The Falola/ Adepoju Opon Ifa Mandala of the Spiritual/Physical Cosmos 2 : Visualizing an Architecture of Material and Spiritual Cosmology in a Journey
Short Abstract This essay analyzes the foundational ideas of Toyin Falola’s Yoruba Metaphysics: Spirituality and Supernaturality as a major breakthrough in articulating a systematic, indigenous Yoruba metaphysical framework and creatively expands it by introducing the Falola/Adepoju Opon Ifa Mandala—a visual cosmogram that synthesizes Yoruba symbolism with mandala traditions to map the architecture of existence. By grounding this philosophy in lived experience and comparing it to global traditions, the essay positions Yoruba thought as a sophisticated framework for universal concerns, using the mandala as a tool for pedagogy, analysis, and contemplative practice that honors cultural specificity while demonstrating its broader applicability. Long Abstract This essay engages Toyin Falola's Yoruba Metaphysics: Spirituality and Supernaturality (2025) as a striking achievement in African philosophical scholarship—introducing a fresh, comprehensive and systematic exposition of endoge...