Chief Olayinka BabatundeOgunsina Akano

Kokumo Adewuyi

If we think about everything generally, there is no resitance if we are not moving, people who are not doing anything have nothing to worry or plan, about, if you dont want challenges or what we call problem, just dont do anything important in life, believe that there are times of stress, dissapointment, pressure, but keep the light of love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, prayer, fasting, and positive thinking burning, move on with your life with abundant prayer, fasting, sacrifice, ritual, initiations and other spiritual activities,

Never look down or look backward , ride on the bicycle of progress, happiness, joy , long life wealth and good health, hope on the infinite sources that you are not alone , but GOD with all his messengers are with you , Hence lok forward and forawd ever so that you will not fall on the bicycle of happiness and glory , hence your challengers are happy with your downfall. a good rider should not look down or backward but maintaining his head up to ride very well, be focused, use prayer, fasting, sacrifice, rituals and spiritual exercise as well as link between you and your source, the deep of all strength ( OLODUMARE-GOD) you are bound to come across challenges, never bury your head in sorrow or fear or worry but stick to the power of infinite might in you to lightening all your darkness, you will see that life has more meaning than doing a simple task without challenges and difficulties, through that, your purpose will be revealled to you, do not be discouraged, cry not, criticise not, and avoid complain, the yawning and the weeping of today, if well managed will be a comfort of tommorrow, prepare for challenges because they are coming to strengthen you, and to learn from them so as to come out as a better person, challenges demands your discipline, your mental discipline, your physical discipline (avoid smoking, drinking, criticism, sex immoralities complain, bitterness, anger, worry sadness and doubt) and your spiritual displine, doing some voluntatry services to the less fortunes to compliment your divine state or your divinity, doing good produce goodness and exalt your soul, which mean godliness,

Never open your heart to vacuum, but use spiritual to attract the best life can offer, knowing that ODU -- the energy decribed by orunmila is a positive energy that establish the power of OLODUMARE and as well confirm his supremacy and to direct all our activities and to fulfill our purpose on earth, the importance of these energies is to be able to be busy without having time to complain, condemn, and criticise anything but to reach a divine pinnacle in which extreme discipline will form part of our lives. We can live well with these energies, if we listen to its warning, hence ALWAYS SAY TO YOURSELF EVERY MORNING THAT I AM BLESSED, then challenge strengthen you, and build up your stamina to move and look forward to the glory of GOD as stated by odu (energy). With divine support, you are tougher than your challenges and that every challenges in your daily task will only give you the opportunity to acrue wisdom, and become wiser and stronger, let every challenges build your courage, strengthen you and remould you, and you becomes a refined gold ( the better person you can think off), whenever there are challenges, you need to conquer them with persistence, prayer, perserverance and spiritual activities, never you worry in the face of trials, problems, difficulties, slander, jeers, diffamation, obstruction, family influence, friend negative influence.

Your divinities or the divine power in you is greater that outside challenges, never look down, or bow your head in sorrow, but move on with enerrgy and spirit of OLODUMARE, life is not just a gift or a present but it is in the responsibility to make best use of your limited time, and wrestling or fighting for

what is noble and the best so that we can win the race of happiness, hence a crisis or challenges may or can lead us to greater victory, and joy,

Alafia (peace)

www.akamara.com.br

The Creation, Yoruba Position And The Myth.

The Yoruba believes that the supreme essence or force from which all creation emanated is recognized as Olodumare or Olorun which means 'Owner of Heaven' or 'Lord of Heaven', 'The Supreme Head of all divinities'. Olodumare is the author and source of all living things and the foundation from which men derive their soul and life sustaining breath - 'The Spirit of Olodumare'. Olodumare is the final recipient of all sacrifices, rituals and initiations. He is both the giver and the receiver and at the same time he transcends all in his transcendence. Olodumare is not physical or empirical accessible to man. Through initiations, meditations, prayer, fasting and the development of mental and spiritual awareness man can know and feel the power of Olodumare through his intermediaries, the Irunmole and Orisas. Through his intermediaries we can come to know the powerful nature of Olodumare - The Lord of Heaven and gain insight into his mysteries.

He is the creator of the whole universe, a king who rules over all things in the universe, his universality is embedded in the physical habitation of man and in the mystic realm where spirit dwells. He is all wise, all knowing, all seeing, he is able to solve all problems without compelling us to do his will but by giving us free will to chose between what is good and what is bad, between what is moral and immoral, between what is evil and what is good, what is dark and what is pure. He is a loving God, a father who all the time demonstrates his love for us when we make the right choices, the choices that bring us good fortune. By doing this we live our life to Olodumare's glory. Olodumare is immortal and holy. He is the head of all Irunmole (immortal spirits dwelling in heaven)and Agba Orisa (the Arch-Orisa or Arch-Angels/Spirits). He controls the seasons to turn and causes all natural events to occur for his glory. .He is the first and the last. He is the fountain of all wisdom, knowledge and reason.

Yoruba mythology and theology realize and emphasize on the uniqueness and the unique status of Olodumare, 'The Living and Immortal God'. The divinities with all their attributes and wise knowledge, power and forces belong to Olodumare, and his supremacy is absolute. Everything that occurs in our mysterious world, Aye Akamara, happens because he allows them to happen. Nothing comes to pass unless he approves them to happen. Olodumare possess the absolute power and authority which is why we say:

'' EWE KAN KI JABO LEHIN OLODUMARE ''

Which means: 'No leaf can fall from the tree without the authority, power and knowledge of God'

We can not speak about the Yoruba belief, about God and the spiritual phenomena of our faith without tracing its origin. The whole composite of Yoruba culture, its language, the nations' identity, moral

systems and beliefs came from the present middle-east. Our ancestors settled in the western part of Africa in areas that today are defined as Nigeria, Togo, Benin as well as parts of Ghana and Sierra Leone. From here the Yoruba spread to all of the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe.

One account of origin tells us that the Yoruba people were a part of a pre-Jewish tradition in the middle-east. Through communal effort and cooperation the tradition dispersed all over the world. We can find great similarities in the tradition of circumcision, tribal markings and the whole body of knowledge concerning sacrifice, rituals, prayer, fasting, as well as its mysticism and traditional philosophy - all elements that form the foundation of classical Judaism can be found in the practice of Yoruba religiosity. All these components can in turn be traced back to the time of Adam and later Abraham. As we see, the Yoruba, with its culture, religion and language predated Christianity and Islam, as recorded in the research by Hamilton Bailey concerning the practice of circumcision amongst the Jews and Yoruba.

We can also gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of the term Yoruba by translating this into Hebrew. The word Yoruba is formed by yud, resh, vau, beth and aleph

Yud - YO- referring to a divine order and being the spark of divinity

Resh - R- referring to psychic union ns also being related to the Sun, the lifegiving male principle

Heh - U- The gateway for the divine powers and its source

Beth - B - The active motion of the divine spark within man as referring to the construction of man as a house for God.

Aleph - A - The collective stabilizing power of the human being.

Hence the word Yoruba then refers to a divine order born by the psychic union of life that resulted into the source of the everlasting providence as well as an active movement of divine power within man that are utilized to ensure the collective stability of humanity. This results in equilibrium and stability, the needed foundation for accomplishing effective communication between the physical and spiritual realm. We need Ifá as a tool for accomplishing this mediation between the physical and invisible world. Ifá as a tool for divination is a problem solving tool, with the aim of finding solutions to all of man's problems with the aid of the immortal beings and the ancestors.

Having said this, it is important to stress that Olodumare is a God who embraces all people, we might say that the global spread of the Yoruba people indicates the universality of Olodumare. The Yoruba is convinced that Olodumare is the king of kings and the mysterious ruler that knows everything, it be in the light or in the darkness. A Yoruba proverb says:

agbokunkun, tafa si imole , boba aye kori o, orun wo ooo,

this means; 'those who is in darkness and does evil to the children of light , if the earthly king does not see you, the heavenly ruler is watching you".

The Creation, Yoruba Position And The Myth.

Olodumare created all things in the visible and invisible world, from what is under the earth to what is above the heavens, thus he knows everything, and nothing moves without Olodumare noticing it. Hence the Babalawo says the following to describe this characteristic of Olodumare:

A MOOOKUN JALE BI OBA-AYE KO RII, TÓRUN NWOO.

Translation: Be in the darkness and steal If the ruler of the world do not see you The divine king in heaven is watching you

To Olodumare, the universal God the Yoruba give countless epitaphs and praise names to remember and celebrate his divine attributes. As O. Lucas points out in his study on the Egyptian relations of Yoruba migration, 'God, Olorun, Olodumare excel all other deities of divinities in power, honor and majesty';. He is a divine king of unique character, possessing attributes more noble and more abstract and refined to have originated from the thoughts of humans. He is omnipresent, omnipotent and all powerful. He is a just and impartial judge that will judge us either in this life or at the threshold of orun, our heavenly home. This judgment should not be understood as simply punishment for wicked deeds - but a natural consequence arising by an avoidance of making the right choices and thus failure to embrace your happy lot.

