The Ifa Heritage Institute, Nigeria is the only Higher Education institution in the world that specializes in the study of all aspects of Yoruba indigenous culture and religion.
Nigeria's Future generation of Yoruba Traditionalist Pagans can learn some aspects of religion here.
The institute is located in Professor Wande Abimbola Street, off Ilora Road, Oyo, Nigeria.
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Mission
We, the faculty, staff
and students of the
Ifa Heritage Institute
trust in Ifa, the good
people of Nigeria and
lovers of indigenous
culture in the world
for financial and
moral support so that
the Institute can
continue to be
sustained and
nourished. This is the
very first of its kind on
the continent of
Africa. May the Ifa
Heritage Institute of
Oyo continue to
march from strength
to strength.
Àse. Àse. Àse.
![]()
School ANthem
Translation for Non-Yorubas:
My friend, hasten and run to Ifa.
My friend, hasten and run to Ifa.
If someone is deceiving you,
Please do not accept.
If someone is telling lies to you,
Do not listen.
Truth is bitter.
To Ifa belongs the future of the world.
Description
In November 2005, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) proclaimed Ifá as one of the 86 traditions of the world to be regarded as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO then enjoined all nations and peoples of the world to give their unflinching support to these traditions so that they would not perish.
The Ifa Heritage Institute is a post-secondary institution in Oyo Town, Oyo State, Nigeria, sponsored in part by UNESCO and endorsed by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The objective of the Institute is the preservation and propagation of Ifá as an indigenous African body of knowledge within the settings of a modern and contemporary educational system.
In the past three years, the Ifa Heritage Institute has developed programs on Ifa and other aspects of Yoruba culture, and taught those programs successfully to three sets of students, two sets of which have already graduated.
The Institute is grateful to the Pagan Japanese Government for their donation which has enabled us to acquire a VSAT, video satellite capability. We are hoping to be able, during the coming academic year, to develop online programs which will facilitate participation of interested students from around the world. This will not preclude international students from coming physically to Oyo to enroll in our diploma program, but will be an additional way interested persons can participate in the program.
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Matriculation ceremony May 28, 2010
FACULTIES of the IFA HERITAGE INSTITUTE are as follows :
1.Department of Ifá Studies The vastness of the knowledge contained within the Ifa divination system is almost unfathomable. In this department, students will be taught the rudiments of Ifá divination, focusing especially on chanting and interpretation of Ifá stories. We would like to preserve the orality of Ifá; therefore the primary focus of the Faculty of Ifa Studies is the oral memorization of Ifá literary verses and the interpretation of the same. There are 256 Odù of Ifá. Each Odù contains 800 stories, yielding a total of 204,800 stories that deal with different aspects of Yoruba mythology, history, medicine, philosophy and other ideas. Each Odù can be regarded as an oral or unwritten “book” of this comprehensive compendium of knowledge. Students will learn verses from each of the 256 Odu, their meanings and practical application.
2.Department of Languages The languages to be taught in this department are Yoruba, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. This department will focus on both the oral and written forms of the Yoruba language so that students who complete the program would be able to speak the Yoruba language very well and also be very literate in the subject. The English language will also not be neglected. The need to include Portuguese and Spanish is because these are the two languages which the teeming millions of Yoruba people in the Diaspora speak, especially in Cuba and Brazil. Of course, we all know that our brothers and sisters in Benin and Togo Republic speak French in addition to the Yoruba language. English and Yoruba will be compulsory, and each student should pick one of the remaining three languages.
3.Department of Medicine All the herbs in the Yoruba floral and fauna are believed to have been named and categorized by Ifá and his younger brother Osanyin since very ancient times. In the Department of Medicine, we will devote our attention to the study of our indigenous medical practices, therapeutics and pharmacopia. Time will be devoted to the identification of medicinal leaves, roots, and barks of trees, the preparation and administration of different forms of medicines, and how to diagnose and treat illnesses in the indigenous African way. The Ààreèsègùn, chief Medicine Man elected by the entire community of indigenous healers, will play the lead role in this department.
4.Department of Performing Arts In the department of Performing Arts we will teach the music and dance associated with Ifá in West Africa and in the African Diaspora, such as bata music, dùndún music, and music made from iron gongs called agogo, which is the most favorite dance step of Babalawos and Iyanifas. Theoretical instruction will be complemented by real live performances and instruction delivered by local experts in the respective arts.
5.Department of Indigenous Technology In this department, we will focus on the mechanisms, machinery, tools and materials required for the production of beadworks, metal works/blacksmithing, calabash-carving, preparation of indigo dye-stuffs, and other indigenous textile products. Computer technology and design will also be an important part of the curricula.
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Graduates.
