ÌTẸ̀FÁ- THREE OR SEVENTEEN DAYS PROCEDURES?

3 month old baby initiated into the mysteries of IFA AS A BABALAWO!

Please read this information carefully. It is important for your understanding, and questions are warmly welcomed.

Many people often ask, “How many days does it take to complete Itefa (Ifa initiation)?” My usual response is, “Three days,” which is technically correct. However, others argue that Itefa takes seven, nine, thirteen, or even twenty-seven days—sometimes referred to as Itadogbon. Interestingly, all of these answers may be valid, but the real question is: what exactly takes place during those days?

Historically, the traditional period for Ifa initiation is seventeen days, known as ITADOGUN, a practice dating back over a hundred years. This raises a critical question: how and why was this period reduced to just three days today? And are all the essential rituals truly completed within such a shortened timeframe? What might be missing?

To begin with, Itefa is one of the most comprehensive and spiritually intense initiations in Yoruba tradition, as it unveils and illuminates an individual’s life path, purpose, and destiny. During the Itefa process, no fewer than ten different consultations using Ikin Ifa are typically conducted. The Odu Ifa that emerge during these divinations are deeply interpreted by the Babalawos (Ifa priests), often with reference to the wisdom of respected elders, including the Oluawo or Araba of the community, even if they are not physically present at the ceremony.

Imagine twenty Babalawo chanting and interpreting multiple verses of Odu Ifa across ten consultations—wouldn’t that provide a powerful and in-depth insight into the initiate’s (Iyawo Ifa) past, present, future, strengths, and weaknesses? Following this, a series of sacrifices (ebo), offerings to the Orisa (ibo), and prescriptions of spiritual medicines (akose) are recommended to address life challenges revealed during the process.

Traditionally, the family of the initiate fully commits to the process—taking time off work, sourcing the needed materials, and supporting the full sequence of rituals. The Iyawo Ifa is treated like royalty, remaining at home while the entire community celebrates the spiritual rebirth. Rituals such as Ikota, Ikoje, Ikotadogun, and others are spaced out across multiple days, with singing, drumming, feasting, and joy filling the air throughout the 17-day period.

However, let us not forget: everyone involved—Babalawo, family, friends, and the initiate—had to take time off their daily work and devote full attention to the process. The question today is: how many people can make such a sacrifice in today’s fast-paced world? The costs and responsibilities are also significant and are ideally shared among extended family and community, as it can be overwhelming for the initiate or parents alone.

This is where flexibility has emerged. The major rituals that used to be spread out over several days are now carefully compressed, assigned among trusted Babalawos, and completed within a shorter period—typically three days. This allows everyone to return to their daily lives while continuing the recommended rituals at their convenience. Important rites such as Odun’ta, Ipanadu, Oro Odu, and others—which are sub-components of Itefa—are still carried out afterward without compromising their spiritual significance.

So, what’s the difference between a 17-day and a 3-day Itefa?

In truth, no ritual is skipped or omitted. The difference lies in timing and structure, not in content. The goal of the modern approach is to ease the burden on both the family and the priests, making the initiation more accessible and manageable.

However, the major drawback of the 3-day version is the risk of poor documentation or neglect, especially on the part of the initiate and their family. Some of the recommended offerings, rituals, or sacrifices may be forgotten or improperly executed if not well recorded and followed up.

Conclusion:

The 3-day Itefa is a valid and conventional method that still ensures all critical aspects of the initiation are completed. While it offers flexibility and convenience, it also demands responsibility from the initiate and their family to follow through with all post-initiation obligations. The sacred journey of Itefa is not about how many days it takes, but about the spiritual transformation, clarity, and connection it brings to one’s destiny.

AṢÍWÁJÚ ÀJÀYÍ IFÁDÁRE ÌYÓWÙÚ ÀWÒKO-Ọ̀PẸ̀

(Ojùgbọ̀nà-Awo Mọ́gàjí-Ọ̀yọ́)