This landmark volume compiled by Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun brings readers into the diverse world of Ifá-its discourse, ways of thinking, and artistic expression as manifested throughout the Afro-Atlantic. Firmly rooting Ifá within African religious traditions, the essays consider Ifá and Ifá divination from the perspectives of philosophy, performance studies, and cultural studies. They also examine the sacred context, verbal art, and the interpretation of Ifá texts and philosophy. With essays from the most respected scholars in the field, the book makes a substantial contribution toward understanding Ifá and its role in contemporary Yoruba and diaspora cultures.

Foreword / His Royal Highness Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse IIPreface / Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. AbiodunIntroduction / Jacob K. Olupona and Rowland O. Abiodun with Niyi AfolabiPart I. Ifá Orature: Its Interpretation and Translation1. Ayajo as Ifá in Mythical and Sacred Contexts / Ayo Opefeyitimi2. Continuity and Change in the Verbal, Artistic, Ritualistic, and Performance Traditions of Ifá Divination / Wándé Abímblá3. Recasting Ifá: Historicity and Recursive Recollection in Ifá Divination Texts / Andrew Apter4. Ifá, Knowledge, Performance, the Sacred, and the Medium / Olasope O. Oyelaran5. "Writing" and "Reference" in Ifá / AdeìleìkeÌ AdeìeÌòkoòìPart II. Ifá as Knowledge: Theoretical Questions and Concerns6. Ifá: Sixteen Odù, Sixteen Questions / Barry Hallen7. Kín N'Ifá Wí?: Philosophical Issues in Ifá Divination / Olúfeìòmi Táíwò8. Diviner as Explorer: The Afuwape Paradigm / Rowland O. Abiodun9. "The Hunter Thinks the Monkey Is Not Wise. The Monkey Is Wise, But Has Its Own Logic": Multiple Divination Systems and Multiple Knowledge Systems in Yorùbá Religious Life / Mei-Mei Sanford10. Dagbon, Oyo, Kongo: Critical and Comparative Reflections on Sacrifice / Wyatt MacGaffey11. Ifá: The Quintessential Builder of Our Bank of Images / Akínwùmí Ìsola12. Odù Imole: Islamic Tradition in Ifá and the Yorùbá Religious Imagination / Jacob K. OluponaPart III. Ifá in the Afro-Atlantic13. Ifá Divination as Sacred Compass for Reading Self and World / Velma Love14. Ìtan Odù Òní: Tales of Strivers Today / John Mason15. Orunmila's Faithful Dog: Transmitting Sacred Knowledge in a Lucumí Orisha Tradition / Joseph M. Murphy16. Mofá and the Oba: Translation of Ifá Epistemology in the Afro-Cuban Dilogún / Ysamur M. Flores-Peña17. The Pai-de-santo and the Babaláwo: Religious Interaction and Ritual Rearrangements within Orisha Religion / Stefania Capone18. The Role of Women in the Ifá Priesthood: Inclusion versus Exclusion / M. Ajisebo McElwaine Abimbola19. Transnational Ifá: The "Readings of the Year" and Contemporary Economies of Orisa Knowledge / Kamari Maxine ClarkePart IV. Sacred Art in Ifá20. The Creatures of Ifá / Philip M. Peek21. Of Color, Character, Attributes, and Values of Orunmila / Bolaji Campbell22. Signs, Doors, and Games: Divination's Dynamic Visual Canon / Laura S. Grillo23. Ifá: Visual and Sensorial Aspects / Henry John Drewal24. Art, Culture, and Creativity: The Representation of Ifá in Yorùbá Video Films / Akintunde AkinyemiList of ContributorsIndex