Category Archives: Learning (Idanileko)

The Root of The Problem

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO IFÁ

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Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

Today we are living in a world filled with strife, power struggles, aggression, in-fighting, callousness and indifference. Why? What is the cause? Where does the problem lie? Is the problem due to the particulars of the government under which we live? In part yes, but the government is not the problem. Is the problem due to the type of community and culture of which we are a part? In part yes, but our community and culture is not the problem. Who is the true culprit? Where is the root of the problem? Why so much deception, corruption and cheating in our world, in our communities, in our relationships and even within our homes?

When we have all the ingredients and elements to promote truth, honesty, justice, abundance and peace for everyone, why is our world seemingly arranged like a jungle where only the aggressive and strong survive?! Every man for himself! What does Ifá have to say about the present conditions of the world? What can be done to bring correction, healing and restoration to ourselves, our society and to our Mother Earth who is in great pain and anguish because of the way her children are living amongst themselves and because of the way they are hurting her and abusing her?

I would like us to consider two brief revelations from Ifá that will enlighten us and help us to find real solutions to these dilemmas.

(1) There is a very important episode in the life of the divine priest and holy sage of Iketi, our holy master, Òrúnmìlà, that reveals deep realities. Once Òrúnmìlà considered the issue of genuine friendship and he asked himself who were really his friends. Òrúnmìlà had helped countless people with diverse counsels, remedies, expedient means and skillful divine spiritual disciplines. Did people really appreciate him? Or did people just only want to take the benefits Òrúnmìlà had to offer? Did people really understand the fundamental root and essence of all Òrúnmìlà spoke and did, or did they give little importance to his words and only wanted what they wanted without acknowledging the kindness, intent, character and heart of Òrúnmìlà? How about you? Do you love and appreciate Òrúnmìlà? Don’t be quick to answer. Before you answer consider the rest of this story.

Òrúnmìlà wanted to know who were his real friends, who really cared about him. Òrúnmìlà really wanted to know in how many people could be found real love versus simulated, superficial and/or pretend love. Òrúnmìlà deviced a plan to find our for himself who were his friends and who really had genuine love. Òrúnmìlà also employed an expedient means to help people see themselves in the revealing mirror of Ifá, so that they could accurately ascertain for themselves what kind of people they really were and are. Òrúnmìlà, the divine priest and holy seer of Iketi, our holy master, decided to fake his own death. A call went out announcing the death of Òrúnmìlà. Messengers went out far and wide announcing the death of Òrúnmìlà to all the people. Countless people who benefited from Òrúnmìlà heard the announcement. Meanwhile Òrúnmìlà hid himself in his home to see how many people would come, to not only pay respects to his remains but to also see who would lament his death with deep hearts of gratitude and sadness at the death of the divine master Òrúnmìlà. Òrúnmìlà stood hidden, he watched and listened.

The only person who displayed true sorrow and lament because of Òrúnmìlà apparent death was Esu! The only one who displayed deep gratitude and genuine appreciation towards Òrúnmìlà was Esu. Esu cried and cried and bemoaned the loss of his friend whom he loved dearly. Esu was a loyal friend who demonstrated his love and loyalty by obeying the divine counsel and divinely revealed unselfish directives of Òrúnmìlà. Esu never forgot Òrúnmìlà after being benefitted by him. Esu was blessed and cared for by Òrúnmìlà, and in loving and appreciative reciprocation Esu blessed, assisted and came through for Òrúnmìlà in marvelous, astounding and traceless ways. Esu consistently demonstrated by his attitude, actions and response, his loyalty and friendship towards Òrúnmìlà.

I’ll ask you again. Do you love, respect and revere Òrúnmìlà? We saw what was the proof of Esu’s love, reverence and respect for Òrúnmìlà. Esu was selfless in his devotion and friendship towards Òrúnmìlà. Esu felt that he too had died when he heard the news of Òrúnmìlà’s death. Esu obeyed the clarion call of Ifá that came from the mouth of Òrúnmìlà. This was Esu’s proof and evidence. What is your proof?

