Imoye: A Definition of the Ifa Tradition [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Baba Ifa Karade (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

Clearly and methodically, Baba Ifa Karade renders an outstanding depth of insight into the Ifa tradition. Beginning with its "Genesis" and progressing to the religious traditions and practices, Mr. Karade states "It is important for the devotees of the yoruba faith to explore the origins of the Yoruba in both historical and cultural dimensions in addition to studying the structure of the Ifa philosophy and religious culture. By studying and contemplating upon the vast richness of the tradition, devotees are also less likely to rest upon the "Occult-like" levels and rise to the plateau of realizing Ifa as a path to inner enlightment and divine reflection. This literary work represents a courageous step in broadening and elaborating on previously held concepts by some devotees and non-devotees alike that rested upon cultural imitations, while gaining no understanding of the ultimate purpose and directives of the deepness of the African ancestral thought, behavior and concepts of the world at large and divine realms. This book clearly places Baba Ifa Karade among the uninhibited, who would elevate the philosophy and directives of the Ifa tradition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Athelia Henrietta PR; illustrated edition edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890157201
• ISBN-13: 978-1890157203
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #583,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #49 in Books > History > Africa > Nigeria

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stellar religious writer - but spotty when doing history, May 9, 2003

By 

Phil Rogers (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Imoye: A Definition of the Ifa Tradition (Paperback)

Mr. Karade seems to have found himself suddenly in the position of being a writer about Yoruba tradition, only a few years after being ordained as clergy in that Afro-Nigerian religion. One of the ways to become a really good writer is to have read, and thought a lot, and then read a whole lot more. Some of us (myself included), need(ed) a long apprenticeship to the craft of words before achieving reasonably good results.

Mr. Karade needs no help when writing chapter 2 (of three), where he is concentrating solely on the Ifa religion. He displays more knowledge, intelligence and poetic power than 999 out of 1000 writers on this and similar subjects. His brief but succinct characterizations of seven of the orisas ('gods/goddesses') are astoundingly rich - so incisive and deep! Read them at the right time, when you're relaxed and in the right mood - not only will they begin to light up your world, but will show how these principles of divine intelligence interlace beautifully and powerfully to render our world/cosmos both its form and function. Each one of these terse formulations shows one of the orisas as a layer of the whole - and how they all interpenetrate so beautifully.

Karade also does an amazing job articulating Ifa's principles of right, ethical living, etc. There are so many, very expressive kernels of truth and knowledge running through this entire chapter, it totally wows me. And he attempts at certain junctures to help out his parishioners by offering interpretations of some of the more obscure phrasings of Yoruba myth and text, and does a good job. Interpretation is always a dicey game - he doesn't go too far - just opens the door a little so you can get a sneak peek, then decide to explore for yourself, now or later.

Elsewhere in the book (chapters 1 & 3) there are literally dozens of times it seems Mr. Karade is riding a wave of numinous excitement when he resorts to a sound bite to get his point across, or to amplify his argument; but the sound bite he's chosen often doesn't compute. We can cut him slack because, after all, his thesis is moving excitedly along, and making quite a bit of sense; but there are too plentiful moments that some might consider 'brain farts'. Maybe these were direct, intentionally unedited transcriptions from speeches or sermons, which somewhat lets him off the hook.

I mean we all write this way to an extent, but most of us edit it several times before we let it fly off to public view. That way those bits that don't quite fit the context, or don't quite match the way people usually talk and listen, can get weeded out. Mr. Karade either didn't edit, or he's too proud to improve on his original draft (which I doubt, but . . .), or otherwise he doesn't care to. Possibly, he just doesn't yet know any better. But we all have to live and learn. (In one of Zulu shaman Credo Mutwa's most recent writings he strenuously chastises the writing style of his much earlier work 'Indaba, My Children', though I personally haven't found much of anything to fault there.)

In spite of the frequent stylistic gaffs, Mr. Karade effectively assumes a mantle of eloquence with respect to his attempts to outline and explain the deleterious effect the Muslim and European/Christian colonizers have had upon the native religions of Africa, and upon the practitioners of those high-minded and deeply rooted modalities.

But at times, I think he's just too brief, and uses high gloss vocabulary to make the reader ignore how spare his explanations are . . . when we really want more . . . more . . . more. Maybe being a minister makes him want to flesh out the full story only to the initiates/members of his church - and maybe that's OK, but . . .

Mr. Karade's third chapter (on the origins of the slave trade in Africa) is an amazing read, even when he makes claims that I hadn't heard before. There's plenty of fire, and it's quite astounding how effectively he channels it (good energy - no hints of hatred), despite the occasional tangents, false starts, etc.

But it would help immensely here (and, really through much of chapter 1 and parts of chapter 2) to have detailed footnotes so one could go and check out the references, not because one doesn't believe him, but because you want to read more . . . more . . . more! There is not a footnote in the entire book, despite its containing a 3-page bibliography.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Light for Seekers of the Light, January 17, 2000

By 

Baba Akinkugbe Karade - See all my reviews

This review is from: Imoye: A Definition of the Ifa Tradition (Paperback)

Imoye, A Definition of the Ifa Tradition is another excellent book in the continuing writings by Baba Ifa Karade. This book lends clarity to the religious practice by stating the sources from these practices originate. This book is steep in the sacred text, the Odu-Ifa and also gives people a new understanding of how the universe and man came into being. This book is a must for devotees of the faith and an excellent read for those who want more information on the Ifa religion.Ajuba, Oloye.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modupe!, January 4, 2000

By 

Awotunde Karade (Mobile, Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Imoye: A Definition of the Ifa Tradition (Paperback)

Truth is great and it must prevail. Oloye Baba Ifa Karade has once again taken us one step closer to bringing the people back to tradition. There is not a clearer and more concise spiritual master in the ifa world than Baba Ifa. Spiritual salvation awaits us through the Ancestral wisdom as translated by Baba Ifa through the Ifa tradition. Some years ago, baba Ifa was given the charge by the Yoruba Elders to "bring the people" back to tradition and that he is doing. This book serves as yet another testimony that this wonderful child of Obatala is someone to listen to and follow in this day and age of spiritual regression. The sacred Odu Ifa tells us that there is no child-bearing woman that cannot give birth to Orunmila. Could it be that Orunmila's spirit has been reincarnated in Chief Ifa Karade. Just measure the man's works and praise the Ancestors for the gift that is Baba. Ase, Ase, Ase O!