Ifa Divination, Knowledge, Power, and Performance
Published on 29. February 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
386 pages
978-0-253-01890-8 (ISBN)
Description
This landmark volume compiled by Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun brings readers into the diverse world of Ifa-its discourse, ways of thinking, and artistic expression as manifested throughout the Afro-Atlantic. Firmly rooting Ifa within African religious traditions, the essays consider Ifa and Ifa divination from the perspectives of philosophy, performance studies, and cultural studies. They also examine the sacred context, verbal art, and the interpretation of Ifa texts and philosophy. With essays from the most respected scholars in the field, the book makes a substantial contribution toward understanding Ifa and its role in contemporary Yoruba and diaspora cultures.
Reviews / Votes
Ifa Divination, Knowledge, Power, and Performance provides an invaluable glimpse into the richness of indigenous African spiritualities, even when they are transmitted into new geo-cultural environments as African-derived religiosities. . . . This book is a must read.(Reading Religion) Ifa Divination, Knowledge, Power, and Performance is a valuable addition to the scholarly literature on Ifa. The essays, with amazing depth and complexity, situate this practice and the religion it represents into a broader global context.
(H-AfrArts)
This is a rich book with diverse perspectives converging on Ifa divination as a complex knowledge system. It informs readers new to Ifa studies, challenges experts to question their presuppositions, and does all this with multidisciplinary acuity.
(Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
541 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-01890-8 (9780253018908)
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
Jacob K. Olupona | Rowland O. Abiodun
Ifa Divination, Knowledge, Power, and Performance
E-Book
02/2016
1st Edition
Indiana University Press
from
€33.59
Available for download
Persons
Jacob K. Olupona is Professor of African Religious Traditions at Harvard Divinity School and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. He is author of City of 201 Gods: Ile-Ife in Time, Space, and the Imagination and editor of Orisa Devotion as World Religion: The Globalization of Yoruba Religious Culture.
Rowland O. Abiodun is John C. Newton Professor of Art, the History of Art, and Black Studies at Amherst College. He is author of Yoruba Art and Language: Seeking the African in African Art and What Follows Six is More than Seven: Understanding African Art.
Rowland O. Abiodun is John C. Newton Professor of Art, the History of Art, and Black Studies at Amherst College. He is author of Yoruba Art and Language: Seeking the African in African Art and What Follows Six is More than Seven: Understanding African Art.
Content
Foreword / His Royal Highness Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II
Preface / Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun
Introduction / Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun with Niyi Afolabi
Part I. Ifa Orature: Its Interpretation and Translation
1. Ayajo as Ifa in Mythical and Sacred Contexts / Ayo Opefeyitimi
2. Continuity and Change in the Verbal, Artistic, Ritualistic, and Performance Traditions of Ifa Divination / Wande Abimbla
3. Recasting Ifa: Historicity and Recursive Recollection in Ifa Divination Texts / Andrew Apter
4. Ifa, Knowledge, Performance, the Sacred, and the Medium / Olasope O. Oyelaran
5. "Writing" and "Reference" in Ifa / AdeileikeI AdeieIokooi
Part II. Ifa as Knowledge: Theoretical Questions and Concerns
6. Ifa: Sixteen Odu, Sixteen Questions / Barry Hallen
7. Kin N'Ifa Wi?: Philosophical Issues in Ifa Divination / Olufeiomi Taiwo
8. Diviner as Explorer: The Afuwape Paradigm / Rowland O. Abiodun
9. "The Hunter Thinks the Monkey Is Not Wise. The Monkey Is Wise, But Has Its Own Logic": Multiple Divination Systems and Multiple Knowledge Systems in Yoruba Religious Life / Mei-Mei Sanford