Now this story is in part an allegory as well as a historical event between two divine personalities which is full of many deep, confidential and secret meanings. But for our purposes, the simple and plain meanings of this Ifá revelation is adequate because it teaches us that few people actually have fullness of love and gratitude within them. When they are put to the test they fail. Others are either almost completely selfish or their goodness is tainted in good measure by selfishness. Ifá says that genuinely good hearted people are a rarity in the world, and that truthful and honest people are rarer still!

(2) Let us move on to another episode in the life of the divine priest and holy sage of Iketi, our holy master, Òrúnmìlà. In Ose Irete the life of our divine master was in disarray. Everything seemed confused, mixed up and out of order. Òrúnmìlà was doing countless things but in all his doings he forgot the essentials and became absorbed in non-essentials. Òrúnmìlà went to find out what was going on in his life. Orunmila approached Olodumare vía Ifá.

Ifá-Olodumare basically told Òrúnmìlà that in all of his activities, works and doings he had become so preoccupied with so many things and demands, that Òrúnmìlà for a season lost sight of Olodumare. Òrúnmìlà was trying to do all kinds of things without being aligned with Olodumare and without counting upon Olodumare. Ifa told Òrúnmìlà:

“Make Olodumare your Father.”

In other words don’t forget the reality, presence and power of Olodumare. Do not forget the primacy of Olodumare and His livings guidance and instruction Ifá in your life! Guidance and instruction will only help you if you make it your own, and you live it and practice it from the heart, and from your own self-initiative and willingness. Ifá enters our hearts and lives only when we receive and practice the divine precepts of truth, the noble teachings of Ifá. Do not forget that the spirit of loving-kindness, rectitude and selflessness comes from Olodumare who supplies it to us. Do not forget that if you live disconnected from Olodumare it is inevitable that you will become selfish, aggressive, callous, unfeeling and indifferent. Do you love Olodumare? Do you love Ifá? What is your proof and evidence? Where can your love for Olodumare and Ifá be consistently seen?

Let us get back to the original question of why there is so much strife, aggression, deception, dishonesty, cheating and contention. Why are we abusing and taking advantage of each other, hurting each other, hurting our Mother Earth when we can live divine lives, beautiful lives, wholesome lives of good conscience and dignity?

Ifá has answered this for us. We have lost our divine affinity, experiential connectivity and sensitivity to things divine, holy, pure and true. We are spiritually malnourished and morally ill. And why this? Because we have forgotten Olodumare. We have forgotten to make Olodumare our father. Olodumare has ceased to be a living reality, power and person in our lives who has the right to command our obedience, loyalty and dedication.

Olodumare has become only a nice sounding name to us that we like to use when we want to feel ‘religious’ or when we want to deceive others with our false piety, but when it is time for us to make personal choices and decisions the reality of Olodumare and His instructions do not play an actual important part in our lives. He is not really our Eleda, Oluwo and Baba, because if He were we would be trusting and relying upon Him, we would we doing and practicing what is approved by him, and then our lives would not be so disorderly, empty and unsatisfying.

In Olodumare there is only order, health, life, peace, joy, truthfulness, honesty and satisfaction. When we are connected to Olodumare we enjoy and have all that He has and is. This is the teaching and reflection that Ifá brings to us this day. Olodumare is very real. He is the Lord, King and Owner of all. He is always vigilant and fully aware of all we think, intend and do. He rules over all. We are accountable to Him and towards each other. We owe Him our allegiance, loving obedience and dedication.

Òrúnmìlà acknowledged this in his own life. Òrúnmìlà did not look around to wait and see if others were going to make of Olodumare their father before he made his decision to arrange and order his life according to the joyful, life giving, meaningful and purpose giving instructions of Ifá-Olodumare.

Let us follow the teaching of Ose-Irete and the example of Òrúnmìlà. When we change the world will change because we are the world! When we are clean, sincere and honest to that degree the world will be clean, more wholesome, orderly and peaceful. If we get rid of malice, enmity, aggression, jealousy, envy, greed and pettiness from our lives, then little by little these things will cease to be in our world, in our personal lives and in our homes.

