African Indigenous Science as Trace Element of Relationships

Ifá is regarded as compendium of Yoruba culture because, all aspects of peoples’ life: past, present, future are encapsulated in it. Ayò ọlọ́pọ́n is an indigenous Yoruba board game played globally today. Despite the international nomenclatures of Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n across nations, no work is known that either established relationship between the two cultural elements or associate any cultural significance to ayò ọlọ́pọ́n numerals as undertaken by this study. Relevant data relating to Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n performers’ observations, Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n’s relevant texts are sampled and analyzed with symbolism- a semiotic mode, whereby, a sign represents something or somebody in one or more capacity. This approach is apt because symbolism is basic to Ifá divination system. Comparisons are made and relationships established in-between Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n numerology. It is found out that, first and second prime numbers- 2 and 3 and, or with third prime number- 5 regulate Ifá and ayò ọlọ́pọ́n systems. It is also stated that Ifá and ayò systems operate around principles of arithmetic progression, permutations and combinations. The study concludes that symbols 2 and 3 in ayò ọlọ́pọ́n and Ifá divination systems are condicio sine qua non and memes.