The Yorùbá Concept of the Soul
Yorùbá philosophy holds a rich, layered vision of the human person. Rather than a single soul, it describes several spiritual components that together make a living, conscious being — an idea of remarkable subtlety.
Èmí — The Breath of Life
Èmí is the life-force or breath, associated with Olódùmarè, that animates the body. When Èmí departs, physical life ends. It is the divine spark that makes a body alive rather than mere clay.
Orí — The Inner Self and Destiny
Orí, the inner head, is the seat of individuality and destiny. It is the most personal spiritual element — the part of a person that carries their unique path and, some say, survives to be reborn.
Ọkàn and the Whole Person
Ọkàn (the heart) is linked to thought, emotion, and conscience. Together, Èmí, Orí, Ọkàn, and the body (ara) form the complete human being. This layered anthropology reflects the Yorùbá conviction that the person is a meeting point of the physical and the divine.
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