We are all children of Olodumare by creation, but Ose-Irete challenges us and invites us to become children of Olodumare by a personal and deliberate choice of our own will, to conform our lives to the spirit, principles and holy teachings of Ifá, in all the aspects, relationships, duties and facets of our lives.

When we do this, then only can we call ourselves the true, awakened and mature children of Olodumare. Only then can WE make of OLODUMARE ‘OUR’ FATHER. If we do not take the initiative to cleanse and purify our own life then we forever lose the right and moral authority to complain about and condemn the injustice, corruption and dishonesty in others.

How can you complain about and condemn the injustice, corruption and dishonesty in others if you yourself are involved in unjust, corrupt, unclean and dishonest practices?! How can you combat and correct corruption, injustice and dishonesty in others if you have not yet rid yourself of these unwholesome tendencies and defilements?

If your life and heart are not being cleansed by the knowledge and spirit of Ifá because you are not willing to accept the knowledge and spirit of Ifá, then you must be informed that you are condemning yourself in your condemnation and complaint against others. Did you know this!?

This message is for one and all. Compare yourself only to the requirements of Ifá-Olodumare and not to what people do or do not do. Look at your life only in the revealing reflective mirror of Ifá.

Compare yourself alone with Òrúnmìlà and not people, and you will know if the standard and quality of your life are leading you to genuine happiness-satisfaction-success or not.

To follow the noble standard and example of Òrúnmìlà is to follow, love and obey Olodumare.

How can we say that we believe in, trust in and and love Ifá-Olodumare and yet not do what He instructs us to do? Only Ifá-Olodumare are completely trustworthy, dependable and reliable. We must learn to trust in Olodumare and we must cultivate a disposition of joyful faithful obedience to His commands which are always intended for our genuine peace, happiness and wellbeing.

“When we are alone, asleep and there is danger, illness or evil of any kind, it is only Olodumare who awakens us and guides us, so as to avoid and avert the loss, illness, sorrow and pain. It is Olodumare alone who takes up our burdens so that our burdens seem light and bearable to us. Whoever has no relative or friend his confidence lies in the heavenly Olodumare.” ~ Holy Odu Osa-Irete (Osa Oloyan-an)

It is wisdom and power to cling to Ifá-Olodumare in trust and obedience. The spirit and asé of Ifá gives strength, comfort, assurance and confidence to the faithful, obedient and loyal devotee.

“Ifá I seek your protection; Ifá I cling to you tight for health, strength and life…” ~ Holy Odu Owonrin-Ogbe (Owonrin S’ogbe).

When we deliberately, intentionally and wholehearted pursue (obey) Ifá then only, are we true and complete children of Olodumare. We when are humble and acknowledge our need to listen to Olodumare (Ifá), and we acknowledge that we are limited, finite and not as smart as we pretend to be or think we are; and we dispose ourselves to do and practice what Ifá enjoins, then we have made Olodumare our Father.

“Ifá I am not the perfect planner (I am not really as clever as others think I am). Only you Ifá can organize things better (No one plans better than you).” ~ Holy Odu Ejiogbe

The outcome of our adherence to Ifá will always be attended by incalculable blessings, benefits, peace, security and joy. Ifá always blesses us beyond what we asked for and beyond our expectation. We will ultimately discover that there can be no better joy, satisfaction, achievement and delight than that of making of Olodumare our Father.

“Olodumare I have awakened to truth that you are my father and that I am your literal son (daughter). I accept (acknowledge) you and embrace you as my father. Protect me my compassionate Master (Gbami o, oluwo mi) through my adherence to Your divine discourses and instructions. All my hopes are on You my divine master and father (gbami oluwa mi).” ~ Holy Odu Ose-Ika

“Olorun (Olodumare) you are the supreme and only shelter and refuge. You are the giver of all kinds of protection, safety and deliverance. You alone are the bestower of fearlessness and assurance.”
~ Holy Odu Owonrin Sogbe

“Olodumare is the King worth depending upon.”
~ Holy Odu Oyeku Ogunda

Ifá has spoken. Is there anything that need be added to the above teachings of Ifá-Olodumare? How sweet, direct, elegant and inviting Ifá is. Be blessed, stay encouraged and take care.

