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Key Authors Writing About African Ifá Orishá Traditions

Introduction about influential Authors

Looking for Authors from Ifá Orishá Tradition? African Ifá Orishá traditions, deeply rooted in Yoruba cosmology and spirituality, have inspired scholars, practitioners, and storytellers worldwide. This blog explores some of the most influential and key authors in the field, highlighting their contributions to the preservation and dissemination of Ifá knowledge. These key authors represent a bridge between traditional African spirituality and its diasporic expressions in regions like Brazil, the USA, and Cuba.

List of key Authors writing about Odu Ifá


Wande Abimbola

Vita

Wande Abimbola is a renowned Yoruba scholar, poet, and Ifá priest who has been instrumental in the academic and cultural preservation of Yoruba traditions. A former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, Abimbola has worked tirelessly to document the Ifá corpus and promote Yoruba spirituality on the global stage.

Focus Area

Abimbola’s work centers on the oral traditions, poetry, and philosophical teachings of Ifá. His research explores the literary richness of Yoruba cosmology and its application to modern spiritual practices.

Key Publications

  • Ifá: An Exposition of Ifá Literary Corpus
  • Sixteen Great Poems of Ifá
  • Àwon Ojú Odù Mẹ́rìndínlógún
  • Ìjìnlè Ohùn Enu Ifá – Apá Kìíní
  • Ifá Divination Poetry

Interesting Links


William Bascom

Vita

William Bascom (1912–1981) was an American anthropologist and scholar whose pioneering work introduced Yoruba religion, particularly Ifá divination, to Western academia. He served as a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and conducted extensive fieldwork in Nigeria and the Americas.

Focus Area

Bascom’s research examines Yoruba religious practices, with a focus on Ifá divination and its transmission to the African diaspora. He explored the symbolic and cultural significance of divination rituals and their role in societal cohesion.

Key Publications

  • Ifá Divination: Communication Between God and Men in West Africa
  • Sixteen Cowries: Yoruba Divination from Africa to the New World
  • African Folktales in the New World

Interesting Links


Pierre Fatumbi Verger

Vita

Pierre Fatumbi Verger (1902–1996) was a French ethnographer, photographer, and initiate of Yoruba spirituality. After traveling to West Africa, he was deeply influenced by Yoruba traditions and became an Ifá priest. Verger dedicated his life to documenting the transatlantic connections between Yoruba spirituality in Africa and its diasporic expressions in Brazil.

Focus Area

Verger’s work explores the ritual practices, myths, and sacred use of plants within Yoruba religion, highlighting their adaptation in the African diaspora. His photography also offers a vivid portrayal of Yoruba and Afro-Brazilian religious practices.

Key Publications

  • Orixás: Deuses Iorubás na África e no Novo Mundo
  • Ewé: O Uso das Plantas na Sociedade Iorubá
  • Lendas Africanas dos Orixás

Interesting Links


Cromwell Osamaro Ibie

Vita

Cromwell Osamaro Ibie is a highly regarded Ifá scholar and author who has produced extensive works on the Odu Ifá. His writings are widely respected and used by practitioners and scholars alike for their comprehensive coverage of the philosophical and ethical dimensions of Ifá.

Focus Area

Ibie’s focus is on the detailed exploration of Ifá wisdom, its divinatory practices, and its ethical teachings. His works delve into the 256 Odus, explaining their relevance to spiritual and practical life.

Key Publications

  • The Complete Works of Orunmila: The Divinity of Wisdom
  • Ifism Vol. 1-13

Interesting Links


Tilo Plöger de Àjàgunnà

Tilo Plöger de Àjàgùnnà is a German-Brazilian author, scientist, economist, and spiritual practitioner deeply immersed in Yoruba and Afro-Brazilian traditions. Born in Brazil in 1967, he has developed numerous natural cosmetic brands and naturopathic products. His spiritual journey began in early childhood, leading him to become a Babalorishá and Babalawo of Candomblé, Zelador of Umbanda, and Mestre of Catimbó. He operates his spiritual house near Munich, Germany, initiated in Rio de Janeiro at the Casa do Caboclo Pena Branca, Ile Ase Jagum, a spiritual lineage tracing back to the renowned Casa Branca do Engenho Velho, Ilê Axé Iyá Nassô Oká in Salvador.

