The oral philosophy of Ọ̀rúnmìlà deserves recognition as a Full-Fledged world philosophy that contributes to humankind’s ways of understanding of themselves, their lived experience, and the world around them.
Ọ̀rúnmìlà is the primary figure responsible for interpreting of the spiritual messages of Ifá the Yorùbá knowledge system which emanated from West Africa. Ifá embodies a complex system of knowledge, ethics, and life wisdom and should no longer be regarded merely as religious or folkloric, but as a philosophical tradition that contributes to how people worldwide understand their existence and society, according to research by philosopher Saheed Adesumbo Bello.
Oral Transmission
Bello explains: “Ifá is an ancient system of knowledge and divination that is passed down orally. The oral texts of Ifá include hundreds of stories, sayings, and symbols which are interpreted by priest-scholars to help people make important life decisions. The wisdom tradition and philosophical activities in Ifá are reformed by Ọ̀rúnmìlà the spirit of insight and destiny.”
Fundamental Questions
Bello’s research goes beyond that of (colonial) Western scholars to elucidate the significance of Ifá to rethinking the Eurocentric intellectual traditions in our postcolonial world. He states: “Ifá was previously mostly approached as a religious or ritual system, sometimes even as folklore. This research shows that the oral tradition of the Yorùbá contains profound philosophical insights, comparable to those found in other major knowledge traditions worldwide. It addresses fundamental questions about knowledge, ethics, and human existence.”
Interdisciplinary and Decolonization
Bello’s study demonstrates that oral traditions and an approach drawing on multiple disciplines are essential to studying the world. Bello remarks: “The world cannot be fully understood through philosophy, history, or religion alone. This research highlights the significance of Ifá to decolonizing oral traditions and the multidisciplinary aspects within African philosophy and world philosophies. It also contributes to making non-Western philosophies more visible and breaking down Eurocentric ways of thinking in today’s world.”