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

Edan

THE PATH OF EDAN-MUWAGUN

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The Pure, Sublime and True Way of Ogboni:
Who is ogboni? Ogboni is the person who has initiated into the mysteries of Edan-muwagun [Onile Ogboduora]. Ogboni is the person who lives a life in harmony with nature. Ogboni means living in a continual state of balance, equanimity, harmony and equilibrium. Ogboni is the person who has mindfully determined to follow the path of Edan, which is the path of truth, honesty, kindness, courage, personal responsibility and service to others. Ogboni is the person who has become established in the wisdom of the sublime gods and therefore has become a wise one. Ogboni is the power which elevates one to positions of authority, power and responsibility.
The path of ogboni is a challenging but satisfying path to walk upon. An ogboni is the one who is empowered by Edan and faces all difficulties of Iife with courage and without fear. An ogboni is a person who has arrived at spiritual maturity and is able to endure the trials, vicissitudes, challenges, demands and tribulations of life without becoming fatigued and/or disheartened and without being overwhelmed by despondency.
An ogboni does not allow himself to become discouraged by hardships, obstacles, criticism and/or setbacks. An ogboni elevates others to a higher and more sublime level. An ogboni devotee reveals what it means to be human. To be truly human is to be divine. The ogboni devotee does not come down to the level of ignorant, petty, insincere, spiritually uncultured and immature people. An ogboni welcomes and embraces the challenges, vicissitudes and difficulties of life, because he understands that through perseverance and endurance in the midst of challenges and difficulties the ogboni devotee will make steady and swift progress on the path of beautitude, maturity, wisdom, power-acquisition and spiritual perfection. By walking with Edan-muwagun the devotee is able to draw divine light to himself and he is able to nourish [and draw into] his soul new and wonderful divine abilities, gifts and powers.
Devotion to Edan-muwagun fills us with delight, and this delight fills us with peace, strength and supramundane confidence which sweeps away all difficulties, challenges and obstacles from our path. The ogboni fellowship has been entrusted with the most sublime mysteries [secrets] of the highest mystical divine spirituality. Edan gives immediate support and strength to her devotees. Edan immediately appears to give relief and support to her children when they call upon her.
An ogboni devotee is a truly spiritual alive person. An ogboni devotee is eminently a dynamic, charismatic, trustworthy,  industrious and intelligent person. An ogboni devotee is clean and wholesome. Through the blessing of coming in contact with a genuine ogboni master [oluwo ogboni] one is able to receive the power, light, knowledge and science of true spiritual life. An authentic ogboni master [oluwo ogboni] is able to impart to others and awaken in others the light, warmth, knowledge and power of true divine spirituality and life.
