What Ifá Really Says About Homosexuality: Traditional vs. Modern Practice

What does Ifá say about homosexuality? It’s a question that comes up often, especially among new and prospective devotees in the diaspora. For many, the answers are unclear or filtered through Western moral and cultural lenses. But Ifá is not Christianity, and its approach to identity, lineage, and relationships is far more rooted in function and destiny than condemnation.

Traditional Yoruba Cultural Views

In traditional Yoruba society, homosexuality has historically been stigmatized. Same-sex relationships were not widely accepted and, in some cases, were severely punished. These cultural norms connect deeply to held ideas about family, legacy, and the role of marriage in maintaining social stability.

• Same-sex relationships were considered incompatible with the cultural expectation to reproduce.
• Family lineage and ancestral connection were seen as central to a person’s identity.
• Anything that disrupted this chain of continuity was generally discouraged or even forbidden.

Even today, in many parts of Yorubaland, homosexuality remains taboo, and societal pressure plays a major role in how people live out their identities. But what about Ifá itself?

Does Ifá Condemn Homosexuality?

Contrary to popular assumptions, Ifá does not teach that homosexuality will lead to eternal punishment or spiritual exile. There are no references in the sacred Odu Ifá that describe same-sex relationships using modern terminology. Nor does it condemn them in the same way as Western religious frameworks.

Instead, Ifá teachings focus on functionality:

• What is the purpose of your relationship?
• Does it align with your destiny?
• Can it fulfill the role your lineage has set for you?

The tradition values outcomes over labels. If a relationship prevents a person from fulfilling their destiny, including producing biological offspring, then that relationship may be seen as a limitation. But it’s not deemed as outright sinful or worthy of eternal damnation.

The Role of Lineage in Ifá

One of the most foundational teachings in Ifá is that our destiny is tied to our bloodline. Certain blessings, responsibilities, or corrections are destined to come through biological children.

• If a person is meant to birth a specific child who will correct a generational pattern, adoption will not fulfill this requirement.
• A reading may reveal that an individual must conceive children for their Ori to fully manifest their destiny.

Because of this, some orthodox lineages view homosexuality as incompatible with a person whose destiny includes biological reproduction. But this is not the same as saying the person is inherently wrong, unworthy, or unlovable.

How Divination Handles LGBTQ+ Identity

When a person in a same-sex relationship comes for divination, a traditional Ifá priest is not likely to say, “You are wrong for being who you are.” Instead, they will examine the person’s odu and assess whether their lifestyle supports or hinders the fulfillment of their purpose.

This approach removes judgment and centers responsibility:

• Does your current relationship contribute to or delay your destiny?
• Are there alternate ways to fulfill your role, such as conceiving children outside the relationship?
• Is your lineage pressing you to bring in a specific child or correct an ancestral imbalance?

Diaspora Reinterpretations and Adaptations

In the diaspora, many practitioners have reinterpreted Ifá teachings to be more inclusive of modern identities. Many lineages openly accept and perform ceremonies for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. While these interpretations can create space for more people to engage with the tradition, they are not universally accepted across the board.

Acceptance vs. Endorsement

Ifá does not promote hatred, exclusion, or punishment. In most temples, LGBTQ+ individuals are welcome to participate, receive readings, and engage in rituals.

• The issue primarily arises when specific destinies correspond to reproduction.
• No one is turned away because of sexual identity or orientation alone.
• Cultural discomfort often stems from societal values, rather than divine insight.

A person’s behavior, not their orientation, is what Ifá evaluates. The focus is on what supports your life path and what derails it.

Navigating the Path With Honesty

Anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and is exploring Ifá should approach their journey with openness and a willingness to learn. The tradition provides numerous tools for understanding oneself and one’s life’s purpose.

Here are a few starting points:

1. Get an Ifa reading to learn whether reproduction is tied to your purpose.
2. Ask your ancestors questions about how they handled same-sex partnerships.
3. Use discernment when listening to practitioners online who mix personal views with traditional teachings.
4. Understand the difference between Yoruba cultural norms and Ifá-based guidance.

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The Bigger Picture

Ifá teaches that every person has an Ori, a destiny they must fulfill. Some paths require biological procreation, others do not. Some paths require sacrifice, others emphasize healing.

The tradition does not categorize people as right or wrong based on their identity. It considers your purpose and Cosmic alignment. 

If you’re navigating this topic, you deserve respectful, thoughtful answers. And Ifá can provide them.

Watch the full livestream episode for a deeper look at how Ifá addresses sex, marriage, parenthood, polygamy, and homosexuality:

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