Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
OGUNDA OGBE
OGUNDA SORI-IRE
1. If dice que cuando usted vino del cielo a la tierra, eligi como parte
de su destino, la bendicin en la formacin de su matrimonio, de su
hogar y de los hijos, para su felicidad. Tambin eligi la
prosperidad y el xito. Todas estas grandes cosas estaban en manos de
su Egbe en el cielo. Esta es la razn por la que hay
que propiciar su Egbe regularmente. Tambin es necesario ofrecer
ebo con: 1 gallo, 2 gallinas de guinea, 1 paloma y dinero. Propiciar
If con un guineo, alimentar a Egbe con Akara, ko,
Ekuru (pudn de frjol) y todas las frutas disponibles. Sobre
esto, If dice:
Traduccin:
Yiponrinpon pon un bidi
Yiyariya uno ya bidi
La palmera del desierto, con sus esplendidas hojas de palma
adivinaron If para Olu Ogan, la Abeja Reina
cuando ella, estaba construyendo las recamaras para sus hijos
Se le aconsej ofrecer ebo
ella as lo hizo
La abeja reina no quiere ver sufrimiento
la abeja reina nunca conocer el sufrimiento
La parte frontal est lleno de nios
Y la parte de atrs est lleno de seguidores
La abeja reina se ha convertido en un lder digno de ser adorado
Aqu viene el linaje de Ogo Elewuji
Es slo una persona que me llam
Sin embargo, 200 personas me estn respondiendo
Traduccin:
Otootootoo
Oroorooroo
Otooto laa jepa
Otooto laa joomu
Oun tori ni tori
Oun tori ni toori
Oun tori toori laa fii tooro fun Oba Iranje
Ko baa le foun tori-toori tani lore
Dia fun Atioro bagebage
Ti nsawo rele Onikoyi
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gbebo, o rubo
Ibi orii mi ran mi re ni mo lo
Atioro bagebage ti nsawo rele Onikoyi
Ibi ori ran mi re ni mo lo o
Traduccin:
Otootootoo
Oroorooroo
Por separado podemos consumir man
Y por separado se va a consumir el tamarindo
Lo que pertenece a Ori es de Ori
Y lo que es de Oori es para Oori
Pero lo que pertenece a Ori y Oori
Es lo que se da a Obamakin
As que nos dar los regalos que son de Ori y Oori
Estas fueron las declaraciones de If para Atioro Bagebage
Cuando fue a una misin de Ifa al palacio de Onikoyi
Se le aconsej ofrecer ebo
cumpli
Es donde mi Or me envi que yo he ido
Aqu viene Atioro Bagebage
Quin se va en misin Ifa al palacio de Onikoyi
Es donde mi Or me ha enviado que yo he ido
4. If dice que siempre se debe ofrecer ebo para que todo lo que sus
padres le han dado no se lo roben. Al mismo tiempo, es necesario
ofrecer ebo para que las prdidas de otras personas se conviertan en
su propio beneficio. If le aconseja ayudar a dos personas para
recibir la iniciacin en If, con el pago de su iniciacin con su propio
dinero. If le asegura que si esto lo hace, usted siempre recibir la
bendicin de regalos en su vida. If aconseja ofrecer ebo: 1 macho
cabro maduro, la cabeza de una serpiente venenosa, 40
agujas, un montn de huesos de animales y dinero.
Este ebo ser llevado al centro de la unin de tres encrucijadas.
Sobre esto, If dice:
Traduccin:
Los piojos se quedaron en la tela y se convirtieron en parsitos
Y el bicho grande esta en la esquina de la habitacin con su espada en
la mano
El mosquito se mantiene dentro del recipiente empuando sus cuchillos de
bronce amenazadoramente hacia el dueo de la finca
Este fue el mensaje de If para los bandidos, hijos de Alara
Y para la prdida, hijo de Ajero
Y para el Asesino, hijo de Ijebu-Atanleri
Despus de que los bandidos han atacado
Los que van a la izquierda para Onko Onko
Y los que van a la izquierda para Onjo Onjo
Tomaron Oloyaya a la ciudad de Oparara
Si una persona no experimenta grandes prdidas
Otra persona no puede adquirir grandes experiencia
Mensaje de If para Osunfunleyo
Cuando fue a realizar transacciones comerciales en el mercado en el
que volvera dentro de cinco das
Te fuiste con seguridad
Y regresaste con seguridad
Mensaje de If para Orunmila
Cuando fue a iniciar al mismo tiempo a dos hijos en If,
Que todos los Awo ponen su cara en el suelo
Las lesiones se van
Parlisis se van
Ir a informar a Alara que estoy realizando el rito sptimo da
Ir a informar a Ajero que estoy realizando el ritual sptimo da
Que los que me ven
Que me feliciten
La amenaza de incendios no pueden matar al guila
guila felicitaciones!