Classes of the Ifa Heritage Institute resume September 2, 2013. Convocation for all classes of students who have graduated will be held on Thursday 19 September. Informational meeting 12 September.
Nigeria's Future generation of Yoruba Traditionalist Pagans can learn some aspects of religion here.
The institute is located in Professor Wande Abimbola Street, off Ilora Road, Oyo, Nigeria.
Mission
We, the faculty, staff
and students of the
Ifa Heritage Institute
trust in Ifa, the good
people of Nigeria and
lovers of indigenous
culture in the world
for financial and
moral support so that
the Institute can
continue to be
sustained and
nourished. This is the
very first of its kind on
the continent of
Africa. May the Ifa
Heritage Institute of
Oyo continue to
march from strength
to strength.
Àse. Àse. Àse.
School ANthem
Translation for Non-Yorubas:
My friend, hasten and run to Ifa.
My friend, hasten and run to Ifa.
If someone is deceiving you,
Please do not accept.
If someone is telling lies to you,
Do not listen.
Truth is bitter.
To Ifa belongs the future of the world.
Description
In November 2005, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) proclaimed Ifá as one of the 86 traditions of the world to be regarded as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO then enjoined all nations and peoples of the world to give their unflinching support to these traditions so that they would not perish.
The Ifa Heritage Institute is a post-secondary institution in Oyo Town, Oyo State, Nigeria, sponsored in part by UNESCO and endorsed by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The objective of the Institute is the preservation and propagation of Ifá as an indigenous African body of knowledge within the settings of a modern and contemporary educational system.
In the past three years, the Ifa Heritage Institute has developed programs on Ifa and other aspects of Yoruba culture, and taught those programs successfully to three sets of students, two sets of which have already graduated.
The Institute is grateful to the Pagan Japanese Government for their donation which has enabled us to acquire a VSAT, video satellite capability. We are hoping to be able, during the coming academic year, to develop online programs which will facilitate participation of interested students from around the world. This will not preclude international students from coming physically to Oyo to enroll in our diploma program, but will be an additional way interested persons can participate in the program.
Matriculation ceremony May 28, 2010
FACULTIES of the IFA HERITAGE INSTITUTE are as follows :
1.Department of Ifá Studies The vastness of the knowledge contained within the Ifa divination system is almost unfathomable. In this department, students will be taught the rudiments of Ifá divination, focusing especially on chanting and interpretation of Ifá stories. We would like to preserve the orality of Ifá; therefore the primary focus of the Faculty of Ifa Studies is the oral memorization of Ifá literary verses and the interpretation of the same. There are 256 Odù of Ifá. Each Odù contains 800 stories, yielding a total of 204,800 stories that deal with different aspects of Yoruba mythology, history, medicine, philosophy and other ideas. Each Odù can be regarded as an oral or unwritten “book” of this comprehensive compendium of knowledge. Students will learn verses from each of the 256 Odu, their meanings and practical application.
2.Department of Languages The languages to be taught in this department are Yoruba, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. This department will focus on both the oral and written forms of the Yoruba language so that students who complete the program would be able to speak the Yoruba language very well and also be very literate in the subject. The English language will also not be neglected. The need to include Portuguese and Spanish is because these are the two languages which the teeming millions of Yoruba people in the Diaspora speak, especially in Cuba and Brazil. Of course, we all know that our brothers and sisters in Benin and Togo Republic speak French in addition to the Yoruba language. English and Yoruba will be compulsory, and each student should pick one of the remaining three languages.
3.Department of Medicine All the herbs in the Yoruba floral and fauna are believed to have been named and categorized by Ifá and his younger brother Osanyin since very ancient times. In the Department of Medicine, we will devote our attention to the study of our indigenous medical practices, therapeutics and pharmacopia. Time will be devoted to the identification of medicinal leaves, roots, and barks of trees, the preparation and administration of different forms of medicines, and how to diagnose and treat illnesses in the indigenous African way. The Ààreèsègùn, chief Medicine Man elected by the entire community of indigenous healers, will play the lead role in this department.
4.Department of Performing Arts In the department of Performing Arts we will teach the music and dance associated with Ifá in West Africa and in the African Diaspora, such as bata music, dùndún music, and music made from iron gongs called agogo, which is the most favorite dance step of Babalawos and Iyanifas. Theoretical instruction will be complemented by real live performances and instruction delivered by local experts in the respective arts.
5.Department of Indigenous Technology In this department, we will focus on the mechanisms, machinery, tools and materials required for the production of beadworks, metal works/blacksmithing, calabash-carving, preparation of indigo dye-stuffs, and other indigenous textile products. Computer technology and design will also be an important part of the curricula.
Graduates.
Classes of the Ifa Heritage Institute resume September 2, 2013. Convocation for all classes of students who have graduated will be held on Thursday 19 September. Informational meeting 12 September.