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Yoruba Idealism questions, debates, and redefines the assumed epistemology in Yoruba idealism. It is a work in two parts. The first is built around a study of divinity-philosopher Orunmila, the mentalist, the father of Yoruba idealism, and the cultivator of Ifa-Ife Divination. This project, the first of its kind, sheds new light on the nature of Yoruba culture. The author's central argument is that the Yoruba people are idealists by nature. Combining indigenous knowledge with the wisdom of Orunmila, the author defines Yoruba idealism as the ideal purpose of life, the search for the meaning of life, and the yearning for the best in life.
The second part, The Mystic Land: Path to Initiation and Idealism, features Kinedi, a fifteen-year-old boy from Las Palmetto, the capital of Zala, who journeys to the Altar of Light and Idealism in order to be initiated, gain knowledge, and comprehend the value of idealism, in addition to obtaining the key of life.
This book is the first of its kind and is an important new addition to the series Africa in the Global Space.
List of contents
Preface - Introduction - Yoruba Idealism - The Utility of Yoruba Idealism in Academia - Father of Yoruba Idealism - Spiritual and Material Idealism - What Idealism Means to the Yoruba People? - Orunmila's Teachings of Idealism - Olawa Duru, the Idealist - The Body of Knowledge - The Idealism of Yoruba Language - Idealized and Critical Reflections - Benefits of Knowledge - Progress-1 - Progress-2 - Yoruba Idealists in Diaspora - The Humanistic Movement - From Idealism to Realism-1 - From Idealism to Realism-2 - The Mystic Land: Path to Initiation and Idealism - Preparation for the Journey - Kinedi Boat-Wrecked but Rescued - Kinedi Met with Queen Masalarus - The Capture and Imprisonment of Kinedi - Kinedi Chanced upon Three Male Farmers - Kinedi Entered the Altar of Light and Idealism - Kinedi Presented with Kilili Key - Kinedi's Sweet Home-Coming - Kinedi Entertained the Cowry Queen with a Paean - Bidding the Palace Farewell - Kinedi's Heroic Reception - Kinedi Became the President of the Youth Club - Conclusion - Appendix - Bibliography - Name Index - Subject Index.
About the author
Yemi D. Ogunyemi (PhD, Harvard University; D Litt, Debrecen University) is a literary philosopher and author of 50 books. His recent publications include
Yoruba Philosophy and the Seeds of Enlightenment and
The Aesthetic and Moral Art of Wole Soyinka. He is a former research fellow at Harvard, and he was the recipient of the 2021 Nonfiction Fellowship Award of the Writers' Room of Boston.
