The Challenge

By the calling of Olodumare, I was initiated an Iyanifa, a woman representing Ifa. As such, I was exposed to information habitually considered secret and prohibited to women. My primary purpose in writing The Challenge, Growing Within The Orisa Community is to share my experiences as I navigated my spiritual path from the Lucumi Santeria to the Yoruba Religion.

Essentially, The Challenge advances the importance of following the Ifa religion with great reverence and value for its¡¦ ancestry, and to respect those who allow us to participate in this knowledge and wisdom without conflicting with it¡¦s natural origins. In point of fact, without a profound respect, we should not call upon or utilize the Ifa religion. If we do, we will be at variance with it¡¦s truths, and that will be a poor imitation of the religion and its¡¦ practice.

I hope that The Challenge renders insight about those who have abused the religion in order to gain powerƒ³ through intimidation and manipulation. It also disputes those who exploit their traditional culture, which has always been clear and complete in it¡¦s own natural and correct practice. The Challenge emphasizes how the Yoruba culture/religion was brought to this part of the world and has been to a large extent corrupted by some of its¡¦ priesthood and adherents who don¡¦t have the capacity to maintain the integrity and morality of this heritage.

Conclusively, the intent of The Challenge is not only to prescribe the teachings of Ifa philosophy, but to edify those who are perplexed and seeking answers to questions regarding the different circumstances of their lives. I hope this writing will fill a void and present a new and fresh perspective in examining the true role of the Yoruba priesthood as well as the affiliated religions of Lucumi Santeria, Voudou etc. as we continue in our quest for spiritual fulfillment and personal growth within the Orisa community.