5. If dice que nunca debes hacer trampa, nunca debe ser un mentiroso
y que nunca se debe estar con aquellos que son deshonestos y los
que engaar a los dems. If le aconseja que haga y cumpla con
todo los procedimientos If. De este modo, su vida seguir
progresando. If le aconseja ofrecer ebo con 3 gallinas de Guinea, 3
gallinas, 3 palomas y dinero. Sobre esto, If dice:
Traduccin:
Mentir con el tiempo va a matar a los mentirosos
Romper juramento eventualmente mata a los incumplidores de juramento
Esto fueron declaraciones de If para rnml
Cuando se fue a una misin de If a la tierra de los mentirosos
Y tambin a la tierra de los incumplidores de juramento
Se le aconsej ofrecer ebo
cumpli
Aquellos que se llaman negro como blanco
ldmar te est mirando en el cielo
ldmar el juez silencio
Aquellos que se llaman hojas de Irk como Oriro hojas
ldmar te est mirando en el cielo
ldmar el juez silencio
7. If dice que existe la necesidad de que sepan que las nicas cosas
que son buenas y eternas en la vida son aquellas cosas dada a usted
por If y ldmar. If dice que todas las otras cosas que tienes en
la vida puede terminar, pero los que If y ldmar le dar nunca va
a terminar. Esta es la razn por la que no deben confiar en nadie en la
vida para darle cualquier ayuda.
Slo siguen buscando a If y ldmar para todas sus
necesidades.
If le aconseja agregar la miel pura de su material ebo. Sobre
esto, If dice:
Traduccin:
El awo de la miel de la tierra cultivable
fue el que consult if para Ado momo
El hijo de Olodumare
se le dijo que deba sacrificar
El acept
No hay nada dulce que no se acabar
Es slo la gracia de Ifa
No hay nada delicioso que no se acabar
Es slo la gracia de Dios
Itakun to so igba
Lo so agbe
Lo so elegede
Lo so keke eti Iresa
Omo araye fi nbomi rere senu
A mu weri aja
Ori aja fun iyele-iyele
A mu worun agbo
O fun yalayala
Igba erelu ni won dawojo
Ni won dawojo
Dia fun Orunmila
Ifa nloo taye Olufe se
Ebo ni won ni ki o waa se
O gbebo, o rubo
Nje Ifa teru-tomo tire ni
Ela fiye denu
Ifa koo mu suuru
Ifa tile-toko tire ni
Traduccin:
La enredadera que crece a partir de la calabaza
Es la misma que la enredadera que emana de la calabaza grande
Tambin es la misma enredadera que proviene de la calabaza
Tambin es la misma enredadera que proviene de la calabaza de la tierra de
IRESA
Que los seres humanos usan para beber agua de buena calidad
La usamos para lavar la cabeza del perro
Y la cabeza del perro se convirti muy limpio
Se utiliz la misma para lavar el cuello de un carnero
Y el cuello se puso muy limpio
Dos centenares de mujeres se reunieron
Echaron If para rnml
Cuando se va a arreglar la vida de Olu-If
Se le aconsej ofrecer ebo
cumpli
If, he nacido para ser esclavos y libres
Ela favor no te enfades
If por favor mantn mi paciencia activa
Tanto el hogar y la granja pertenece a usted.
"Ogunda-Ola"
"Ogunda-bede"
"Ogunda-borogbe"
"Ogunda Soriire"
"Ogunda-Orogbe"
1. Ifa requests the person for whom this Odu is cast to offer ebo so
that good fortune will be his. If he complies and compliments this with the
prescribed spiritual medication, he should start experiencing good fortune
within seven days.
Translation:
2. Ifa says the person for whom this Odu is cast should offer ebo. He
should procure a goat; he should whisper all his heart's desires into the
ear of the goat. Then the Babalawo will make some spiritual medication
for the goat and the man will take the goat home and keep it as a pet. He
will surely be wealthy.
