This landmark volume compiled by Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun brings readers into the diverse world of Ifá—its discourse, ways of thinking, and artistic expression as manifested throughout the Afro-Atlantic. Firmly rooting Ifá within African religious traditions, the essays consider Ifá and Ifá divination from the perspectives of philosophy, performance studies, and cultural studies. They also examine the sacred context, verbal art, and the interpretation of Ifá texts and philosophy. With essays from the most respected scholars in the field, the book makes a substantial contribution toward understanding Ifá and its role in contemporary Yoruba and diaspora cultures.

Jacob K. Olupona's profile page

Rowland O. Abiodun's profile page

Adélékè Adéèkó's profile page

Akintunde Akinyemi's profile page

Andrew Apter's profile page

Barry Hallen's profile page

Bolaji Campbell's profile page

Henry John Drewal's profile page

Ifaboyede McElwaine Abimbola's profile page

Akinwumi Isola's profile page

John Mason's profile page

Joseph M. Murray's profile page

Kamari M. Clarke's profile page

Laura S. Grillo's profile page

Mei-Mei Sanford's profile page

Olúfémi Táíwò's profile page

J.A. Opefeyitimi's profile page

Olasope O. Oyelaran's profile page

Philip M. Peek's profile page

Stefania Capone's profile page

Wyatt MacGaffey's profile page

Ysamur M. Flores-Peña's profile page

Jacob K. Olupona is Professor of African Religious Traditions at Harvard Divinity School and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. He is author of City of 201 Gods: Ile-Ife in Time, Space, and the Imagination and editor of Orisa Devotion as World Religion: The Globalization of Yoruba Religious Culture.

Rowland O. Abiodun is John C. Newton Professor of Art, the History of Art, and Black Studies at Amherst College. He is author of Yoruba Art and Language: Seeking the African in African Art and What Follows Six is More than Seven: Understanding African Art.

Ifá Divination, Knowledge, Power, and Performance provides an invaluable glimpse into the richness of indigenous African spiritualities, even when they are transmitted into new geo-cultural environments as African-derived religiosities. . . . This book is a must read.

Reading Religion

Ifá Divination, Knowledge, Power, and Performance is a valuable addition to the scholarly literature on Ifá. The essays, with amazing depth and complexity, situate this practice and the religion it represents into a broader global context.

H-AfrArts

 

This is a rich book with diverse perspectives converging on Ifa divination as a complex knowledge system. It informs readers new to Ifa studies, challenges experts to question their presuppositions, and does all this with multidisciplinary acuity.

Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft