Summer/Fall 2022
Temple IfaLObaorisa
IFÁ NEWS
IFA News Is Here! Celebrating
Ifá
Baba Chris at 60
What’s Inside: Welcome ...2 From Prince Oyekunle Opeodu ...3 Ifa On The Mainland ...4 The Cat’s Out Of The Bag ...3 Special Acknowledgments ...4 Coming To Be ...4 Sounds Of The Month ...4 Pg 1
From The Desk of Baba Chris
Babalawo Awogbemiga Ifasanmi Toussaint
WELCOME “I take great pleasure... to introduce ..., Ifalobaorisa Temple.” I take great pleasure today, Sunday, September 4, 2022 to introduce, Ifalobaorisa Temple. It was the summer of 2016 when Awise Prince Oyekunle Opeodu authorized IyaN’fa Omosade Ifaseun Mahoney and myself to establish a branch of Ifalobaorisa Traditional Temple Nigeria Limited (Cultural Center) (Iperu Remo, Nigeria) in Washington, DC.
Issue Designed by C. Chekejai Coley
Since that time, we have been working with a small group of devotees and priests, teaching them the principles of Ifá, Ìwá Pèlé . . and Omoluabi. Having spent the last two years quarantined, we decided that it was time to make a more visible presence in the community. We selected today, the date of my 60th trip around the sun as the perfect day to officially launch the Temple. We thank you for taking time to be with us on this special occasion. Babalawo Awogbemiga Ifasanmi Toussaint Oluwo, Ifalobaorisa Temple Olori Apena/Araba, Ancestral Lineage of Africa (Ogboni ALA) USA Join Ifalobaorisa Temple on Zoom September 18th, October 2nd, 16th & 30th, November 13th & 27th 11:00am - 1:00pm
Meeting ID#: 487-496-7954 Password: aaeU40
ÈjÌ Ogbé
The temple is an active member of the African Traditional Spiritual Coalition (ATSC) and Baba Awogbemiga is a student of Herbology at the Ifa University and would recommend Ifa University for anyone who is interested in a more academic approach to studying Ifa or Orisa (link below) Link for Ifa University: https://community.ifa.university/referral/bmdy41BU/ N7cZGCtHhyonx5KG or https://Ifa.University
Ìgbá nlá láá pe Orun .
Igba nla is the name of the Heavens
ÀyànmÓ. làá pe Ilè .
Ayanmo is the name of the Mother Earth
OlÓniimorÓ làá pe ÒriȘàńlà
Oloniimoro is the name of Orisanla
ÒÓjÓ. ti ÒriȘàńlá dá Egbàá Omo Eniyàn . .
The day that Orisanla created 2000 human beings (from clay)
ÒÓjÓ. nàá lÓ dá Egbàá Omo . . Igi... .
The same day he created 2,000 human beings (from wood)
For IFA consultation or, for more information about joining Temple Ifalobaorisa visit www.atscoalition.org to contact Baba Awobemiga or Iya Ifaseun. Email: Ifaspeaksdc@gmail.com
$Kaket if you would like to make a donation to the Temple.
Ifa News, Summer '22
Issue 1, Volume 1
The Cat’s Out The Bag! Baba Carlos Roundtree
“Let us first give thanks to Olodumare, the Ancestors, Ori and the Orisha...” The first issue of the Ifalobaorisa Temple’s Newsletter, IFÁ News, is here! Let us first give thanks to Olodumare, the Ancestors, Ori and the Orisha for bringing us together in collaboration to produce this first edition of the Temple (Ile) Newsletter. With hopes and prayers that this newsletter will be informative and aid you in your spiritual development as the lIe develops. Ifá News will be published on a quarterly basis and we are looking forward to growing with your input. As members join the Ifá News team, the frequency will increase. We do hope that the information included is a help to you. May the Ire of Olodumare find you and bless you and yours. Happy Reading!!
“... IFÁ News, is here!” The Call: Ifá News is meant for the purpose of keeping members abreast of the
developments in the Temple. The newsletter may be shared with others who are interested in our practice. If you would like to submit an article or assist in the development of Ifá News, please feel free to contact Carlos Roundtree at (229) 539-2658 or croundtree6968@gmail.com.
“You only have to begin to enter into the realm of consciousness of light and peace to find God.” Mother Pamela Taylor,
Journeying Into The World Of Spirit: The Mourning Process. Women of Spirit Share Rituals Divine.