Kukute agbon ko mi ra jigi
Adiafun Lakande
Omo ajagun gbade bori
Nigbati oun fomiju sugbere
Gbogbo ire ebo won ni ko se
Nje Oro ti mo ba ifa so
Ki ifa mama fi sun ooo
Kukute agbon ko mi ra jigi.
Translation:
3. Ifa predicts that there are two brothers who are quarrelling over wealth.
They should not quarrel. They should offer ebo for the wealth to be
abundant and go round. They will also require some spiritual medication to
speed up the arrival of this wealth.
Akete ki te-le-le
Ko ma le de ori kan,
Adia fun Ogunda
Eyiti yio lalala
Ti yio Bo ri ogbe mon le,
Ebo won ni ko se,
Nje mogbede o
O ri gengen
Mo gbe Ifa ola wole de.
Translation:
Lekeleke ni ko ye dudu,
Agbe dudu a ma ye tie ni funfun ni funfun,
Agbigbo nla a bi fo ragajigi legan,
Adia ftelaroko
Ti nje larin otibiti ise
Ebo won ni kose,
Nje telaroko mo jowoloko,
Telaroko, mo je gba orogbo loko
Ise tan oo, Oro loku.
Translation:
The cattle egret bird (lekeleke) does not lay black eggs
The blue Agbe bird also lays white eggs
The big-headed Ogbigbo bird with its large and heavy wings
This is Ifa's message to Telaroko
Who was living in utter wretchedness?
He was advised to offer ebo
Telaroko, I have inherited wealth in the farm
Telaroko, I have eaten 200 bitter kolas in the farm
My wretchedness is over, I am now wealthy!
5. Ifa predicts that there is someone who is very sick. We should offer ebo
for him so that he will recover.
Translation:
The hen can only cultivate its farm close home
The hen's farm is at the back-yard
This is Ifa's message for Orunmila
When he was going to conquer Olomo ayooro
He was advised to offer ebo
Olomo ayooro is the alias for disease
Ifa, please do not let us suffer from any disease
Disease, we already know your alias
Ela, may we never suffer from disease.
6. Ifa predicts that a sickness or some evil is lurking around the person for
whom this Odu is cast. It is this evil that is blocking his good fortune. He
should offer ebo to conquer this evil. He will need to procure a pot to be
used to make ebo to suppress the evil.
Translation:
Translation:
8. Ifa says we should offer ebo so we can conquer this our enemy who is
pretending to be our friend. We should remove part of the hair on our head
and add it to the ebo. Ifa says further that here are two friends. They
should offer ebo so that they will not betray each other.
Translation:
Dishonesty and wickedness are not attributes fit for a human being
If a man is deceitful, he will suffer for it
Because if you plan evil for someone
You are likely to fall into your own trap
This is Ifa's message for Orunmila
When he and Esu became friends
He was advised to make ebo
Split his head, tear up his jaws
Tear up his arm and add it to the ebo
Spear his head; do not tear up his jaws
Just remove the mound of hair on his head
And add it to the ebo
Travelers to Ipo and Ofa towns
Come and join us as we celebrate
Our conquest of evil
In the presence of Obarisa.
9. Ifa says the person for whom this Odu is cast should offer ebo so that
people will not lie against him. He should also refrain from eating bean
cake (akara) for a while.
Orunmila ni o di eke,
Ifa mi mo ni odi eke,
Oni ka ri oun ti ki se eke,
Akapo ni eja, eku, eran,
Orunmila je wo obun
D a so ro mi mope elere
Da soro mi mo ba otun
Da soro mope olajelu
Omo erin ti fon gbuuru loke egan
Se eyin ni ara iwaju, awa ni ero eyin,
Ogbo ti ero eyin ko ba gbon ara iwaju ni o ma nko,
Onii akara ni nkan eke o o o
Translation:
Aj ya il w.
If p sgbn k rbo o.
Omondindinrin
Awo Or l d fn Or
Or n n sawo rjl Olr
jl ibi t un n lo y
Ay ye un by?
