COURSE SYLLABUS

This outline is a general plan that comprises studies relating to Ifa, Orisa as well as Cultural and Ethnic Studies in order for students to choose the course desired. 2-week intensive courses are offered at APICS for all those who decide to stay on for training after initiation. Handouts for each course are available for purchase by registered students only, and all Ifa and Orisa Icons and Tools as well as Music Instruments, Artifacts and Handicrafts are available for purchase at affordable prices.

 

1. PRIMARY IFA COURSE

  1. Administrative Phase

1.1. Letter of recommendation and/or letter of intent / Interview

1.2. Admission and Acceptance Formalities

1.3. Course Registration

1.4. Induction

 

  1. Training Rites/Ritual

2.1. Appeasement

2.2. Oath of training

2.3. Opele rites of understanding

 

  1. Memorization

3.1. 16 major Odu

3.2. Opening and closing of 16 major Odu

3.3. Random determination of 16 major Odu

 

  1. Binary Combination

4.1. Combination of 16 major Odu

4.2. Random determination of 256 Odu

4.3. Casting/Throwing of theIfa Divination Chain / Opele

 

  1. Identification:

5.1. Identification of combined Odu

5.2. Emphasis on left and right Odu.

 

  1. Recitation

6.1. Yoruba Pronunciation

6.2. Recitation of 16 major Odu (OdidiOdu)

6.3. Understanding the rudiments involved in the verses memorized.

 

  1. Use of Questionnaire Tools (Ibo)

7.1. Learning to use Ibo

7.2. Yes and No usage

7.3. Exploration of questionnaire

 

  1. Examination / Proficiency Test

 

PRIMARY IFA COURSE TOTAL: $5000

2. SECONDARY IFA COURSE

  1. Process of Divination

9.1. Procedure to throw/cast the Opele

9.2. Procedures for casting Ikin

 

  1. Recitation

10.1. Yoruba Language (Pronunciation)

10.2. Recitation of combined Odu (Afekaleka)

10.3. Continuous recitation of combined Odu (ApolaOdu)

10.4. Random recitation of combined Odu

 

  1. Consultation Process

11.1. Position of diviner/consultant and divinee/querent

11.2. Paying homage

11.3. Throwing of chain or casting of sacred palm (Ikin)

11.4. Advance exploration of Questionnaire Tools / Ibo

 

  1. Messages

12.1. Relaying messages from the Questionnaire Tools

12.2. Recitation of Ifa verses

12.3. Relaying of Ifa messages

 

  1. Deduction & Conclusion

13.1. Establishment of facts by divinee and diviner

13.2. Further questioning

13.3. Exploration of questionnaire for specific purpose or request

13.4. Affirmation of prescribed sacrifice for solutions

13.5. Closing of consultation (ki ko ifanile/ikofa)

 

  1. Sacrifices /Etutu

14.1. Appeasement (Irubo /EboRiru)

14.2. Feeding (Bibo/ Ibo)

14.3. Offering (Ipese)

14.4. Ifa Medicine ( Akose/Oogun)

 

  1. Confirmation

15.1. Acceptability

15.2. Manifestation

 

  1. Memorization of Verses (Ikapon Keta)

 

  1. Establishment of Facts from Verses

17.1. Identifying Orisa

17.2. Identifying Akose

17.3. Identifying Leafs / Ewe

17.4. Identification of subject matters /names

17.5. Identifying Songs

17.6. Identifying Warnings

17.7. Identifying Taboos

17.8. Identifying Stories and their Applications

 

  1. Examination / Proficiency Test

 

SECONDARY IFA COURSE TOTAL:$5.000

3. TERTIARY /ADVANCED IFA COURSE

 

  1. Identification of Ifa Tools and Usages

19.1. Divining chain wallet (Apo Opele)

19.2. Divining chain (Opele)

19.3. Divining tools/questionnaire tools (Ibo)

19.4. Divining plate/tray (OponIfa)

19.5. Divining powder (Iyerosun)

19.6. Divining wooden tools (Iroke)

19.7. Horsetail (Irukere)

19.8. Sacred Palm Housing or Container (AjeereIfa)

19.9. IFA Beads (Ide Ifa)

19.10. Ifa Staff (Osun Aworo)

19.11. Ifa Gong (Agogo Ifa)

19.12. Ifa Drum (Ilu Ipese)

19.13. Sacred Palm Nuts (IkinIfa)

 

  1. Ifa Medicine (AkoseIfa) – Minor Course

20.1 Identifying the purpose of Akose

20.2 Sorting and identification of materials

20.3 Preparation procedures

20.4 Exploration of Akose for different purposes

20.5 Significance of Akose

 

  1. 401 Deities (Orisa/Irunmole) – Major Course

21.1 Identification of Orisha of Choice

21.2 List of Orisa Materials (Ikaro)

21.3 Orisa Tools and Icons

21.4 Learning About Orisa of Choice (preparation, propitiation/prayer, song, appeasement and working with Orisa)

21.5 Initiation into Orisa of Choice (optional)

 

