Ipako: The Spiritual Gateway to the Ancestors and Òrìṣà

In Yorùbá spirituality, the Ipako—meaning "back of the neck"—holds profound symbolic and spiritual significance. Unlike external vision (Ojú Ọ̀dàrà) and inner vision (Ojú Inú), which govern perception and insight, Ipako is the point where consciousness is linked to the past, the Òrìṣà (deities), Egúngún (ancestors), and Ọ̀run (the spiritual realm). This sacred space serves as a gateway through which spiritual possession, ancestral communication, and divine alignment manifest in human experience.

The Essence of Ipako

Ipako is revered as the threshold between the physical and spiritual worlds. It is believed to be the channel through which spirits enter the body, making it the primary point for spiritual possession in the Yorùbá tradition. During trance states, the force of an Òrìṣà, Egún (ancestor), or other spiritual entity is said to descend through the Ipako, merging with the devotee’s consciousness.

Because Ipako is situated at the back of the neck—where unseen forces gather—it also represents memory, ancestral inheritance, and the weight of past experiences. Unlike Ìwájú Orí (forehead), which looks forward toward destiny, Ipako connects us to history, ancestral wisdom, and the unseen forces that shape our reality. The Yorùbá recognize this space as a spiritual reservoir where the past lingers, influencing present consciousness.

Associations and Attributes of Ipako

Ipako is deeply intertwined with spiritual possession, ancestral communication, and alignment with the unseen forces of existence. It is associated with the following:

Egúngún (Ancestral Presence): The back of the neck is the primary point where ancestral spirits make contact with the living. During Egúngún ceremonies, the energy of the ancestors is said to enter through the Ipako, guiding the body and voice of the initiated. This aligns the practitioner with lineage-based wisdom and divine protection. During Egúngún festivals, masquerade bearers often report sensations at the Ipako before ancestral energy fully takes over, allowing them to move and speak as Egúngún.
Òrìṣà Possession: In trance possession, an Òrìṣà's energy enters through the Ipako before fully taking over the devotee's consciousness. This is why initiates often feel a tingling or pressure at the back of the neck before entering a spiritual state. Some Òrìṣà priests and devotees prepare the Ipako through sacred markings or anointing with consecrated oils to enhance receptivity. Advanced initiates undergo sacred head rites where special incantations and herbs are applied to the Ipako to strengthen their ability to receive and control spirit possession.
Ọ̀run (Spiritual Realm): Ipako is considered a gateway between Ayé (Earth) and Ọ̀run (the unseen world). It is through this space that divine wisdom, spiritual messages, and guidance flow into the human experience. This explains why some practitioners experience dreams, visions, or spontaneous spiritual downloads when energy is concentrated around the Ipako.
Memory and the Past: While Orí-Inú (inner head) governs destiny and future alignment, Ipako carries the weight of ancestral knowledge, personal history, and inherited spiritual connections. It is the seat of past-life wisdom and karmic lessons. Individuals with a strong Ipako connection often experience déjà vu, strong ancestral dreams, or an intuitive sense of past-life events.
Sacred Responsibility: The phrase “Ipako ẹ̀yìn la fi ń gbàjà” (It is the back of the head that carries burdens) speaks to the symbolic role of Ipako as the place where both spiritual and earthly responsibilities rest. Those who bear spiritual callings often feel an energetic pressure at the back of their heads, signifying the presence of divine obligations.

Cultivating and Protecting the Ipako in Yorùbá Practice

Because Ipako serves as a portal for spiritual forces, it must be properly maintained, cleansed, and honored. The following practices help align and protect the Ipako:

Bó Orí (Ritual Headwashing): Washing the head with sacred herbal preparations to purify and align one's spiritual channels, including the Ipako. This practice ensures that only benevolent forces may enter and that spiritual burdens are relieved.
Egúngún Invocation and Offerings: Honoring the ancestors through prayer, food offerings, and ritual songs ensures that one remains in alignment with ancestral wisdom and does not attract wandering spirits. Certain Egúngún initiates rub herbal mixtures onto the Ipako to strengthen the connection to the ancestral realm.
Orí Rites and Cleansing: Strengthening one’s Orí (spiritual head) through divination, incantations, and offerings helps maintain control over the spiritual forces that attempt to enter through the Ipako.
Wearing Protective Coverings: Some spiritual practitioners wear scarves, beads, or consecrated materials around the neck to shield the Ipako from unwanted spiritual interference. This is especially practiced by those who frequently enter trance states or engage in heavy spiritual work.
Adúrà (Prayers) and Ẹbọ (Sacrifices): Regular prayer and sacrifice to one’s guiding Òrìṣà ensure that spiritual possession is divinely ordained rather than chaotic or disruptive. Ìbùkún (blessings) are also spoken over the Ipako before major ceremonies.
Massage and Herbal Activation: Some traditions use gentle pressure or massage at the base of the neck with shea butter (òrí) to keep the energy of the Ipako open and flowing. This is said to improve ancestral connection and clarity in spiritual work.
Divination and Spiritual Alignment: Consulting with divination helps practitioners determine if their Ipako is properly aligned and if there are ancestral or spiritual influences affecting their state of mind and well-being.

Signs of an Unbalanced Ipako

Because the Ipako is a spiritual gateway, it can be negatively affected by imbalance, neglect, or spiritual attack. Some indicators of an unbalanced or blocked Ipako include:

Frequent headaches or tension at the back of the neck, especially during spiritual work
Disorientation or confusion when engaging in ancestral or Òrìṣà rituals
Feeling spiritually heavy or burdened, as if carrying unseen weights
Unsettling or repetitive ancestral dreams that lack clarity
Unexplained fear or resistance to spiritual connection, especially regarding ancestral work

When these symptoms arise, practitioners often undergo Orí cleansing, seek divination, or perform grounding rituals to rebalance their spiritual center.

Conclusion

Ipako stands as one of the most significant spiritual points on the human body, linking the individual to the past, the Òrìṣà, Egúngún, and Ọ̀run. As the primary gateway for spiritual possession, it requires reverence, protection, and understanding. By honoring the Ipako through cleansing rituals, ancestral veneration, and Orí alignment, practitioners strengthen their connection to the divine and safeguard their spiritual well-being.

As the Yorùbá proverb reminds us: “Ipako ẹ̀yìn la fi ń gbàjà” (It is the back of the head that carries burdens). May we walk with the wisdom of those before us, keeping our spiritual gateway aligned with truth and divine order.