Wn n k Or rbo
Or b rbo
Ngb d jl Olr
Wn b br s k e
Ay ye Or tn n n j
N w n y
N n yin won Babalwo
won Babalwo n yin If
n b lwon Babalwo tn w
mondindinrin Babalwo Or
A d fun Or
Or n n sawo rjl Olr
Aj il mi ni o y w
Omondindinrin
Akara dindn s y wl Olr
Omondindinrin
Aya il mi ni o y w
Omondindinrin
kr dndn s y wl Olr
Omondindinrin
Omo, il mi ni o y w
Omondindinrin
kr dndn s y wl Olr
Omondindinrin
Ire gbogbo, il mi ni o y w
Omondindinrin
kr dndn s y wl Olr
Omondindinrin
Traduccin:
Omondindinrin, el Babalwo de Or
Fue lo profetizado por If para Or
Cuando Or estaba aventurando el sacerdocio en el patio de un hombre
adinerado
Este patio al que yo voy '
' Me agradara la vida '? Or pregunt
Ellos le dijeron a Or que realizara sacrificio
Or realiz el sacrificio
Cuando l llego al patio de la persona adinerada
l cuid bien para la Vida
Or contento empez a bailar
l se regocijo
l estaba alabando a su Babalwo
Su Babalwo estaba alabando If
l dijo que era exactamente como su Babalwo haba dicho
Omondindinrin, el Babalwo de Or
Fue lo profetizado por If para Or
Cuando Or estaba aventurando el sacerdocio en el patio de un hombre
adinerado
Riqueza, es mi casa a la que usted debe venir llamando
Omondindinrin
Los pasteles de frjol entraran en la casa de un hombre adinerado
Omondindinrin
Hijos, es mi casa a la que ustedes deben venir llamando
Omondindinrin
Los pasteles de frjol entraran en la casa de un hombre adinerado
Omondindinrin
Todas las cosas buenas, es mi casa a la que ustedes deben venir
llamando
Omondindinrin
Los pasteles de frjol entraran en la casa de un hombre adinerado
Omondindinrin
Traduccin:
Eke re bi gn odn ko de
Eke re ajo oshu mf ko bo
tt in ni ajeku ju iro lo
Adffn Bb ml abewu gereje
A ni
Biwon day tan iro ni won mi a maa pa
A niki won rbo
Traduccin:
Leyenda:
Un da Eu se pregunto Por qu ellos estaban diciendo eso. Estn
diciendo que Dios est muerto o que Dios est triste? No se dan cuenta
que Dios es la verdad innata? Eu dijo Hey!, ustedes ayunan por Dios,
Dios nunca muere. Edumare nunca est enfermo. Olodumare nunca est
triste. Esu fue forzado a dispersarlos a todos. La cancin que Eu cant
en aquel da fue:
Kanrangbada kr ngbada
Il Ow ni mo wa
Ki ow titun o wa mi wa
Ki aya titun o wa ni wa
Ki omo titun o wa ni wa ati beebee
Bi omod bafi oj ba alkr a so iu un
Ogndsor ire fogb
Ki o e or ire fn m
Traduccin:
Kanragbada-Akara-ngbada
Yo estoy en casa de Owa
Deja que el dinero positivo me busque
Deja que nuevas esposas me busquen
Deja que nuevos hijos me busquen
Si un nio ve a Alakara, l le tirar su pedazo de ame.
Ogundasoriire fogbe, dame buena fortuna
14. If dice que no importa que tan duro trate un mentiroso, su mente nunca
descansa. Siempre es aprehensivo al hecho, pues en cualquier momento
pueden ser descubiertas sus mentiras. Es por eso que siempre est
preparado para apoyar una mentira con otra. Al final, el mismo se
contradice y se atrapa en sus mentiras
dl n pa dl
yin t nfi r p r
Oldmar, y maa w yn lrun, Oldmar
yin t nfi ew rk pe ew Orro
Oldmar, y maa w yn lrun, Oldmar
Traduccin:
nu wn lf
nu wn lje
Wn pe ol k w j
Wn pe olko k w
nu wn lf
nu wn lje
D fn rnml
Ngbt wn ar Il-If Oylagb nsn ara wn j
Tnu wn k gb bkan
T wn k fn han ara wn
Traduccin:
bnd l pe snyn
Ll lo d
Ko t dni psn
If l se fn o
ba Atyl l pe rnml
Ll lo d
Ko t dni psn
If l se fn o
Olr Akwej l pe s dr
Ll lo d
Ko t dni psn
If l se fn o
ba lm yy l pe un
Ll lo d
Ko t dni psn
If l se fn o
ba kni-w-r l pe ddw
Ll lo d
Ko t dni psn
If l se fn o
ba Olmitt l pe Olkun Snad
Ll lo d
Ko t dni psn
If l se fn o
ba Rakrak l pe yin iy mi j
Ll lo d
Ko t dni psn
If l se fn o
w e fn mi n
K n l
Traduccin:
17. Dice Ifa que el buen carcter y el ser perseverantes es lo que har que el
hijo de Ogunda Bede logre sus metas en la vida. Nos indica que el exceso
de pensamientos negativos nos pueden convertir en personas irracionales
y llevarnos al fracaso.
