In the past there is nothing like such, but later came the assembly of various Babalawos, with their reasons, knowledge and wisdom, they established the World home of IFA known as Ifa Agbaye at Oke Itase, then the question is how did international council of IFA religion came in to existence and for what purpose.
There was a time Orisa tradition and culture was in existence before it vanished.
Orunmila Young star wasn't popular anymore not to talk of remembering Late Chief Ogundijo. I was formerly in support of that before mismanagement finished it.
Ose IFA is every 5days while babalawos assemble at Araba' place on the 17 days, chanting IFA songs (Iyere IFA), also training themselves. It is believed that the 17days are given to the Araba, although nothing to prove this or back it up, it may just be regarded as a myth.
Later some elite among the Babalawos decided to make international council of IFA Religion.
Those who made the establishment of world home of Ifa (Ifa Agbaye) proved to support the myth that lle - Ife is the source of the Universe. So, in order for them not to make mistake, they decided to work according to the myth and added IFA verses to back the myth up such as Okanran meji:
Ifa ko o je ebo, naa o fin, ko je ebo o da,
ko je ebo naa orede orun bure bure
Sokoto mo jalawa
Adi ifa fun aluko ogogoro
Nijo ti n lo re saroji fun n ife oodaye........
Ojo pa aluko
Are idi e d odi
O d asure........
Jeki asibi dasure fun mi ati gbogbo ololufe gbogbo ifa
Ase
Translation:
Make my sacrifice auspicious, let the ritual be accepted
And let my undertaking go up to the place of divine realm
My mission will succeed
Thus declared Ifรก oracle
When the tall cock, the diviner
Came to Ifรก for advice
As the set out for ancient Ife
To make rain for the drought struck city.......
When tall cock succeeded
It rained and rained
Till he was soaked
Wings and tail
Soaked and confused
Wishing to bless
Instead he cursed
May evil intents turn to good deeds for me and my well wishers.......
Ase
Another Odu that talks more about ile ife is OKANRAN OWONRIN (Okanran Onile / Okanran Ajagbile)
This Odu talks about Oduduwa, talks about Ooni of Ife, and also claimed this same Odu established Ile - Ife.
The Babalawos sat down to create or relate stories of Orunmila in IFA to be part or suit Ile - Ife.
The Babalawos examined each compound in Ile - Ife and they considered those compounds that have historical Babalawos with strong and powerful background as their first choice while the weak background Babalawos compounds are considered as secondary.
History started from Moore one of Ajo/Ogbon marun.
Ogbon or Ajo Ilode, Iremo, Moore, Okerewe, Ilare.
Some names in the Ogbon/Ajo are (Olori Ogbon/Ajo etc).
Formerly these 5 Ogbon or Ajo added money contribution like a financial institute which I was formerly in support but I don't anymore if such still exists.
Let's leave that and focus on how the world ifa home was formed in ile - ife @ Oke Itase.
According to what I heard, during my research and investigation, the place most Babalawos considered as world home of IFA was formerly property of the white people (during Colonialism or Colonial masters time). Before Nigeria gained Independence, the white people were using the building as a church and a place of worship before they left the building behind. Although the building had been renovated and expanded since the white people left it behind. And the funniest part of the whole story is that, all the renovations and expansion still make this building look like a church.
Since it is in history or on record in IFA that Orunmila lived in Oke Igeti, there is a compound named Oke Igeti in Ile - Ife but the compound has no mountain or hill. One of the popular hills in Ile - Ife is called Oke Ora, and the only Mountain close to the town or Ooni's palace that can be used to back the myth up is Oke Itase, because these Babalawos must give reasons why World Home of Ifa isn't at Oke Igeti, so they have to establish history to back their lies up, that when Orunmila was descending, He first descended in Moore because he was not well taken care of or honored, then he left Moore and moved to Oke Igeti. The same incident happened in Oke Igeti, then he moved to Oke Itase and he was well honoured and taken care of there and then he made Oke Itase his home.
The building that is being used today as World home of IFA is located at Oke Itase in Agiri's compound.
To make it appear as if it is real, they decided to develop a myth about Orunmila descending through Moore in Ile Ife to Oke Igeti and from Oke Igeti to Oke Itase known as Oke Agbonmiregun, With a prove of inserting Origi as a symbol of where Orunmila first set foot on.
Awo Olodu Merindinlogun was developed, (16 Awos Olodu in Ife) and among the Awo Olodu is the Araba as the head, followed by Agbongbon, next is Akoda, followed by Aseda etc.
Ajo Ife Mefefa was formed, with names like Elegan, Olori Elegan, Ogbon, Olori Ogbon etc.
There are steps Babalawo Olodu must take before becoming Araba, Araba must have acquired the tittle of Agbongbon before becoming Araba, because Agbongbon is second in command to Araba.
After the passage of Araba, the next to become Araba is Agbongbon.
But suddenly the theory changed and Araba was zoned to Oke Itase Agiri's compound only, based on the belief and proof that truly IFA is from Oke Itase, then only Oke Itase compound has the right to become Araba with the proof that Orunmila migrated to Oke Itase and made the place his home therefore only Oke Itase will be entitled to the position of Araba.
Although the changes were of recent, some previous Araba were not from Oke Itase.
Another changes were recorded when the previous Araba Aworeni Mokanrale was made Araba from the position of Olori Iwarefa to Araba simply because the Araba must come from Oke Itase Agiri's Compound without any knowledge of IFA.
They later spoiled it all, people who know nothing or have no training of IFA were made to become Araba and Awo Olodu.
Money is now one of the reasons or major purpose to choose Araba. It is not based on the steps to follow and the IFA training anymore.
The recent Araba Aworeni Owolabi is the son of previous Araba Aworeni Mokanrale.
I had a fight or misunderstanding with the so called Araba Owolabi, he is very rude and I don't consider him to be Araba instead I see him as a rude and an arrogant person.
This fake history and money involvement go on till the world IFA home here in Ile Ife becomes a laughing matter or issue being discussed everywhere.
It becomes worse when those who don't know IFA are initiated into Awo Olodu, simply because some claim the title belongs to their compound while some claim to be babalawo without practicing and yet being initiated into Awo Olodu.
See, I won't lie to you or hide the truth, I don't believe in this international council of IFA religion, it was organised simply to exploit the foreigners.
And I'm happy that everything they did backfired on them. When they made Prof Odeyemi the president of international council of IFA religion, some claimed prof Odeyemi wasn't competent enough about the knowledge of IFA but yet he was given the honor by the late Araba Aworeni Mokanrale, as the president of international council of Ifa religion, while some claimed he helped in the registration of the international council of IFA religion.
In 2013/14, the Osun state government under the leadership of Gov Aregbesola gave out some millions to International Council of IFA Religion to renovate the World Home of Ifa, but the money was mismanaged.
The money was misappropriated by Prof Odeyemi the President of International Council of IFA Religion and this led to a great fight and this fight caused a division.
Prof Odeyemi went to Ekiti state to establish another World home of IFA named Oke Igeti.
Several attempts to bring them back to Ife by some Babalawos like (Araba) Baba Awodiran in order to avoid such division have failed till today.
A lot of Babalawos don't believe in this international council of IFA religion.
As I have said I have nothing to do with any of the divisions or branches of international council of IFA religion, if they can back any or both up with IFA verses, I will be in support and please note, any fake IFA verses, either unrecognized or unaccepted IFA verses will always be ignored as back up.
By Ifanla Ogbeate Temple
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