The Wisdom of Ifa
An Ancient Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century and Beyond
Published on 9. January 2025
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-1-6669-3140-2 (ISBN)
Description
Edited by Eric M. Bridges, Sheila Smith McKoy, and LaJuan Simpson-Wilkey, The Wisdom of Ifa: An Ancient Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century and Beyond explores Yoruba spirituality and the complex ways in which the acknowledgement of Ifa as a wisdom source can be used to address the needs of humanity in the twenty-first century and beyond. Through rituals and practices that honor nature's rhythms, the contributors explore how Ifa guides us towards sustainable coexistence with our environment, recognizing that our well-being is intricately linked to the health of the planet. The contributors also show how, in the realm of environmental stewardship, Ifa offers a holistic worldview that recognizes the interconnectedness of all life forms. This book offers discussions on environmentalism, gender, and politics that connect across the bounds of time, through the history, mythology, and lived realities of the tradition. As an ancient wisdom tradition that has enriched West African cultures, Ifa offers a roadmap for modern civilization to charter new paths for humanity and the challenges that we face.
Reviews / Votes
The Wisdom of Ifa: An Ancient Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century and Beyond is a brilliant work of scholarship that illuminates the enduring relevance of the Ifa divination system as both a body of knowledge and spiritual resource. The contributing scholars draw on robust research to explore and reimagine howIfa addresses and is shaped by the challenges of modern society. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in African religion and what ancient philosophies, like Ifa, can teach us about our place in this world. -- Jacob K. Olupona, Harvard University The Wisdom of Ifa is an important journey through the profound and poetic depths of Yoruba spirituality. This vibrant collection delves into global politics, media influences, sacred landscapes, divine power, and gender dynamics with tremendous care. Rich in insight and narrative, this book is a must-read for anyone wishing to explore ancient wisdom to inspire meaningful change in today's world. -- Timothy R. Landry, Trinity CollegeMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
2 Tables
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
437 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6669-3140-2 (9781666931402)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
The Wisdom of Ifa
An Ancient Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century and Beyond
E-Book
01/2025
1st Edition
Lexington Books
€86.49
Available for download
The Wisdom of Ifa
An Ancient Paradigm for the Twenty-First Century and Beyond
E-Book
01/2025
1st Edition
Lexington Books
€86.49
Available for download
Persons
Eric M. Bridges is professor of psychology at Clayton State University.
Sheila Smith McKoy is the president of Smith McKoy & Associates and has also served as a tenure faculty member and a senior academic leader, most recently at the University of San Francisco.
LaJuan Simpson-Wilkey is associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of University College at the University of North Georgia.
Sheila Smith McKoy is the president of Smith McKoy & Associates and has also served as a tenure faculty member and a senior academic leader, most recently at the University of San Francisco.
LaJuan Simpson-Wilkey is associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of University College at the University of North Georgia.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction by Eric M. Bridges, Sheila Smith McKoy and LaJuan Simpson Wilkey
Chapter 1: An Interview with Dr. Wande Abimbola by Eric M. Bridges and Stephen Agyemang-Koehler
Chapter 2: Ori and Ifa: Navigating a Contentious World by Eric Adewusi Mason
Chapter 3: The Earth Itself is Sacred: Nature's Personification in the Ifa/Orisha Religion by Raisa Parnell
Chapter 4: Place, Space, and Identity Formation at Oyotunji Village by Kenja McCray and Antionette B. Brown-Waithe
Chapter 5: "To Harness my Own Power: Ifa, Gender, and Healing by Sheila Smith-McKoy
Chapter 6: The Osun Effect: Beyonce, Ifa, and the Complexities of Black Women's Empowerment by Funlayo E. Wood
Chapter 7: Looking Back to Look Forward: Applying Akan and Yoruba Science in Sankofa Afrofuturist Pedagogy (SAP) and Practice by Khalilah Ali
Chapter 8: Describing Inexplicable Ache by Vanessa Navarro Maza
Chapter 9: Christianity and Ifa: African Spirituality in an American Context by LaJuan Simpson Wilkey and Stephen Agyemang-Koehler
Chapter 10: When Mouths Can No Longer Fight and Breasts That Swing Like Ifa: The Wisdom of Ifa on Preventing World Hunger, War, and the Life Sustaining Virtues of The Female Breasts! by Jo Anna Hunter, priest name Iyanifa Omotinuwe
Chapter 11: "A Bastard People... Singing and Crying in the Wilderness! Ifa and the Chance at Legitimacy for Diasporic Africans in America by Michael Lindsay
Conclusion by Sheila Smith McKoy
About the Contributors
Introduction by Eric M. Bridges, Sheila Smith McKoy and LaJuan Simpson Wilkey
Chapter 1: An Interview with Dr. Wande Abimbola by Eric M. Bridges and Stephen Agyemang-Koehler
Chapter 2: Ori and Ifa: Navigating a Contentious World by Eric Adewusi Mason
Chapter 3: The Earth Itself is Sacred: Nature's Personification in the Ifa/Orisha Religion by Raisa Parnell
Chapter 4: Place, Space, and Identity Formation at Oyotunji Village by Kenja McCray and Antionette B. Brown-Waithe
Chapter 5: "To Harness my Own Power: Ifa, Gender, and Healing by Sheila Smith-McKoy
Chapter 6: The Osun Effect: Beyonce, Ifa, and the Complexities of Black Women's Empowerment by Funlayo E. Wood
Chapter 7: Looking Back to Look Forward: Applying Akan and Yoruba Science in Sankofa Afrofuturist Pedagogy (SAP) and Practice by Khalilah Ali
Chapter 8: Describing Inexplicable Ache by Vanessa Navarro Maza
Chapter 9: Christianity and Ifa: African Spirituality in an American Context by LaJuan Simpson Wilkey and Stephen Agyemang-Koehler
Chapter 10: When Mouths Can No Longer Fight and Breasts That Swing Like Ifa: The Wisdom of Ifa on Preventing World Hunger, War, and the Life Sustaining Virtues of The Female Breasts! by Jo Anna Hunter, priest name Iyanifa Omotinuwe
Chapter 11: "A Bastard People... Singing and Crying in the Wilderness! Ifa and the Chance at Legitimacy for Diasporic Africans in America by Michael Lindsay
Conclusion by Sheila Smith McKoy
About the Contributors