To walk in ogboni is to walk in the path of the sublime powers, energies and lights. An ogboni devotee delights in practicality, self-determination and effort. The path of ogboni is one of ever-increasing purity, optimism, inexhaustible inspiration, virtue [merit] and uninterrupted light. The ogboni adept knows that the unexcelled path to entering into the highest spiritual mysteries and secrets is by entering with simplicity. The ogboni worships rectitude. The ogboni stays far away from dishonesty, deception and double-dealing.
Ogboni is good in the beginning. Ogboni is good in the middle. Ogboni is good in the end.
The realized ogboni devotee is without hate. Ogboni is the path of refined, pure and fiery love. Ogboni is the path of chivalry, honor and courage. Ogboni is for the courageous, fearless and strong of heart. The poison of hate cannot enter an ogboni heart. An ogboni devotee cannot be swayed, manipulated or controlled by the negativity, inner-defilement and envy of others. An ogboni is only moved by and acted upon by truth, goodness and honesty. An ogboni is rooted in his true essential nature and foundation. An ogboni is rooted in the power of the immovable [spiritual earth].  An ogboni devotee suffers at seeing the suffering of others. An ogboni helps others and gives relief to others to the best of his ability without causing harm to himself. An ogboni devotee experiences rapture and delight in seeing others established in happiness, health and success. The ogboni disciple knows how to draw limitless power from the [spiritual] earth. The ogboni initiate is upheld, empowered and supported by the spiritual gravity, rootedness and power of the sacred earth and the guardian irunmole-orisa of the earth Edan-muwagun. Rectitude, brotherhood, amity, spiritual cleanliness and order are the foundations of ogboni life. Ogboni is a discipline, science and comprehensive manner of life.
The radiant jewel of the holy àse of Edan-muwagun installs itself in the heart of the sincere, guileless and simple ogboni devotee. The àse of Edan invigorates the devotee. The àse of Edan enlightens the devotee. The àse of Edan attracts, pulls, draws and guides the heart and mind of the devotee upward to the divine realms of purity, light, excellence and power. The àse of Edan awakens, activates and guides the interior spiritual faculties of the devotee.
Ogboni is the path of purity, purification, health, spiritual empowerment, unfolding knowledge and spiritual maturation. Divine character, maturity, courage, honor, inner-strength [endurance] and chiseled [refined] personality are the heart and soul of ogboni life. An ogboni devotee purifies, harmonizes and uplifts all he touches. An ogboni is an embodiment of confidence, joy, friendliness and optimism.
Ogboni and lies cannot walk together. Ogboni and immorality cannot walk together. Ogboni and vices cannot walk together. Ogboni and ignorance cannot walk together. Ogboni and moral-spiritual impotence cannot walk together. Ogboni and cowardliness cannot walk together. Ogboni is the society for the creation of divine values and wholesome fellowship.
The ogboni devotee lives in the pure, joyful and safe [perfectly protected] realm of good-conscience, fearlessness, peace of mind and inner-unified strength.
May the divine mother Edan-muwagun confer upon you her choicest and most select blessings. Àse.
May Onile Ogboduora [Edan-muwagun] set her penetrating gaze and power-filled eyes upon you to grant you peace, health, long-life, prosperity, abundance and fulfillment. Àse.
Ogbo ato.
Ogbo Edan.
Ogbo akokoniko.
Onile a gbe wa ooo.
~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas
ifa key