Some of the many attributes and praisenames of Olodumare are:

OLORUN/OLU ORUN - 'The king of the heaven'OLODUMARE - 'Almighty, Supreme, Expansive One'ATOBIJU - 'The Greatest Lord'OBA AIKU - 'The Undying God'AJIKE AYE -'The One who shapes and take care of the World'ASAKE ORUN - 'The Designer and the Care Taker of Heaven'OLOWO GBOGBORO TI YOMO, RE LOFIN - 'The Owner Of the Mysterious Hand Who delivers those who are Honest And Faithful to Him'OYIGIYIGI - 'The Greatest'ASEEYI OWU - 'He does what he wants and no one will question his authority'AJI POJO IKU DA - 'He who alters the day of death'OBA AIRI - The king who is shrouded in secrecy'ATEERE KAYE - 'Omnipresent' OMIMIYAMI - 'The Absolute and greatest' AWAMARIDI - 'The Mysterious Lord'ALAGBALA IMOLE - 'God, The owner of the house of light'ELEDA - 'The creator of destiny'ALAGBARA LAYE ATI LORUN - 'The Powerful one of world and the heaven above'OLUDANDE - 'The king that free us from bondage'OLUBORI - 'The Victorious one'AJABORI -'He that gives victory'

OKITIBIRI - 'The Great Changer'ATEREREKAYE - 'He who is Spreading over the whole extent of the earth'OBA AIRI - 'The invisible king'OLOJO ONI - 'The owner of the day'OLUAYE - 'The owner of the world'OLUSEGUN - 'The conqueror'ADEGUN - 'The molder'ADIGUN - 'The molder and the smoother' OLUWA - 'The LORD'ELEBURUKE - 'The shower of blessings'ONIGBOWOAYE - 'The holder of the pillar of the world'ALAWURABI - 'The ultimate'ADAKEDAJO - 'The silent but active judge'ELERIODODO -'The advocate of good destiny'OLURAPADA - 'The changer of evil to good, the reformer'OLUDARIJI - 'Forgiver of failure'OLUPESE - 'The giver of fortune'ASEKAMAKU - 'Doers of all things, the one who makes perfect all things'ADANIMAGBAGBE - 'The creator who does not forget anybody'OLUGBOHUN - The hearer of all voice'ALEWILESE - 'He who can speak and accomplish his words'ALESELEWI - 'He who can accomplish and can speak of it'AWIMAYEHUN - 'He establishes and brings into manifestation all deeds'ELETI-GBAROYE - 'Hearer of all prayer and supplication from all people'ASOROMAYE - 'He that has the capacity to establish all his deed without change or Alter the date of its manifestationOLUBUKUN - 'The blessed and The prospered one'OLURANLOWO - 'The helper of the needy and the blessed'OLUGBEJA - 'The helper of the helpless'OSIN - 'The mysterious GOD'OBA MIMO - 'The pure king'OLUGBEBIFO - 'The changer of evil and misfortune'ARINURODE - 'The knower of all secret things' OLUMO-OKAN - 'He who knows the mind of all livings'OLUGBALA - 'The deliverer, the savior'ASONIMATOOGBE - 'The guardian'ALAGBO-OFE - 'The free-giver of all things'ALASE ABIYE - 'The mysterious giver of life'ATOOSADI-LOJO-BUBURU - 'He that provide shelter in the day of trouble'AABO-FUN-ENI-ERU-NBA - 'The safe house for those who fear'OLORE - 'The benefactor'ALAANU - 'The merciful'ALAYE - 'The ever merciful'ELEMI - 'The owner of the spirit'OGA-OGO - 'The LORD of glory'OLOGOJULO - 'The highest one'ORISE - 'The source of destiny, the source of the head, the source of the soul.

Olodumare in his ineffable wisdom created all the divinities and invisible spirits, spirits lesser than himself that work as his intermediaries. Tradition teaches that Olodumare created these divinities to carry our certain responsibilities as parts of this wholeness that is Olodumare. Amongst these spiritual beings created by Olodumare are those called Irunmole, 'the divinities, Orisa, 'deities' and Akanda, 'beings created for a special purpose'

Since Olodumare is shrouded in mystery and omnipotence there is an absence of shrines or temples dedicated to him. There is neither a particular feast day for Olodumare. The reason for this is that the universal God can not be restricted to a building, place or date as he owns everything. We cannot create any image of Olodumare as no representation will justify is greatness. Rather Ifá advices that if we want to speak with Olodumare, 'speak with the wind or speak to your soul or spirit'. This recommendation is referring to the use of prayer known as adura. By the use of adura Olodumare will hear all your prayers at anytime in anyplace.

According to Yoruba tradition every soul has access to Olodumare by using adura, iwa (character), isera (fasting), ibewe (petitions/requests), igbekele ninu olodumare (unshakable trust in God), ebo riru (sacrifice to Irunmoles that will be taken to Olodumare by the intervention of Esu), etutu sise (ritual acts directed to God by the intervention of his lesser spirits). Customarily sacrifices to God are mediated through his Orisas and Irunmoles. The immortal divinities serve as the intermediary between the finite beings, eniyan (mankind) and the infinite being, Elemi or Aseda - Olodumare. Sacrifices and rituals directed to Olodumare him self is rare to happen, rather sacrifice to the divinities and of those particularly Esu acts as intermediaries between eniyan and Olodumare. This function is enabled through the power in the Odu osetura that manifested the powers of Esu. Even if many sacrifices are given to Esu Yoruba belief says that Esu will bring what is given to him to Olodumare.

Man is a creature of God and therefore he depends on Gods power, on something superior to himself. This dependency on God is demonstrated through spiritual and action directed towards Olodumare. Such acts are those that originate from love, reverence, faithfulness, honesty, prayers, ritual, sacrifices, initiations and fasting. These are all actions that facilitate harmony, not only between man and God but amongst making in general. O, we see from this that it is through prayer and fasting we approach God directly. We need to develop holiness (i.e. cultivating iwa pele) so we through prayer and meditation can lift our mind and soul to connect with his supreme energy. Only in this way can our supplications, petitions and prayers be accomplished without hindrance or human made obstacles. God himself speak to us, through dreams, visions, signs and many other spiritual means. We have said that prayer and fasting is important tools for connecting with God and this recommendation is from the odu iretekanran that says:

IRETE OKANRAN, LO DIFA FUN ORUNMILA BABA AGBONMIREGUN NI OJO TI GBOGBO AWO FI PADE SILE OLU-AWO, IFA SO WIPE KI ORUNMILA KI ONI ISERA, KI O GBAWE SULE LONI, KIO LE BORI OTA, KI O SI REYIN OLODI, ORUNMILA GBO, O GBAWE, OGBADURA, O SINI SERA, LOJO NAA NI ORUNMILA BORI AWON ONISE IBI TI O FE SEKU PA ORUNMILA, O SI REYIN ODI.

The meaning of this Odu is:

Irete Okanran made divination for Orunmila, Baba Agbonniregun on the day when all the sons of the secret (Babalawos) were gathering in the house of the chief diviner. Irete Okanran advised Orunmila to make a fast and engage in prayer the whole day, to not eat or drink anything at the gathering. He would

do this in order to gain victory over his enemies and those adversaries conspiring against him. He heard the advice and did as prescribed. He fasted and prayed until the day dawned and as a consequence he conquered adversities and gained victory over his enemies.

The fasting and prayer was directed to Olodumare and the 'Lord of Life'. It was Olodumare that came to Orunmilas aid and made it possible for him to gain victory. The tool used for making this possible was Ifá divination. By learning Ifá you will gain access to the ancient and solid way of communicating with Olodumare and all his divinities and gain insight in the solutions for bringing good fortune into your life.

What we have discussed so far lead us to explain more in depth the concept of the creation of the earthy and man from an Ifá perspective.

After the creation of the divinities by the infinite Olodumare he then called all the divinities to create man in his merciful way. He created the mysterious world we know as Aye Akamara. Yoruba tradition tells that in the beginning the earth was without form, it all was just water. Olodumare instructed the Irunmoles to make ebo for making the earth a habitat for the eniyan. 200 bags of sand, 200 chickens with five toes he asked them to sacrifice. The Irunmole accomplished the sacrifice and Olodumare accepted the ebo. Immediatly the chickens started to scatter the sand around in the water and filled the watery earth with solid land. Then God decided to send the divine beings to the world, but before leaving the heaven he instructed them to make ebo. The Irunmole failed to make ebo, only Orunmila made it. He made ebo with 200 (missing) 200 animals, 2.000.000 cowries, 200 hens and 200 pigeons. Upon making the ebo Olodumare accepted his sacrifice.

Olodumare had installed Obatala as his deputy and he was given the task of molding the eyes, nose, ear and other parts of the body that can receive sensorial information. In particular Obatala gave men the voice. Odu Ifa says the following:

Ogun ni a maa gbe ,Orisaala la , mo lahun,Esu odara la, mo ta loja ojugboromekun,,

Translation: Ogun will lift it, Orisaala saved and blessed, hence I was given a voice Esu Odara saves hence I sell at the ojugboromkun market.

