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Iyanifa Ekundayo Efuntomisin 

Iyanifa Ekundayo is a decades-long student of the West African Yoruba Spiritual Tradition called Ifa/Orisa. She is initiated to Ifa, Obatala, Osun, Ogun, and other Orisa. Learning and sharing the teachings, simplicity, and power of ancestral wisdom brings her great joy.

 Iya Ekundayo’s journey to align personal, spiritual, and leadership development comes from her dynamic life experiences. As a young child, she connected with her inner energy source giving birth to a deep spiritual practice. Working to heal beliefs and behaviors that threatened to derail her life, Iya Ekundayo discovered the power of personal development. Her service in the US Marine Corps instilled a passion for leadership development. Leadership is an inside job intertwined with personal, spiritual, and leader behavior development.

Nearly losing her life as the result of a seven-day, 130-hour work week, she was forced to reconcile her leadership beliefs, her purpose in the world, and new ways she could serve humanity. She knows—like breathing—that unleashing one's spiritual gifts is linked to personal, spiritual, and leadership development.

Iyanifa Ekundayo's Orisa/Ifa Journey

I am grateful and humbled to share that in October 2022, I was sanctioned and authorized by my Oluwo Baba Akinwande Ifatope to open Ile Ifa Otura Orire (The Ifa House of Good Destiny).

The Ile’s mission is to support, teach, and train people to be competent and confident in the practice of the Yoruba Orisa/Ifa tradition.
 
My journey to this auspicious occasion started before my birth and was formally re-ignited in 1993 by a dear friend who is Jewish.
 
This  has truly been a journey—never a destination.
  • Finding community that embraced me was rarely easy.
  • Finding teachers who were committed to the spiritual development of their community was often challenging.
  • Finding a community serious about learning was difficult.
Despite all the barriers, detours, difficulties, and disappointments—I never stopped searching, learning, practicing, and discovering this beautiful West African Orisa/Ifa tradition. It is one of the most ancient spiritual, cultural, and philosophical traditions in the world.
 
My journey is influenced by many people. I am grateful to Iyanifa Stephanie Gordon, Founder, Ile Ifa Loba, for her guidance, leadership, and love of Ifa. I am grateful to Dr. Erica Xavier-Beauvoir (Chief Yeye Meso) for a fateful grocery store meeting and the challenge to live out loud as an Iyanifa (I was listening).
 
I am grateful to many Iyanifas, Babalowos, and Olorisas who are mentors (even if we've never met) or who have inspired me Oloye Fayomi Falade, Oloye Tayese Abiye Ifayele, Yeye Latavia Doyin Jones, Oloye Adimula Joy King, OloyeErelu Fafunmike, Fayinde Asunjo, Nicolas Fayemi, Awo Falokun, Baba James Weeks, Omo Iya Aje, Iyalorisa Omitonade Ifawemimo, Iyalaje A Fama, Iya Niko Titilare, Akomolafe Wande, Iya Efe Mena Aletor. I've been touched by so many others who've blessed me. 
 
One’s personal character and spiritual development are the foundation of the Yoruba Orisa/Ifa tradition. I am firmly committed to the work of both—in myself, my family, and in the Ile Ifa Otura Orire’s community.
This, too, is a journey—never a destination.
 
We are all here to share our gifts to create a world that works for all. Ile Ifa Otura Orire is committed to this work.
I will never claim to know it all—Ifa is unknowable by one person. I will always be studying.

If you are interested in learning about our work at the Ile Ifa Otura Orire please contact us.

Begin the Journey

Are you curious to learn about the Orisa and Ifa? 

Or maybe you feel drawn to practice the ancient  African spiritual practice that comes from the Yoruba people in Nigeria.

Ile Ifa Otura Orire is a community committed to supporting you on your journey to connect with the beauty of the Orisa and Ifa tradition. Start here to begin your journey.

I'm Ready to Begin My Journey!