A Brazilian Ifá delegation visited Ekiti ahead of a major spiritual pilgrimage, reinforcing cultural ties and Ekiti’s emergence as a global spiritual tourism hub
Ekiti State played host to a high-level delegation from Brazil’s Ijo Ifá Ogbe Oweyin Asíko Laye Templo this week, marking a significant step in preparations for a major spiritual and cultural pilgrimage slated for September.
The pre-tour visit, which included prominent figures such as George Drives (Ifakunle), Reginald (Ifatola), Wale Orotoye, and Champion, served as both a cultural exchange and strategic planning mission for the anticipated expedition.
Speaking on behalf of the Ekiti State Government, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, warmly welcomed the guests.
Representing Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the ambassador praised the visit as a meaningful reconnection between Africa and its diaspora, describing Ekiti as the “spiritual womb of the Yoruba civilisation.”
“Ekiti is not just the land of honour—it is the spiritual womb of the Yoruba civilisation,” Ojo-Lanre said. “The sacred groves, shrines, and ancestral paths here are not only heritage sites; they are living testimonies of our connection to the divine.”
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to spiritual tourism as a driver of sustainable development, adding that each visitor to Ekiti contributes to local enterprise, job creation, and a deeper global understanding of Yoruba heritage.
According to the DG, the state’s investments in tourism infrastructure, heritage site documentation, and diaspora partnerships are rapidly positioning it as a premier destination for cultural and spiritual tourism in Nigeria.
Spiritual leader George Drives (Ifakunle) expressed his deep appreciation for the warm reception, noting a powerful sense of ancestral reconnection.
He confirmed that the September journey will bring a larger group of worshippers, researchers, and cultural practitioners from Brazil seeking to engage with the ancestral roots of Ifá and Òrìṣà worship.
To support their exploration, Ambassador Ojo-Lanre provided a map detailing key sacred and tourism sites across Ekiti.
He assigned Mr Michael Peculiar Ekiran, Special Assistant on Tourism, to accompany the group on a guided visit to the sacred Ògún Grove in Ire-Ekiti—a site central to Yoruba metallurgy and warrior worship.
The visit concluded with a symbolic group photograph, highlighting a moment of unity between continents and cultures. It marked not just a celebration of Yoruba heritage, but a concrete step towards Ekiti’s vision of becoming a global beacon for spiritual tourism and cultural diplomacy.
As spiritual adherents and cultural pilgrims from countries like Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States continue to seek reconnection with Yoruba ancestral roots, Ekiti’s sacred landscapes—ranging from the Òṣun springs to ancient Ifá shrines—offer both spiritual resonance and economic promise.
Business3 years ago