When all the Irunmoles came from heaven, Obatala/Orisaala was given the supreme position amongst the divinities. God instructed Esu to lead the deities and Ogun, the pathfinder, to take his cutlass and open the way. Obatala, the leader came after them because he was of old age and could not move as fast as Esu and Ogun. Unlike the other Irunmoles Orunmila decided to help Obatala to carry some of his load. Obatala rewarded Orunmilas kindness by reaching within the Aye Akowas Gunhan Gunhan (the msyteriosu world) and gave to Orunmila a gift. He gave to Orunmila 200 leaves, 200 fetishes and 200 gourds. The leaves given had the power to dissolve disorder. And the leaves he gained was 'family leaves', 'peace leaves', 'long life leaves', 'free-from-all-problems leaves' and many other important herbs. By bestowing these gifts Obatala gave to Orunmila the secrets that shaped the destiny of men and divinities. Whenever he would find himself in need to solve problems he now had all necessary means to solve them. He was gifted with the ability to bless people with good life, happiness, prosperity, good health, wealth, riches and long life.

Okanransa says the following about Orunmila when he made himself ready to leave Isalu Orun (the heaven)

II II I IIII IIII I

etutu ni joju oku, apo eera ni i okinle, mobamoba n ti alabahun, oju to ba alabahun ko ni segi, lodifa fun okanlerinwo irunmole ti n ti ikole-orun bo wa le aye, orunmila nikan ninbe lehin, oun nikan ni nrubo, riru ebo nii gbe ni, eru atukesu adaladaju, ko pe, ko jinna, a bami ni Jebuture gbogbo, jebuture, laba mi lese obarisa,

Translation: sacrifices eats the eye of the death, the bag of the ants stand firm, i will get stuck is for the tortoise, the eyes of the tortoise will never miss the tree, This divine for the four hundred and one Divinities, when they were coming from the heaven to the mysterious earth, it was only Obatala that be at the back, it was Orunmila that did the sacrifices, doing sacifices is a blessing and deliverance, The load of the Esu is Firm, Not too long, they all meet me at jebuture( place of hope and salvation), the place of hope are under the feet of Obarisa(GOD),

<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Powered by Translate home

OUR MISSION COURSE IN THE SECRETS OF ODU IFÁ WHAT IS IFÁ? IFÁ IN THE NEW WORLD ORISA COSMOLOGY YORUBA LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS AND INITIATIONSSTORE LESSONS FROM ODÙ IFÁ &IFA TEACHINGS GALLERYCONSULTS, DIVINATION AND CONTACT The Creation, Yoruba Position And The Myth.

The traditions says that those divinities that failed to do sacrifices when they left heaven, as well as Obatala, were all plagued with problems and difficulties , hence , the single habit of Orunmila to do sacrifices and helping the oldest of the divinities (Obatala) gave him the opportunity of abundant inheritance of wisdom and fore-knowledge ,of everything in this mysterious world . The gifts of wisdom he was given is what brought into existence the ancient mystery of our time, Ifá;.

Ifá is a medium of spiritual communication endowed by Orunmila to find solution to every problem of man and divinities. Tradition tells that it was the Orisa Ogun who was the first of the divinities to come for divinations. He came to Orunmila because he had no food to eat and nothing to drink. Orunmila then divined for him, and he was asked to sacrifice animals and cowries ( in the olden days , cowries were used as money) Ogun heeded the advice and did the sacrifice. That is how Ogun started to receive the blessing of God. Indeed. The odu that came out for Ogun was Okanran-ka. Later, Sango came for divination and also he was recommended to make ebo. Sango made the ebo and his life started to take turns for the better. And in such way all the Irunmoles, from the youngest to the oldest came to Orunmila for divination and all of them did the ebo prescribed and thus gained the blessings of Olodumare, harmony and happiness.

We should at this point speak more in depth about who Orunmila is and what Ifá; is.Orunmila is a spirit and one of the greatest divinities that left heaven together with the 401 Irunmole. Tradition tells us that Orunmilas first city on earth was Usi Ekiti in Eketiland. Usi ekiti is in present day a part of Eketi state but used to be a part of Ondo. This city happens to be the birthplace of Chief Adewuyi. Tradition tells that it was here Orunmila established his first cult and shrine and later moved to Ado Ekiti to finally settle in Ile Ife. Ile Ife is the spiritual home of all Yoruba and all worshippers of Orunmila. Orunmila traveled a lot and visited many cities and villages and touched the life of many settlements and people. As a consequence his cult was established and his shrines raised and because of this we salute Orunmila with ara usi (he who dwells in usi), ara ado (he who dwells in ado), ara ijeesha (he who dwells in ijehsa). Today Orunmila is worshipped throughout the world, his disciples are found everywhere and this makes him a universal king, indeed. People have faith in Orunmila and Ifá; as the divine oracle. Orunmila was blessed and endowed with special wisdom and fore knowledge to rectify all problems associated with human destiny , hence the attribute of Orunmila includes eleri ipin – ‘the witness of destiny’ or ‘the

advocate of destiny’. For he is the witness of all the secrets connected with mans destiny and he is in the position to plead with Olodumare on behalf of man so that an unhappy lot may be averted and rectified and a happy lot gained. Another attribute of Orunmila is Okitibiri a ji pojoku da, meaning ‘the great changer who alters the date of death’. The message in these attributes is carried out by the system of divination we call Ifá;.

Ifá; is not an Orisa or Irunmole, but a spiritual medium divinely sanctioned to Orunmila Baba Agbonmiregun to help him carry out his spiritual duties and offer solution to mankind’s problems, these being of a physical, mental or spiritual nature. The word it self, Ifá; means I – FA to pull or attract or conjure good fortune. It denotes the power of Orunmila’s divine gift to attract blessings, prosperity, wealth, health, riches and happiness to whomever who chooses to walk the path Olodumare laid out for him or her. By doing this you will defeat all misfortune that threatens your happiness.

Ifá; according to E.A. Odumuyiwa is a geomantic form of divination applied by Orunmila to bring into manifestation the source of comfort. It is an oracle that gives the answers on the questions asked so that the proper offerings and petition can be presented in order to secure good fortune. Traditions tells that Orunmila is a linguist and that he understands every language spoken on earth , hence it is easy for Orunmila to understand, communicate and give counsel to all people, no matter race, religion, sex and colour. Actually, ethnic issues should not be any issue at all. Orunmila is not a racist, but a universal spirit. As the proverb tells us:

´´ONI LARI AORI OLA, LO MU BABALAWO NDIFA ORORUN´´

IT MEANS THAT: ‘IT IS TODAY WE SEE. WE DO NOT SEE TOMORROW HENCE THE IFA PRIEST CONSULTED THE ORACLE EVERY FIFTH DAY’

We have mentioned that Orunmila came to earth with 401 Irunmole - let us mention a few of them:Obatala

He is the oldest of the divinities. He is the great or arch divinities, father of all Orisa.

Orunmila The diviner or the lord of wisdom and knowledge.

Esu

The law enforcer and the one who carries out justice.

Ogun

The warrior, lord of iron and weapon.

Sango

The lord of Thunder and justice.

ElaThe precious son of Olodumare, Lord of miracles and wonder (ela omo Osin).

IyaamiThe mysterious mother of the universe, whose origin is shrouded in secrecy.

Ibeji The mysterious Twins and Orisa for blessings and fertility.

Oya The female divinity, wife of Sango, the goddess of river, thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Osun

The mysterious female Orisa for blessing and goddess of river.

OsumareThe Lord of rainbow and light.

OssosiThe great hunter and brother of Ogun the warrior, gifted with great intelligence.

Ologunede

Orisa in the family of Ogun, a god of iron and a blacksmith.

EwaA female deity reputed for her support and courage during times of frustration, She was married to the same husband, Lagbonna, as Osun, Oba, Yemoja and Aasa, However rivalry made them turn into rivers and they have since been helping people with their curative powers and characteristics.

ObaA female deity associated with the spirit of the river. She is a spirit of blessing and prosperity. There is a river in Nigeria name after her called Odo Oba.

Yemoja

A female divinity believed to be the mother of fishes in the literary sense. She is also the goddess of blessings, prosperity and productivity.

Obaluaye

Some call him Soppona (that is the negative manifestation of his energy). He is also called Omolu and Babaluwaye (denoting positive aspects of his energy), the spirit of Omolu is associated with sickness, small pox and illness and cure to diseases. Omolu is the god of small pox and infectious disease.

ObalufonMany associate Obatala with this Orisa and they even believe that Obalufon is Obatala, but even being of the same family they are not the same. Obalufon is the Orisa and the king of Ifon. He was Obatala’s successor to the throne.

Osalufon He is also called Sasalufon and is of the same family as Obatala.

Olokun

The goddess of ocean and the goddess of richness, prosperity, wealth and the power of the powerful wind and strong waves.

