Yoruba Spirituality for Beginners - Master the Core Concepts of the Ancient African Ancestral Religious Tradition: African Spirituality

By Kara Lawrence

Delve into the deep spiritual wisdom of the Yoruba.

 

Do you seek greater connection with nature, the creators, and your ancestors? Are you on a path of self-love and self-discovery? Have you experienced a spiritual calling that made you long to understand life, humanity, and the universe?

 

The Yoruba people come from an ancient culture whose homeland lies in present-day Nigeria. In their religion, numerous deities are present and active in our daily lives, like the supreme being Olodumare and the divine orishas. Authenticity, sincerity, discipline, and respect are of utmost importance, and spirits speak directly to us in their own metaphorical language.

 

While Yoruba spirituality goes back for thousands of years, this ancestral religion is gaining new attention in the modern age. The Yoruba creed has adapted and evolved for practitioners in the twenty-first century, and people across the world still follow this spiritual way of life.

 

Yoruba Spirituality for Beginners is a guide for the novice practitioner. You'll find a new understanding of the meaning of life, reality, and where we all came from. You'll be introduced to the ancient gods and learn about how they can affect your life and happiness. Step by detailed step, this book will show you how to worship these deities and call down their blessings.

 

In Yoruba Spirituality for Beginners, you'll discover:

• Why this ancient religion is still relevant in modern society
• The duality that is a prominent facet of reality
• The most powerful orishas and how to venerate them
• Energetic signatures within the spiritual path
• Tips to set up a daily practice involving rituals and offerings
• Birth, death, and the cyclical nature of life under the baobab tree
• The great sculptor who forged mankind from the clay of the earth
• Reflections on trust, divination, and forgiveness of yourself and others
• Ways to forge your personal path and maintain your practice

… and much more!

 

No matter what your background or where you live today, you can practice the Yoruba religion and create a deep spiritual connection with Olodumare. When you choose to take this path, you allow yourself to be protected and guided by spirits and orishas. After reading Yoruba Spirituality for Beginners, you'll achieve new confidence in your understanding and practice, and in your spiritual connection with Olodumare.

 

Take the leap into a powerful ancient doctrine. Scroll up and choose Yoruba Spirituality for Beginners today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kara Lawrence
• Release date: Jan 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201237776

Book preview

Yoruba Spirituality for Beginners

Master the Core Concepts of the Ancient African Ancestral Religious Tradition

Kara Lawrence

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Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up to date, reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaged in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents .............................................................. 3

Introduction...................................................................6

The Yoruba Creation Myth.......................................................6

Chapter 1: Connecting to God....................................................9

Olodumare...................................................................9

The Attributes of Olodumare....................................................10

Olodumare and the Human Destiny...............................................12

The Relationship Between Social Existence and Destiny..............................13

Chapter 2: The Orisha..........................................................15

The Spiritual Intercessors.......................................................16

The Powerful Seven...........................................................17

Religious Practices and Rituals for Honoring the Orisha...............................22

Guidelines for Daily Observances of Independent Orisha..............................24

Chapter 3: Magic, Power, and Spiritual Healing.....................................30

The Power of Magic...........................................................30

Healing With Oogun...........................................................31

Ifa Divination................................................................32

Who Is Babalawo?............................................................34

Chapter 4: The Concept of Ori...................................................37

The Physical Head...........................................................37

Identifying With the Body......................................................39

Rituals and Prayers to Align With Your Ori.........................................40

Chapter 5: The Concept of Morality...............................................45

The Yoruba Moral Code........................................................45

Iwa Rere....................................................................46

Values at the Core of Yoruba Life................................................47

The Value of Time............................................................48

The Concept of Ayo...........................................................49

Chapter 6: Food as Medicine....................................................52

The Significance of Food in Yoruba Culture........................................52

Preparing Food for the Orisha...................................................53

The Traditional African Diet....................................................54

Yoruba Herbal Remedies.......................................................56

Chapter 7: Yoruba Rites, Traditions, and Festivals...................................60

The Importance of Festivals and Ceremonies in Africa................................61

Rituals and Rites..............................................................62

Religious Festivals in Yorubaland................................................63

The Annual Oshun Festival.....................................................63

The Annual Ifa Festival........................................................65

The Annual Ogun Festival......................................................66

The Annual Sango Festival......................................................67

Chapter 8: Yoruba in the New World..............................................68

The Spread of the Yoruba Religion...............................................69

Yoruba Religion in Cuba.......................................................70

Yoruba Religion in Brazil.......................................................71

Yoruba Religion in Jamaica.....................................................72

Chapter 9: Preparing for Your Spiritual Awakening..................................74

The Process of a Spiritual Awakening.............................................75

Signs of a Spiritual Awakening..................................................76

The Five Stages of a Spiritual Awakening..........................................78

Ways to Strengthen Your Intuition................................................79

How to Connect With Your Ancestors.............................................81

Creating Your Ancestral Altar at Home............................................83

Conclusion..................................................................86

References...................................................................88

Introduction

African spirituality is the essence of human life. It acknowledges the importance of beliefs and practices in staying grounded and connected to the universal life force, which is called by different names in African religions. For Africans, spirituality is an integral part of everyday life, culture, well-being, and relationships. In fact, it is the spiritual connection to God that gives life its significance and causes people to grow, heal, and find their purpose.