Plöger’s work focuses on making Yoruba spiritual culture accessible through comprehensive explorations of its rich spiritual landscape. He has authored numerous books that delve into the traditions of Ifá, Candomblé, Umbanda, Santeria, Vodou, Umbanda, Kimbanda Palo. He publishes myths of the main Orishas, including Ibeji, Nanan Buruku, Eshu, Oyá, Obatalá, Shango, Ogún, Osain, Yemanjá, Oshun, Logun Edé, Oshósi, Oshumaré, Olokun, Obaluaye, Obbá, Yewá, and Yami Osóronga. His dedication to this profound and vibrant spiritual culture is evident in the dozens of books he has written and continues to publish. He is currently working on publication of the 256 Odus of Ifá.

Some of his notable publications include:

  • YORUBÁ MYTHS ABOUT ORISHÁS FROM SANTERIA, CANDOMBLÉ AND IFÁ
  • THE MYTHS OF OBATALÁ: Collection of 190 Myths from Africa, Brazil and Cuba
  • THE MYTHS OF THE ORISHÁ ESHÚ – ELEGBA: Collection of 300 Myths from Africa, Brazil and Cuba

These works offer readers a comprehensive exploration of Yoruba mythology, providing insights into the enchanting myths of the principal Orishas of the Yoruba tradition.

For those interested in exploring his publications further, Tilo Plöger de Àjàgùnnà’s books are available on Amazon.


Ifáyémisí Elébuìbon

Vita

Ifáyémisí Elébuìbon is a Yoruba poet, historian, and Ifá priest. Known for his engaging storytelling, Elébuìbon has preserved Yoruba oral traditions through his works, which celebrate the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Yoruba people.

Focus Area

Elébuìbon’s work delves into Yoruba myths, oral poetry, and the teachings of Ifá. His storytelling approach makes complex spiritual concepts accessible to a wide audience.

Key Publications

  • My Ifá Stories
  • Ifá: The Custodian of Destiny on Earth

Interesting Links


Awo Fa’lokun Fatunmbi

Vita

Awo Fa’lokun Fatunmbi is a practitioner and teacher of Yoruba spirituality, dedicated to spreading the wisdom of Ifá through his writings. He is a student of African spiritual traditions and integrates their principles into practical teachings for personal and spiritual growth.

Focus Area

Fatunmbi’s works explore key Ifá concepts such as character development (Iwa-Pele), consciousness (Ori), and divination. His books often serve as guides for practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of Ifá.

Key Publications

  • Awo: The Ifá Concept of Divination
  • Iwa-Pele: The Ifá Concept of Good Character
  • Ori: The Ifá Concept of Consciousness

Interesting Links


Judith Gleason

Vita

Judith Gleason (1924–2012) was an American writer, poet, and anthropologist who immersed herself in the study of Yoruba traditions. Her unique approach blended academic rigor with creative expression, offering a poetic lens on Ifá spirituality.

Focus Area

Gleason’s works focus on the oral poetry and spiritual symbolism of Yoruba traditions. Her narratives explore the depth and transformative power of Ifá divination.

Key Publications

  • A Recitation of Ifá: Oracle of the Yoruba

Interesting Links


Ayele Kumari

Vita

Ayele Kumari is an Ifá priestess, spiritual leader, and writer whose work emphasizes the role of women in Yoruba spirituality. As an Iyanifá (female Ifá priestess), she has dedicated her career to exploring themes of empowerment, divination, and spiritual transformation within the context of Yoruba traditions.

Focus Area

Kumari’s writings focus on the wisdom and spiritual power of women in Ifá, as well as practical tools for applying Yoruba principles in everyday life. Her works bridge ancient traditions and contemporary spiritual practices.

Key Publications

  • Iyanifá: Woman of Wisdom
  • Magical Calabash
  • Spirit Rising

Interesting Links


Dr. Maulana Karenga

Vita

Dr. Maulana Karenga is an African-American scholar, professor, and activist best known as the creator of Kwanzaa. As a respected academic, he has made significant contributions to the study of African ethics, philosophy, and spirituality, including his writings on Yoruba traditions.

