Difference betwee Osha and Ifa

[sacs]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the african based religions as you can probably tell from
the question I am about to ask. Could someone explain the difference
between the Osha and Ifa branches of the santeria religion. Any
information would be greatly appreciated.

blessings,

sacs

[Denise Oliver-Velez]

Greetings,
Ifa preists are the priests of the Orisha Orunmila (Orula) and are
dedicated to divination and healing. Lukumi, commonly known as
Santeria includes the priesthoods of many Orishas - including Ifa
Babalawos.

Other branches of Yoruba Orisha worship can be found throughout the
Caribbean and the mainland Americas - the largest in Brazil (more
worshippers than in Yoruba land)

Please read the FAQ - found here and at:

http://www.wemba-music.org/orisha_faq.htm

Dense

[sacs]

Denise,

Fist of all, thank you very much for all of the documentation you have
provided. It has been of great assistance. What would you suggest to
someone contemplating whether to go the Lukumi or Ifa. I have found
that if I go to a Lukumi priest for divination, they will try to steer
me in that direction and the same for the Ifa priest.

Were could one go to research or receive an unbiased divination as to
ones religious path? Any additional information of the differences
between the Lukumi path and the Ifa path would be greatly
appreciated.

sacs

On Jan 26, 11:01 am, "Denise Oliver-Velez"

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[Denise Oliver-Velez]

Hi Sacs - there are two different branches of Ifa here in the US. One
is Lukumi - the other is Nigerian. (there are also two hybrid groups
- Neimarks and Falokun's whose initiations have no validity in either
community)'

One can also become a part of a Lukumi ile and then pass to Ifa. But
if you want to be a part of the larger community - I'd tell you to
find an ile - participate for a while, get good godparents - and
little by little your path will become clear. I would not jump
directly to Ifa - you will be closing yourself off to the ground floor
- or foundation you will need to be a good priest - if that is your
calling. If you feel you have a facility with divination - and are
capable of learning Odu and all that entails - you also have another
alternative - which is to study merindillogun divination - and
eventually apprentice as an Oba/Oriate.

You can email me off board for further discussion - because there are
some things I won't discuss in an open forum.

Alafia/peace

Denise

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