Ifa Initiation Process in Nigeria: Enduring the Elements, Honoring the Ancestors

By King Brujo Esuwale Adigun

Alaafia family. I’m just winding down, catching my breath after a marathon of spiritual work. Last night, we were in deep—an Ifa initiation process in Nigeria that began around 10 PM and didn’t wrap until nearly 8 the next morning. Straight through the night. No breaks. Just sacred work.

That’s the part many people don’t see.

They see the titles, the beads, the ceremonies—but they don’t always understand the grit behind the glamour. The Ifa initiation process in Nigeria isn’t a photoshoot. It’s not a performance. It’s a rite of passage, and like all true rites, it’s rigorous. It challenges the body, mind, and spirit. And it transforms you.

Initiation Ain’t Cushy—It’s Ancestral

Right now, I’m laid up at the Hotel just trying to recharge. Meanwhile, my Omo Awo (Ifa student) is still at the temple, undergoing the full process. Why? Because during the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria, you don’t get to lay on a plush hotel mattress. You sleep on the mat—just like our ancestors did.

And I mean that literally. For the duration of initiation, you sit and sleep on the mat. No beds. No air conditioning. No luxury. You sit on the earth and humble yourself before Olodumare, the Orisha, and your destiny. This is spiritual discipline. This is what purification looks like.

My Own Initiation in Nigeria: Oshun and Eshu

When I underwent the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria, I initiated into two Orisa—Osun and Esu as well as Orunmila through Itefa. That’s why I was there for so long. The process was intense. I wasn’t staying in resorts. I was sleeping on mats on concrete, right on temple grounds, exposed to the full elements of Africa.

Lizards crawling, ants invading, flies buzzing, sweat dripping. This ain’t no “spa treatment”—this is the soil of the ancestors. The true Ifa initiation process in Nigeria puts you in the raw, unfiltered reality of spiritual transformation.

The Elements Are Real in West Africa: Ifa initiation process in Nigeria

And let me just say—Africa hot is real.

People use that phrase lightly, but when you're in the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria, you feel it. In a traditional shrine room, there’s no A/C. Even indoors, you’re still in the elements. Mornings are decent, but after noon the heat intensifies. Around 5 or 6 PM, it starts to cool, but you're still pushing through rituals and procedures without comfort.

Still, the work continues. All night, if necessary. Sometimes until sunrise. This is the sacrifice embedded in the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria.

What People Don't See About Initiation

For those who’ve never experienced it firsthand, especially in Nigeria, you might not fully grasp what goes into the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria. The process tests your physical strength, mental focus, emotional resilience, and spiritual readiness.

But in the end? It’s worth it.

Initiation reveals things you can’t discover any other way—your destiny, your guardian Orisha, deep ancestral insights. It’s not just about becoming a priest. It’s about becoming your highest self. And that’s exactly what the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria is meant to unlock.

Respect Earned Through Endurance

During my time in Nigeria, I gained a lot of respect—not because I was American, but because I didn’t cut corners during the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria. I stayed outside. I slept on that mat. I endured. And the people saw that and acknowledged it.

So if you’re coming into this tradition and you’re one of my students? Don’t expect shortcuts.

We’re going to do it the right way—the authentic way—the way our ancestors laid out for us. I can’t speak for other priests, but under my guidance, we stick close to tradition. That’s what brings results. That’s the true meaning behind the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria.

Final Reflections: No Shortcuts to Power

I know not everyone agrees with doing things the “hard” way. But for me, there’s no substitute for authenticity. I believe sticking to the traditional path of the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria yields the strongest outcomes.

So, I’m taking a quick rest—because tonight, we go again. The work continues. The process continues. And the legacy continues.

Closing Note

To those considering initiation: this path isn’t easy, but it is transformative. If you’re ready to walk into your destiny the real way—the ancestral way—then you’re ready for the Ifa initiation process in Nigeria.

Let’s get it done.

Esuwale Adigun

Babalawo | Olorisa | King Brujo

Initiate of Ifa, Eshu, and Oshun