  1. Ifa Chants and Music (IyereAti Orin). – Minor Course

22.1 General Ifa songs

22.2 Songs from verses

22.3 Iyere (Oral Poetry) from verses

22.4 Song related to leaves / ewe

22.5 Song related to different Orisa

22.6 Iyere for specific purposes such as: burial rites, wedding rites, festival rites, naming rites, initiation rites.

22.7 Songs related to specific purposes, such as: burial rites, wedding rites, festival rites, naming rites and initiation rites and so on

 

  1. Erindilogun (16 Cowry Divination System and Tools) – Major Course

23.1 Applicable story

23.2 Mode of usage (throwing and exploration of Erindilogun questionnaire tools)

23.3 Recitation of verses

23.4 Establishment of facts

23.5 Procedure of sacrifice involved

23.6 Acceptance of sacrifice

23.7 Manifestation of sacrifice

 

  1. Rituals and Rites

24.1 Identification of Orisa

24.2 Consecration of icon

24.3 IFA initiations rite

24.4 Orisa initiation rites (Optional)

 

  1. Examination / Proficiency Test

 

TERTIARY/ADVANCE IFA COURSE TOTAL: $5000

  1. ITELODU (Ordination)

26.1 Becoming a priest of the Fasola Lineage: guidelines and responsibilities

Final step after exams for any Orisa of Choice in order to become a competent Ifa or Orisa Priest of the Fasola Lineage. A Certificate of Competence is issued, after which you will be qualified and authorized to have your own practice. As a priest of the Fasola Lineage, the Ancestral Pride Temple will always provide guidance and support.

26.2Priesthood rites and ritual for any Orisa of Choice + Ordination

COST OF ITELODU: $3,500

4. ORISA STUDIES

Olodumare (the Creative Force) proves its existence through Nature and Orisaare the different manifestations of the Creative Force in Nature. Orisa is Nature and Nature is therefore Sacred. Individualscan learn to connect with these primordial Forces of Natureand take classes on their Orisa of Choice, whether they are initiates or aspiring initiates of such Orisa:Osun, Yemoja, Ogun, Egbe, Shango, Obatala, Osoosi, Obaluaye, Gelede, Egungun, Isangbeto, Igunnuko, Anganju, OrisaOko, OrisaYewa, IyamiOsoronga, Osain, Aje, Olokun, Oya, Dada, Oba, Ibeji and so on.

 

  1. 401 Deities (Orisa/Irunmole) – Major Course

27.1 Identification of Orisha of Choice

27.2 List of Orisa Materials (Ikaro)

27.3Orisa Tools and Icons

 

28.Learning About Orisa of Choice:

28.1 Preparation

28.2 Language

28.3 Propitiation/Prayer

28.4 Songs

28.5 Appeasement

28.6 Working with Orisa

 

29.Initiation into Orisa of Choice (optional)

 

  1. Examination / Proficiency Test

 

ORISA COURSE: $5000

5. ETHNIC STUDIES (Yoruba Culture)

In Nigeria, culture manifests in art, dance, literature, music, language, folklore, governance and even the environment, and crafts are symbols of Nigeria’s material and spiritual heritage. Ethnic studies include:

31.Music and Instruments[Instruments to be acquired separately]

31.1 Drums

31.2 Dance

31.3 Bells

31.4 Songs

31.5 Music

 

  1. Yoruba Language (Spoken Yoruba):pronunciation, dialogues, structure/grammar, exercises, cultural information, colloquial language.

 

  1. Folklore/Oral Tradition: folktales, oral literature and narrative, African and Yorubaaesthetics and values, oral poetry, Yoruba Creation Myth and the Orisa,and more.

 

  1. Handicrafts and Artifacts: You may choose one or more of the following:weaving, basketry, batik/Adire (tye-dye),pottery, beadwork, ironwork, carving,hairstyling, calabash painting, cooking and so on.

 

  1. Tours and Cultural Attractions (General Yoruba Market and other local markets, sacred locations, festivals,artisans’ workshops, exhibits and more).

 

  1. Examination / Proficiency Test

 

ETHNIC STUDIES FEE: $5,000

FEE SCHEDULE

PRIMARY IFA COURSE

SECONDARY IFA COURSE

TERTIARY IFA COURSE

ITELODU (Ordination)

ORISA COURSE

ETHNIC STUDIES

IFA AND OTHER HIGH-LEVEL INITIATION:IFA, IYAAMI, GELEDE, OSO,ETC.

ORISA INITIATION

GUESTHOUSE (Lodging, food, driver,laundry, etc) – monthly fee

VISA FORMALITIES

 $5000.00

$5000.00

$5000.00

$3500.00

$5000.00

$5000.00

$4000.00

$3500.00

$500.00

$500.00

 

*Handouts for each course are available for purchase by registered students only, and all Ifa and Orisa Icons and Tools as well as Music Instruments, Artifacts and Handicrafts are available for purchase at affordable prices.  The cost per item will be made available upon request.