Imori Ceremony

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  1. Abure, aboie, abosise.

    Baba, Can you explain to me more about imori ceremony; I wnt to know more about that.

    Im babalawo and I m studing IFA and yoruba traditions.

    Thanks.

    1. Awódélé Ifáyemí says:

      Ogbo Ato Alex;

      Thank you for your visit, and your question. It is a very important one. I will attempt to answer it as best as I can. The University of Iowa has an Art & Life in Africa blog. In that blog they addressed the definition and purpose of the imori ceremony.

      “The Yoruba ifa divination ritual known as imori is performed within the first three to six months of a child’s life in order to “know the head” that is, to discern something about the child’s ori inu (inner head)—especially whether the child’s prenatal destiny is associated with the mother’s side of the family or the father’s, and/or with a particular orisa (deity).”
      University of Iowa

      There are several questions stipulated in that explanation. To “know the head” is to discern something about the destiny and character chosen by the soul of the child. This information is critical for the parents. They learn what skill sets and aptitudes the child was born with. They are told which career fields are best suited for the child’s temperament. They are also told which life experiences the child chose to have as part of his/her destiny.

      Another question which the first paragraph posited is the importance of identifying the child’s prenatal destiny. Here, a cultural context must be taken into consideration. In the old days of the Yoruba people, each family had a particular trade that was pass-down through generations. Questioning if the child’s prenatal destiny is associated with the mother’s side of the family or the father’s would reveal the trade the child is to learn.

      The closest cultural context I can give you that has become ingrain into the collective consciousness of the Diaspora is “The family business”. This is why you hear of so many children joining the family medical profession, or the police force. It is in their destiny to do so because they chose it while still in the spirit realm.

      If the child’s prenatal destiny is associated with an Orisa, then initiating that child into the traditions of that Orisa will make the child’s live fortunate.

      This is a ritual that should be performed by a traditionally trained and an experienced Babalawo. It is perhaps the single most important ritual a Babalawo needs to master. This ritual will help the Babalawo create “Community”.

      I hope this helped, and congratulations on your Ifa Studies.

      Ogbó àtó Asure Ìwòrìwòfún.

      O dábò!
      Chief Awodele Ifayemi
      Atunwase Awo of Ilobuland

    1. Awódélé Ifáyemí says:

      Alaafia Busayo;

      At this point your best (and least expensive) alternative would be to get a “Life Path Reading.” Visit the following link to learn more about this service

      Ogbó àtó Asure Ìwòrìwòfún.

      O dábò!
      Chief Awodele Ifayemi
      Atunwase Awo of Ilobuland

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