Before we can delve into Yoruba spirituality, I think that it is vital to comprehend the origins of the Yorubas. Many begin their journey without understanding the foundation, of their journey. The term Yoruba refers to a tribe of people that are connected by a typical language, culture and history.
"It is a fact that the Yoruba of West Africa are the proven creators of one of the most premier cultures in the history of the world.," says historian Robert Farris Thompson in the book Flash of the Spirit. "At a time between the tenth and the twelfth centuries, when nothing of close quality was being produced in Europe, the master sculptures of Ile-Ife were shaping wonderful art. Like ancient Greece, Yorubaland consisted mainly of self-sufficient town states indicated by creative and poetic richness," Thompson adds.
The sanctified town of Ile Ife, Nigeria, is the orisun, or diachronic cradle of the Yorubas. Yoruba mythology also maintains that Ile Ife gave birth to humanity. It is often said that this city "from where all knowledge emanates" spawned a civilization renowned for creative, poetic, intellectual and spiritual splendour.
The Yoruba inhabit an area bound by the Niger River. Yorubaland goes from Southwestern Nigeria into the Benin Republic and parts of Togo. Except for sharing linguistic and cultural ties, the descendants of the Yoruba also share the lfa religion, which is among the quickest growing non secular practices in the world.
Close to the 16th century, millions of Yorubas were captured as slaves and taken to the Caribbean and the Americas. Overtime, the Yorubas started to combine sentiments and practices that came from the lfa religion with components of Roman Catholicism. The consequence of this clash of cultures was the syncretistic religions of Candomble, Palo Mayombe, Santeria and Vodun to talk about a few.
Each of these Yoruba-inspired offshoots are now blossoming all though Europe, the Caribbean, South America, North America, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Grenada, the Guyanas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Tobago, and Trinidad. In this article I am only able to name a few place that are deeply affected by this historical religion. It is my hopes that you will further investigate this matter yourself.
Ironically, while the conventional religions of Africa have been declining during the last century, due to colonialism, Western acculturation and proselytizing by Christianity and Islam, Yoruba-inspired non secular customs are flourishing throughout the Americas.
Thanks to folks like James Weeks who have dedicated their lives to teaching others on Yoruba Spiritual Beliefs, Ifa is gaining rather more ground. James Weeks is also called the creator of "Across The King's River," documentary film that's planned to be released some times in 2013. Critics that have had the benefit of seeing some of the footage have said that "Across The King's Brook" will be a game changer.
According to James Weeks, "the film will change the way people think about African spirituality. It will also change the way that they think of science and themselves - their own potential."
Practitioners of the Yoruba Religion accept that before we are born we stand before Olodumare (God) and choose our own destiny. It is maintained that we make this decision before we arrive here on earth. Every one of us decides what we are going to contribute to the planet , where we will live, who we are going to love, and even the day we'll die.
"It is a fact that the Yoruba of West Africa are the proven creators of one of the most premier cultures in the history of the world.," says historian Robert Farris Thompson in the book Flash of the Spirit. "At a time between the tenth and the twelfth centuries, when nothing of close quality was being produced in Europe, the master sculptures of Ile-Ife were shaping wonderful art. Like ancient Greece, Yorubaland consisted mainly of self-sufficient town states indicated by creative and poetic richness," Thompson adds.
The sanctified town of Ile Ife, Nigeria, is the orisun, or diachronic cradle of the Yorubas. Yoruba mythology also maintains that Ile Ife gave birth to humanity. It is often said that this city "from where all knowledge emanates" spawned a civilization renowned for creative, poetic, intellectual and spiritual splendour.
The Yoruba inhabit an area bound by the Niger River. Yorubaland goes from Southwestern Nigeria into the Benin Republic and parts of Togo. Except for sharing linguistic and cultural ties, the descendants of the Yoruba also share the lfa religion, which is among the quickest growing non secular practices in the world.
Close to the 16th century, millions of Yorubas were captured as slaves and taken to the Caribbean and the Americas. Overtime, the Yorubas started to combine sentiments and practices that came from the lfa religion with components of Roman Catholicism. The consequence of this clash of cultures was the syncretistic religions of Candomble, Palo Mayombe, Santeria and Vodun to talk about a few.
Each of these Yoruba-inspired offshoots are now blossoming all though Europe, the Caribbean, South America, North America, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Grenada, the Guyanas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Tobago, and Trinidad. In this article I am only able to name a few place that are deeply affected by this historical religion. It is my hopes that you will further investigate this matter yourself.
Ironically, while the conventional religions of Africa have been declining during the last century, due to colonialism, Western acculturation and proselytizing by Christianity and Islam, Yoruba-inspired non secular customs are flourishing throughout the Americas.
Thanks to folks like James Weeks who have dedicated their lives to teaching others on Yoruba Spiritual Beliefs, Ifa is gaining rather more ground. James Weeks is also called the creator of "Across The King's River," documentary film that's planned to be released some times in 2013. Critics that have had the benefit of seeing some of the footage have said that "Across The King's Brook" will be a game changer.
According to James Weeks, "the film will change the way people think about African spirituality. It will also change the way that they think of science and themselves - their own potential."
Practitioners of the Yoruba Religion accept that before we are born we stand before Olodumare (God) and choose our own destiny. It is maintained that we make this decision before we arrive here on earth. Every one of us decides what we are going to contribute to the planet , where we will live, who we are going to love, and even the day we'll die.
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