Getting it right: Why Orunmila is called Ifa

There has been a general confusion of Orunmila with Ifa; it is being thought or said that the two names are synonyms. In reality, it is not. Most people do not know what Ifa is and who Orunmila is. Orunmila is the name of the Oracle divinity while, technically Ifa is the geomantic system or science, the methodology by means of which the relevant odu is obtained through the inspiration from Orunmila. 

Ifa in its generally sense, is described as the truth which characterizes the Almighty Olodumare. The truth is described as the character of Olodumare, the wisdom he applies in governing the affairs of mankind on earth. Ifa also is defined as the esoteric word of Olodumare which was used to create the universe and its fullness in the beginning hitherto which is still binding. This word is then coupled for the use of mankind, found in all the 256 odu. Orunmila on the other hand is a messenger from Olodumare sent to earth to teach and to interpret Ifa to the human race.

However, the fact that Olodumare sent Ifa via Orunmila made humans calling Orunmila ‘Ifa’ as his alias. The confusion of Orunmila with Ifa appears to have come to stay. In declaring an oracle, the babaalwo invariably begins with ‘Thus says Ifa, or ‘This odu manifested by Ifa’ or ‘This is Ifa’s verdict’ and we have invocation prayer, ifa dakun, dabo, saanu- ‘Ifa, accepts pleading, be propitiated, vouchsafe to show unfailing mercy’, replacing the aboriginal one which addresses the prayer direct to Orunmila.

Practitioners, both at home and Diaspora have taken to social media to share their perceptions on the issue. Obafemi Origunwa, a Facebook user and a prominent Babalawo in the Diaspora said;

“it’s apparently unique to Orunmila, isn’t it? I mean, we don’t use the tools of other Orisa in the place of their names. Orunmila, however, is synonymous with Ifa. They can be used interchangeably. I’d love to know the verses that articulate why that is.” Another user known as Stacey Gould gave her take saying “Orunmila is not called Ifa. Orunmila is liken to a prophet of Ifa. Ifa is the system, Olodumare is the infinite energy force that is not limited by the term called God.”

Orunmila is not an Oracle but a messenger og God while Oracle (ifa) itself is the word that comes from God. Adekoya Ekundayo Adewale commented.

The main reason why Orunmila is called Ifa is simply that, Ifa being known to be the word from the Supreme Being was brought to earth by Orunmila his prophet and for this fact, people started calling Orunmila as Ifa. That is, Orunmila was nicknamed Ifa because of his message (Ifa) he brought to mankind. Orunmila definitely is no Ifa only that he served as a mouthpiece through which Ifa speaks.

This also is happening in our present world, especially in the Yoruba race where an Ifa practitioner is nicknamed as “Ifa” by peer group, friends, acquaintance, and neighbor of the other religions (Christians, Muslims) because of the practitioner relation to Ifa.