Ifá a complete divination by Ayò Salami

Iró ni wón pa
Ifa' ò leè' parun
Èké ni wón se
' '
Ifá ò leè parun
Àtélewó la bálà
A ò' meni
' ' tó ko ó
' '
Iró ni wón pa '
Ifá' ò leè' parun.

Godliness is all about heaven

Heaven is about the unknown
Unknown precipitates fear
While fear leads to torment
The tormented would seek for solution

……………………ÌretèOgbè
' '

Acknowledgment.
I acknowledge Olódùmarè, as the backbone that has seen me through the first phase of
this project. With His will carried out by so many people across the whole world. In so
much as I try to shy away from mentioning names, as I would have to start another
textbook in documenting everyone; however must mention these few distinguished
personalities who would express my thanks to the larger society. They are those who
made the embryo to form the bay.

Dr ( Mrs.) Ìyàbò Fágbúlùú, Mummy: I have to say a million thank you to this special
being created to bring joy to somany generation and the yet unborn (Àkàndá Olórun ni
wón jé). Without her, efforts of all the other people would have been futile. My heart
prays for you.

Prof. (Chief) Wándé Abímbólá, Àwíse Àgbáyé: My godfather who reviewed part of the
manuscript for me. Àború boyè bi síse.
Chief Alárápé Salami: My father who provided me with the backing, inspiration, and
continuity. He even explained some knotty words to me. ‘Kára ó lé’.

I also acknowledge the following Babaláwos

a.- Chief Babaláwo Ìdòwú Fásípè Fágbohùn, (Olúwo of Òrìsà World congress)
b.- Chief Babaláwo Babalolá Ifátóògùn from Ìlobùú, Òsun state
c.- Babaláwo Ifálayé Ojóòmódá – Ìdèrè, Òyó state
d.- The group of Babaláwos that I interviewed in Òwu, Abéòkúta, Òògùn State
e.- Babaláwo Táíwò and Kéhìndé Fásípè in Òyó
f.- Babaláwo Dòsùnmú Àkàngbé
I thank Babaláwo Ifátólá Joey Pounds Òkànbí, the initiator of the program. It is amusing
to note that an African American has inspired me this much.

Much of my thanks would go to the chil of Ìretèogbè, Professor Antthony Van der
Meer, of the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Dr Olúségun Ifálàse and Ms
Obátóóyìn Agela William, among others.

I am grateful to my American look alike friend, Babaláwo J J Kulevich, the of

Òsáàwúre (the White man that shares striking physiological semblance with a
Blackman). Omo Ìyáà mi níí se. Babaláwo Juan Carlos Maldonado. Mr. Asáolú of
University of Lagos who gave me a free copy of the ‘Lingua’ for hte tonal marks. My
friends, Olúkáyòdé omo Adéníyì, omo Olóbì tó tara igi so, omo onísu àrogùrò be, omo
amáloka sójú ebo gbóhun Olórun wí, omo elérè máfà omi asùndan, Túndé Adélówò-
Oníkàkàkí Àfonyè, omo baba Onísònà tí n be lójúde Olónje, I did not forget
Olásúnkànmí Tégbè, Àjàó Olúmòta, Òtaàgùn papaapa. Daddy Andy Tugbokorowei,
Mr. Lérè Fásìnà, a friend indeed, among many that did the final proof reading.

Finally I thank the officials of UNESCO and UNESCO for welcoming me with open
hands and deeming it proper to award the contract for the publication of this research.

Mo júbà o.
Dedication.
This book is dedicated to my boy.
My bundle of joy.
Olúwamáyòwá James.
Double Jam as he is called among
Many of aliases.
May Olódùmarè keep, and make him a
Complete man; so that he could
Be long lasting joy to me.

Preface
This is the product of a research work that elucidates the beauty of the language,
culture, music and social stratification of the Yorùbás as a distinct race in Nigeria.

This book is an addition to the number of books available in the book industry that
demonstrates Ifá, the Yoruba mythology as the custodian of the literature, sanctity and
Deities of the Yoruba nation.

Written in modern Yoruba language, the author has translatd this into English for easy
understanding and assimilation to make a good reading for pupils in senior secondary
schools and scholars in tertiary institutions. It would