A Note to Readers from The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts by Oloye “Baba” Ifa Karade

Whenever cultures interface, either through conquest or through peaceful assimilation, the dominant cultural religious structure will extract the more positive aspects of the subjugated culture. What is left in its wake are the negative aspects. "Sub-cultural" people accept this negativity because it is the part of the origin or tradition that is presented by the dominant culture. For example, in respect to the Yoruba religious practice, what is left is the negative "voodoo-roots" mentality. This "voodoo mentality" is devoid of the sacred realities born of African thought in respect to religion, philosophy, and dignity.

New World descendants of the Yoruba culture are beginning to research the origins of their faith with focused intensity. It is becoming quite apparent that the negativity that we are subjected to is but a mere shadow of the greatness of our vast West African tradition.

Those seeking their traditional heritage eventually face the spirituality of their ancestors. When this facing occurs, a deep psychological rift is formed. On the one side is the societal dominant religious structure; on the other side, the infi- nite ancestral structure. Adherents to the ancestral Yoruba must be aware of the dangers of crossing this rift. Spiritual enlightenment, deep study, and gradual acceptance will provide the courage and strength needed to make the mighty leap through the negativity and across the abyss.