10. Dagbon, Oyo, Kongo: Critical and Comparative Reflections on Sacrifice / Wyatt MacGaffey
11. Ifa: The Quintessential Builder of Our Bank of Images / Akinwumi Isola
12. Odu Imole: Islamic Tradition in Ifa and the Yoruba Religious Imagination / Jacob K. Olupona
Part III. Ifa in the Afro-Atlantic
13. Ifa Divination as Sacred Compass for Reading Self and World / Velma Love
14. Itan Odu Oni: Tales of Strivers Today / John Mason
15. Orunmila's Faithful Dog: Transmitting Sacred Knowledge in a Lucumi Orisha Tradition / Joseph M. Murphy
16. Mofa and the Oba: Translation of Ifa Epistemology in the Afro-Cuban Dilogun / Ysamur M. Flores-Pena
17. The Pai-de-santo and the Babalawo: Religious Interaction and Ritual Rearrangements within Orisha Religion / Stefania Capone
18. The Role of Women in the Ifa Priesthood: Inclusion versus Exclusion / M. Ajisebo McElwaine Abimbola
19. Transnational Ifa: The "Readings of the Year" and Contemporary Economies of Orisa Knowledge / Kamari Maxine Clarke
Part IV. Sacred Art in Ifa
20. The Creatures of Ifa / Philip M. Peek
21. Of Color, Character, Attributes, and Values of Orunmila / Bolaji Campbell
22. Signs, Doors, and Games: Divination's Dynamic Visual Canon / Laura S. Grillo
23. Ifa: Visual and Sensorial Aspects / Henry John Drewal
24. Art, Culture, and Creativity: The Representation of Ifa in Yoruba Video Films / Akintunde Akinyemi
List of Contributors
Index
Preface / Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun
Introduction / Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun with Niyi Afolabi
Part I. Ifa Orature: Its Interpretation and Translation
1. Ayajo as Ifa in Mythical and Sacred Contexts / Ayo Opefeyitimi
2. Continuity and Change in the Verbal, Artistic, Ritualistic, and Performance Traditions of Ifa Divination / Wande Abimbla
3. Recasting Ifa: Historicity and Recursive Recollection in Ifa Divination Texts / Andrew Apter
4. Ifa, Knowledge, Performance, the Sacred, and the Medium / Olasope O. Oyelaran
5. "Writing" and "Reference" in Ifa / AdeileikeI AdeieIokooi
Part II. Ifa as Knowledge: Theoretical Questions and Concerns
6. Ifa: Sixteen Odu, Sixteen Questions / Barry Hallen
7. Kin N'Ifa Wi?: Philosophical Issues in Ifa Divination / Olufeiomi Taiwo
8. Diviner as Explorer: The Afuwape Paradigm / Rowland O. Abiodun
9. "The Hunter Thinks the Monkey Is Not Wise. The Monkey Is Wise, But Has Its Own Logic": Multiple Divination Systems and Multiple Knowledge Systems in Yoruba Religious Life / Mei-Mei Sanford
10. Dagbon, Oyo, Kongo: Critical and Comparative Reflections on Sacrifice / Wyatt MacGaffey
11. Ifa: The Quintessential Builder of Our Bank of Images / Akinwumi Isola
12. Odu Imole: Islamic Tradition in Ifa and the Yoruba Religious Imagination / Jacob K. Olupona
Part III. Ifa in the Afro-Atlantic
13. Ifa Divination as Sacred Compass for Reading Self and World / Velma Love
14. Itan Odu Oni: Tales of Strivers Today / John Mason
15. Orunmila's Faithful Dog: Transmitting Sacred Knowledge in a Lucumi Orisha Tradition / Joseph M. Murphy
16. Mofa and the Oba: Translation of Ifa Epistemology in the Afro-Cuban Dilogun / Ysamur M. Flores-Pena
17. The Pai-de-santo and the Babalawo: Religious Interaction and Ritual Rearrangements within Orisha Religion / Stefania Capone
18. The Role of Women in the Ifa Priesthood: Inclusion versus Exclusion / M. Ajisebo McElwaine Abimbola
19. Transnational Ifa: The "Readings of the Year" and Contemporary Economies of Orisa Knowledge / Kamari Maxine Clarke
Part IV. Sacred Art in Ifa
20. The Creatures of Ifa / Philip M. Peek
21. Of Color, Character, Attributes, and Values of Orunmila / Bolaji Campbell
22. Signs, Doors, and Games: Divination's Dynamic Visual Canon / Laura S. Grillo
23. Ifa: Visual and Sensorial Aspects / Henry John Drewal
24. Art, Culture, and Creativity: The Representation of Ifa in Yoruba Video Films / Akintunde Akinyemi
List of Contributors
Index