen standing in different groups discussing Rolling Dollars’ ‘sudden’ demise, which to them, came as a rude shock.
The mood in the neighborhood that morning was pensive, as some of the people who spoke with R, said the late legend lived a fulfilled life, though his family members and well wishers battled to save his life.
Chief Ebenezer Obey, while speaking with R said he was shocked at the news of Fatai Rolling Dollar’s death, describing him as a nice friend.
Obey noted that aside the fact that he had lost his boss, it was also sad that the entertainment industry had equally lost a legend, “I will miss him so much. Our relationship was more cordial before his death. We talked often, especially when he returned from abroad. But there is nothing we can do when we hear the clarion call. We spoke two days before his death and he told me he got my message, which I had earlier sent. When I saw his remains, I wept and said this is the end”.
Recounting what they discussed last, Obey said, “Baba Fatai Rolling Dollar prayed for me, but I never knew that I was receiving his last blessing. His death is painful”, he said.
In the same vein, folklore artiste, Segun Akinolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, also described Fatai Rolling Dollar as a youthful character who was always full of joy and life.
“Each time we met, he would give me a tight hug and say very deep prayers. He was so full of appreciation for music. He loved playing music and being on stage; it’s always as if the show should never end.” Revealing the last time he spoke with him, Nubia said, “we discussed his participation at this year’s EniObanke Music Festival (EMUfest 2013),” he added.
The son of the Afro legend, Fela Anikilapo Kuti, Seun Kuti told R that the news of the death of the veteran was shocking, adding that, “It seems there is lot to say considering his age, but he was still so full of life. I will miss him.”
Jesse King, also known as Buga, who also received the news with a heavy heart, said “it was very sad to receive the news that Baba has gone. Fatai Rolling Dollar has left a great vacuum in the entertainment industry. I pray for the family he left behind that the Almighty will remain with them all. I hold Baba in a high esteem. I cannot quantify how I look up to him. He was a very wonderful instrumentalist”.
Bonsue Fuji crooner, Adewale Ayuba, who reacted to the demise of the octogenarian from his United States of American base, said: “I will miss Baba sorely. The news came as a rude shock to me. Unfortunately, I am not in Nigeria today, but I pray that God will give the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the great loss”, he said.
Reggae exponent,  Victor Essiet, popularly known as Mandator, also reacted to his death from United States, saying “Fatai Rolling Dollar was a good friend of mine. I have known him for a while, even before I left for America 20 years ago. He was jovial, playful, stylish and colourful. I would have loved to see him when I was in Nigeria two months ago, but I misplaced his phone number. He contributed immensely to the development of juju/highlife; he was a fighter and not a quitter.”
Kazeem Popoola, a seasoned journalist, who was preparing a documentary on the deceased said, “Apart from been the oldest performing musician in Africa, his agility, energy, singing prowess, dexterity on guitar and awesome stage crafts at 80 stood him out. I won’t say he died as a happy man because he felt abandoned and expected to be treated like a monument in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Rolling Dollar’s dream was to have a foundation created in his name that will take care of the young and underprivileged artistes but he never lived to achieve his dream”.
One of his promoters, Babatunde Obalana said, ‘‘I think he was one artiste that had a dogged spirit. Never giving up irrespective of any daunting situation. The bigger the challenge, the bigger his faith. He was a believer pure and simple. I spoke to him very briefly about 48 hours before his demise and I never knew that it was going to be our last conversation. I will certainly miss his simplicity and easy going nature. He will be greatly missed. Thank God for his works.”