Before the Christian and Islamic religions were introduced to indigenous Africans by Western and Middle Eastern colonizers, Africans relied on their indigenous African religions. There are still many societies today that have maintained these indigenous African religions, despite the fact that the majority of African people have turned to Western religious practices. The reason for preserving these indigenous African religions is simple: at the heart of each African religion lies the secret to who one is and where one comes from. For example, people who practice African religions are able to connect to their ancestors, receive ancient wisdom from their spiritual guides, and bring harmony into their lives.

Nowadays, African religion isn’t exclusively for Africans. More and more Westerners are seeking answers to questions like: Who am I? This is a powerful question that doesn’t have one particular answer; however, learning about ancient spiritual traditions and practices can offer insight into one’s identity. In this particular book, we will explore the Yoruba religion that is the indigenous religion of the Yoruba people. The aim of this book is not to convert readers to followers of the Yoruba religion, but instead, it is to help readers gain an understanding of themselves through teaching them about how the Yoruba people have come to answer the question: Who am I?

The Yoruba Creation Myth

THE YORUBA PEOPLE COME from a place called Yorubaland, located in southwestern and north-central Nigeria, and central and southern Benin. They have a rich cultural history and religion that dates back long before Christianity and Islam were introduced to African people. The Yoruba believe that people are spiritual beings wrapped up in human form. They believe that before a person is born, they stand before God and choose their destiny, which involves plans on making a difference on earth. Each person also gets to decide where they will live, the people they will love, and even the day they will die. However, when the person is born they forget about their destiny and all of the plans they had made with God. Their life’s journey becomes centered around remembering who they are, what their purpose is, and putting their plans into action.

Similar to the Christian creation myth of Adam and Eve, the Yoruba religion has its own creation myth that consists of a few characters: Olodumare (or Olorun), Obatala, and Orunmila. Olodumare is the ruler of the sky and the God who created the sun. Obatala happens to be Olodumare’s favorite orisha, or deity, and represents the Creator of human beings and the land on earth. Orunmila is the oldest son of Olodumare; and is the orisha that can see into the future.

Olodumare is the supreme being, or God. It lives in the sky with a number of deities, or heavenly entities known as orisha. orisha are both male and female, but Olodumare is genderless and is regarded as it rather than he or she. As the creation story goes, all of the orisha were content with living in the sky except for one—Obatala. Obatala was curious about life below the sky. The farther he looked down, the more he saw what seemed to be a vast ocean. Eager to put his spiritual powers to good use, he went to Olodumare and asked if he could build something solid from waters below. He was referring to creating human beings who would live below the sky and would receive guidance from Olodumare and the orisha.

Olodumare was moved by this idea and agreed to Obatala journeying down below and creating these beings. Before Obatala set out for his mission, he consulted with Orunmila, the orisha in charge of prophecy. He wanted to know how to prepare for his journey. Orunmila told Obatala to make a gold chain that would be long enough to reach earth. He made the chain and hooked it to the sky and climbed down for seven days, until he reached land and called it Ife, which means the place that divides the waters. He spent a few days exploring the land and planting seeds he had with him. As he continued to walk, the seeds started growing behind him and the land became filled with trees bearing all sorts of plants and fruit.

Finally, it was time for Obatala to create the beings he had come to form. He went to the edge of a pond, took handfuls of clay, and molded the clay into his own image. After forming one clay being, he went on to create another one, and another one. While assembling the clay beings, he grew tired and decided to drink fermented palm juice that made him drunk. In his intoxicated state, he created clay beings that were deformed. After he saw what he had done, he vowed to become the protector of all beings that were born with deformities. The clay beings became the first humans to inhabit the first Yoruba village in Ife. After creating the first people, Obatala returned to the sky, although he frequently travels between Ife and his home in the sky.

Chapter 1: Connecting to God

As the rays of the sunrise glow

And herald a new day

I bow from the depths of my soul

In reverence to Olodumare

God of my ancestors

From within my embrace that especially

Sacred place resides my Ori

I willingly fall on my knees humility

Desperate to please holy communion

A soul appeased

From within without ancestral blessing

Lived purposeful lives I learned sacred lessons

To not ever forget those who are my elders

I live everyday honoured and honouring

Limitless DNA sacred libation

— Yewande Ogunnaike (Oriki)

Olodumare

IF YOU ASK A YORUBA person the question: Who is God? They will tell you it is Olodumare, or Olorun. Olodumare is the traditional name given to God, which is translated to Supreme Being. Olodumare is the Creator of the universe and the father of the orisha. Not only is Olodumare the Creator, it is the highest and most powerful spiritual entity. God is the universe with all its elements, the materialistic manifestation of life, and the author of human destiny.

It’s worth mentioning once more that Olodumare is superior to the orisha. As powerful as each orisha is, they all worship and account to Olodumare. Therefore, even during prayer or offerings, Yoruba people are aware of the position of Olodumare and bestow the necessary honor that is required. It has been said that some Yoruba touch the earth with their fingertips and kiss the dust on them before uttering the name of God (Ashe,