OlosaThe goddess of sea associated with prosperity and fertility.

Orisa –oko She is also known as Erinle, a female Orisa for productivity, fertility, blessing and procreation, protection of family and properties.

Egungun The collective spirit of ancestors.

Igunnuko The ancestral spirit of ancient times.

Oro He is an ancestral spirit that is used to drive out evil in the families, towns and villages. He was one of the oldest Irunmole, so brave and so strong and courageous that he is said to have snatched the igba iwa (calabash of creation or character) from Obatala. He was reputed for being devoted to make rituals and offerings through the help of the other Irunmole. When he conspired to steal the igba iwa from Obatala it was retrieved with the help of Esu and Orunmila.

Jakuta He is a deity of the Sun. Jakuta means to destroy stones or one who fight with stones or one who hurls stones to create thunder and lighting. From Jakuta comes the prohibition against stealing, falsehood and poisoning.

Osainyin

A male divinity for healing, god of herbs, roots, leaves and shrubs. He is called the doctor of the divinities.

AganjuHe is the brother of Sango Olukoso.

AbiyeThe divinity for protection of children and pregnancy.

Nana Buruku A female Orisa from the Fon people who married one of the Orisa in Yorubaland. Tradition tells that she married Obaluwaye and that her water provides healing for those infected by his diseases.

YemowoShe is a female Orisa and the first wife of Obatala. She was the first woman to marry in this aye akamara (mysterious world).

AgemoAn invisible spirit that transforms into many different forms. He is the progenitor of the people of Ijebu in Yorubaland.

ObantaThe legendary founder of the awujale dynasty in Ijebu ode and Ijebu remo.

Tami The oracle and priest of the soil.

Oloko The lord of the land and plant.

Sungbo She is the wife of Oloko. Some people associate her with queen Sheba of Ethiopia. She was a great woman and used to travel periodically between Ijebu remo and the land of Judah. She did not die but at old age she disappear at Oke-eri.

Oduduwa

He is also known as Olofin and is the legendary founder of the Yoruba race and dynasty.

Lamurudu He was the father of Oduduwa, he was from the land of Judah.

Aasa She was one of the wives of Lagbonna. The other wives were Osun, Yemoja, and Oba. Competition and jealousy resulted in hatred and annoyance whereupon they were turned into water and their spirit merged with the river.

We have many other Irunmole, such as Ayelala, Orosun, Aiku, Abiku, Olu-Iwa, Ajebu, Olode, Onile, Eyo and many others, but for not it will suffice with those mentioned to demonstrate the richness of powers accessible to Orunmila. All of these divine spirits were created to make life meaningful and good to the glory of Olodumare. Like a president of king can be approached through his ministers, in the same way can Olodumare be approached through his Irunmole and Orisa. anterior

All rights reserved - akamara®

THE STORY OF OBATALA

No living creature, they are dead or alive is able to tell us the exact origin of the chief divinity ORISAALA or OBATALA. There are several conflicting stories surrounding the mystery of this divinity. GOD created the positive and dynamic powers of the heavens, known as IRUNMOLES (the great and extremely positive divinities) led by the personality of OBATALA. These divinities include IFA ORUNMILA BABA AGBONMIREGUN, OGUN, SANGO, ESU, ORO, YEMOWO and many others. In the same fashion OLODUMARE formed in the beginning of creation (IWASE) the alternatives of the positive and dynamic powers – negative spiritual vibrations called AJOGUN ORUN – THE PUNITIVE KNIGHTS OF HEAVEN.

The divinities are entities created by OLODUMARE to justify his own glory, nature and his phenomenal status in creation. Divinities are creatures that never saw the beginning of days nor will they see the end of life – they are immortal and permanent. They share the same original characteristics of GOD which signifies that they cannot change or be tarnished by error or age like men – they share the infinite divine quality, completeness and wholeness of OLODUMARE

The name OBATALA is derived from the words: OBA TI O NI ALA, meaning THE KING IN THE WHITE APPAREL, THE LORD OF THE WHITE CLOTH, THE KING THAT BROUGHT HUMANS INTO BEING or THE KING WITH DISTINCTIVE BOUNDARY

He is also known as ORISAALA or ORISANLA, which means the great divinity, or ‘the one of most grandeur’. Divinities however should not be viewed as a women or men, because their statutes or image could not be defined in terms of natural physical structures like men or women. Since OLODUMARE could not be seen as either a man nor a woman, hence divinities takes after him as an embodiment of this perpetual glory and reveals themselves in whatever form they see fit. The woman/man relationship of OBATALA depends on the odu in question - or the tradition employed by the writer. In one stanza of Ogunda Meji it is stated that Obatala is a woman and further down in the stanza it is said that Obatala is an ageless divinity that came into iwarun – together with a host of other potent divinities. Ogunda meji claimed that ORISAALA had no father and that she was the mother of all creatures in creation, while OGUN was the father of all creatures. In other words, they both were considered to be directly created by OLODUMARE. This was the main reason for why ORISANLA was viewed as the mother goddess of IWARUN - the physical existence – and why OGUN was named ONIWARUN, ONIRE OKO EYO, meaning THE LORD OF IWARU, THE LEADER OF IRE HUSBAND OF EYO

Traditions reveals that it was ORISAALA who was the mother of Obanla and Obalufon, both of them were men. ORISAALA had other children, amongst them Yemoja. Yemoja gave birth to Osun - the grand-daughter of ORISAALA.

Orisanla or Orisa ala had another daughter called EFUNSEEKE. Efunseeke came of age and married. One day Ogun was celebrating one of his annual festivals in which he was drunk and as a consequence of a joke wine and alcohol entered the eyes of EFUNSEEKE and she became blind. Orisaala went to consult IFA to know why such a horrific event happened to her daughter. Orunmila made the divination and the odu OGUNDA IGARA appeared. Orunmila bowed down and knocked his head on the ground three times

for IFA saying ABORU ABOYE meaning, ‘obeisance to you oh divinity’- and while his devotees who were with him responded ‘a agbo a a to’ meaning: “we will live long , with wisdom and understanding”.

Orunmila asked Orisaala: IRU IGARA WO LO FE DA ALANIYAN YI OO, meaning: ‘what kind of challenges is facing the owner of this odu? ORISAALA replied and told IFA how OGUN poured gin in the eyes of her daughter EFUNSEEKE and how Eefunseeke went blind. This was the challenges they were facing right now.

Without mincing words, ORUNMILA replied that: BI AWO BA KI FUN NI, AA KI FAWO NI, TITI DI ONI OLONI, meaning: IF THE INITIATED ONE BLESSED ANOTHER INITIATED THE BLESSED ONE WILL RETURN THE BLESSING UNTILL THIS DAY (THAT IS , IF ONE IFA DEVOTEE GREETS OTHER IFA DEVOTEE, THE GREETED ONE, MUST RETURN THE GREETING)

Orunmila instructed Orisaala according to the odu to bring five snails as a sacrifice. The blood water from the snail would be used to cure the blindness of Eefunseeke. (Water from the snail is called OMI- ERO). Orunmila instructed Obatala to drop little by little OMI ERO into the eyes of her daughter until she would regain her sight. OBATALA (Orisaala) did all what was expected of him and followed the advice of IFA and indeed Eefuseeke regained her sight.

From that moment, gin or alcohol became a taboo for all the worshippers of ORISAALA, OGUN and IFA to ensure a sound mental state, a good spiritual state and physical fitness during worship and day to day activities. OBATALA, IFA and OGUN worshippers should refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, behaving contrary to what is godly. They should also be moderate with consuming salt, sugar and oil - if not completely abstain from it – at least keep it to a minimum. In the case of salt, sugar and oil - they are taboo to all worshippers of OBATALA.