Focus Area

Karenga’s research focuses on the ethical teachings of Ifá and their relevance to African and African-American identity and empowerment. His work examines Yoruba spirituality as a framework for moral and cultural transformation.

Key Publications

  • Odù Ifá: The Ethical Teachings

Interesting Links


Philip John Neimark

Vita

Philip John Neimark is a writer and practitioner who has devoted much of his life to studying and teaching Ifá. As a Babalawo (Ifá priest), Neimark provides accessible insights into Yoruba spirituality for a global audience.

Focus Area

Neimark’s work simplifies Ifá teachings for contemporary readers, focusing on practical spirituality, divination, and personal transformation. His books serve as guides for those new to Yoruba traditions.

Key Publications

  • The Way of Orisa

Interesting Links


Ócha’ni Lele

Vita

Ócha’ni Lele (1966–2019) was an American author, priest, and scholar specializing in Santería and its links to Yoruba traditions. His works delve into the spiritual systems of divination and storytelling as practiced in the Afro-Cuban context.

Focus Area

Lele’s writings focus on the Diloggún system of divination and the mythological underpinnings of Yoruba-derived practices in Cuba. His works offer both practical and theoretical insights into these systems.

Key Publications

  • The Diloggún

Interesting Links


Reginaldo Prandi

Vita

Reginaldo Prandi is a Brazilian sociologist and writer renowned for his studies on Afro-Brazilian religions, particularly Candomblé. His work has significantly contributed to documenting the mythology and rituals of the Orishás in Brazil, presenting them in accessible forms for both academic and general audiences.

Focus Area

Prandi’s work focuses on the syncretism of Yoruba spirituality within Brazilian culture, exploring the myths, rituals, and social significance of Orishás.

Key Publications

  • Mitologia dos Orixás

Interesting Links


José Flavio Pessoa de Barros

Vita

José Flavio Pessoa de Barros is a Brazilian scholar and author known for his contributions to the study of Yoruba traditions and Afro-Brazilian spirituality. His works often focus on the sacred role of plants in Yoruba and Candomblé religious practices, providing a unique perspective on the connection between nature and spirituality.

Focus Area

Pessoa de Barros specializes in the spiritual significance of plants within Yoruba and Afro-Brazilian religions. His work also explores the rituals and myths of Orishás, particularly in the context of healing and sacred knowledge.

Key Publications

  • Ewé Òsányin: O Segredo das Folhas

Interesting Links


Bernard Maupoil

Vita

Bernard Maupoil was a French anthropologist whose groundbreaking research on geomancy and divination practices in West Africa has become a classic in the field. His work provides valuable insight into indigenous African systems of divination, particularly the use of symbolic patterns and interpretations.

Focus Area

Maupoil focused on African geomancy and divination practices, especially among the Ewe people of West Africa. His work explores the symbolic systems used in divination and their cultural significance.

Key Publications

  • La Géomancie à l’Ancienne Côte des Esclaves

Interesting Links


Solagbade Popoola

Vita

Solagbade Popoola is a Nigerian Ifá scholar, priest, and founder of the Ifá International Institute. With decades of experience, he has become a prominent figure in teaching and promoting Yoruba spirituality worldwide.

Focus Area

Popoola’s work combines traditional Ifá teachings with contemporary interpretations. He focuses on divination systems, spiritual ethics, and practical applications of Yoruba cosmology in modern life.

Key Publications

  • Ifá Didá
  • Ogbe Àmúlú

Interesting Links


Marcelo Madan

Vita

Marcelo Madan is a Cuban Ifá priest and scholar whose works have made significant contributions to the study and practice of Ifá divination in Cuba. His writings provide a detailed exploration of the Odu Ifá and their applications in Cuban Santería.

Focus Area

Madan focuses on Cuban adaptations of Ifá divination and their practical applications. His works are vital for understanding how Yoruba spiritual systems have evolved in the Americas.

Key Publications

  • Los Odus de Ifá Vol. I – XI
  • The 256 Odu of Ifá: Cuban and Traditional Vol. 1-10
  • Tratados de los Odus Vol. Tomos 1-4

Interesting Links


Rogério Gómez Nieves

Vita

Rogério Gómz Nieves is a Cuban writer and practitioner who has extensively explored the symbolic and ethical dimensions of Ifá through his writings. His work focuses on the traditional teachings of the Odu Ifá and their storytelling aspects.

