Dear Adegbolahan,
Thank you for your feedback. Ifá Traditional Religion is the national religion of the Itsekiri people, and Eledumare is our Deity. The only difference is that we call the Deity Edumale, and we pronounce Ifá as Ifé.
My grandfather was chosen as Olu of Warri through Ifá divination because Itsekiris do not have primogeniture.
The practice is known as Bi'Ifé, which by interpretation means 'Ask Ifé', or simply to divine. We also bi'Ifé whenever people die, just as you have a coroner's inquest when people die in the West.
The Itsekiri and Benin Royal Family originate from Ifẹ. I did not say that Itsekiri and Benin people originate from Ifẹ. I said the Royal Family are originally from Ife. The origins of the Royal Family differ from those of the people.
The Itsekiri people come from a mix of Ijebu, Ilaje, and Igala origins. For example, the Itsekiri people of Omadina Island are purely Ijebu.
The oldest Royal Bronzes in Nigeria are from Ifẹ (900 years), Benin Bronzes (800 years), and Itsekiri Bronzes (500 years).
Please note that I did not say the oldest Bronzes. I said oldest Royal Bronzes. The Igbo-Ukwu bronzes are about two hundred years older.
Thanks again, and may God bless you.
Bemigho Reno Omokri