An increasing number of Brazilians practicing Ìṣẹ̀ṣe—the Yoruba spiritual tradition—are turning to the Yoruba traditional marriage system, affirming that “ What the Òrìṣà have joined together, let no man, no custom, no modernity, put asunder.”
This growing trend reflects a deepening connection between Brazilian devotees and the ancestral heritage of the Yoruba people. For many adherents, marriage is not merely a social contract, but a sacred and spiritual covenant that requires the blessings of Olódùmarè, the Supreme Being. According to practitioners, the traditional Yoruba wedding, as preserved in the Ifá Corpus, offers a divinely guided, spiritually rich, and well-structured pathway to matrimony.
“Marriage, in its truest sense, is an alignment of destinies guided by the Òrìṣà,” said one devotee. “The rituals and ceremonies in Yoruba tradition ensure that a couple is not only united by love but also by divine spiritual forces that sustain their union.”
Statistics suggest that in Brazil, the marriages with the highest success rates—free from the fear of early divorce—are those established on spiritual foundations and overseen by spiritual leaders, whether pastors, Catholic priests, or Òrìṣà priests. Notably, unions officiated by Òrìṣà priests have recently emerged as the most enduring.
“I am an Awó, initiated long ago into Ifá and Òrìṣà spirituality. For me, it would be absurd to marry before a pastor. I sought the blessings of Ọ̀rúnmìlà through Ifá,” said Awó Fatunbi, a Brazilian Ifá adept, as he wedded Ìyánífá Aníké in a Yoruba traditional ceremony conducted at an Òrìṣà temple in Brazil.
His wife, Ìyánífá Fatunbi, emphasized the sacredness of their union: “It is Ifá that selected my husband for me. We met in the temple and had been together for years before deciding on this wedding. Now, how do you expect me to go and marry in the church? That would be an act of ingratitude.”
The traditional wedding of Awó Fatunbi and Ìyánífá Aníké did not only attract fellow Brazilian devotees of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, but also showcased a breathtaking cultural display that honored Yoruba heritage in full color. Guests were elegantly dressed in traditional Yoruba attire—àṣọ òkè, bùbá, gele, and agbádá—creating a regal atmosphere reminiscent of weddings in Yorùbáland. Attendees feasted on authentic Yoruba cuisine, including àmàlà, ẹ̀bà, ofada rice, ewédú, and gbègìrì, prepared with spiritual care and cultural pride.
The celebration reached its peak when the Yoruba bàtá drums began to echo through the temple grounds, inviting everyone to dance in a spiritually charged and joyful rhythm. Traditional Yorùbá music bands, with talking drums and flutes, filled the air with ancestral melodies that brought the Òrìṣà into the heart of the ceremony. It was a wedding of the time in Brazil—a landmark event that further solidified the growing presence and acceptance of Yoruba culture and spirituality across the country.
As more Brazilians seek a deeper connection with Ifá spirituality, the culture and traditions of the Yoruba people are gaining unprecedented ground. Many are now naming their children according to the guidance of Ifá, following Yoruba naming rites such as Ìṣẹ́ntáiyé, and observing all spiritual protocols surrounding childbirth.
This cultural revival has even led to the growing use of the Yoruba language within homes and family life. Couples are now choosing to conduct their unions in full accordance with Yoruba traditional norms—not only as a symbol of spiritual authenticity but also as a way of reclaiming their ancestral identity in a modern world.
