ifa

Where does the word "ifa" come from? It comes from Yoruba Ifá, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Ifa’s story begins in Yoruba: Ifá meant “the Yoruba god and system of divination.” Named both the god of wisdom (also called Orunmila) and the divination system associated with him. It reached English by 1900s as Ifa. Diviners called babalawo cast palm nuts or a divining chain; UNESCO recognized Ifa in 2005. Today, ifa means the Yoruba system of divination associated with the god Orunmila, now also recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

1. Stage 1 · Yoruba · traditional Ifá "the Yoruba god and system of divination", named both the god of wisdom (also called Orunmila) and the divination system associated with him.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s Ifa "the Yoruba divination system", diviners called babalawo cast palm nuts or a divining chain; UNESCO recognized Ifa in 2005.