The Sacred IFA Oracle [Paperback]

Afolabi A. Epega (Translator), Philip John Neimark (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1999

Discover answers to life's questions using the Ifa Oracle - an ancient African divination tool and the spiritual foundation for Candomblé, Santeria, and Vodun. Compared by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., to the Homeric epics, the Bible, and the Koran, the Ifa Oracle stands as "a monument to human imagination, poetry, and will." Now for the first time, all 256 sacred stories of this ancient oral tradition have been translated into English by Dr. Afolabi Epega, a fifth-generation babalawo, or Ifa priest. With a preface and introduction that contextualize the powerful messages of Ifa wisdom for modern life, and classic and Western interpretations by American babalawo Philip Neimark and Dr. Epega, The Sacred Ifa Oracle stands as the definitive text on this timeless philosophical tradtiion.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Epega's English translations of the 256 texts included in the oral tradition of Ifa, together with Neimark's brief commentaries, are a glimpse into a deeply rooted African tradition that exercises considerable contemporary spiritual influence worldwide. Needless to say, they are only a glimpse. As Neimark points out, the process of divination that includes client, babalawo, and oracle is a living process in which participants experience the living presence of the divine. That is more than a written text can communicate, and reading the text apart from the experience is akin to reading the Book of Common Prayer from cover to cover without the rich sensory experience of participating in a celebration of the Eucharist--useful, no doubt, but hardly exhaustive. Neimark's preface establishes the context beautifully, and the introduction gives some insight into the mathematically and socially complex system of which the texts translated here are a part. The interplay of chance and necessity enacted in the divination process is a fascinating window on a Yoruba world that is full of insights into the "organic" character of both time and space. The book will invite readers familiar with other religious and philosophical speculations on that interplay to explore familiar territory in new ways. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 547 pages
• Publisher: Athelia Henrietta PR; 2nd edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189015718X
• ISBN-13: 978-1890157180
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,282,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars English Translation of the 256 Sacred Odus., December 5, 2002

By 

El Brujo "Brujo Hechisero" (Lowell, Ma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sacred IFA Oracle (Paperback)

With all due respects to my elder Babalawo, but I believe that we all as human beings and followers of the Orisha, need sacred texts as all major religions do. The Christians have the Bible, the Muslims the Quran, and the Hindu's the Bhagavad Gita. This book may not be the answer to any of those sacred texts I have mentioned, but it is quite certainly a good start. Not only for divination, but also for spiritual inspiration as well as daily affirmations.

My highest respects to Afolabi Epega, for translating these ancient texts known as the Sacred Living 256 Odus
of our Lord the great prophet / Irunmole / Orisha, Orunmila. This book belongs in the shelf of every Orisha worshipper. This book is great only because of Afolabi Epega, the rest of the introduction should have been left out, and is not needed.

One who reads this book must understand that the whole view and teachings of each Odu would fill many, many volumes of books, this is just but a great start.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not complete, November 17, 2008

By 

Krikorian "Awo Obara" (france) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sacred IFA Oracle (Paperback)

As a babalawo I'm happy to have bought this book. There are lots of good things. It's interesting because it give a quick resume of each Odu in just one book. About 2 itan by odu (some have just one) and 4 for the meji. each time with the ebo.
I just have would like that tones and specifics sounds would have been better written and specifiquely for the name of the awo.

23 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a treasure trove of Ifa divination, March 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sacred Ifa Oracle (Paperback)

Here is the best explanation of the 256 Odus I have seen. The "western" translations help bring this always fluid system into a mainstream view. I would recommend this for any aspiring Babalowa.