​by Prince (Babalawo) Adigun Olosun, MA, MA, PGDJ, PGCR​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"Through the study of Ifa, one discovers the philosophical concepts, that are the basis for understanding Yoruba aesthetic"- Wande Abimbola, a front line Yoruba scholar. Ifa is the backbone of the philosophy of the Yoruba art. If art is trying to project the people's overview or outlook to life, then Ifa is the answer. What we need to ask ourselves is- what is Ifa? But before then, let us define philosophy in a clearer term. Philosophy is, "the use of reason and argument in seeking the truth and knowledge of reality especially of the causes and nature of things and of the principles governing existence, the material universe, perception of physical phenomenon and human behaviour"- The Oxford English Reference Dictionary. If art is human creative skill or its application, and if what some scholars say that creativity comes from one's experience when interacting with life is true, then the source or link cannot be beyond one's experience. Abimbola agrees by saying that "the poetry of Ifa sheds wonderful light on Yoruba life and thought".
Ifa is an embodiment of Yoruba life. All the aspects of Yoruba life are mentioned and treated thoroughly in Ifa poetry. Yorubas believe that Ifa came direct from God. That it is direct message from God, which Yoruba called "Olodumare". There is nothing in this world, how small, that is not mention in Ifa, human being, animal, birds, trees, air, water, river, job, life, behaviour, God, towns, Arabs, Europeans, Africans, everything is in Ifa. Even we usually say that everything is Ifa. All these issues are treated in Ifa poetry, which is classified into 256 chapters-Odus.
In Ifa, there are two forces that are controlling the world-benevolent and malevolent forces. The benevolent forces are Irunmoles, the messengers of God that God sent to prepare the world for the human beings in order for them to acquire it and settle there permanently. They are 401 in number. In this part also are the ancestors, good Spirits, etc. The ancestors are our forebears. These forces would continue to wish human beings well. They are also ready to render support when called upon to do so. They support their own always.​

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While the malevolent forces on the other hand are to obstruct all the efforts of the benevolent forces which human beings rely on. The malevolent forces are also known as "Ajoguns" (Seven in number: death, sickness, loss, isolation, stroke, danger, lack.), they are under the leadership of witches. All the struggles of human beings are to free themselves from these evil forces. They are ready to run the world aground anytime, if not for the efforts of benevolent forces, which are defending human beings from them. That is the reason for weaknesses on the part of human beings. It is only by doing and performing sacrifice, the only strong weapon that can make one to be able to survive the ordeals.
We should not forget that the Yoruba artists are part and parcel of the Yoruba society, which experiences this conflict and resolution; it is the same experience they are also expressing in their works. The artist would now use his own medium to express himself or herself in his own way. He narrates the story as he sees or experiences it.
Yoruba artists are not seeing only as an artists, they are also chroniclers, event recorders, reporters, historians, those with extra sense, critics, people's eyes, even prophets. To the Yorubas, they are great philosophers. Whatever the artist expresses might be the story of the artist, but it is from Yoruba worldview, which has its background in Ifa.​

II. YORUBA ART

IYA DuDu Centre for Yoruba Art & Culture, a section of Ibile Faith Society, is having Yoruba Art Gallery in Ostbevern /Germany and Osogbo /Nigeria (Adigun Olosun Gallery and Cultural Centre (AOGCC)) where Yoruba Art can be learnt and made. In this two galleries Yoruba Art works that are based on the messages of Irúnmolè can also be bought. Yoruba Art exhibitions are also organised regularly in both galleries. Co-operation concerning Yoruba art can also be made with interested individuals, organisations and institutions world-wide. There are more than 1000 original art works on sale from different Yoruba artists.
The types are:

ASO-OKE

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