Focus Area

Nieves’ focus is on the patakines (sacred stories) of Ifá and the ethical principles they convey. His work is significant for practitioners and those interested in the philosophical teachings of Ifá.

Key Publications

  • Patakines and Foundation de Ifá

Interesting Links


Síkírú Sàlámì

Vita

Síkírú Sàlámì is a Nigerian Ifá scholar and teacher whose works have contributed to a deeper understanding of Yoruba theology and divination. His books are widely recognized for their scholarly depth and practical relevance.

Focus Area

Sàlámì’s research explores the theological principles of Ifá, with a focus on its divinatory systems and their cultural significance. His works also examine the roles of individual Orishás within Yoruba cosmology.

Key Publications

  • A Mitologia dos Orishás Africanos
  • Teologia y Tradición Yoruba
  • Ifá Complete Divination

Interesting Links


Alex Cuoco

Vita

Alex Cuoco is an American writer and researcher deeply engaged in documenting African spiritual traditions and their diasporic adaptations. His works focus on storytelling and mythology, providing readers with an in-depth look into the lives and narratives of Orishás and other deities.

Focus Area

Cuoco’s work highlights the mythological and cultural significance of Orishás, offering engaging narratives that bridge traditional and modern perspectives.

Key Publications

  • African Narratives of Orishas, Spirits, and Other Deities

Interesting Links


Aguilas de Ifá Foundation

Vita

Aguilas de Ifá Foundation is an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba traditions and Ifá practices. Their works focus on the ethical and ritualistic dimensions of Ifá, providing guidance for practitioners.

Focus Area

The foundation’s publications delve into marriage, fidelity, and the role of family within the context of Yoruba spirituality.

Key Publications

  • Obba Nani; El Hogar, El Matrimonio y La Fidelidad

Interesting Links


Luis L. Marins

Vita

Luis L. Marins is a Brazilian author and scholar whose work focuses on Yoruba cosmology as practiced in Candomblé. His writings explore the creation myths and spiritual principles that underpin Yoruba and Afro-Brazilian traditions.

Focus Area

Marins focuses on the mythology of Orishás, particularly Obatalá, and their significance in the Afro-Brazilian context. His works provide a comprehensive understanding of creation narratives in Yoruba spirituality.

Key Publications

  • Obatalá e a Criação do Mundo Iorubá

Interesting Links


Adilson Antônio Martins

Vita

Adilson Antônio Martins is a translator and writer who specializes in making Yoruba spiritual texts accessible to Portuguese-speaking audiences. His works help preserve and disseminate Ifá teachings in the Afro-Brazilian diaspora.

Focus Area

Martins’ focus is on translating and interpreting key Ifá texts, bridging linguistic gaps to make these teachings available to a wider audience.

Key Publications

  • Assim Dice Ifá
  • Desvendando os Segredos de Ifá

Interesting Links


Fernandez Portugal Filho

Vita

Fernandez Portugal Filho is a Brazilian author and researcher focused on the spiritual and ritualistic aspects of Yoruba traditions. His works often emphasize the feminine forces within Yoruba cosmology, such as Iyámi Òsòròngá.

Focus Area

Portugal Filho’s writings explore the roles of feminine energies, ancestral forces, and their ritualistic expressions in Candomblé and Yoruba traditions.

Key Publications

  • Ìyámì Òsòròngá

Interesting Links


Pai Cido de Òsun Eyin

Vita

Pai Cido de Òsun Eyin is a prominent Afro-Brazilian spiritual leader and writer specializing in Candomblé. His works explore the secrets and rituals of the tradition, emphasizing its mystical and sacred elements.

Focus Area

Cido’s works focus on the esoteric aspects of Candomblé, including the preparation and significance of sacred objects in rituals.

Key Publications

  • Candomblé: A Panela do Segredo

Interesting Links


Jaap Verduijn & Brenda Beek

Vita

Jaap Verduijn and Brenda Beek are scholars and practitioners who have co-authored works focusing on Ifá divination systems. Their works are highly regarded for their structured approach to teaching the 256 Odu Ifá and their sub-interpretations.

