Brazilian Ifa Delegation Visits Ekiti State for Cultural Pre-Tour

By Dolapo Adewumi Ogunleye

A delegation of Brazilian Ifa adherents visited the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development on June 16, 2025, as part of a cultural pre-tour aimed at strengthening ties between Brazil and the Yoruba spiritual heritage. The delegation, from the Ijo Ifa Ogbe Oweyin Asíko Laye Templo in Brazil, was received by the Director General of the Bureau, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre.

The team, which included George Drives (Ifakunle), Reginald (Ifatola), Wale Orotoye, and Champion, was in the state to pay a courtesy call and begin logistical preparations ahead of a larger group visit scheduled for September.

Welcoming the visitors on behalf of the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Ambassador Ojo-Lanre expressed appreciation for their interest in reconnecting with the roots of Yoruba spirituality. He highlighted Ekiti’s significance in Yoruba religious history, noting that revered deities such as Osun, Ogun, Ifa, and Esu trace their origins to the state.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, George Drives (Ifakunle), who oversees an Ifa temple in Brazil, expressed his excitement at visiting Ekiti. He shared his deep respect for Yoruba traditions and emphasized the importance of the visit in fostering spiritual and cultural bonds between Brazil and Nigeria.

Ambassador Ojo-Lanre assured the group of their safety and hospitality throughout their stay. He also provided an overview of key tourism sites in Ekiti using a state map and directed the Bureau’s Special Assistant on Tourism, Mr. Michael Peculiar Ekiran, to lead the delegation on a visit to the historic Ogun Grove in Ire-Ekiti.

The visit ended with a symbolic group photograph, underscoring the enduring connection between the Yoruba diaspora and their ancestral homeland.