article

The sanctions of Ifa divination

Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland • 71 • Published In 1941 • Pages: 43-54

By: Bascom, William Russell.

Abstract

This document presents an analysis of the Ifa method of divination as practiced among the Yoruba, especially in the town of Ife where the author did his field study. The article is concerned primarily with explaining the factors in the system of divination which permit the Yoruba to maintain confidence in the predictions of the diviners in spite of what would appear as illogical methods to many non-Yoruba observers. The author illustrates his analysis with numerous cases, both in contemporary practice and as cited from mythology by the diviners themselves. The presentation is thorough, clearly stated, and valuable as an approach which might well be applied to similar practices in other societies. Bascom was an anthropologist at the University of California, Berkeley.

HRAF PubDate

2009

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Western Africa

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

George R. Bedell ; 1959

Field Date

1937-1938

Coverage Date

1930-1938

Coverage Place

Nigeria

Notes

William R. Bascom

Includes bibliographical references (p. 54B)

LCCN

unk82052056

LCSH

Yoruba (African people)