Honoring the Ancestors — Walking with Egúngún in Everyday Life
In Ifá, we say that no one walks alone. Every step we take is guided by those who came before us, our ancestors, Egúngún. They are the roots that hold us steady when life feels uncertain, the quiet voices that whisper wisdom into our hearts. To honor them is not only to remember the past, but to strengthen the bridge between the seen and unseen worlds.
The Presence of Egúngún
Our ancestors are not gone, they have simply changed form. They live in the wind that brushes your face, in the scent of your grandmother’s favorite food, in the strength that rises in you when you want to give up. They live in your laughter, your traditions, and the values passed down through your family.
When we call on Egúngún, we are calling on memory, guidance, and love. We are saying: “You are not forgotten. Walk with me.”
Simple Ways to Honor Them
You don’t need to wait for a ceremony to honor your ancestors. They are always near, and they listen when you speak from the heart.
Create a small space for them. A candle, a glass of water, maybe a picture or something that reminds you of them.
Speak their names. Saying their names keeps their spirits alive in your home.
Share food. When you cook, offer a small plate first in their honor, a quiet “thank you” for all they gave you.
Talk to them. Speak as you would to a wise elder. Tell them your joys, your worries, your dreams. Their wisdom will reach you, sometimes in ways that surprise you, through a dream, a memory, or a calm feeling in your spirit.
Healing Through the Ancestors
Not all family histories are easy. Some ancestors may carry pain, regret, or mistakes that still echo through generations. Honoring them doesn’t mean approving of everything they did, it means offering healing. When you pray for peace for them, you also free yourself from the weight of the past.
You might say:
“To my ancestors who walked in love, I thank you.
To those who struggled, I forgive you.
May we all find peace and light.”
In Ifá, forgiveness is a form of cleansing, it makes room for blessings to flow.
Living as the Future Ancestor
When you live with ìwà pẹ̀lẹ́, gentle, good character, you honor your ancestors with every choice you make. You become part of their legacy. The same way they once prayed for their children, you now live as a prayer for those who will come after you.
Each act of kindness, each truth you speak, each time you choose love over anger, you are shaping the story that your descendants will one day remember.
To honor Egúngún is to live with gratitude, for the blood that flows in your veins, for the lessons in your lineage, for the love that continues even beyond death.
So light your candle. Pour your water. Speak their names. Listen for their guidance. And remember, you are never walking alone.
Àṣẹ.