IFÁ IS THE ONE WHO SAVES HUMANITY

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 The Concept of Saving and Salvation in Ifá.
Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.
Holy Odu-Ifá Iwori-Osa teaches us the grand truth that:
IFÁ IS THE ONE WHO SAVES HUMANITY.
How does Ifá save us? What are the ways in which Ifá saves us? What does saving and salvation mean within the context of the Ifá-Orisa tradition?
Today I would like to share with you the four main ways in which Ifá saves us, but before speaking on the four ways in which Ifá saves us I want to first of all define and make clear what is meant by saving and salvation within the context of Ifá understanding and experience.
The reason I want to explain this matter on saving and salvation is because I am aware that there will be many people of different spiritual cultures and faiths who will be reading these words who have their own peculiar understanding of what saving and salvation is or means. I will speak on saving and salvation from the Ifá perspective and then I will continue with today’s consideration.
The Ifá conception of life is based on the principles of fundamental goodness, personal-dignity, celebration of life, wholesome self-esteem, harmony, gratitude, optimism and the inherent sacredness [goodness] of humanity. The Creator [Eledumare] has created mankind in goodness, innocence, purity and nobility. The things we choose to think and believe about ourselves can and will have a constructive or destructive effect upon our lives. How we perceive ourselves and how we perceive our relation to the Creator and creation is all important. Ifá reveals that human beings enter this world in dignity, innocence, without guilt and with a wholesome and wonderful nature.
Consider what Ifá teaches us in Holy Odu-Ifá Ejiogbe:
***The honorable and good way Olodumare created me in, in that way of honor and goodness I am walking. I do what is good and right. I refrain from evil and I don’t practicing lying [I practice honesty], so that I won’t die a wretched person, because the things we practice [cultivate] in our youth will catch up to us in later years. This is the revelation of Olodumare for those who practice [who have chosen to practice] truthfulness and for those who [have chosen to] indulge in wickedness. Only the truthful and upright will succeed and triumph.***
Ifá does not teach us that human beings are born ‘sinful’ or disconnected from their Creator. Such an idea or belief would dishonor our Creator and it would stain and poison our awareness of the Creator’s wisdom, tenderness, goodness, love and perfection. Such an idea or belief would psychologically sabotage our ability to take full responsibility for our lives and it would put us in an awkward, contradictory and confusing dysfunctional relationship with our Eleda [our Creator]. Such an idea or belief is also incompatible with the power, principle, ability and gift of free moral agency. In other words, how can someone be held responsible for an unwholesome nature that he or she did not choose nor was able to avoid?! Let me put it in a humorous way: How can we blame chocolate for not tasting like vanilla? How can someone live their life with confidence and joy if he or she has persuaded themselves or has been persuaded by someone else that they are sure to ‘fall’ at any moment or at some point?!
Ifá does not suscribe to such contradictory, counterproductive, psychologically damaging, toxic and hurtful ideas or beliefs. To put such ideas and beliefs in the mind of an innocent and defenseless child, adolescent, or an adult human being is to hurt, destabilize and sabotage him psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. There are many variants of these kind of negative, self-defeating, damaging and pessimistic thoughts and/or beliefs in various spiritual cultures and belief systems.
I am happy to say that Ifá is not one of these pessimistic belief systems. Western Culture has been heavily influenced by some of these beliefs which have been ascribed to ‘Christianity’. How Christianity came to adopt such ideas is a topic for another day, but the person of Jesus of Nazareth never taught such things and never weighed down the minds and hearts of people with such contradictory, pessimistic and arbitrary beliefs. The words of the great master Jesus of Nazareth also coincides with the above revelations of Ifá. Jesus said and taught that A GOOD MAN FROM THE DEPTHS OF HIS HEART BRINGS OUT GOOD THINGS AND THAT A WICKED MAN FROM THE DEPTHS OF HIS HEART BRINGS OUT WICKED THINGS. These words of the great master and teacher Jesus would be meaningless and untrue if human beings were born ‘sinful, evil or inclined to malice’. Human beings are not inclined to malice, they are inclined to happiness, dignity and peace. I don’t know about you but I have never woken up in the morning desiring and intending to be the worst human being I can be. I have always desired and intended to be the best that I can be. Jesus taught, BLESSED ARE THE PURE AT HEART BECAUSE THEY WILL SEE GOD. How could anyone be pure at heart if they were born intrinsically ‘sinful, evil or inclined to malice’? Jesus taught that, THOSE WHO ARE COMPASSIONATE AND FORGIVING WOULD BE FORGIVEN AND THAT THOSE WHO ARE INDIFFERENT AND UNFORGIVING WOULD BE TRAPPED BY THEIR OWN INDIFFERENCE AND UNFORGIVENESS. How can someone be forgiving if they were born intrinsically ‘sinful, evil or inclined to malice? So you see Jesus never taught such contradictory, confusing, sabotaging and backward teachings. He taught that people choose their character and that people determine the quality of their heart. We make ourselves good or bad.