Focus Area

The duo’s works focus on the main Odu and their subdivisions, offering detailed commentaries that are invaluable for practitioners and students of Ifá divination.

Key Publications

  • The Main Odu and Its Fifteen Sub-Odus

Interesting Links



Baba Ifa Karade

Vita

Baba Ifa Karade is an American scholar and practitioner of Yoruba religion. He is recognized for his accessible writing style that introduces readers to the foundational concepts of Yoruba spirituality. His work is ideal for beginners exploring the traditions of Ifá and Orishás.

Focus Area

Karade’s focus is on the religious concepts of Yoruba spirituality, covering ethical teachings, rituals, and cosmology. His writings aim to make Yoruba traditions comprehensible to a global audience.

Key Publications

  • The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts

Interesting Links


Marvin Robles

Vita

Marvin Robles is a Cuban Ifá priest and writer who specializes in documenting the spiritual principles and divination systems of Ifá. His works focus on the practical aspects of divination, particularly the sacred verses and prayers associated with the Odus.

Focus Area

Robles’ work centers on the prayers, patakines (sacred stories), and spiritual practices within Ifá divination, with an emphasis on their applications in daily life.

Key Publications

  • Los Secretos de los Signos de Ifá
  • Rezos de los 256 Oddun de Ifá

Interesting Links


Maria Stella de Azevedo and Graziela Domini Peixoto

Vita

Maria Stella de Azevedo and Graziela Domini Peixoto are Brazilian authors and spiritual practitioners specializing in the documentation of Odus in Yoruba and Afro-Brazilian spirituality. Their collaborative works provide detailed insights into the symbolic meanings and interpretations of the 16 main Odus.

Focus Area

Their writings explore the sacred verses and divinatory systems of Ifá, particularly as they relate to Afro-Brazilian traditions like Candomblé.

Key Publications

  • Todos os Odus (16 Volumes)

Interesting Links


Awo Fategbe Fasola

Vita

Awo Fategbe Fasola is a contemporary Ifá priest and scholar who has authored several detailed works on the Odu Ifá. His books combine traditional Yoruba teachings with modern commentaries, providing a deep understanding of the spiritual and ethical dimensions of Ifá.

Focus Area

Fasola’s work delves into the 256 Odu Ifá, focusing on their interpretations, ethical guidance, and divinatory applications.

Key Publications

  • A Collection of Verses from the 256 Odu Ifá with Commentary
  • The Holy Odu

Interesting Links


Dayo Ológundúdú

Vita

Dayo Ológundúdú is a Nigerian Ifá scholar and writer whose works emphasize the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. His publications are highly regarded for their structured approach to teaching the Odu Ifá.

Focus Area

Ológundúdú’s works focus on the major and minor Odus, providing a comprehensive guide to their meanings and applications in Yoruba divination.

Key Publications

  • The Original Major Odu Ifá: Ile-Ife Vol. 1 & 2

Interesting Links


Oba Oriate

Vita

Oba Oriate is a Cuban scholar and Ifá priest who specializes in the interplay between Yoruba spirituality and its Afro-Cuban adaptations. His work provides a detailed exploration of Ifá divination as practiced in Cuba.

Focus Area

Oriate’s writings focus on the practical and cultural aspects of Ifá divination in the Cuban religious context, emphasizing the patakines and ceremonies.

Key Publications

  • Ifá en Tierra de Ifá

Interesting Links


Rémy T. Hounwanou

Vita

Rémy T. Hounwanou is a Beninese author and researcher specializing in the geomantic and divination practices of West Africa. His works are essential for understanding the interconnections between Ifá and other African divination systems.

Focus Area

Hounwanou’s work focuses on the practice of geomancy and its spiritual significance within Yoruba and Fon traditions, particularly in Benin.

Key Publications

  • Le Fa

Interesting Links



Christoph Staewen and Friderun Schönberg

Vita

Christoph Staewen and Friderun Schönberg are German anthropologists and scholars who have made significant contributions to the study of Ifá and Yoruba spiritual traditions. Their collaborative works emphasize the philosophical and practical aspects of Yoruba divination systems.

