By Olaide Gold
The International Congress for Ifa/Orisa Spirituality, in conjunction with Green Circle International, successfully hosted the 2026 Annual World Ifa/Orisa Festival and Pilgrimage, attracting cultural advocates, traditional worshippers, scholars, and spiritual seekers from across the world.
The festival, held between May 23 and May 31, 2026, took participants on a spiritual and cultural journey across several sacred sites in Ekiti State, regarded as the ancestral home of Orunmila and many revered Orisa in Yoruba cosmology.
Activities began on May 22 with the arrival of delegates, tourists, and culture enthusiasts who gathered in Ekiti for the annual event.
The pilgrimage officially commenced on May 23 with a visit to Ire Ekiti, the ancestral home of Ogun, the Yoruba deity of iron and industry.
On the second day, participants proceeded to the Òrìṣà Òkè Shrine in Ara Ekiti and later visited the sacred spot believed to be where Ogun descended into the earth. Traditional rites and offerings were conducted by the Priest of Ogun.
The third day featured visits to the Erijinyan-Erinle Shrine and Ilawe Ekiti, where ancestral prayers were held at the residence of Professor Odeyemi.
Participants visited Ilogbo on the fourth day to see the sacred palmnut tree with forty two heads and later proceeded to Ido Ifaboro.
The fifth day included visits to the Osanyin Shrine in Isaba Ekiti and Ijan, known in Yoruba tradition as the city of Olomo, son of Poroye and Orunmila.
A symposium, conference and Ifa divination session were held at Igeti on the sixth day, providing a platform for discussions on the preservation and promotion of Ifa and Orisa spirituality.
On the seventh day, delegates visited the Osun Shrine in Igede for prayers and spiritual activities.
The festival reached its climax on the eighth day with visits to Oke Olota and an Ifa Dida session at Oke Igeti, marking the grand finale of the annual pilgrimage.
Activities concluded on the ninth day with the departure of participants.
Organisers described the event as a successful celebration of Yoruba spiritual heritage and culture. They noted that the festival continues to attract growing international participation and serves as an important platform for promoting cultural tourism, spiritual education, and global appreciation of Ifa and Orisa traditions.
The festival was attended by culture advocates, traditional worshippers, researchers, and spiritualists from different parts of the world, further reinforcing the global relevance and influence of Yoruba indigenous spirituality.
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