Nigerian music star 9ice has revealed that he has quietly lived as a practitioner of traditional African religion for many years, choosing to keep it away from the public.
He made this known on Wednesday night during the listening party of his album titled Beginning of Wisdom, which took place in Yaba, Lagos.
Naija News reports that the 46-year-old singer shared that his spiritual journey into Ifa worship is not recent, as he has spent over 18 years in the practice.
According to him, he decided to keep this part of his life private because he feared that some people might avoid him if they knew about it.
Despite staying silent for years, he said he remained committed to the beliefs and practices of the tradition.
The “Gongo Aso” crooner explained that his involvement goes beyond belief, as he has taken time to learn the rituals, songs, and ways of consulting the oracle.
He added that understanding these traditions has helped him stay connected to cultural roots while still relating with people across different age groups.
9ice, who leads Alapomeji Entertainment Limited and also founded Alapomeji Ancestral Record, said part of the practice includes observing important events like Odun Ifa.
He described it as a period set aside to give thanks for the past and seek direction for the future.
“I’ve been Babalawo now for more than 18 years, but I hide it because some people will run from me if they know. So I’ve been hiding it. So, there’s something we call ‘Odun Ifa’, and when we do it, it’s like you are appreciating God and thanking Him for what He has done before. But on that night you’re praying for the year that is yet to come, please guide me. Please tell me what I need to do. Please tell me what I need to run away from.
“So I’ve been hiding and doing it. And I was thinking, which topic of the song do I want to talk about? Rather than looking. Let my people know my kind of God. My own God. Then if I want to think about my God, He’s so traditional. There’s a way we call ourselves. There’s something oracle said about the hair, hands and everything in life”, 9ice said.
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