Tradition and Transformation (Classical Writings on the Ifa/Yoruba Traditional Religion) [Paperback]

Baba Akinkugbe Karade (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 28, 2001 | ISBN-10: 1890157279 | ISBN-13: 978-1890157272

The Ifa religion provided healing and foundation during enslavement. It served as a constant reminder of who we are an just how important it is for us to relate to the forces of life and identify with it through our own likeness. During the time when we were being stripped of our self worth, it was our tradition that prevented us from committing total self-annihilation. The worship of Orisha healed our spiritual constitution and gave us some semblance of the reality that it is important for the deities of a people to look like and reflect the self-image of those people. The wisdom of Ifa, as expressed through the Sacred Odu, challenged us to remain true to our moral and righteous construct even in the face of immorality and degradation. In essence, the religious and philosophical basis for our African existence revolved, and continues to revolve around the tenets and fundamental concepts of the Yoruba religious practice. Ifa was the major ingredient in the healing process of the enslaved African; and now it must be made available for the disillusioned African as well.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Kanda Mukutu Books (June 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890157279
• ISBN-13: 978-1890157272
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,220,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful perspective, June 26, 2007

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M. Barard (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tradition and Transformation (Classical Writings on the Ifa/Yoruba Traditional Religion) (Paperback)

Baba Koleoso Karade provides both a lovely overview of the concepts of Ifa and a wonderful perspective from which we can move forward in the discussion of how the African Traditional Religions (ATRs) can move forward. I encourage those who are seeking a new way to interact with one another in the ATRs and particularly between the sexes in the ATRs to read the book with an open heart and an open mind so we can continue this important dialog.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro Book, February 16, 2006

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Dedicated (Plant Earth) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tradition and Transformation (Classical Writings on the Ifa/Yoruba Traditional Religion) (Paperback)

I think this would make an excellent read for a person of Afrikan descent that is new Afrikan spirituality (religion)and its birth in the midst of Western society and its future impact on Diasporan Africans living in Western society. I was a little disappointed that for its small size he quotes so many other authors, especially his own teacher Baba Ifa Karade. I would have preferred that he flesh out his own findings a bit more. I thought he reached a bit in his attempt to illustrate specifically how Orisa'Ifa had aided the African-American community during slavery and on, instead of stating what would be more realistic which is that all Afrikan Ancestors and Deities worked in the background to help us survive certain challenges. All in all, I would recommend it, especially to socially conscious black people that are interested in Orisa'Ifa.