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 Orisun is the Yoruba word for origin - it also means cradle. My people, the Yoruba of southwest Nigeria, believe that Ile Ife, Nigeria is the cradle of creation and all of humanity. Journey with me to this ancient, sacred city. Welcome home!
My name is Ade Kunle Elutilo. I was born and raised in Ile, Ife, but since 1997, I've been residing in Oakland, California. My goal is to take people on adventure-filled, educational tours of Ile-Ife and key historical sites of Yoruba land. Along the way, you'll learn a little bit of my language, culture and spirituality- you'll also learn what I have learned, that life is meant to be lived with an open heart and mind.
But before we step forward, we must acknowledge the past and the ancestors that remind us of the way - the path to wisdom, self-knowledge and new discoveries. I organize my tours around your interests, of course, but there are some sites and activities that I'm sure you won't want to miss. At the Ikogosi Warm Springs, for example, a popular tourist site located near the town of Ekiti, we'll pause for prayers and meditation as we cool our feet in shallow streams of alternating cool and warm water - truly one of the wonders of Yorubaland. And Oke Olumo is a massive rock and cave system that is regarded as holy by the Egba people. Here, they hid for protection during the notorious slave raids that devastated so much of our people. In Ile Ife, we'll see remnants of bronze and terracotta figurines that made my birthplace famous for its art in the 12th century. And no trip to Yorubaland can be complete without visiting the sacred grove of Oshun, the orisa, or divinity of love and children that founded the town of Osogbo.
To get a glimpse of another culture and way of life you need a guide that is grounded in your world as well as the culture you wish to explore. Needless to say, you also need a trustworthy guide who can assure your comfort and safety during your visit to Yorubaland. I am such a guide, and I cordially invite you to join me on this unforgettable trip back home.
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