CURRICULUM

FACULTIES of the IFA HERITAGE INSTITUTE are as follows:

  1. Department of Ifá Studies
    The vastness of the knowledge contained within the Ifa divination system is almost unfathomable. In this department, students will be taught the rudiments of Ifá divination, focusing especially on chanting and interpretation of Ifá stories. We would like to preserve the orality of Ifá; therefore the primary focus of the Faculty of Ifa Studies is the oral memorization of Ifá literary verses and the interpretation of the same. There are 256 Odù of Ifá. Each Odù contains 800 stories, yielding a total of 204,800 stories that deal with different aspects of Yoruba mythology, history, medicine, philosophy and other ideas. Each Odù can be regarded as an oral or unwritten “book” of this comprehensive compendium of knowledge. Students will learn verses from each of the 256 Odu, their meanings and practical application.

  2. Department of Languages
    The languages to be taught in this department are Yoruba, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. This department will focus on both the oral and written forms of the Yoruba language so that students who complete the program would be able to speak the Yoruba language very well and also be very literate in the subject. The English language will also not be neglected. The need to include Portuguese and Spanish is because these are the two languages which the teeming millions of Yoruba people in the Diaspora speak, especially in Cuba and Brazil. Of course, we all know that our brothers and sisters in Benin and Togo Republic speak French in addition to the Yoruba language. English and Yoruba will be compulsory, and each student should pick one of the remaining three languages.

  3. Department of Medicine
    All the herbs in the Yoruba floral and fauna are believed to have been named and categorized by Ifá and his younger brother Osanyin since very ancient times. In the Department of Medicine, we will devote our attention to the study of our indigenous medical practices, therapeutics and pharmacopia. Time will be devoted to the identification of medicinal leaves, roots, and barks of trees, the preparation and administration of different forms of medicines, and how to diagnose and treat illnesses in the indigenous African way. The Ààreèsègùn, chief Medicine Man elected by the entire community of indigenous healers, will play the lead role in this department.

  4. Department of Performing Arts
    In the department of Performing Arts we will teach the music and dance associated with Ifá in West Africa and in the African Diaspora, such as bata music, dùndún music, and music made from iron gongs called agogo, which is the most favorite dance step of Babalawos and Iyanifas. Theoretical instruction will be complemented by real live performances and instruction delivered by local experts in the respective arts.

  5. Department of Indigenous Technology
    In this department, we will focus on the mechanisms, machinery, tools and materials required for the production of beadworks, metal works/blacksmithing, calabash-carving, preparation of indigo dye-stuffs, and other indigenous textile products. Computer technology and design will also be an important part of the curricula.