In Memory of Chief Babalawo Bisiriyu Adeyela Adelekan

Chief Babalawo Adeyela Adelekan, Amulewaye Iledi-Ooni Ile Ife, European Representative for the Orisa World Congress; Board Member for the National African Religion Congress (NARC World) International Chapter.

Chief Baba Adelekan was born in Ife in 1936. His maternal grand-father was the late Agbala of Ife, who reigned from 1910 to 1934. (The Agbala is the head of all Babalawos worldwide.) Chief Adelekan’s father, Chief Laadin, was descended from the Ooni Ilare Quarters, one of the three royal households of Ile-Ife (the ancestral home of the Yoruba). Chief Laadin was fifth in rank to the Ooni. Chief Adelekan began his training as a Babalawo in 1944 under Oluwo Akoda Akanni the son of the Agbala.

He also underwent a Western education, unlike many of his predecessors, in order to prepare him for his work as an instructor in Yoruba traditional philosophy outside of Yorubaland. It is on record that Chief Adelekan was born with a green leaf wrapped around a sixth finger on his left hand, which was a sign that he was the reincarnation of his grandfather, Agbala Akanni.

Chief Adelekan holds four titles: first, `Amulewaye´ (he who seizes earth upon entering the world), a title which was conferred by the Council of Elders in Ife, the Ogboni; secondly, the title of `Alatunse Awo´ in which capacity Chief Adelekan acts as a moderator of all Babalawos worldwide – this is an office conferred by the present Agbala and the council of Babalawos in Ife; thirdly, the title of `Orisa Tunwase´ (the Emissary of Obatala) bestowed by the elders of the Obatala temple headed by Chief Obalesu; lastly, the title of `Olumesin Oduduwa´ (the Promoter of the Religion) - this title was conferred by the Council of the Oduduwa Temple headed by Chief Obadio.

Chief Adelekan is a sixteenth-generation Babalawo, who has traveled widely outside of Ife for the purpose of instruction and healing, and is celebrated for his knowledge of roots and herbs and his tireless work in healing and in promoting understanding Yoruba religion. He is the founder and patron of Egbe Isese Esin Yoruba (The Root of Yoruba Religion, Science and Cosmology), a society based in London which is a focus for the practice of Yoruba tradition. 

“I pay homage to Osun, protectress of slaves at sea, who ensured the survival of our people and the survival of our traditions on another continent.”

Chief Babalawo Bisiriyu Adeyela Adelekan - October 15, 1936 - May 9, 2008