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Ifa

2 stages from Yoruba to English.

Today it means the Yoruba system of divination associated with the god Orunmila, now also recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage

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

Yoruba · traditional

"the Yoruba god and system of divination"

named both the god of wisdom (also called Orunmila) and the divination system associated with him

English · 1900s

"the Yoruba divination system"

adopted into English through anthropological and religious-studies writing on Yoruba practice

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