After the incident of blindness, and how she regained her sight, Eefuseeke got pregnant - but it was a complicated pregnancy. Orisaala went to the same Ifa priest, ORUNMILA, to know the cause for all the pains of this pregnancy. Orunmila threw the Opele again and the odu that came out was Ofun meji. Orunmila instructed Orisaala to prepare 6 snails, 16 obi, 16 orogbo, 16 yams, 16 eko (corn flour stew) as an offering to divinity. Orisaala performed the rituals as directed and the water from the snails was to be drunk by Eefunseeke. Again it was OMI ERO that stopped the tumultuous state of her pregnancy and she got healed from her pains. Eefuseeke gave birth to a child in the 16th month of her pregnancy and the baby was albino. Indeed, it was because of this that albinos were called OMO-ORISA or ORISA ADARA (the children of deity or good deity)

It was believed from that day on that albinos intuitively know the secret behind 16 cowries. They are seen as natural diviners of 16 cowries called Erindinlogun. IFA says that all albinos must practice a spiritual trade as their chosen profession and study the art of divination according to the odu ogbe irosun, that tell us:

Ogbe Irosun stanza 11

TAWO LEPO

TO OGBERI LEJE

LO DIFA FUN OBATALA

TI O MA SE EBO, OMO RE TAN LORUN

IFA SO WIPE IRE AJE, IRE TILE, IRE ISEGUN

IFA NI KI A RUBO, AIKU, NITORI OMO

AWON NKAN TI EJE RE TI GBE NI OHUN EBO

OPA EKU, OPA EJA, EPO, OBI, OROGBO

OMI, IGBIN, EYELE, ADIYE, KI BABALAWO FI JERU

KI WON MA PA OHUN ELEJE YEN

OBATALA GBO, O RUBO AIKU, NITORI AWON OMO RE

OBIRIN ATI AWON OMO RE OKUNRIN

IGBA YI NI IKU KO PA WON MO

TI ARUN KO SE WON

OMO RE TAN LORUN

TAWO LEPO

TOGBERI LEJE

IFA SEBO OMO RE TAN LORUN

IFA SEBO OMO RE TAN LORUN

TAWO LEPO, TOGBERI LEJE

TAWO LEPO, TOGBERI LEJE

TRANSLATION:

The initiated ones have palm oil

The uninitiated ones have blood

This the IFA oracle divined for OBATALA

That decides to offer sacrifice to his heavenly children

IFA says, the blessing of prosperity, the blessing of manifold success, the blessing of victory

IFA directs him to offer sacrifice of longevity for his children

The sacrifice of dry materials that include dried rats, dried fish, obi, orogbo, water, snail, pigeon, ori,

OBATALA heard and offered a sacrifice of long life, because his male and female children, that was how they got victory over death and sickness

Hence, the heavenly children of OBATALA were blessed

and so the chant goes

initiated ones have abundant oil

initiated ones have abundant oil

while uninitiated ones have abundant blood

while uninitiated ones have abundant blood

Albinos are natural prophets from GOD, sent here to direct our spiritual steps.

The second school of thought believed that OBATALA was a male deity, one of the greatest powers – a leading figure who led other divinities from the heaven above to the physical plain of existence. It was believed that ORISALA was the only divinity given a place at the right hand side of OLODUMARE in his majestic kingdom - ENI OTUN ELEDUA.

Because of his greatness, praise names were given to him from town to town, from village to village among his followers. In all Yoruba towns and cities worshippers see Obatala as their king, leader and their protective divinity of immense importance. Obatala according to the tradition is called ALABAA LASE meaning the giver of authority or the holder of absolute authority. The vibration or odu that created Obatala according to tradition was EJIOGBE that states:

Gbogbo ola omi ti nbe laye

Kole to ti olokun

Gbogbo iyi odo kole to ti olosa

Lodifa fun obatala oseere igbo

Lojo ti yio je alabaalase

Ti gbogbo irunmole nleri pe

Awon yoo gba okan ninu oriki re

Orunmila agboniregun yehun

E su lalu elegbara ogo yera

kosi ifa ti ni yi koja ejiogbe

alase ni a fi ase fun

gbogbo odo keekee kee ti oba so pe

ti olokun ko si laye

gbogbo won nii gbe lau-lau

bi papa bajo, eruku asoloju won

mo toro ola lowo olosa ibikeji odo

mo rije bee ni mo yo rara

tani ko mope ola OLORUN nikan

loto ni ije dojo iku eni

Translation:

Of all the honor of the earthly water

None can match the honour of OLOKUN (the goddess of ocean)

All the glory of the river, none can match the goddess of sea

This was divined for OBATALA OSEREMAGBO

the day he was crowned the head of all divinities

All the divinities were jealous and promised

That they will take one of his numerous honour and glory

Orunmila Agbonniregun did not utter any word

Esu lalu elegbara stayed away

None of the odu has honour comparable to ejiogbe

Honour is given to whom it’s due

Ejiogbe, you are the greatest of them all

if the little river wants to claim superiority over the ocean

it will dry to its source

if the bush is burning, those who need to go into hiding must do that

l ask for prosperity from the goddess of the sea, the second in command to the ocean

l am full with blessing ,

Everybody knows that the blessing of GOD is sufficient for us

Till the end,

This odu ifa under Ejiogbe make it clear that it is from heaven above OLODUMARE chose to make ORISAALA the leader of all divinities. It was noted that he was full of meekness, calmness, patience and gentleness – and this became the traits of his character - which must be imbibed by all his followers. Obeisance must always be given to him in quietness and meekness, as a sign of perfect communication with GOD. Animals without bones are his preferable sacrificial animals, like the snail, shows that Obatala does not like to hurt nor animal or human. He loves to maintain the sanctity of life and to ensure their preservation in the universe. Based on this Obatala was saluted in the following way:

OBATALA O KU OOO

ORISA FUNFUN

AJIMAJE NNKAN TO LEEGUN

APA IGBIN JE LEHIN IKAARAHUN

TRANSLATION:

OBATALA LONG LIFE, TO YOU OH DIVINITY

DEITY IN WHITE APPAREL

THAT WAKES UP WITHOUT EATING BUT A BONELESS ANIMAL

THAT EATS SNAIL AFTER REMOVING HIS SHELL

We use the following items when performing rituals and making ebó for Obatala:

IGBIN (SNAIL)

AKE EWURE (GOAT PLACENTA)

OBI (KOLANUTS)

ATAARE (ALLIGATOR PEPPER)

OROGBO (BITTER KOLA)

OMI (WATER)

The hierarchy amongst his followers is as follows

Males: Aboosa, Tabi aaje

Females: Elegun

White cloths are the symbol of his presence and should be worn frequently by his worshippers.

Taboos for Obatala:

None of his followers should drink strong wine or alcohol

Oil and salt must not be used to prepare food during his rituals and initiation;

Melon soup (obe egusi) is forbidden during OBATALA ceremony and Corn should not cooked during the week of rituals for Obatala (a ko gbo do se ase ti o ni agbado lojo ose obatala). OBATALA was the first divinity and he chose the first day of the week as his own day of worship. He is believed to be the real image of GOD and true representative of GOD in the world.

It was believed that those who are looking for the fruit of the womb must offer prayer, sacrifice and indulge into regular fasting to Obatala. The barren must give daily obeisance to Obatala for the gift of children from GOD. GOD has given Obatala the authority to put smiles on the face women that are in dare need of children, hence all barren women should give obeisance in the following way:

ORISA ADATAN APAPA LAELAE

ALAGBO OFE A BI IWOMO WERE

TRANSLATION:

THE DIVINITY OF ADATAN WITH INFINITE LOVING HAND

THE OWNER OF THE COMPOUND FULL OF BLESSED CHILDREN

WHO IS GIVING CHILREN OUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED

Indeed, in the odu Ogbedi IFA says that Obatala and Orunmila were chosen to receive the absolute authority to bless all barren women in the universe and bring to them the gift of children

Ogbedi says:

BI OJO IKU ABARAMEJI BA DARA LAYE

EHIN IWA WON KII SAN LORUN

LO DIFA FUN EJIOGBE ATI OBATALA

LOJO TI WON YOO NA ADO OMO BIBI

TI AWON ELEGUN WON YIO FI JEUN

OGBEDI NI GBOGBO ERAN ENI TI E BAJE

OTOTO ENIYAN NI YOO MAA DA

AWON LA FI TETE OHUN

KI A TO TORO OHUN LOWO ENI

A KII FI TULASI GBA NNKAN APO ENI WARA- WARA

LODIFA FUN OBATALA OSERE LASO (OSEERE MAGBO)

NIGBATI TI EDA YOO MAA RAWO – RASE

KI WON TO TORO OMO LOWO RE

AWON EDE NI EETISE

ORUNMILA NI A SE EYIN KO MO PE

OBATALA KII TA OMO RE LOPO

TRANSLATION:

IF THE DEATH OF PEOPLE WITH TWO PERSONALITY IS GOOD IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD

LIFE AFTER DEATH WILL BE WORSE IN THE HEAVEN

THIS THE IFA ORACLE DIVINED FOR EJIOGBE AND OBATALA

WHEN THEY WERE PLANNING TO HAVE A CHILD

WHEN THEIR FOLLOWERS WERE SEEKING FOR FOOD

OGBE-DI SAYS, ALL THE MEAT WE SHALL EAT

WILL BE GIVEN TO US BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE

THIS IS POWER OF WORD

BEFORE ASKING ANYTHING FROM OTHERS

NOBODY MUST USE FORCE TO TAKE WHAT DO NOT BELONG TO HIM

THIS ALSO DIVINE IFA FOR OBATALA OSEERE IGBO

WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE BEGGING HIM

FOR THE BLESSING OF THE WOMB

PEOPLE ARE ASKING WHAT CAUSE THE DELAY

ORUNMILA ANSWERED THEM

DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT OBATALA WILL NOT GIVE OUT HIS CHILDREN WITHOUT A COST?

