• Ooni leads Ifa devotees in festival of Yoruba deities
From Lateef Dada, Ile-Ife
The ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, regarded as the cradle of the Yoruba race, was thrown into spiritual ecstasy and cultural euphoria as the World Ifa Festival reached its climax on Saturday, with thousands of Ifa devotees, cultural enthusiasts, scholars and tourists trooping into the sacred city to celebrate the divinely inspired tradition of Ifa.
The week-long festival, under the spiritual and royal guidance of the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, commenced on Sunday, June 1, 2025. It featured a mosaic of ancestral rites, sacred chants, botanical divinations, cultural processions, lectures and international spiritual collaborations.
The atmosphere of Ile-Ife especially around the Ooni’s palace, Oke Itase Temple and Enuwa Square, remained electrically charged throughout the week as traditional drummers, colourfully adorned devotees, high-ranking priests and curious visitors from across the globe converged to honour the sacred oracle of Ifa, believed to be the custodian of divine wisdom.
Delivering a royal message at the grand finale on Saturday, Ooni offered fervent prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress: “In these times, we call upon the divine guidance of Orunmila and pray for a nation where justice reigns, prosperity flows and our heritage is preserved.”
Earlier in the week, Araba Agbaye, Chief Ifa Priest of the World, Araba Awodotun Aworeni Mokoranwale II, expressed his deep appreciation to the Ooni for sustaining the legacy of Ifa through unwavering royal support:
“Ifa, beyond being a tool for divination, offers solutions to societal problems and remains relevant in contemporary spiritual discourse. Ifa is not superstition, it is a codified wisdom system that has guided Yoruba civilisation for centuries.”
A Brazilian devotee, Maria De Silva, described the festival as a spiritual homecoming: “I felt my ancestors call me to come. To witness the sacred rites in Ile-Ife is a dream fulfilled. The energy here is pure and overwhelming.”
Another tourist, Michael Johnson from Trinidad and Tobago, said: “This is not just a religious experience. It’s a living museum of African identity, a testament to resilience and pride. Every chant, every drumbeat speaks to our shared history.”
Local residents, too, were not left out of the celebration. Mrs. Idayat Ogunmodede, a trader at Enuwa market, praised the festival for boosting economic activities in the area: “People don’t just come for prayer. They buy clothes, food and gifts. This year, I sold more than I did last year. Ooni has truly blessed this land.”
A young Ifa initiate, Sunday Akinlabi, who participated in the Bibo Ifa Àgbáyé rite, described the spiritual exercise as life changing: “It was my first time entering the Oke Itase grove. I could feel something ancient awaken in me. Ifa has opened my eyes.”
The festival also featured the symbolic Iwole Ojugbona, the plucking of Ewe Ifa, the overnight Ifa competitions and the breath taking procession from Oke Itase to the Ooni’s palace. Each day bore witness to sacred rites performed by seasoned Babalawos and cultural troupes singing in praise of Orunmila, Esu, Ogun and other deities of the Yoruba pantheon.
By Saturday evening, the Gbigba Orire Ifa (Reception of Ifa Blessings) held at the Ooni’s Palace signalled the spiritual harvest of the festival’s prayers and sacrifices. Ooni Ogunwusi later paid a ceremonial visit to the Oke Itase Temple, reaffirming his unwavering support for Yoruba spiritual heritage.
In the early hours of Sunday, a climactic Iwure Ifa (Ifa Prayer Session) and the final Dida Ifa Odun Àgbáyé (global divination ritual) were held, accompanied by drumming, dancing and chants that continued until dawn. The city of Ife remained awake, aglow and spiritually alive.
The festival drew to a close on Sunday morning, June 8, with a Praise Worship Session at the Ooni’s Palace, blending traditional prayer with cultural appreciation. A debriefing session followed, where organisers, traditional leaders and dignitaries recounted the week’s successes and outlined plans for preserving the festival’s global relevance.
As pilgrims began departing Ile-Ife with blessed cowries, sacred leaves, and spiritual insight, many expressed their desire to return. “I came here with questions. And I’m leaving with answers. Ifa has spoken, and my soul is at peace,” said Sade Aluko, a London-based Nigerian.