Focus Area

Their research focuses on the intersection of Yoruba cosmology and its divinatory practices, with an emphasis on cultural preservation and adaptation in the diaspora.

Key Publications

  • Ifá, Das Wort der Götter

Interesting Links


Albert de Surgy

Vita

Albert de Surgy is a French anthropologist and ethnographer known for his in-depth study of African geomantic systems. His works provide critical insights into the Afa and Ifá traditions, particularly their ritualistic and symbolic dimensions.

Focus Area

De Surgy’s focus is on the practice of geomancy and divination, particularly in West Africa, examining its role in societal and spiritual structures.

Key Publications

  • La Géomancie et le Culte d’Afa Chez les Évhé du Littoral

Interesting Links


Adilson de Oxalá

Vita

Adilson de Oxalá is a Brazilian author and scholar specializing in Yoruba cosmology and its Afro-Brazilian adaptations. His works explore the creation myths and the significance of sacred objects in Yoruba spirituality.

Focus Area

De Oxalá’s focus is on the ritualistic and symbolic significance of sacred items, such as the Igbadu (calabash of existence), within Candomblé and Yoruba traditions.

Key Publications

  • Igbadu, A Cabaça da Existência: Mitos Nagôs Revelados

Interesting Links


Babá Togum

Vita

Babá Togum is a spiritual leader and writer specializing in the ritualistic and medicinal use of plants in Yoruba traditions. His works provide comprehensive insights into the sacred role of plants in Orishá worship.

Focus Area

Togum’s focus is on the spiritual and practical use of plants, particularly in Yoruba healing practices and rituals associated with Orishás.

Key Publications

  • Ewé Orixá

Interesting Links


René Trautmann

Vita

René Trautmann was a French ethnologist and historian whose research on geomancy and divination provided significant insights into African spiritual systems. His works bridge the understanding of geomancy in West Africa and Madagascar.

Focus Area

Trautmann’s work focuses on African geomantic systems, their ritual significance, and their cultural expressions across different regions.

Key Publications

  • La Divination à la Côte des Esclaves et à Madagascar

Interesting Links


Orunmila’s Servant

Vita

Orunmila’s Servant is an anonymous author and spiritual practitioner who has written extensively about Ifá teachings and their ethical, philosophical, and divinatory principles. Their works are considered a significant contribution to the documentation of the 256 Odus of Ifá.

Focus Area

The author focuses on the teachings and wisdom of Orunmila, particularly the ethical and philosophical lessons contained in the Odus of Ifá.

Key Publications

  • Orunmila is the King Yesterday, Today, and Forever: 256 Odus of Wisdom
  • Orunmila’s Words

Interesting Links


Others (Cuban Circulation)

Vita

This category refers to anonymously authored or collectively written texts circulating within the Cuban Ifá tradition. These documents often preserve oral traditions, patakines (stories), and ceremonial instructions.

Focus Area

The focus is on the preservation and dissemination of Ifá practices and teachings in the Cuban context, including ceremonial protocols and interpretations of the Odus.

Key Publications

  • Documentos para la Historia y la Cultura de Oshá Ifá en Cuba

Interesting Links


Here are a few remaining relevant authors from your list with their detailed entries:


E. Bolaji Idowu

Vita

E. Bolaji Idowu (1913–1993) was a Nigerian theologian, scholar, and minister. As a pioneer in the academic study of Yoruba religion, he contributed significantly to the understanding of Yoruba cosmology and spirituality in a way that bridged traditional beliefs and modern interpretations.

Focus Area

Idowu’s work focuses on Yoruba theology, the concept of divinity (Olódùmarè), and the moral frameworks inherent in Yoruba spirituality. His scholarly writings explore the philosophical and metaphysical dimensions of Yoruba cosmology.

Key Publications

  • Olódùmarè: God in Yoruba Belief

Interesting Links


Rado Molina

Vita

Rado Molina is a Cuban writer and scholar specializing in Afro-Caribbean traditions and storytelling. His works focus on the oral traditions and patakines of Ifá and their ethical and spiritual dimensions.

Focus Area

Molina’s writings delve into Afro-Caribbean adaptations of Yoruba spirituality, emphasizing storytelling and mythological narratives.

Key Publications

  • Cuentos Afroamericanos Patakines

Interesting Links

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