Before Orunmila left to earth from heaven GOD gave ORUNMILA the authority of teaching IFA to mankind while the ability to look patiently towards GOD for blessings of all kinds were given to OBATAALA. Both Orunmila and Obatala performed rituals to attract multitudes of followers that would spread their names throughout the universe. According to OGBEKA it was like this:

Aki I yo eyin adie ninu omi

Lati owuro ki dale ko to gbe

Bi omunu ogede ba pe ninu omi

Kio gbe boro boro

A fo aso tan ninu eji

Eji ko da , a ko ri oorun saa

Lo difa fun akoka

Ti nko gbogb aye ni ifa

Lo difa fun aseda

Ti nko gbogbo agba ni imoran

Won ni awon mejeeji rubo ajalu

Ki won ma baa j anile aye

Ki oruko won ma baa si parun

Mo juba akoda mo juba ase da

Gbogbo omo awo ni kii o maa juba yi

Iba ni a a ju fun oniba

Omo awo ti ko ba juba akoda

Bi o ba difa , ifa re ko le se

Omo awo ti ko ba juba aseda

Bi o rubo, ebo re ko le da

Iba ni a a ju fun oniba

Mo ji mo juba akoda

Mo ji mo juba aseda

Gbogbo ohun ti mo ba wi ni ki o se

Ase

Translation:

No one removes the eggs of the hen from the water

From morning till dawn without being dry up

Whenever a banana plantain is put inside water

It will not ripe in time

We wash the cloth in the rain

The rain does not stop

While the sun does not appear to dry up the cloth

This IFA divined for AKOKA (teacher)

That teaches Ifa’s oracle to the whole world

It equally divines ifa oracle to aseda – the creator

That teaches wisdom to the sages and initiates

The two eminent divinities were advised to offer ritual against disagreement

So that they will not disagree when they reach the physical world

To avoid a situation where their names would not be blot out

From the book of life

I give obeisance to the first creature

My obeisance to the creator

All the initiates give their obeisance

Obeisance to those that deserves obeisance

Whoever among the initiates that do not give obeisance to the first creatures

Whenever he consults ifa divination, it will end up in total fiasco

Who among the initiate that do not give obeisance to creator

Whenever he offer sacrifice, such sacrifice will not be accepted by the divinities

Obeisance must be given to those that deserve obeisance

I wake up in the morning to give my obeisance to the first creature

I wake up in the morning to give my obeisance to the creator

All my steps and plan should witness the support of creator

Ase

Oriki Obatala

AGBALAGBA ORISA TI GUN SILE AYE

A GREAT DIVINITY THAT DWELLS IN THE PHYSICAL STATE OF EXISTENCE

ONILE OJU POPO O JI REBI

THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE ON THE WIDE ROAD THAT WAKES UP TO DETER EVIL

AGBALAGBA BI O BA JI IRE ABUSE-ABUSE

THE GREAT DIVINITY THAT WAKES UP WITH IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITIES AND BENEFITS

ONIPOPO OMO AROOGBEE

THE LORD OF POPO, THE CHILD OF AROOGBEE

IWIN SO NGADA MERI APA

THE MYSTERIOUS PHENOMENON TIED FOUR TO ARM

IWIN OLUOGAN KO DADE

THE MYSTERIOUS OWNER OF THE JUNGLE WITHOUT CROWN

IWIN ODE NII TA IRINWO EFON

THE MYSTERIOUS HUNTER THAT SELLS FOUR HUNDRED BUFFALO

IWIN ODIDE YOMI YOWU OGBONNA SONU

THE MYSTERIOUS WEAVER THAT REMOVES THE WOOL AND THROUGH IT AWAY

IWIN ODE NII TA IRIN O EFON

THE MYSTERIOUS HUNTER THAT SELLS FOUR HUNDRED BUFFALO

IWIN A MAA TA META AJAGBO

THE MYSTERY THAT SELLS THREE OF THE JUNGLE WILD DOGS

O MAA TA LEKA ORUN

HE WHO IS OF IMMENSE IMPORTANCE IN THE HEAVEN

KI O LE BA A DUNNI JANJAN BI ABAJO

THAT WILL BE OF IMMENSE PAIN LIKE AS IF

ENI TI KO DURO GBO EJO

WHO DOES NOT CARE TO LISTEN TO ANY COMPLAIN OR TO HEAR ANY LAWSUIT

ENITI KO DURO DE ONILU RE

HE WHO DOES NOT WAIT FOR HIS OWN DRUMMER

TI O FI DE EJIGBO AKIRE

UNTIL HE REACHES THE CITY OF EJIGBE AKIRO

KO DURO GBEJO TO FI DE EJIGBO KORO

HE DID NOT LISTEN TO THE COMPLAIN UNTIL HE REACHES THE CITY OF EJIOGBO KORO

ONIPOPO OMO AROOGBEE

THE LORD OF POPO, THE SON OF AROOGBEE

IWIN SONGADA MERI APA

THE MYSTERIOUS BEING THAT TIED FOUR TO HIS HAND

IWIN OLUOGAN KO DADE

THE MYSTERIOUS LORD OF OGAN WITHOUT CROWN

MAJE KI A TA OFA NI LE YI

NEVER ALLOW THE EVIL ONES SEND EVIL VIBRATION TO THIS LAND

EMO IYAN NI O JE KI A TA SENU

(UNSMOOTH) POUNDED YAM WILL NO GO TO THE MOUTH

AGBALAGBA ORISA NILE EKEETA

A GREAT SAGE AND DIVINITY IN THE THIRD HOUSE

NIGBA TI O SOLESAYE TAN

AFTER HE HAD DESCENDED IN THE PHYSICAL STATE OF EXISTENCE

AYEWA DI GBARUGBADA

THE WORLD BECOME SETTLED AND PEACEFUL

MAJE KI A TA OFA NI LEYI

NEVER ALLOW THE EVIL ONES SEND EVIL VIBRATION TO THIS LAND

EMO IYAN NI KI O JE KI A TA SENU

A BAD POUNDED YAM WILL NOT BE TAKEN TO THE MOUTH

OLE ONISO ESE WO DO MOJA APA

HE PURSUED THE EVIL ONE TO THE RIVER WITH HIS FIST

ORIN (Songs)

AGBALAGBA ORISA OOO

THE GREAT DIVINITY OOO

OUN LO LAYE OOO

YOU ARE THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE

IDA ILE OGUN BI ORI BA A NI

THE MARCHET OF THE HOUSE OF OGUN LOOK LIKE THE STRUCTURE OF THE HEAD

ASE

Ifa says that the first devotee of Obatala was ONIYAGBE who lived in a town called DOROMI - AWISE and was married to a woman named OMOJINKUN. Tradition impart to us that this couple farmed and planted corn in proportion to the land given to them by their ancestors. Omojinkun, the wife of ONIYAGBE was barren and they tried all possible means to have a child but to no avail. One day ONIYAGBE took his wife to consult IFA with a reputable IFA priest in the land. It was there ODU IRETE AAYA or IRETE MEJI appeared and in this odu we read the following:

I I

I I

II II

I I

Ogbori ngbiri, a tehin dopo

Ona taa ba to ri

Nii se ni siba sibo

Ohun rere ni yowo obi ninu aso

Ohun buburu ni yowo ofa ninu apo

Lodifa fun ako aaya

Lodifa fun abo aaya

Lojo, ti won lo oko iwaje

Ako aaya ni

Koloko o ma kuu

Ki igi ogunbere ma faya

Ti o ba di iwoyi amodun

Ki a ribi jo

Gbantete, gbantete

Abo aaya ni boloko le ku ko ku

Bi igi ogunbere le yak o ya

Bi o ba di iwoyi amodun

A o ri ibomiran jo

Gbantete, gbatete

Translation:

The heavenly destiny could bring surplus and prosperity

Unknown path never walked before

Could bring confusion

Mentally, physically and spiritually

Good words bring good things from the pocket, that is good word bring harmony, luck

Peace and serenity

Evil utterance attract evil manifestation

This divine IFA –oracle for the male ape

This divine IFA –oracle for the female ape

When they were going to the forest of plantation and harvest

The male monkey says

‘’the owner of the farm should not die

And the tree of ogunbere should not fall

So that by this time of next year

I shall be able to dance

Gbantete, Gbantete’’

While the female monkey offered contrary opinion

‘’ If the owner of the farm could die

Let him die

And the tree of ogunbere (leucaena leucocephala) should fall

Let it fall

So that by this time of next year

We shall look for another farm to eat and harvest

We shall also seek another tree to pluck its fruit”

After the IFA priest had chanted the IFA verse he instructed ONIYAGBE that on getting to his farm the day after he should hide himself to witness a strange phenomenon at his farm. Whatever happened he was told to inform the Ifa priest of so he could be able to prescribe the necessary sacrifice to overcome the evil establishment.

