In the Ifa Tradition of Orisa and Ancestor worship, the Egungun
represents the Spirit of our Ancestors. Ancestor worship is present
in some form in every culture (whether they recognize it as such or
not), but is most evident in the Indigenous Cultures of the world. For
almost 95% of the world's population, prayers and ceremonialized offerings
to deceased ancestors is a natural part of everyday life.
To provide a place for Ancestors at ones dinner table; to celebrate
the remembrance of Ancestors at ones gatherings; to seek the guidance
and intercession of Ancestors in times of decision, striving, or struggle,
is natural to indigenous peoples around the world. As I traveled throughout
Southeast Asia, China, and Nigeria, West Africa I saw evidence and icons
of Ancestor worship all around me. Elaborate costumes (like the one
pictured above) adorn the Egungun dancers, and there is no ceremony
or gathering in Ifa to which Ancestors are not invited.
Ancestor Worship reminds us that we are not individuals, alone in the
world; but part of a comprehensive and coherent legacy that ties billions
of souls together, here in the marketplace, and in the Realm of Ancestors
which we call Home. Although the grief of loss still accompanies the
arrival of Orisa Iku, Ancestor Worship provides us with the essential
understanding to arrest the pain and celebrate the beauty of the Life
Process. In Ifa, we believe that the soul is immortal and will be born
again. This understanding is a healing for the fear of Orisa Iku.
