How Our Ancestors Used the Orisha: Reclaiming Ancient African Spiritual Power

by Ifafolarin wife of Baba Esuwale Adigun

Alaafia, beautiful people. In this post, we explore the sacred wisdom passed down from our ancestors—how they communed with the Orisas and how these divine forces still hold power and relevance in our lives today.

Honoring the Legacy of Orisha Knowledge

This reflection is brought to you by IfaFolarin also known as Kaydot Honeybaggz, wife of Babalawo Esuwale Adigun. She reminds us that understanding the Orisha is not about folklore or fantasy—it’s about tapping into a deep ancestral science of survival, society-building, and sacred connection.

How Our Ancestors Used the Orishas goes beyond religious rites—they used the Orisas as a spiritual technology. These divine forces were central to how our communities functioned, governed themselves, healed one another, and aligned with nature.

How Our Ancestors Used the Orisha to Navigate Life and Build Spiritual Legacy

Our ancestors didn’t just “believe” in the Orisha. They knew them, built relationships with them, and relied on them to guide every aspect of life. They used the Orishas to form communities, enforce moral order, and maintain balance with the natural world.

Whether it was Ogun forging tools, Osun nurturing the womb, or Esu opening and closing spiritual paths, how our ancestors used the Orisha shaped the very foundation of civilization in Yoruba and other African societies.

Living the Word of Olodumare

To follow Ifa is to follow the word of Olodumare. That means living by iwa pele—gentle and noble character. Our ancestors understood this. Their relationship with the Orisas wasn’t transactional—it was transformational.

Through divination, sacrifice, and disciplined living, they received guidance and blessings. How our ancestors used the Orishas was not just about ritual—it was about becoming better humans in harmony with cosmic order.

Orisha and the Chosen Ones (Eniyan)

We are the eniyan—the chosen ones—those who carry the spiritual legacy of ancestral wisdom. How our ancestors used the Orishas serves as a blueprint for us today. In times of hardship, confusion, and societal collapse, we can still turn to these divine forces for clarity, strength, and direction.

By honoring the Orisas, we don’t just practice a tradition—we revive a sacred way of being that made our ancestors strong, wise, and resilient.

Final Reflection

Our ancestors left us powerful tools. The Orishas were not abstract concepts—they were living forces that helped our people thrive. How our ancestors used the Orishas is more than history—it is an instruction manual for spiritual survival and fulfillment today.

It’s time to remember. It’s time to reclaim. The Orisha are calling.