What he saw that night was two apes who liked to eat the corn in ONIYAGBE’s farm. Very early in the morning ONIYAGBE went to his farm and he saw the two apes, a male and a female. Upon seeing them he hid to witness the mystical phenomenon. The male ape started first to pluck the corn, using both hands to pluck, like he used to do in past while he jumped from tree to tree saying

KI OLOKO MA KUU OOO

KI IGI OGUNBERE MA FAYA

BI O BA DI IWOYI AMODUN

KI A RI IBI JO GBANTETE – GBANTETE

Meaning

The owner of the farm should not die

And the tree of OGUNBERE should not fall

By this time of next year

I shall be able to dance

Gbantete gbantete (the rhythmic sound of the drum)

The owner of the farm, ONIYAGBE, was overwhelmed with happiness on hearing the strong words of the male monkey. After this the female monkey followed suit, plucked the corn with the left and right hand and ate all what she needed and jumped from tree to tree saying

BI OLOKO LE KU KO KU

BI IGI OGUNBERE LE YA KO YA

BI O BA DI IWOYI AMODUN

A O RI IBOMIRAN JO

GBANTETE – GBANTETE

Meaning

If the owner of the farm could die

Let him die

If the tree of OGUNBERE (leucaena leu cocephala) could fall

Let it be

By this time of next year

We shall look for another farm to eat and harvest

We shall also seek another tree to stand on

Gbantete, gbantete

When the owner of the farm heard this he got furious. He pulled out his gun and shot the female ape and killed her. ONIYAGBE later opened the bowel of the female monkey and removed the placenta in her womb. He encountered another phenomenon in her womb called SESEFUN. He took the SESEFUN to the IFA priest. On getting to the house of the priest, there was another round of divination in which he was told that his prayer had been answered and his wife would conceive and he would need to do another set of sacrifices. ONIYAGBE was asked to bring a plain white cloth to be tied to PEREGUN TREE (DRACAENA FRANGRANS OR DRACAENA ARBOREA). He should place a pot under this tree and always pour water on the tree and the water would be dropped into the pot.

The chief priest told the wife that the water in the pot should be the water to be taken every morning (both for drinking and for bathing) and the SESEFUN the husband found in the womb of the female ape must be kept inside the pot with the water. The wife of Oniyagbe did all the rituals according to the instruction of the Babalawo and in a short time she conceived and gave birth to a beautiful child. She bathed the baby with the spiritual water in the pot as instructed by the IFA priest while the cloth wrapped on the PEREGUN tree was the only clothing used by the baby. In reality, when a child use such spiritual water and divine cloth, the child will be called the child of OBATALA because the materials are the emblem of ORISAALA ALASO FUNFUN - white cloth, SESEFUN - these children are given names like ABIAPE, that is , they have come with divine names which is derived from divinity and thus informs their destiny.

The above IFA myth teaches us two important things. The first important thing is the importance of learning to speak good about one self and also about others. One should avoid speaking evil, no matter how grave our challenges or evil circumstances might be so that we will not be attracted to greater evils and thus bring into motion greater calamities from our utterances and from our mind. IFA says that good words and good minds draw spiritual and physical sympathy and love while a strong word or evil utterance are like weapons. Good and kind words according to IFA can serve as a mechanism for progress, long life, and happiness, whereas, a mean word or evil utterance can attract strong negative consequences. The second important lesson is the act of conforming to spiritual guidance, to be able to achieve certain physical, mental and spiritual objectives, that is, one should adhere to spiritual instructions to fulfill one`s destiny .

SECOND STORY

Irete meji speaks of ILE (the mother earth) as the element of worship in the cult of OGBONI and ILE is seen as the most important and dominant force in creation. She secures all the living and the non living creatures of the OMNIPOTENT GOD – OLODUMARE.

ILE according to IRETE MEJI encompasses rivers, lakes, seas, hills and mountains - which are the spiritual personification of the mother – goddess of fertility to whom regular worship was made and unto whose bowel man finally returns at the end of his life

The below IFA verse from IRETE MEJI summarizes the importance of ILE (IRETE MEJI VII- ESE IFA KEJO)

Iyan bemu – bemu nii kun inu igba

Oro bemu- bemu ko kun ikun agbalagba

A difa fun ILE

To ni oun loun o kere gbogbo aye je

Ko I pe

Ko I jina

Ki ire gbogbo

Ka I ba wa ni jebute ire

Translation:

Food (pounded yam) may fill a dish until it can take no more words

No matter how secret, the secret will ever remain safe

In the repository of an elderly people

Declared the oracle of IFA to earth

Who craved universal worship

Let all prosperity meet us at our domain

See how blessing follows sacrifice

IFA tells us that ILE (earth) consulted the oracle of IFA asking how she would profit from men’s undertakings and blessings in life. IFA instructed ILE to offer a sacrifice of 16 OBI, 16 OROGBO, 16 ATARE, 16 RATS, 16 PIGEONS, and 16 GUINE FOWLS AND 16 BAGS OF COWRIES.

ILE agreed and offered the sacrifice as directed by IFA. Indeed the work and the profit of all living being returned to ILE with profit. We build and all our undertakings and investment, our achievements and children is made possible because of ILE – and to Her we return - to the bosom of earth - after our

earthly journey. We grow, we struggle, we become poor or rich on earth and later we are all swallowed up by the same ILE. Men ‘s profit and poverty in life will in death end up in the belly of the earth – AGBALAGBA - another name for OGBONI in the context of earth worship and propitiation

Irete meji says the Ogboni Society was founded to secure the worship of mother – earth. This forms the central part of all the ceremonies of the society. The proper time for propitiating the earth and ensuring its fertility is after all the necessary ceremonies were done and all rituals are carried out.

Another myth tell us that all divinities, including ILE –the mother earth, joined forces to dethrone OBATALA OSEMARAGBO (the ancient of days) and take for them his creative powers. Bitter rivalry emerged amongst the divinities and deities who wanted to share the glory of OBATALA. ORUNMILA was invited to join in the conspiracy but refused. ESU was invited into the evil plot against the ancient of the days OBATALA, but ESU refused. In the end the divinities lost the fight to take the glory of OBATALA. Consequently a universal glory was conceded to him forever according to the IFA stanza below. However, the refusal of ORUNMILA BABA AGBONNIREGUN and ESU LALU OGIRI OKO, to join in the conspiracy against, the illuminated one –OBATALA –was with great benefit and enormous advantages. ORUNMILA and ESU were both promoted to co –exist as equals with OBATALA in the trinity of divinities

Irete Meji says the following:

Igangan IFE

Orunmila wo suu , o ko won

E e ri i

Awon ojise aye

Awon igangan ife

Awon ni Orunmila maa

Nranse si ELEDUA

Translation:

Envoy from earth

Town –crier of IFE

Were suddenly seized and slashed by Orunmila

You see

The messenger

The town crier

Are the emissary

Orunmila always send to GOD the omnipotent

The emissary from the earth and the town crier of IFE were ORUNMILA`S regular messengers to ELEDUMARE, the omnipotent. The message to the omnipotent was: “such being the state of things in IFE today, what sacrifice should I appoint as remedy?”

The reply would come ‘’offer a bush rat’’. Acting on this recommendation ORUNMILA would receive good auspices for the city and all would turn out well, but as time went on things changed. When the Omnipotent indicated the sacrifice of a goat, these messengers reported to ORUNMILA that a Lamb should be offered. The sacrifice would result in failure. What could be responsible for this turn of events wondered Orunmila. Eventually the truth came out but ORUNMILA said nothing, he merely stopped the messengers from bearing further request to the OMNIPOTENT.

One day ORUNMILA seized the messengers and killed them. The people of IFE wondered how ORUNMILA could do such an evil thing, killing his messengers who were always bringing good tidings to the people of IFE. The answer given to them by ORUNMILA was not satisfying, and the people decided to attack ORUNMILA, and without mincing words ORUNMILA hid himself from the anger of the people. They beat one of the disciples of ORUNMILA called IMULEGBE and AKALE – ORUNMILA`s guest was not spared.

ORUNMILA could not hide his emotions and he came out from his hiding and challenged the people. Orunmila left the city in annoyance, IMULEGBE and AKALE went with him. ORUNMILA warned the entire council of IFA priests to stop divining for the people of IFE, so that they may know the implication of their habit and actions

Orunmila later travelled to the forest with his friends until they got to a place called ‘’THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE’’ and here they built three hut’s, one for AKALE – ESU, one for IMULEGBE – OBATALA, and one for ORUNMILA. Soon, there was a report from IFE that the city was under heavy plague and many problems. Fishes were dying in the river, sickness and illness became the order of the day. The pregnant women would no longer find it easy to have their children, men became infertile and the barren could not conceive. There was total chaos and pandemonium and nobody in the city was able to find a solution to the problem. The chiefs of IFE went out of their domain to seek solution but all to no avail.

One day they met a diviner named CRAB THAT CRAWLS IN HOLES IN THE MARSH AWAY FROM WATER HABITANTS, but he declined to divine for them because of what ORUNMILA the chief diviner had said. He then instructed the people of IFE to look for ORUNMILA so that they might find solutions to their problems. They replied that ORUNMILA could not be found, and he said they should look for an antelope and bring him the animal so that he would help them look for another diviner. They brought the animal and were led to another diviner called GOLDEN –HUED LIKE FRESH PALM OIL who was expected to take them to where ORUNMILA resided.

