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No. Ogboni is an ancient spiritual order rooted in the veneration of Ilẹ̀ (Mother Earth) and dedicated to upholding justice, balance, and cosmic order. We are a sacred institution with spiritual authority that has guided communities for more than a millennia . Ogboni serves as a bridge between the earthly and spiritual realms, maintaining harmony through devotion to Earth's eternal wisdom.
Ogboni is a sacred society, not necessariy a secret one. We maintain privacy around initiatory knowledge and meetings as a mark of reverence and spiritual discipline, just as many respected spiritual and fraternal traditions do worldwide. Our existence, principles, and community presence are well-known. What we protect is the sanctity of deep spiritual knowledge that requires proper preparation and initiation to fully understand and wield responsibly.
Absolutely. Women have always held essential and supremely powerful roles within Ogboni. Women possess profound spiritual authority through their connection to Iyami—the cosmic mothers, the primordial feminine power that governs existence itself. Ilẹ̀, Mother Earth, is both the source deity for Ogboni and the greatest Iyami. Women carry this sacred feminine energy as her direct representatives. In addition , male and females within Ogboni are referred to themselves as Omo Iya meaning children of the same Mother. Furthermore, women in Ogboni hold prestigious titles wielding authority equal to or surpassing male counterparts in matters of spiritual governance and cosmic balance.
In recent history , some have tried to diminish women due to colonialism, patriarchy, and outside Religious/ political influence . In truth, Iyami is recognized as the ultimate creative and transformative force in the universe, and Ogboni honors this reality through the elevation and reverence of women's spiritual authority.
The name Ogboni is used today by multiple groups, and they are not all the same institution. Reformed Ogboni Fraternity known as ROF formed during the colonial era in the early 1900’s veering away from the traditional religion of Ifa Orisa and embracing Abrahamic faiths instead. Others formed more recently under self-appointed individuals that started their own organization outside the time-rooted council structure.
Traditional Ogboni (also known as Aborigine Ogboni , Ogboni Ibile, or Osugbo )is the largest and oldest Ogboni institution with unbroken lineage back to antiquity . This is the same one that confer Kingship rites to validate Oba/Kings in Yorubaland just as they have always done since at least the 1st millennia. It is guided by a time-honored process where Onílẹ̀ chooses leadership through traditional divination, and that choice is confirmed by the Supreme Council of Elders. To prevent corruption by any one family, leadership is not inherited and cannot be self-declared by one’s self or family. Under this recognized process, Oba Kareem Omotosho is affirmed as the confirmed leader of Traditional Aborigine Ogboni in Nigeria, and Oba Okikifa Edanmílarè Falade was chosen through the same process , underwent the same traditional rites and was confirmed by Oba Omotosho and Supreme Council to become the 1st Oba Ogboni Aborigine in the United States.
Colonialism included the adoption of Western Governments and embracing Abrahamic foreign religions. Campaigns were created to undermine traditional African spirituality , ancestral rites, and African institutions. These campaigns included spreading false information and fear tactics in an effort to dismantle these powerful priesthoods and replace them with colonial governments and foreign religions. Ogboni is not organized around attacking other faiths or evangelizing our faith. We know all too well the impact of religious persecution as it was done to us as well. Ogboni was founded on the principle of honoring Mother Earth as we all share this planet together. Our practices pre date organized religion. Our values center around Love, harmony, community, balance, fairness, justice, collective work and responsibility, Individuals may belong to other religions, but Ogboni itself is not preaching against anyone elses faith.
Ogboni has a respectful and complementary relationship within the Ifa-Orisa tradition. Ifa provides divine guidance through Orunmila, Ogboni honors Onilé (the Earth) and other primordial forces known as Imọlẹ̀ or Irunmọlẹ̀—beings who predate many of the popular Orisa and are deeply tied to the original order of existence. Ogboni’s Earth centered focus including kola nut divination, reflect an indigenous spiritual technology that parallels if not predates Ifa. Ogboni are priests of the Earth and it recognizes the role of Orisa in the cosmic order. Ogboni priest are often also Olorisa and Babalawos and Iyanifa’s. But their work under Ogboni centers around the larger community , conflict resolution, arbitrators, and elders. This dynamic reflects the layered structure of Yoruba spirituality, where multiple traditions coexist, interact, and reinforce one another in service of truth, justice, and cosmic balance.
If you are already initiated to Ogboni in another sect, and would like to join Aborigine Ogboni, you are welcome to. All bonafide Ogboni initiates will not have to initate again. You will, however, need to go through a screening process that includes an interview and divination to determine what is necessary for you to be in alignment with Aborigine Ogboni membership and protocols. We welcome any Feel free to reach out to confidently discuss your particular situation.