Why is not there a guide book in the Yoruba religion like the Bible in Catholicism or the different Christian bibles (the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Holy Bible), the Tipitaka in Buddhism, the Vedas in Hinduism or the Koran in Islam?

First of all and in a very simple way, I want to let you know what Ifá is. For the Yorubans, Ifá is the esoteric language of Olodumare (God); it is the word of Olodumare where absolutely all existence is comprised. Ifá categorically contains the truth of who we are and comprises the destiny of everything, including animals, plants, things, human beings and the Irunmoles (Celestial beings); that is, all the creation from its simplest to the most complex and divine forms.

The bearer of this esoteric language in the creation process was Orunmila, the Orisha of intellectuality and wisdom. Orunmila received the language (Ifá) granted by Olodumare (God), before all the Irunmoles descended to earth, through the process of swallowing, scrubbing and scrapping 16 kegs containing all the information about creation and the destiny of everything, animal or plant; and even including the destiny of the Irunmoles that would descend. In addition, Olodumare gave Àse (power) to each of the Irunmoles to create everything before the time, space and range of their physical presence, which is known as the Meta libido of the Orishas. Olodumare (God) granted power to each of them and gave all wisdom to Orunmila for their support.

Mother earth with all that exists on it (Ikole Aye).

Ifá is divided into 256 Odù Ifá, with approximately 4000 verses which are said to continue increasing. The whole creation from its beginning and the first traces of life are split in the 256 Odù Ifá and its approximately 4000 verses.

This language was orally developed by Orunmila, already living on earth, who taught and transmitted it to his first disciples; Akódá (the first disciple), Aşèdá (second disciple) and so on until today, from generation to generation. Based on the principle of oral transmission by Orunmila to his first disciples, the knowledge of Ifá has been kept this way up to the present time although much of this information has been written in different books, always considering the principle of individual interpretation. These books or documents have been written by different Babalawos such as Popola, Wande, Epega and Fama. I am personally involved in writing one for posterity and future generations. Each writer may develop their own criteria and many coincide in the interpretation of most verses since the message is clear and evident. Nevertheless, as a religion, it is obvious that there are dogmas and commandments to be followed. Apart from this, there is a lot of Yoruban literature about general teachings and the Orishas, as well as the Yoruban tradition and culture. On the other hand, there are conferences and events which ease and make the learning process for students and initiates nowadays more viable and theoretically simpler. But there is not any book or bible. All the information is still in papyruses.

Ifá is more and extends far beyond learning texts or verses, rituals or theology.

The absence of a guide book such as the Bible in Catholicism or the several bibles in the Christian religion (the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Holy Bible),the Tipitaka in Buddhism, the Vedas in Hinduism or the Koran in Islam may bring about the risk of incorrect interpretations of Ifá by some priest since there is not a “unique guide”. However, there are pros and cons in this issue although I must confess that I prefer the cons in the Yoruba religion; I do not like stereotypes.

It is known that each religion has its own sacred texts, its iconography and its absolute belief or philosophy about creation or existence which are coherently described and they also have their rituals or ceremonies. The Yoruban religion is not an exception in this aspect; so what happens is that its texts or verses are not written in a unidirectional line like a bible or an absolutist guide as it happens in other religions. The verses are open to the interpretation of the Àwo, thus bringing about a polysemic phenomenon with very positive results at the moment of transmitting the message to the followers of Ifá. In this sense, each Àwo or Ifá priest may have the opportunity to show his capacity and knowledge, thus opening the analysis to the person who is consulting so that they can evaluate if the message is coherent and logic; and if the message is being accurately transmitted with wisdom and consistency. In addition, the person has the option to choose.

I think that, in general, the Yorubans have this opinion about having a sacred book or kind of bible and this may be the reason why they have not written a book as the Buddhists did, which took them approximately 300 years to complete. It is my opinion that the Yorubans strongly think that neither a single human being nor a group can outline, rationalize, condense or project the word of God to one particular interpretation.

Within these religions which have a bible, there is the intention to group believers denying the existence of any other kind of religion. Occasionally, and in order to attract followers, other religions are belittled using concepts created by theologians such as the polytheism or monotheism trying to impose their God as unique. ¿Don’t you think that it is very presumptuous to make religious people believe that the world is as someone or some people see it; just dictatorially giving a mythical or exclusive vision about existence? This may also bring about discordance among the different followers, with a constant denial of their statements which are supposed to be the same

There is a kind of religious war, and I am not excluding the followers of the Yoruban religion of the Afro-Cuban with the Yoruban traditional system.

I strongly think that each of these religions should remain in their epicenters and keep their messages without dissenting so much, and their concepts should be harmonized according to their foundations.

I maintain that there is one God for all human beings, Olodumare for the Yorubans and whatever names others may have chosen in other religions. God lives inside each of us, beyond any writing or belief. Only the respect with which your faith is manifested and carried out can bring about harmony and peace among all of us, the children of Olodumare. It is our duty for the benefit of mankind and its origins.

I conclude saying that “the world is based on this and that, not on this or that”. Search for the truth as you believe it is, and always carry this truth without meanness. Remember that behind each religion, in each professional of any profession, is the person; this is where the difference lies.

“If you are led by the truth, you will always succeed. It will happen sooner or later and with total assurance, victory will be resounding and absolute.”