Pg 3
Coming To Be... Baba Chris Toussaint
Ifalobaorisa Temple in Washington, and Iya Ifaseun to Ogboni ALA and initiated Baba DC was established in 2016 as an extension of Awogbemiga to Ifa. “...to promote Ifa lineage of the Opeodu family. Ifalobaorisa The aim of Ifalobaorisa Temple is Traditional Temple Nigeria Limited (Ifa and Orisa the principles to promote the principles and teachings of Ifá Temple) is the home shrine in Iperu Nigeria. and Orisa traditions in Washington DC. Baba and teachings The temple in Nigeria is run by Prince Oyekunle Awogbemiga was installed as the Olori Apena of Opeodu, Awise Ifa of Iperu and Ajano Oro of Iperu of Ifa and Orisa Ogboni ALA for the United States of America and and supported by Prince Ifasola Opeodu, Oluwo Ilu has been designated as the Oluwo of Ifalobaorisa traditions...” of Iperu and Ajagunbade of [the] Imobido Dynasty. Temple, Washington DC. along with Iya Ifaseun in Prince Oyekunle Opeodu and Prince August 2014. Baba Awogbemiga and Iya Ifaseun Ifasola Opeodu are the sons of the late His Royal continue the legacy of their elders and teachers, Highness (HRH) Oba Tajudeen Abiodun (T.A.) Opeodu, the His Royal Highness Oba Tajudeen Abiodun Opeodu and Oloye Apebi of Agbogidi, the 1st Araba Agbaiye/Founder of Ancestral Iyan’fa Ifarinoola Efunyale (Mother) Taylor. Lineage of Africa (Ogboni ALA), Apeni Ajaru ogan of Iperu Opa If you wish to contact Baba Awogbemiga, email him at cult. Oba TA Opeodu introduced and initiated Baba Awogbemiga Ifaspeaksdc@gmail.com.
IFÁ On The Mainland. Year 2022! Baba Carlos Roundtree
Pick up the phone, Ifá has a message from Ilé-Ifè. that is enlightening this year. Odi-Ofun is the odu from June 5, 2022/2023, which encompass many things: victory, challenges, attacks, enemies and even death. With the seriousness of Ifá’s message; it will be important for all to honor Egungun (ancestors) and embrace our ancestral heritage. Our children must learn their heritage. Learning our past, saves our future generations and aids in achieving peace, by understanding the past, present and future. Olodumare being the most wise; is sending us an amazing host of Orisha to help guide us throughout the year. The importance is for us to deepen our knowledge and work with the Orishas he is sending. Allow me to introduce the Orisha starting lineup: Ori who has to be placed at the front, because without Ori’s buy-in and permission nothing will happen. Oke and Obatala who are like 6 & 8 running mates. Egbe Orun who are our spiritual companions from heaven. This year it will be important to ensure that any offerings that should have been made to them in heaven or on earth are completed. This will help us avoid mishaps and hangups during our journeys towards our destinies. Eshu Odara who can do and undo. Ajé who will usher in prosperity, trade and economic stability. With all the warning that Ifá has sent, let’s close with the positives. Ifá has promised victory. Ifá, through the works of Baba Awobemiga and the amazing planning committee, has brought us all together for this Amazing Ifá Festival 2022. Take time and exercise generosity and thanks every moment of the day. Take time and embrace, cleanse, and communicate with your Orisha paraphernalia. To learn the full message from Ifá, feel free to contact Baba Awobemgia or your Baba to gain deeper insight. Aboru Aboye Abosise.
Congratulations!!!
Baba Carlos Roundtree
We congratulate Iya Judy Manrique, Baba Selwyn St. Rose, . Baba Curt Waldron, Baba Kayode Nelson, and Baba Dimetri O’Brien for braving the travel to Ilé-Ifè, the heat and all things required to become fully initiated into the tradition. We are VERY Proud of them and we know that their work will bring amazing blessings to our Ile. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to growth in IFÁ!
The Sounds Of The Month Iya T. De Silva
Orisa music in Nigeria is rich with drumming. Before there are lyrics there are resounding beats. Before there is singing there is OrÍkÌ poems and expressions done with the drums or by the drums. These OrÍkÌ, become the lyrics of the songs for the Orisha (Orisa). The links here have been compiled to assist in the learning of the songs for Osun, and for Olukun and Ogun. Explanations and definitions connected to the oriki are available. Remember, the drummers obtain permission and are initiated to officially praise the Orisa in ceremonies away from the private home. The drummers are initiated first before the singers. And the drums are "fed" each time they are used in ceremony and for prayers. As you know, the drum language is deeply understood by the Orisa and the priests. There are drums some can not see. There are drums that have medicine which are often protected and kept in shrines where the uninitiated can not lay eyes on the musical vessel. Orin Osun, Osun Song, Cantos de Ochun Yorùbá Lessons with Adérónkẹ Osun Oshun/Osun, Ella Anadall Osun (Trinidad) Ogun “ Yoruba Spirit of War and Victory.” Orin Orisa, Yoruba Songs of Praise, Selected Energies. Adedayo Ologundudu Ogun (Trinidad) Ogun (Yoruba) Egungun Festival, Oluwo Ifatunji Afuwape, Agbejanlagbofa Temple, Iju-Otta, Ogun State Egungun Festival, Ogun State
Yoruba Drums for Olokun, drawings by T. De Silva
Lawal, Babatunde. “Á Yà Gbó, Á Yà Tó; New Perspectives on Edan Ògbóni.” African Arts (Winter 1995): 37-49. Lawal, Babatunde. “Aworan: Representing the Self and its Metaphysical Other in Yorùbá Art.” The Art Bulletin New York, (September 2001): 498526. Word and Image; African Art and Literature Vol.3 No. 3 (July-September 1987): 252-270.
Ifa News, Summer '22
Issue 1, Volume 1