Human beings have only ONE CREATOR and ONE ORIGINATOR of everything they are as human beings: Eledumare. Eledumare has not made any mistakes nor can anyone frustrate His perfectly laid out plans. Everything is moving perfectly according to His divine dispensation. There is a perfect and flawless plan and perfect chain of events running throughout creation. What we are experiencing as human beings is a part of that perfect plan.
When we objectively look at other Abrahamic belief systems like Judaism or Islam they also have their own variant of belief in regard to humans beings having something intrinsically negative or harmful within them.
When we consider the grand majority of Eastern Religions and/or Eastern Philosophies we will clearly see that they also are heavily laden with pessimistic ideas about life and human nature. According to Eastern Philosophy human beings are born in ‘maya’ in illusion, and to them life is something dreary, bleak, depressing and something to deny and run away from. The grand majority of eastern religions and philosophies are escapist in nature. Life and existence according to them is called ‘samsara’. Samsara means wearisome, tiring, aimless and pointless. To these systems life is not an intrinsically good thing. According to them it is better to deny life and escape! The more positive philosophies among them will at least acknowledge the goodness of the human soul but for some strange reason they account the human body as something negative. So they divide their own hearts and minds by all of these silly, foolish and self-defeating hair-splitting arguments, categorizations and conclusions! Ifá teaches us that all of the human being is one indivisible bundle of goodness, as befits the Sublime Creator Eledumare who created us. The whole of the human being is sacred, good and wonderful.
Ifá is a 100% optimistic, positive, holistic, and uplifting religion, philosophy and manner of life. Ifá explains things with such depth, clarity and reality that Ifá bestows immediate emotional, psychological and spiritual healing and correction to anyone who takes the time and makes the effort to consider and study Ifá. Ifá explains the positives and negatives of life within a context of positivity, optimism, dignity, divine achievement and satisfying meaning.
Contrary to pessimistic belief systems, pessimistic religions and pessimistic ideologies, Ifá teaches us that beyond all appearances humanity is fundamentally good, noble and divine but this goodness, nobility and divine nature has to be cultivated, practiced, developed and perfected [matured]. Our intrinsic goodness does not develop by itself or on automatic, we have to apply our will and effort because it is the maturing of our will, thoughts, intelligence and emotions that Ifá is gently encouraging and developing in us. Ifá reveals that we enter this world in innocence, but in an initial beginning state of immaturity, or we have our beginning in an undeveloped state or condition. Our sole constitution is of the nature of ogbe [light, life, increase, fluidity, progress and movement] but in his infinite wisdom Olodumare adds to us the training element of oyeku [darkness, death, decrease, solidity, resistence and inertia]. To what end does Olodumare do this? To create the basis of choice, achievement, fulfillment and satisfaction. To create the basis for free moral agency. To create the basis and criteria that enables us to know and determine what is good and bad, proper and improper and what is correct or incorrect.
We are divine seeds of pure goodness which have been planted in the soil of adversity, challenges, negative-resistance and difficulties so that we can discover our innate divine nature and develop our intellectual, moral, emotional, reflective and spiritual muscles. The provisional and [temporary] negative aspects of life are the necessary and needed contrast that will enable us to grow, develop and flourish as children of Eledumare. The provisional and [temporary] negative aspects of life are the sparring partners and spiritual weights that we train with to develop our innate but yet undeveloped and uncultivated noble qualities, powers and abilities that are yet to be matured [perfected]. And it is in this sense of maturing that the words saving and salvation apply in the Ifá conception of life.
Salvation in Ifá is not about switching out one nature for another. Salvation in Ifá is not about running away from life or trying to escape from life. Salvation in Ifá is not about fearfully trying the gain the love and favor of God because God already loves us and favors us. We relate to Eledumare in a spirit of love, gratitude, trust and awe. Eledumare can and will disclipline and chasten us when needed, even with severity [intensity] when the occasion calls for it, but he can never do us any harm. Even the apparent ‘hardness’ of Eledumare is pure love, goodness and good-will. Eledumare created us for Himself and He will see us ALL through [in His own way and time] to PERFECTION AND EXCELLENCE.
