Oke Olota 2020/21: Pilgrimage observed virtually, mark in style, records 16 countries parcitipants

Picture of pilgrims observing pilgrimage
at Oke-igeti, Ado-Ekiti
Credit: Facebook

The popular saying thus; "there's always positivity in every negativity" was at play for the International Council for IFA religion (ICIR) when it observed the eight days World Annual Òkè Olota ifá òrìṣà pilgrimage  virtually amid Cod-vid 19 crisis. The first of its kind.

The ICIR President, Chief Solagbade Popoola took to his Facebook page to disclose this development. He said this was a result of the social distancing and all. 

"This year's (2020/2021) Annual World Ifa/Orisa Pilgrimage will not take place as a result of social distancing and all. This is the reason why the leadership of The International Council For Ifa Religion opted for virtual participation during the time that the Annual Ifa consultation will take place". He said.

He added that , this development was made upon two reasons,  One, those who could not be present physically to participate in the Pilgrimage would able to do so through the internet.

Two "as we all know, the Ikin, Holy Kernels that we use in Ado Ekiti are donated and put together by Temples in 54 countries of the world. This made the consultation in Ado Ekiti a truly international consultation and the messages of relevance to the world at large". Solagbade stressed.

In attendance were 16 countries,1,376 participants either as listeners or Ifa messages contributors were recognized.  

Nigeria Benin republic, Ivory coast, Brazil, Cuba, United kingdom, United States, Mexico, Columbia, Togo, Venezuela, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Spain and Puerto Rico made the list. These countries participated either by reciting odu Ifá or giving Ifá messages. It was learned that, Ivory coast put up an outstanding performance overall. 

However, these Holy messages were disseminated in four languages, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Yoruba.

Recall that the Oke Itase World Annually Pilgrimage is scheduled for June 5-7, changes are also likely to be observed behind closed door in the name of pandemic.

See full report below

REPORT OF THE READINGS OF IFA IN THE JUST CONCLUDED 2020/2021 ANNUAL WORLD IFA/ORISA PILGRIMAGE THAT TOOK PLACE AT OKE OLOTA IN ADO EKITI ON THE 31st OF MAY, 2020.

Eriwo Ya!!!

PREAMBLE

All good things have their peculiar ways of manifesting, especially when least expected. At a time that the world is faced with the dangerous pandemic called covid-19, it became clear that this year's (2020/2021) Annual World Ifa/Orisa Pilgrimage will not take place as a result of social distancing and all. This is the reason why the leadership of The International Council For Ifa Religion opted for virtual participation during the time that the Annual Ifa consultation will take place. This decision brought with it two major achievements:

One, those who could not be present physically to participate in the Pilgrimage were able to do so through the internet.

Two, as we all know, the Ikin, Holy Kernels that we use in Ado Ekiti are donated and put together by Temples in 54 countries of the world. This made the consultation in Ado Ekiti a truly international consultation and the messages of relevance to the world at large.

As an adjunct to the two reasons above, and as a result of those, an opportunity presented itself: this is the chance for the whole Temples, Shrines, Religious groups, Isese organizations round the world, traditional, Lukumi, Santeria, Orisa, Candomble, Umbanda etc to truly participate in giving messages and advices based on their knowledge of the Odu that will be revealed during the consultation. Some selected Temples were contacted. Their responses were overwhelming!!! They all accepted to participate in the exercise. This is how the Annual (2020/2021) World Ifa/Orisa Pilgrimage became a truly international festival in attendance and in participation. Such had never happened before. We are grateful to Olodumare that He gave us the opportunity to turn a seeming disadvantage to opportunity to achieve beyond our wildest dreams. 

During the consultation this year, 16 countries participated in either reciting the Odu or in giving messages from the Odu. These participating countries are:

1 Nigeria

2. Republic of Benin

3. Cote d'Ivoire

4. United Kingdom

5. United States Of America

6. Mexico

7. Colombia

8. Venezuela

9. Chile

10. Argentina

11. Spain

12. Cuba

13. Puerto Rico, 

14. Republic du Togo, 

15. Trinidad and Tobago

16. Brazil

The participation of the Temple in Cote d'Ivoire stands out in a unique manner. They delivered the messages of Ifa in form of sermon and admonition to the world at large.

All Ifa/Orisa devotees, scholars and interested public are free to visit our Facebook page to view and listen to the videos and audios sent from all the Temples around the world.

Again, 1,376 people participated either as listeners or Ifa messages contributors. Again, this can be verified from the videos and audios.

We are sure that the participating countries will increase in subsequent years. Consequent upon this development, we intend to continue with this practice. Our intention is to give all Ifa/Orisa devotees the much required sense of belonging and participation.

As a result of this, FOUR major languages were used in the dissemination of the information. These languages are

1. English

2. Spanish

3. Portuguese and

4. Yoruba

We however do not tamper with the way all the participants presented their contributions in order to preserve their originality. We are however grateful to those who devoted their time and energy on translating and/or summerizing all the information contained in the videos and audios into Yoruba language.

I am aware that some individuals are not comfortable with this development. This is to assure everyone that they have nothing to fear. In 1983 when Professor Wande Abimbola internationalize the Oke Itase Festival and changed it from a locally celebrated festival to an international event, it was not intended for it to stagnate the way it is today. I had been a participant from then till today. 

In the case of Oke Igeti Annual Ifa/Orisa, it is an 8-day Pilgrimage where pilgrims pour their hearts to Olodumare, the Irunmole, the Orisa and the Emi Airi governing and controlling the world.

The messages from Ifa consultations in Ado Ekiti are more for Ifa/Orisa Temples than for individuals. We concentrate on building Temples and Shrines in order for us to build a sustainable Ifa/Orisa communities all over the world, where all devotees can have a true sense of belonging, where the welfare and rights of members are protected and held sacrosanct.

Aboru Aboye

Solagbade Popoola ficssmn

President