An African proverb says that when an elder joins the ancestors, it is like a library burnt down. This man right here, Baba Ifáyẹmi Ọ̀ṣúndàgbonù Elebuibon is the perfect epitomization of that saying for the Yoruba people.
He is a living library of Yorba knowledge, both general and esoteric. Born 1947 in the ancient Yoruba city of Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon is a prolific Yoruba writer, poet, author, linguist, and a world-famous Ifa priest. His plays and films have received worldwide acclamation for his pursuit of the preservation of Yoruba culture and heritage including featuring in recent Yoruba productions like Jagun Jagun and Anikulapo, and he is not resting on his oars.
He also serves as a traveling lecturer in several institutions including at the department of African language and literature at the Obafemi Awolowo University and Black Studies at the San Francisco State University and at the Wajumbe Cultural Institution in California. Through his efforts, the Osun Osogbo Grove was named a UNESCO World heritage site and in 2005, UNESCO declared in its 3rd proclamation of World Masterpieces that the Ifa System of the Yoruba people was one of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity to be preserved and protected.
Through his Books, Journal publications, Recorded Audiovisual references and other efforts, Yoruba history, culture, literature (oral and written), philosophy, theatre and medicine has received global recognition and a great boost towards preservation for the future generation of Yoruba yet unborn.
Kí baba pẹ́ fún wa l'aṣẹ Èdùmàrè
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