Agd pl pl y
krt pl y
Kk k j krt
Ma kk j agd-pl
D fn gnd
T y yal Ogb K jk
Mo yal Ogb mo nsinmi o
gnd l yal Ogb K l jk
Mo yal Ogb mo nsinmi o
Traduccin:
18. Ifa dice que el hijo de Ogunda Bede debe tener la completa seguridad que
triunfara en contra de sus enemigos. El debe ser invariable en su fe a Ifa.
La indecisin puede convertirse en un obstculo para logar un completo
destino positivo para un hijo de Ogunda Bede.
Traduccin:
19. Dice Ifa que debemos ofrecerle regalos u ofrendas y venerar a Orisa Nla
(Obatala). Dice Ifa que los hijos de Ogunda Bede es a travs de la
veneracin a Ori que logran sus metas y objetivos en la vida.
ttt
trt
tt l jp
tt l j mumu
Ltlt l s ol esunsun snu
Oun tor tor
Oun tor ni tor
Oun tor- tor ls fi fn bamakin lde rnj
K ba l foun tor tor tani lr
D fn tro bgbg
T nawo rel Onky
Ibi Or mi rn mi r ni mo l o
tro bgbg t nawo rel Onky
Ibi Or mi rn mi r ni mo l o
Traduccin:
ttt
trt
Por separado comemos nueces
Por separado comemos mumu, las nueces de mono
Por separado arrojamos los hongos de esunsun a nuestras bocas
Lo que pertenece al Or de alguien, la cabeza, es para la cabeza
Que no le pertenece a Ori, la paloma salvaje, pertenece a Ori
Que lo que pertenece a ambos Or y Ori, la paloma salvaje es dado a
Obamakin, rsnl en rnj
Para que as puedan recompensarnos con el regalo del improviso de Or y
Ori
Estas fueron las declaraciones de If al lento tro, el ave adornada
A donde me ha enviado mi Or, ah debo ir.
20. Dice Ifa que presagia xitos en los negocios haciendo inmediatamente y
no demorando los ebo correspondientes. Los hijos de Ogunda Bede
logran por s mismos y con perseverancia sus xitos
Tt ni mu igi lok
D fn b
T l sko ler ldn
b ni wn nk w e
gbb, rb
Mo roko
Mo j gburu aj lko
b t lll
Twn p n btl
b tta il to l ll
Ni wn p n btl
b o m ti l llj
Traduccin:
Bb ihin od
Bb ohun od
Afeni ti Kogl kolu
Afeni t fsnrin jeka
L l ko lu s
L l ko lu Sng
yfi eni t Sng y pa o
L l doj j komo Awo!
Traduccin:
Traduccin:
Affiliated Irunmole/Orisa
Ifa
Orisa Oko
Ori
Esu Odara
Egbe
Ogun
Obatala
Osanyin
Orisa Aje
Possible Names
Male Female
1. Lakande Onijabemikan
2. Ajagungbadeori
Possible Profession
1. Babalawo especially with specialization in rituals and initiations
2. Herbalist
3. Hunter/Soldier
4. Farmer
5. Trader
Taboos
1. The Lekeleke bird
2. The blue Agbe bird
3. The big-headed Ogbigbo bird
4. The potato plant
5. Too much charms
6. Dont be arrogant
7. Dont be dishonest. If you are dishonest will not make the charms to be
effective
8. Wickedness
9. Dont be deceitful
10. Must not say what he is not sure of to avoid the anger of Ifa.
GLOSSARY
This is meant to explain some difficult words or terms especially the ones
pregnant with meanings or innuendoes. Some words in Yoruba (the language of
Ifa) have underlying assumption of the understanding of difficult concept they
contain and portray. This piece shall not be a full blown text but shall undertake to
throw light on difficult concepts.
IRE
Ire is a divinity that is close to, found with or associated with Esu. He is also
known to be a product of suuru (patience, fortitudes, perseverance) who is an
offspring of Olodumare.
