Top 5 Misconceptions About Ifa in the Diaspora

Ogunda Onisese | Ogundẹrin Temple

As the sacred teachings of Ifa continue to reach more people across the African diaspora, there is also a rise in misinformation and misinterpretation. Cultural disconnection, social media oversimplification, and colonial influence all play a role in distorting the truth of this ancient spiritual system. These Ifa misconceptions in the diaspora can lead seekers off course and create confusion around what the tradition truly represents.

Let’s address five of the most common misconceptions and set the record straight.

🔍 Top Ifa Misconceptions in the Diaspora You Need to Know

1️⃣ "Ifa Is Just Divination"

One of the most frequent misunderstandings is the belief that Ifa is only about “getting readings.” Yes, divination is a vital tool but Ifa is not fortune-telling.

Ifa is:

• A divine system of wisdom

• A map of personal destiny

• A code of ethical living (ìwà pẹ̀lẹ̀)

• A way to maintain balance between the physical and spiritual world

Divination is the entry point, not the full journey.

2️⃣ "You Can Initiate Yourself"

In Ifa, initiation is not a DIY process.You cannot self-declare as a Babalawo or Iyanifa.

Proper initiation requires:

• A qualified Oluwo or Iyanifa

• Ritual processes and sacred instruments

• Community witnessing

• Lineage accountability

Without this, one may call themselves initiated, but spiritually they are not rooted.

3️⃣ "Ifa and Orisa Worship Are the Same"

Another common confusion is equating Ifa with Orisa worship. While they are connected, they are not the same.

• You can be a devotee of Ọ̀ṣun, Ṣàngó, or Ogun without being initiated into Ifa.

• Ifa is the divine wisdom system, while the Orisa are forces of nature that work within that framework.

• A Babalawo or Iyanifa may serve through the wisdom of Ifa without being mounted by an Orisa and likewise, someone who is mounted may not be initiated into Ifa.

Understanding this distinction preserves clarity and avoids spiritual confusion.

4️⃣ "Ori Isn’t That Important"

In the diaspora, there’s often more focus on external ritual than internal alignment.

But Ifa teaches:

Ori is your first Orisa.

No matter what shrine you approach or offering you give, if your Ori doesn’t agree, it will not manifest.

To ignore your Ori is to block your own destiny.You must feed it, consult it, and align with it daily.

5️⃣ "Ifa Conflicts With Other Religions"

Some believe Ifa cannot exist alongside Christianity, Islam, or other traditions. But Ifa is not a religion of exclusion it is a system of divine order that predates colonial religions.

Ifa does not demand that you abandon your roots.It asks you to walk in truth, discipline, and spiritual alignment.

If you are called, your Ori will confirm it. If you are ready, the path will open.

🧭 Final Reflection

Ifa is not a social trend. It is not a rebellion.It is a living tradition that holds thousands of years of ancestral wisdom.

Before you claim it, study it.Before you teach it, live it.And before you wear it, respect it.

Only then can we carry Ifa in a way that honors its origin and uplifts our collective future.

Let’s correct the record together. Your Ori brought you here for a reason to seek truth, not trends.

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Together, we carry Ifa with clarity and respect.

Ogunda Onisese | Ogundẹrin Temple