Rating: 
Summary: invaluable primer
Review: Baba Ifa Karade has given us a fine primer into the grossly neglected Yoruba culture and religion. This is a great world faith that has been denied its proper standing in world rank. The Yoruba deserve the same standing as the Judeo-Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist traditions. Karade wrote this book to aid the uninitiated (such as myself) in learning of his extraordinary faith. It is heart wretching to learn of the attempted assassination of this faith. It is equally inspiring to learn how many of the traditions were absorbed and transfigured into voudou and santeria and others. Karade gives examples of Yoruba wisdom and compares it to Christian, Islamic and Asian wisdom. I would recommend this for anyone who wants a greater understanding of a remarkable religious tradition that has survived startling tribulations.
Rating:
Summary: invaluable primer
Review: Baba Ifa Karade has given us a fine primer into the grossly neglected Yoruba culture and religion. This is a great world faith that has been denied its proper standing in world rank. The Yoruba deserve the same standing as the Judeo-Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Buddhist traditions. Karade wrote this book to aid the uninitiated (such as myself) in learning of his extraordinary faith. It is heart wretching to learn of the attempted assassination of this faith. It is equally inspiring to learn how many of the traditions were absorbed and transfigured into voudou and santeria and others. Karade gives examples of Yoruba wisdom and compares it to Christian, Islamic and Asian wisdom. I would recommend this for anyone who wants a greater understanding of a remarkable religious tradition that has survived startling tribulations.
Rating: 
Summary: IT STAYS OPEN!
Review: Before I decided to worship, before meeting Baba Karade, before being welcomed into his Temple, before inititation, there was this book. I stumbled upon Ifa and this book just happened to be the first one that I bought. That was a year and a half ago. To this day I carry it almost every where I go...it stays open!...it is, in a sense, my Bible. It answered my questions as an interested seeker, and it answers my questions as an aborisha (devotee). If you are seeking an introduction into the Ifa faith; if you are looking to further your Ifa knowledge; if you are doing academic research; or if you have an interest in world religions, this book is a clear and digestable understanding of Ifa. Ase O
Rating:
Summary: Baba Ifa Karade shows through this book that he's ARIWAAJU!
Review: EXCELLENT,EXCELLENT!!! Baba shows through this very informative book that he's ariwaaju (True Adept of Ifa). The book has a solid approach to understanding the basis of the divinities and includes herbs,and comparisons with Christianity, Islam,and Chakras from far Eastern religions.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book on LUCUMI, more than Yoruba
Review: I like this little book, do not get me wrong, it is a good book for the beginners. But I have a few problems with it. First of all the name title of the book, it should be titled the Handbook of Lucumi Religious Concepts, being that this book is more Cuban Santeria Lucumi than African Yoruba. Initiated Aborishas would be able to tell buy the Osun, Eleggua, name of herbs, los collares, the cantos are Lucumi and not Yoruba, and so forth. So for that reason alone it can be a little misleading, as for Baba Ifa Karade giving it a Yoruba title. For those who have little knowledge of the various paths, and are truly interested in Yoruba, this would through them off. Do not get me wrong, I like this ""Handbook of Lucumi Concepts, I just dislike the misleading title of the book. It is a trend these days for people to make the various Ocha ramas more Afro centric, this is not the problem. The problem is that they deny the importance that the Lucumis have had on opening the doors for them. But all in all the book is good. Good for the beginners.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book on LUCUMI, more than Yoruba
Review: I like this little book, do not get me wrong, it is a good book for the beginners. But I have a few problems with it. First of all the name title of the book, it should be titled the Handbook of Lucumi Religious Concepts, being that this book is more Cuban Santeria Lucumi than African Yoruba. Initiated Aborishas would be able to tell buy the Osun, Eleggua, name of herbs, los collares, the cantos are Lucumi and not Yoruba, and so forth. So for that reason alone it can be a little misleading, as for Baba Ifa Karade giving it a Yoruba title. For those who have little knowledge of the various paths, and are truly interested in Yoruba, this would through them off. Do not get me wrong, I like this ""Handbook of Lucumi Concepts, I just dislike the misleading title of the book. It is a trend these days for people to make the various Ocha ramas more Afro centric, this is not the problem. The problem is that they deny the importance that the Lucumis have had on opening the doors for them. But all in all the book is good. Good for the beginners.
Rating:
Summary: Great for Novice!!!
Review: I met the Author at his temple many years ago. I always recommend this book to my god children. Wonderful novice book for intersted Orisa worshipers. May Ifa continue to bless his hands!
Rating:
Summary: completely magnificent!
Review: i would recommend this book to any beginner in this traditional path - it is extremely informative. it's simple enough for children to understand, yet it's chock full of information for anyone of any reading and comprehension level. not only does Baba Ifa give detail of what the crux of yoruba traditional belief is...he supplies the reader with one of the closest accounts of our history (for a westerner to tell it), and for that he receives many thanks. in this book you will learn about the different Orisa, songs and prayers for them, what they like as in what is usually offered to them during ritual or prayer, you will learn the basics of Ifá Divination and come to understand this method of connecting with the earth and spiritual forces, you will even pick up some yoruba vocabulary - as Baba Ifá has included familiar phrases from our culture, standard greetings and many other things you would enjoy! in my opinion, this is the BEST book i've read on the tradition hands down. not to say that there aren't other books out there that are good reads...but this one does not take 40 pages to get to a point, and it's not anecdotal like so many books on the tradition seem to be. it's a very good, and easy read for anyone of any culture. if you are a new comer to the faith and want to learn more, if you are doing academic research, or if you just like to read about other cultures then this book is definately for you!
Rating:
Summary: completely magnificent!
Review: i would recommend this book to any beginner in this traditional path - it is extremely informative. it's simple enough for children to understand, yet it's chock full of information for anyone of any reading and comprehension level. not only does Baba Ifa give detail of what the crux of yoruba traditional belief is...he supplies the reader with one of the closest accounts of our history (for a westerner to tell it), and for that he receives many thanks. in this book you will learn about the different Orisa, songs and prayers for them, what they like as in what is usually offered to them during ritual or prayer, you will learn the basics of Ifá Divination and come to understand this method of connecting with the earth and spiritual forces, you will even pick up some yoruba vocabulary - as Baba Ifá has included familiar phrases from our culture, standard greetings and many other things you would enjoy! in my opinion, this is the BEST book i've read on the tradition hands down. not to say that there aren't other books out there that are good reads...but this one does not take 40 pages to get to a point, and it's not anecdotal like so many books on the tradition seem to be. it's a very good, and easy read for anyone of any culture. if you are a new comer to the faith and want to learn more, if you are doing academic research, or if you just like to read about other cultures then this book is definately for you!
Rating:
Summary: In the True Tradition of Spiritual Growth
Review: Ifa Karade has taken the intrigue and desire for power and prestige out of the mix. He reminds us that indigenous faiths are about spiritual evolution, not personal manipulation. This book is straightforward, "forward thinking", and spiritually challenging. Its not a rehash of every book before it. It serve a unique place and quiet as kept, more than a few "old school" devotees would do well to let go of their egos and read the book. It has serious intentions written in a welcoming and light tone. Ase to Baba Ifa Karade. A Classic book on the religion.
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