Ifa encourages all his followers to invoke IRE on themselves, their children,
family member and other human beings.
IBI
This is the antithesis of IRE. Bad or Evil are mild ways to define what Ibi is.
Ifa says Ibi is the sum total of all forms and kinds of misadventure,
misfortune all ill-luck that might befall a being.
Ibi was brought to the world by the Ajogun (Negative Divinities) who
chastises the beings, they are known as the scourge and the spells of all
beings. Ajogun could be controlled, limited or dispelled by Esu.
Absence of Ibi does not mean Ire and Vice-versa, Ifa enjoins all his practitioners
to follow his teaching in order to avoid Ibi.
IBO
These are materials used to clarify questions further from Ifa. They could be
referred to as determinants. They usually answer singly phased questions YES
or NO. They also act to signpost the direction Ifa is building his assertions,
prophesy, prediction, advice or statements. They could also act as pointer to IBI
or IRE.
Ibo didi or casting of the Ibo can literally be translated to casting the vote to see
if Ifa votes for IRE or IBI.
ORISA
These are beings that are propitiated. There are Orisa in the Ifa pantheon. Some
were outright divinities said to descend to the world from the heaven (Ref. The
descent of the Sons of God in Jewish, Greco-Roman and Mythologies). They
lived on earth and carried out feat in their own times, some were great social
organizers. However, all are known to have contributed to the advancement of
human kind.
They are also known as intermediaries between Human beings (Omo Eniyan)
and the Most high God (Olodumare). They are numerous in number. Sometimes
cities, villages homes and individuals/families have their own peculiar Orisa who
act as guidian spirits to them and whom they propitiate always. Ifa belives in
deregulation and free participation in matters of Orisa.
IRUNMOLE
These are definite beings that are not human. They could be spirits of different
kinds as fairies, ghomids, Olympians, etc who were sent the world to organized
and develop the society. e.g Obatala, who represents the purity and holiness of
Olodumare; Orunmila, who brought the wisdom of Olodumare to the world; Ayan,
who taught Man Music and Art ; Kele taught man the art of cloth dyeing; Osanyin,
taught man the science of herbs and its healing potency; Ogun who constructed
the first road from heaven to Ile-Ife (Ife-Odaiye where creation of man began)
and who taught man all engineering art including design and construction of
tools. Ogodo taught man the act cotton processing, etc. Irunmole are propitiated
like the Orisa and sometimes some Orisa are also called or referred to as
Irunmole.
OLODUMARE
He is the Most High God of the Ifa pantheon literally translated; it means the
owner of the secret of eternal life. He is also known to have created all things in
heaven and the heaven of heavens and the earth. He is extremely good, the
owner and main distributor of all Ire. He occupies the farthest right position of the
ultimate uncreated Good. His dispassionate far-distance from man makes way
for the Irunmole/Orisa to come in between and intercede for man. Olodumare is
also known as OLORUN.
IFA
Ifa is a being, yet it is a system of the compilation of the secret of existence on
earth and in Hereafter (Heaven). Ifa teaches, admonishes, adjudicates, advises,
prescribes, proves, encourages, entertains, exposes, sign-posts, instructs and
sparingly gives orders. It is the sacred words of Olodumare which explain the
beginning, the end and the basis for existence of all things past and present. It
is the databank into which all the knowledge of life is encoded for humans to
make use of in order to live a fulfilled life. In fact, Ifa is the treasure base for
knowledge and wisdom. Its hydra headed pyramid of knowledge is worth
studying and thorough understanding. It has 256 chapters called Odu Ifa and
divided into two segments: Major with 16 chapters and Mixed Odu with 240
chapters.
AWO
This word stands for a practitioner of Ifa or any other sacred knowledge. It can
also be a school or school of thought especially the ones specializing in
esoteric knowledge of existence. It can also connote secrecy and confidentiality.
BABALAWO
This is a graduate of Ifa School who has undergone appropriate initiation
ceremonies and thorough studies under distinguished teachers and or Ifa adepts.
He is conferred with an Odu which is his own guardian Odu at Itenifa and thus
he has acquired a masters degree in knowledge of things-natural and celestial.
