In Yoruba mythology, Orunmila is an Orisha (Orisa), and deity of prophecy. He is recognized as "ibi keji Olodumare" (second only to Olodumare (God)) and "eliri ipin" (witness to creation). Orunmila is also sometimes referred to as Ifá ("ee-FAH"), which is actually the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom and the highest form of divination practice among the Yoruba people. In the Santeria / Lukumi diaspora, specifically in present-day Cuba, Orunmila is also known as Orula. Although Orunmila is not actually Ifa, the close association exists, because he is the one who leads the priesthood of Ifa. Priests of Ifa are called babalawo (father of secrets) or Iyanifa (female Ifa priest).

A woman can only be consecrated in to the mysteries of IFA in Africa and even then will not be allowed to to divine using all the tools of IFA. Women do not need to receive Odu simply because all women already have Odu which is represented by the womb of women and female child bearing ability,the womb is seen as both a physical and spiritual gateway between the the heavens and the material world. Odu is associated mainly to the force creation as a gateway between the physical world and metaphysical world for the transfer of divine knowledge and messages. Throughout Cuba and some of the broader santeria diaspora, Orula can be received by individuals regardless of gender. For men, the procedure is called to receive "Mano de Orula" and for women, it is called to receive "Kofa de Orula".

However, the traditional religious point of view include similar privileges accorded to woman as priestess of Ifa and Woman society. A woman priestess is known as Iyanifa, Iyalaja, Iya Agba and Iyalase. The title Iyanifa is in suspect since it is not used by either the Cuban or West African practitioners of IFA.

• Iyanifa - A woman Awo Ifa.
• Iyalaja- A Spirtual mother working with Iya Nla.
• Iya Agba- A old and wise woman.
• Iyalase- High Priestess and head of woman society.

Among West Africans, Orunmila is recognized as a deified Ancestor that was present both at the beginning of Creation and then again amongst them as a prophet that taught an advanced form of spiritual knowledge and ethics.

External links

• The Palo and Lukumi Organization. Website written by Lukumi Orisha-Ifa High Priest, aka: Babalawo
• Web board for Lukumi Orisha'Ifa Followers. Maintained by Traditional Lukumi Babalawo
• Osebiile.org
• Ile Orunmila
• Roots and Rooted
• Iya Nla

Afro-American Religions
Religions	Candomblé · Hoodoo · Kumina · Obeah · Palo · Quimbanda · Santería (Lukumí) · Spiritual Baptist · Umbanda · Vodou/Voodoo · Winti
Deities	Babalu Aye · Eshu · Iansan · Mami Wata · Obàtálá · Ogun · Ọlọrun · Orunmila · Ọṣun · Shango · Yemaja
Roots	Ifá, Oriṣa (Yorùbá) · Lwa (Dahomey) · Nkisi (Kongo) · Catholicism (Portugal, Spain)

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