The diviner then asked the people of IFE to look for an antelope for sacrifice like was given to the first diviner. This request was more laborious than that of the first diviner, but since they did not have alternatives, they prepared to go into the deep bush and look for an antelope. They found an antelope which they pursued up hill and chased the animal into the forest until the people of IFE found themselves in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. Here, suddenly the antelope disappeared and they continued searching for the disappeared antelope until they found the three huts built for ORUNMILA, AKALE and IMULEGBE (ORUNMILA, ESU AND OBATALA).

The people of IFE could not believe that a sane man could live in this remote area, but to confirm their doubt and curiosity, they threw a stone at one of the huts and immediately ESU – AKALE, came out in annoyance asking them who threw the stone. They actually saw that it was ESU, and ESU asked them what was the problem with them and why they needed to find them here in the deep forest. They pleaded with ESU and told him the predicaments that were currently haunting them at IFE. ESU listened to them and asked them to go and look for some sacrificial materials if they wanted any solution to their problems. The materials they needed to get was 2 BUSH –RATS, 2 DRIED FISH, 2 OBI, 2 OROGBO, 2 ATARE and several other things in pairs.

They returned to IFE in order to secure the materials. They told about their experiences to the king and the king advised them to take all the materials and that they should try to find ORUNMILA himself. Immediately after they left ESU reported how the citizen of IFE came and stoned his hut to ORUNMILA and how he came out to question them and how he instructed them to look for some sacrificial materials so that their predicaments could be solved. Then ESU asked ORUNMILA how he could help them if they returned. ORUNMILA told ESU to go to the hut of OBATALA to report the case to him exactly as he had told to ORUNMILA.

ORUNMILA pleaded to OBATALA – IMULEGBE that OBAORISA would listen to ESU – AKALE and the story of the disasters in IFE. If nothing was done there could be even more severe situations unfolding.

OBATALA, in the first instance did not comply with ORUNMILA`s plea and despite numerous attempts, OBATALA did not give in to their plea. Then ORUNMILA chose and used stronger, wise and mystic language before ORISAALA heeded to the plea, and what was this language?

Obatala, you must return to your work

The blacksmith moulds iron over and over again

Until, it is straight and perfect

The barber has not finished his work

Until backs and sides are well trimmed

You must return to your unfinished work

Generations of kings have reigned on earth

Yet have I not seen one to rival this one

To rival Obatala, king of all divinities

Royal artificer of perfection

Who came from above but place

His earthly home in the city of IRANJE

He alone has power to lock the rain –gates

He alone created the white dome of the sky

He created the species of RAT to last for ever

He created the species of the FISH to last for ever

He created the species of the bird to last for ever

He created the species of the beast to last forever

And ordained that the species of man be never destroyed

With these mystical words, OBATALA replied “you are blessed, you ORUNMILA have the unique wisdom to recollect all these mysteries, I will heed to your plea.”

When the people of IFE returned with the sacrificial materials, ORUNMILA forgave them, ORISAALA forgave them and ESU also forgave them. With the materials a sacrifice of atonement was performed and the three divinities and the people of IFE returned to the city of IFE with dance and song, rejoicing that their city and the people had been saved from calamity. From that time on the city of IFE spread in all directions until it touched every corner of the world.

The story shows this trinity in the primordial order. ESU represents the junior divinity in this hierarchy and his role is to receive and forward sacrificial offerings, he is morally neutral, he represents chance, the unpredictable component of life,

The rating between ORUNMILA and OBATALA is extremely difficult to analyze, but since the junior should first seek the favor of the senior and in the beginning of the myth we see that OBATALA was the senior, being sought after by ORUNMILA.

But if we go by the power of words, and the significance of what words and its beauty could do, one would wonder that a good word could give us a leadership role. The power of forgiveness too should not be seen as an ordinary power - it is one of the strongest vibratory power in the universe and if we go by the last phrase of the concluding part of ORUNMILA`S pleading statement, it shows that ORUNMILA forgave them, OBATALA forgave them and ESU forgave them.

The above story shows the position of Obatala as a leading figure in the primordial order, and those searching for blessings in any form must not hesitate to pray to OBATALA

Obatala is next to GOD in order of importance. He takes precedence over all divinities. GOD endowed Obatala with the responsibilities of creating all creatures. He made the head, nose, eyes, mouth, skull, while OLODUMARE placed within man the breath of life which is the spirit and the soul that make man a living being. He is the maker of the image of man from clay and place man in the uterus of a woman.

Woman seeking the blessing of children must constantly give obeisance to OBATALA for a sound, perfect and whole child free of deformities and any blemish whatsoever. Deformed and blemished children like albinos are dedicated to him and takes a special prominence in relation to Obatala.

Obatala is also regarded as the sole protector of the town or city gates. He enjoys the uniformity of color among his devotees. His preferable color is white, that is, he enjoys using white in all his activities. White clothes, white food, abstaining from red meat, using white kola nuts and bitter kola instead of normal red kola nuts are some of his sacrificial material. The worshippers tend to use snail instead of animals when performing rituals to his honour. They go without food for a day or two while they pray and sing of praises to him. They abstain from sex and food during rituals to Obatala

Prayers for the gift of womb (child bearing) are offered to him by women finding conception difficult. He serves as arbiter of disputes among initiates all over the world. OBATALA is a divinity of purity. He represents highest moral and physical discipline among his devotees. The initiates are to ensure humility, purity, peace, calmness and patience in dealing in any matter concerning spiritual steps, mental activities and physical interaction with others. Obatala is known as the lord of vision and the lord of whiteness. Some of his names are

1) Orisa elemi: divinity that brought all being into existence

2) Alaba lase: proposer and disposer of great authority

3) Baba – baba , iya- iya: is the father before fathers, and mother before mothers. Both feminine and masculine attributes are exhibited in the traditional ad historical attributes of OBATALA

Tradition makes it clear that OBATALA was the chief male divinity in creation just like ODUDUWA was once the greatest female divinity in the world. The union between the two (OBATALA and ODUDUWA) resulted into the spread of humanity on the surface of the universe

Tradition also reveals for us that ODUDUWA was the first wife of OBATALA and their union being symbolized by the union between earth and the sky, which makes part of the mysteries of the Cult of OGBONI. The union is made manifest by the two parts of a white calabash joined together meaning what GOD has join, let no one tear asunder. This is also replicated in the traditional position of husband and wife when they take hold of the palace of love-making when they generate life in accordance with Idi Meji:

Ojo nla ta di sasa

A difa fun won ni di okunrin

A bu fun won ni di obirin

Nijo ti won nmekun oju se rahun omo laye

Idi ni a apa asa

Igba ti idi ba di meji

Ngba ye la dolomo

Obatala , oseremagbo

Majeki gbogbo olusin re yagan

Ase

Translation:

Success depends on perseverance; see how rain drops in time wear out granite

Thus declare the oracle of IFA to the husband

The same was declare to the wife when they sorrowed daily

For lack of children

Commence your effort

From bottom upwards

For when two ends meet

A child is born

OBATALA OSEREMAGBO

Never allow all your devotes witness barrenness in the world and the world to come

Ase

ODUDUWA is known as IYA AGBE, ‘the mother of the gourd’ or ‘mother of calabash’. She is represented by a woman nursing a child in a sitting position. Going by name ODUDU WA that is ODU TO DA IWA, which means the vibration that creates IWA. IWA according to Yoruba is ‘character’, ‘being’, ‘life’, ‘destiny’, and ‘heaven’ (like in the phrase ‘o losi iwa ORISA’ meaning; he has departed to the land of ancestors or divinities). Iwa here becomes a word on which the word ODUDUWA is patterned upon. Consequently He or She may be the father or the mother of all beings, but those who see ODUDUWA as the wife of Obatala did not miss the way – actually they reinforced the position of ODUDUWA as a divinity or deity of immense importance in creation.

Hence Obatala, the divinity of union, whiteness and purity join with ODUDUWA, the divinity of conception and from this comes all living beings. The union between the two gave birth to Aginju, Okanbi and many other illustrious children, deities and kings

We should not forget that the original IGBA IWA, The Calabash of Character, was given to OBATALA. Orunmila helped him to carry IGBA IWA from IWARUN to the ISALU AYE where the IGBA IWA was snatched from him by ORO and retrieved by ESU and returned to Obatala through patience and extreme spiritual wisdom. This was all OBATALA needed to endure and pass through challenges that transformed him into the greatest divinity of all.

GOD gave to OBATALA the secret to attract the blessing of wealth, prosperity, long life, happiness and strength – which he gave to his followers and other faithful followers of OLODUMARE.

Sources

1) Odun ifa( IFA festival) by Dr Abosede Emanuel

Published 2000 - West African book publishers limited

2) Asa ati ise Yoruba by CL Adeoye

PuPublished 1978 - Oxford university press, Nigeria

3) Akojopo iwadii ijinle asa Yoruba

Published and printed 1986 by Gavina press Ltd,dugbe IBADAN