He carries on the practice and in a way specializes in his own Odu with sub
specialties in some queer technicalities. Thus a lot restrain and self-respect is
expected from a Babalawo. Ifa advocates prestige and societal respect for them
always whilst they are supposed to respect the societal norms, rules and
attitudes always. He is supposed to exhibit a high degree of piety, humility and
chastity of conduct because they are the ambassadors of Orunmila.
ODU
Most of the Ifa words portray an array of issues, events or beings rather an
object. Odu can stand for secret, cult or wealth, but much more in the instance of
Odu Eji Ogbe or Odi-Ogbe, it stands for the plethora of verses in knowledge and
wisdom, which particularly defines or denotes and connotes these chapters of
Ifa.
However, Odu is also a being, female and beautiful. She is referred to as Odu
Eleyinju Ege i.e Odu with the beautiful and attractive eyes. Babalawo also
propitiates her and no woman should behold her face. History has it that she was
once Orunmilas wife.
EBO
Loosely means sacrifice; it can also connote abstention, self discipline,
compliance with natural laws and taboos, execution of proper and accepted ways
of life. It has its own energy dynamics especially when it has sacrificial victims.
Whenever Ifa mentions ebo, it refers to three aspects such as Irubo (ritual
sacrifice), Ibo (Propitiation of deity), Eewo (taboo). These three aspects must be
put into consideration when ebo is being offered.
Ebo is the corner stone of Ifa teachings, what Submission is to Islam, Love is
to Christainity, and Ebo is to the religion of Ifa. Ifa teaches us that those who
refuse do Ebo as prescribed or advised by the bablawo would be sent Ibi/ajogun
by Esu for the offence of non-compliance. These shall chastise the fellow and
make life unworthy for such. It is better not to hear of ebo than hear and then not
to comply.
IYEROSUN
This is Ifa divination powder, yellowish in colour. The inscription of the ensign of
an Odu is made on it. The powder is very central to Ifa practices especially the
psycho-spiritual part. It plays an important role in preparing the ebo for
acceptance.
ORUNMILA
This is the name of the founder of Ifa practices. Sometimes he is reffered to as
Ifa. He has lot aliases such as Edu, Agbonniregun, Akere finu sogbon, etc.
Aboru Aboye.
Brief on some of these Irunmole
A. Ifa/Orunmila
Other Names
Ela, Agbonmiregun
Oniwaye Aiku
Elerii-ipin
Aludundun Orun
Edu Oloja Oribojo
Erigi Alo
Agiri ile ogbon
Characteristic
Custodian of wisdom, leader of the Irunmole link between human beings and
other Irunmole mouth piece of all Irunmole.
Tools
Ikin (Holy palm kernel)
Opele Divination Chain
Ibo- Divination Material
Iyerosun Divination Powder
B. Ori
Other Names
Agbeni-madehin - Unflinching supporter on all days including
days of
adversity
Alaran-se-eda - Helper of the being
Characteristic
It is the foremost of the Irunmole. It is the only one who stays and support when
charms fail and/or when other Irunmole have disembarked. It is the Ori who
stands.
In Odu Oturupon-Otura (Oturupon-ewure) we saw how Ori became the head and
foremost.
Tools
- Igba Calabash or any receptacle
- Iyeru-osun
Materials
- Obi - Kolanut
- Omi - Water
- Oti - Liquor
C. Esu-Odara
Other Names
Ola ilu
Elegbara
Okiri-Oko
Characteristic
God of Justice and Sanctions, has the replica of Gods command (Ado isubi-
isure), close associate of Orunmila, an analyst of situations, sacrifices to other
Irunmole are usually received by Esu for onward transmission to the Irunmole
concerned.
Tools
- Ado Isubi - Isure
- Yangi
Characteristic
Deity who created human beings for Olodumare to breath life into. The spiritual
head of all the Irunmole, responsible for moulding human beings. God of
purity/holiness.
Tools
- Agogo (a double faced traditional gong)
- Erowo (shining cowries)
- Owo-Eyo (cowries)
- Iko ode (Parrot red feather)
- Ada Osa
E. Egungun
Characteristic
God of the ancestors. Re-incarnation of the ancestral soul/spirit is assured by
the Egungun cult. It is assumed also to be the communal guidan spirits. It is
celebrated to drive away epidemics, unknown diseases, and evil or to bring
abundance of blessings, rain, and harvest or invoke ancestral support.
Tools
- Aso Alarambara - Multi coloured clothes
- Ago - Masks
- Mariwo - Palm fronds
- Isan - Egungun (cane) staff