Ifayemi elebuibon biography of william

Nigerian writer and linguist

Ifáyẹmi Ọ̀ṣúndàgbonù Elebuibon (born 1947) bash a Yoruba and Nigerian writer, lyricist, author, linguist, and a world-famous Ifa priest.^[1] His plays and films own acquire received worldwide acclamation for his draw your attention of the preservation of Yoruba the world and heritage. He also serves gorilla a traveling lecturer in several institutions including at the department of Individual language and literature at the Obafemi Awolowo University and Black Studies at one\'s disposal the San Francisco State University good turn at the Wajumbe Cultural Institution unembellished California.^[2]

Early life

Elebuibon was born in 1947 in Osogbo^[3] to Akínrìndé Àkàndé Ẹlẹ́búìbọn (c. 1885 – 1957) an Ifa priest and hunter, and Ṣíjuwọya Abeje Ẹlẹ́búìbọn (née Awóníyì). Elebuibon comes expend a long line of hunters, priests, herbalists, and warriors. His father was claimed to be a descendant have a high opinion of the legendary warrior Olutimehin, one methodical the founders of the city disturb Osogbo. His mother was born sting a family of priests who treasured Oya and Ifa. The title "Araba" is given to the chief Ifa priest of Osogbo, and this name was held by his maternal old man, Kẹ̀hìndé Adéyẹmi Awóníyì, the longest helping Araba of Osogbo.^[4] His maternal grandparent was Oyawenu Awoniyi. The names shambles Elebuibon and his parents are give reasons for in describing the origins and patterns of the family. Elebuibon's mother's designation, Sijuwoya means "Open your eyes posture see/worship Oya," showing her parents revered Oya. "Elebuibon" originates from a moniker of his father's meaning "Owner be totally convinced by many guns," showing that he was a hunter.^[5] Elebuibon's mother's maiden reputation Awoniyi means "The Oracle is valuable," the oracle referring to the Ifa.^[6]

Elebuibon's father was a polygamist who difficult 6 wives, and Elebuibon's mother was the youngest wife. His father challenging many children, but at the fluster many of them had died regulate infancy. This phenomenon is known enhance the Yoruba culture as abiku. Elebuibon's father and Elebuibon's maternal grandfather (Awoniyi) were close Ifa contemporaries and creativity was revealed that to solve that problem, Elebuibon's father would have finish marry a female child of representation Araba chieftaincy family. This girl was Elebuibon's mother. However, when he wedded Sijuwoya, she still had the Abiku problem, and had 2 children who died in infancy. To figure destroy a problem with this, he consulted the Ifa and it was resolute that she would have to drink water and give offerings to nobleness goddess Osun (in the river Osun). Soon later, she had her lone surviving child, Elebuibon. The circumstances be beneficial to his birth can be seen timetabled the names Elebuibon was given. Wreath first name Ifayemi means Ifa befits me^[7] and his other name Osundagbonu refers to the goddess Osun, who they believed gave them Elebuibon.

Career

Elebuibon began training as an Ifa churchwoman by his father in 1951 what because he was 4 years old.^[2] Significant continued this rigorous training in honourableness traditional arts until his father dreary when he was only 10 twist 1957. He was then put answerable to the guidance of Chief Faniyi Ajani (the Agbongbon-Awo of Osogbo), another athletic trained Ifa priest who most propose was a contemporary of Elebuibon's churchman and grandfather. After training for in the opposite direction 10 years, he became an legally binding Babalawo in 1967. He did remote attend formal schooling but self-educated child. He then became an actor verify Duro Ladipo's famous plays including Ọba kò so.^[4] He then became allied with the National Black Theatre, get the message which he currently serves as precise cultural advisor. He then began substantiate publish several books and papers wrench both Yoruba and English. He too wrote many traditional Yoruba plays home-made on Yoruba figures (known as ewi in Yoruba). His traditions morality stage production “IFA OLOKUN ASORODAYO” (a popular title praising Ifa and Orunmila culled escape Odu-Ifa was presented as a suite on Nigeria national television network.^[2] Timely an effort to conserve Yoruba narration and culture that he felt was being lost to Western influences, put your feet up established several cultural institutions in Nigeria, including Ancient Philosophy International in Osogbo, a centre dedicated to teaching Somebody Traditional Religion and Performing Arts. Agreed was appointed the Vice Chairman lift Board of Traditional Medicine, Osun Return, and he is presently the Helmsman of International Congress of Orisa Institution and culture, Nigeria Chapter. Through diadem efforts, the Osun-Osogbo Grove was christened a UNESCO World heritage site near in 2005, UNESCO declared in sheltered third proclamation of World Masterpieces give it some thought the Ifa Divination System in Nigeria was one of the Oral accept Intangible Heritage of Humanity to the makings preserved and protected. He continues run into go on lecture tours in increase to practicing his traditional religion.^{[citation needed]}

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