Because ancient practices
should be understood, not left in the shadows.
Omitonade Ifawemimo
presents as a modern-day sage, with gleaming eyes, a petite frame — and wisdom
to spare. She is in fact a 20-something Orisha priestess, with an easy smile
and tightly knotted hair. And she has made it her mission to teach and preserve
the Orisha and Ifa spiritual practices, which are indigenous to the Yoruba
people of Nigeria and adjoining parts of Togo and Benin.
“When you see her in
person, she is this tiny presence,” says journalist and culture historian
Molara Wood. “She is not this image of an intimidating traditional-religion
adherent that a lot of Nigerians have.”
Ifawemimo’s journey
started at the age of 5 when she was initiated into the Orisha traditions by
her parents, and by 15 she found herself dining with elders and mastering the
art and science of divination, chanting and rituals. At 20, through a
combination of study, practice and heeding the spiritual call, she earned her
place as a priestess.
