13/08/2025
Text of speech by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, at the 2025 Ifa Festival, holding today, Tuesday, August 12 2025, at Cele Bus stop, Ogunlowo Alagboole, Ogun State
I am delighted to welcome you all to the celebration of the 2025 edition of the Ifa Festival.
I welcome our royal fathers and hosts, the Alagboole of Alagboole land, Oba Mutiu Sh*ttu, and the Alakute of Akute land, Oba Idowu Akindele, and other royal fathers that are here present.
I appreciate all members of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) for their presence and commitment to this cause, which the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) has been vigorously advancing.
I express my sincere appreciation to all our guests.
I also congratulate the 115 people who just finished their three-day rites in Igbodu. Ifa yi a tu yin lara o.
Together, we have come a long way in using the cultural promotion activities to bridge the gap between the Yoruba race and other races of the world. We have created a new path that other socio-cultural organisations follow.
In spite of the obstacles on our path, progressively, we have been able to strengthen the bond as we continue to advance this cause.
So, once again, I commend all our members for their courage, untiring spirit and the ability to sustain the ideals of the organisation. May God continue to strengthen us as we fulfill the destiny of our race.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CELEBRATING THE IFA FESTIVAL
Ifá is a divination system and Yoruba religion that represents the teachings of the Ọrunmila.
Ifa's oracular literary body is made up of 256 volumes that are divided into two categories.
The first is called Ojú Odù or main Odù that consists of 16 chapters. Ifa is supernatural and deep.
Orunmila is the deity of wisdom and intellectual development. It creates the spiritual connection between man and God.
So, as we gather here today, it is very important for us to know the reason for celebrating this festival.
We celebrate this festival today in order to tell the world about the importance of Ifa and the spiritual connection with our destiny.
We celebrate Ifa festival today in order to promote our culture, tradition and heritage.
Ifa is the spiritual manifestation of God's grace and blessing to humanity.
Ifa divination reveals the spiritual journey of mankind and the mystery of our being. It is an opportunity for us to know our destinies and the journey of our lives.
By consulting Ifa divination, we can solve most of the problems of life. By consulting Ifa divination, we can understand the essence of our being. By consulting Ifa divination, we can know more about the spiritual world and also achieve the best in life.
In the past, Ifa was at the centre of every consultation and findings. Our forefathers depended so much on Ifa divination to access the spiritual world and fulfill life destiny. It is interesting to note that all that the spiritual affinity enjoyed by the people of old is still intact till today.
PRESERVING IFA AS CORNERSTONE OF YORUBA CULTURE
Today, we have all come together to honour the rich heritage and spiritual wisdom embodied in the Ifa tradition, a cornerstone of Yoruba culture and a vital thread in the tapestry of Nigeria’s diverse cultural landscape.
The Ifa Festival is not only a time for reverence and thanksgiving but also an opportunity to reflect on the values, teachings, and guidance that Ifa offers to our communities and to the nation at large.
As we celebrate today, let us recognise that through the wisdom of Orunmila, the deity of wisdom and knowledge, Ifa continues to inspire us to seek truth, justice, and harmony in our daily lives.
This festival serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural preservation and promotion. In a rapidly changing world, it is incumbent upon us to safeguard our traditions, pass them on to younger generations, and share their beauty and significance with the wider world.
SIMILARITIES OF IFA AND SPIRITUAL DIVINATIONS, PRACTICES IN OTHER CLIMES
For the benefit of religious illiterates who always condemn the Ifa Divination as being diabolical, there are several similar religious practices and/or deities which are used for spiritual consultation, prayers and guidance across the world.
In China, most people practice a combination of Buddhism and Taoism. Through these two lines of worship, religious and spiritual consultations are done by individuals by consulting with religious figures and participating in spiritual practices for guidance and support, especially in times of difficulty or uncertainty.
These consultations can include consulting with Buddhist monks, Taoist priests, or other spiritual leaders.
In Israel, through Judaism, people consult with rabbis for spiritual guidance, religious questions, and counseling. Rabbis are religious leaders and teachers who offer guidance on Jewish law (Halakha) and tradition.
In India, Hinduism is practiced as a form of spiritual consultation, which involves seeking guidance from a spiritual advisor or guru to navigate life's challenges and pursue spiritual growth.
It is a process of self-discovery, understanding one's purpose, and aligning with the principles of dharma (righteousness) and karma. This guidance can encompass various aspects of life, including relationships, health, and career, all viewed through a spiritual lens.
Astrology is another form of spiritual consultation used to tell people about their character, about what might happen to them in the future, among other things. It is predominantly used in South Asia (specifically India) and in East Asia (particularly in countries influenced by Chinese culture).
In India, astrology is deeply embedded in daily life, influencing decisions related to marriage, career, and other significant events. In East Asia, the Chinese zodiac and related astrological systems are widely recognised and used.
Additionally, various forms of astrology are also present in Western cultures, though often with less pervasive influence than in South Asia and East Asia.
In Europe, spiritual consultation also takes diverse forms, including chaplaincy and spiritual guidance from religious leaders, and approaches rooted in various philosophical and spiritual traditions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism. These consultations often address existential questions, values, and religious beliefs, aiming to provide support and meaning to life.
Closer home in Ghana, Ifá, known as Afa, is intertwined with the daily lives of people, especially within the Akan community, where it is deeply embedded in their culture and family life.
CONCLUSION
At the juncture, it is important to stress the need to appreciate and preserve the Ifa divination as part of our important heritage, which we inherited from our forebears.
Any generation that fails to cherish its culture, tradition and heritage would lose its identity.
Besides, we must restate it here that even the UNESCO has recognised the Ifa Divination on UNESCO's World Heritage List as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This further establishes its global importance.
The references used above have been done to show that it is not only in Yorubaland that Ifa divination is used for spiritual consultation and cleansing. Like Ifa, many great races also have similar forms of spiritual consultations. Ifa is not diabolical as referred to by some religious illiterates.
All over the world, if you do not have spiritual guidance traditionally to know where you are going and to peep into the future, you would be acting like a blind man.
It is very clear that there is a difference between culture, tradition and religion. I will appeal to some of our religious leaders to stop using negative words for anything that concerns our traditional religion.
There must be religious tolerance. The three religions in Nigeria can co-exist without frictions. There are thousands of religions across the world. So, our people must stop thinking that it is only Christianity and Islam that are the major religions in the world.
FINALLY
I urge all participants to engage fully in the various activities planned for this festival — from the sacred rituals and chanting of Odu Ifa to the vibrant displays of music, dance, and art.
Let these experiences deepen our appreciation of our heritage and strengthen the bonds of unity among us.
In closing, let us give thanks to the Almighty God, the ancestors, and the Orisas for their guidance and protection.
May the Ifa Festival renew our spirits, enrich our communities, and inspire us to live with wisdom, courage, and compassion.
Thank you all for being part of this remarkable celebration. May the blessings of Ifa be upon us all.
Orunmila a gbe wa o.
Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland
