resources for BABALAWO / IYANIFa*.
The resources listed below are considered advanced texts for intense and in-depth Odu study. The target audience for this booklist is veteran, elder Ifa and Orisa priests and priestesses.
- Alamu, Femi & Aworinde, Halleluyah & Isharufe, Walter. 2013. A Comparative Study of Ifa Divination and Computer Science. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Research. Volume No. 1, 524-528. http://bit.ly/2wzfPUs
- Bascom, William. (1991). Ifa Divination: Communication between Gods and Men in West Africa. Indiana University.
- For the seasoned Awo/Iyanifa, this is a classic text in Ifa study. It can be a bit dense to get through, but that's because it is structured for intense study.
- Contains important interpretation of many odus.
- Fama, Chief. 2009. Reflections on the Wisdom of Ifa. San Bernardino, CA: Ile Orunmila Communications.
- Odu Ifa and Yoruba philosophy are presented as framework for simple daily disciplines for self improvement and spiritual development.
- Fasola, Awo Fategbe Fatunmbi. (2014). The Holy Odu: A Collection of Verses from the 256 Ifa Odu with Commentary. (2nd printing). Charleston, SC: CreateSpace.
- The introduction, first and second chapters offer valuable theological overview of African and Yoruban worldview, as well as commentary on how to better understand Ifa verses within the holy odu.
- This text has quickly become an important contribution for odu reference and study. Baba Fasola offers brief commentary for each odu in the Ifa corpus along with actual isese (traditional verses) with plenty of whitespace for your own note-taking in the margins and at the end of chapters. He also provides empty white pages in the back of the book (thank you from a bibliophile who writes in her books).
- One gentle fyi: This book is independently published (which is great), so pagination may vary slightly from one copy to another, from one printing to a subsequent printing (for example: I own a copy of the 2014 printing and my daughter owns a copy of the 2015 printing, pages are slightly different but we are able to correlate them when we study together). There are some typos, but nothing to distract from reading/study nor from the quality of the text overall.
- This book can serve as a good foundation for which to begin odu study and to use as a working text to add your own notes from your own practice and priesthood.
- Kumari, Ayele. (2014). Iyanifa: Woman of Wisdom. Seattle, WA: Amazon.
- From Amazon description: "This book is a collection of stories, essays, and explorations of the position of Iyanifa and its resurgence in the Diaspora. Gleaned from the perspective of the elder mothers who broke the glass ceiling to reclaim the tradition , they share their divine wisdom teachings, candid personal experiences, joys, and growing pains drawn from their lives as Iyanifas and women in the tradition.
- This volume of work features authors such as Luisah Teish, Iyanla Vanzant, Aina Olomo and many other powerful healers, diviners, and counselors. It is offered as a gift to women in the tradition and to those interested in Woman’s and African Studies to explore the path of Iyanifa and to be a resource for years to come."
- Solagbade Popoola Library, Inc. (2014). Omoluabi: The Description of a Complete Being. Phoenix, AZ: IfaWorks.
- Important contribution for in-depth Ifa/Orisa study where odu isese, and esan are synthesized with the character traits of iwa pele. The book is outlined with one chapter per 16 virtues/dispositions of the human character. In each chapter, a virtue/trait is defined and explained with odu verses, parables, and author commentary on what Ifa teaches us in order to improve our characters to be Omoluabi, a complete human being.
- Particularly valuable is the last chapter of the book, "The 40 Qualities of an Omoluabi".
- A must-have for all priestly and practitioner libraries.