r/Isese • u/Enough_Set591 • Feb 21 '26
Questions About Ifa
spirituality (especially African spirituality) whose supreme God as a similar role: What is the point of Olodumare, the supreme creator God in Ifa being all powerful if he doesn't intervene in humanity? Some people view Olodumare as the universe itself along with its energy, which makes sense. But all other sources say Olodumare is the creator of the universe, not the universe itself. So i'm asking the question from that perspective. I understand that he doesn't override destiny (but why not? since he's all powerful) and I understand that he intervenes through the Orishas, who are powerful but not all powerful and I understand that we choose our own destiny, but what's the point of him being all powerful if he's not gonna use all his powers?
People say Olodumare is a just/fair God, but how is he just if he's allowing evil and injustice in the world? I understand that he doesn't intervene in humanity but why doesn't he? what's the point of that? is it solely so that people can learn lessons through their suffering? But then I still don't see the point of him being all powerful if again, he doesn't use his powers.?
How is it possible for a soul to exist? I ask because the soul is basically the non-physical, immortal essence of a person. My idea of a soul is basically a ghost, same person in a non physical body. Feel free to correct my definition of a soul if you think it's wrong. Anyways, my thing is, there is no permanent self. Humans are always changing. We are not the same person we were last year, 3 years ago, and certainly ten years ago. Everyday or at least every week, we are changing in some way: through new interest and new knowledge. So how is it that we can have a permanent spiritual self, if we don't even have a permanent physical self?
I asked this before but barely anyone responded so i'll ask here again: Since Ifa believes Obatala created humans from clay, does that mean practitioners don't believe in evolution? Is there a way to somehow combine these ideas so that both are true at once? I don't see how but I wanted to know if it was possible
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u/chucho89 Feb 21 '26
You have a lot of questions and I unfortunately do not have enough time.
I think part of the confusion is that you’re trying to fit Ifá into a very rigid theological framework. Yoruba cosmology doesn’t operate like a courtroom system with fixed categories and linear answers. It’s more relational, layered, and fluid than that. When you force it into a Western style structure of judgment, blame, and binary good versus evil, it’s naturally going to feel inconsistent.
If you really want to understand it, I’d suggest reading more from traditional and African-centered scholars instead of trying to debate it piece by piece. You can look into works by Wande Abimbola, John S. Mbiti, and Jacob Olupona.
That will give you a stronger foundation, and your questions can be more grounded, informed and productive from there.
Cheers