Salvation in Ifá is about immersing ourselves in the reality of life as it is, and embracing life to make a better life for ourselves and others. Salvation in Ifá is about discovering and nurturing our singular noble true-self and our singular noble-nature which we refer to as IPONRI. Ifá is about walking and relating to Eledumare as our best friend, companion and wellwisher. If we practice the good we will experience the good. If we practice what is bad then our own unwholesome actions will reprove and punish us.
Everything exists to help us in our development, unfoldment and growth. We are now individually and collective exactly as Eledumare intended. We begin in weakness and we end in strength. We begin in ignorance and we end in complete and well-rounded understanding. We begin as earth bound ‘caterpillars’ but we end up as sky bound ‘butterflies’.
Yes, there is some pain, sorrow and sadness on the journey but everything is not pain, sorrow or sadness. There is also joy, enthusiasm, excitement, friendship, love, inspiration and satisfying effort and achievement. The negativite aspects of life that we see and experience outside of ourselves and within ourselves are for our benefit, enhancement and growth. Saving and salvation in Ifá refers to all of that which we experience in the process of realizing the purpose and meaning of our existence: Ifáyelele.
Having explained the basic Ifá conception of life I will now proceed to the main topic under consideration. While I could go on to elaborate on more related topics but I think I will leave it here since I do not want to make this message too long and I do not want to lose the focus, patience and interest of the kind readers.
I will briefly share with you now the four main ways in which Ifá saves.
[1]: Ifá saves us [enlightens, assists and helps us] by making known to us in clear, experiential and reasonable ways the principles, understandings and ways of conduct by which we are to live our lives. How much pain, emotional strain and psychological stress could have been avoided in our lives if we lived honest, quiet and productive lives? How many troubles, mishaps and headaches could we have been saved from if we followed Ifá’s advice to not involve ourselves in things that do not pertain to us and in things that are none of our business? How many unsavory things would we be saved from if our conduct, behavior, manners and demeanor were according to the good teachings and example of Ifá?
[2]: Ifá saves us by exercising the power of divine manifestation in our lives to deflect hurtful, useless and dangerous things, people, situations, circumstances and antagonistic energies from our lives. Ifá saves us by exercising the power of divine manifestation in our lives by attracting to us positive, success bestowing and opportunity granting situations and circumstances. Ifá saves us by attracting good, wise and useful people to our lives. Ifá saves us by leading and guiding us to render relief, aid, help and benefit [or salvation] to others. When we take care of others, others will take care of us. When we save others, others will save us. Through mutual collaboration, benevolence and effort we advance and gain.
[3]: Ifá saves us by giving us a sound, healthy, profound and truthful outlook, perspective and understanding of life, and our place in it. Ifá saves us by correcting and removing erroneous, untruthful, immature and injurious views and beliefs from our minds and lives. Ifá saves us by removing the negative imprints of past unwholesome conditionings, traumas and impressions. Ifá implants within us through accurate knowledge and through the bestowal of àse, an understanding, experience and comprehension of our true nature, our lives in relation to one another, and our lives in relation to Eledumare that is so inspiring, empowering and uplifting that once we have this we are fixed in our course of forward progress and attainment. Ifá is so sweet, clear and satisfying that the heart and mind naturally and with cheer responds to the wholesome and uplifting attracting and drawing power of Ifá.
[4]: Ifá saves us from disillusionment by giving us a true hope, by giving us an understanding of what we should actually be expecting in life and from life. Ifá does not give us false hopes, neither does Ifá give us a vision of unrealistic and/or unrealizable expectations. Ifá teaches us in truth what our expectations of ourselves and others should be. Ifá saves us by making it clear and without sugar coating it that in life we will not be able to avoid all undesirable and painful things. Ifá saves us by communicating to us that there are certain experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant, which have been programmed into our lives that we will not be able to avoid. These occurrences fall within the category of that which we call destiny. In Ifá destiny does not mean that everything in our lives has been pre-determined. Ifá does not teach us fatalism. Our lives are our own and we are always free to choose a positive, useful and productive life, and we are also free to choose the way we respond to life’s challenges, sufferings  and difficulties when they appear. Destiny in Ifá means specific things that Eledumare has chosen for us to experience that we cannot avoid. Ifá saves us by deflecting calamity, illness and mishap from our lives, but Ifá also saves us by explaining to us that some negative experiences cannot and will not be defected, but what Ifá will do during these periods of challenge and adversity is to infuse and empower us with àse, so that we are made strong and resilient so that our mind, emotions and spirit will be fortified so that we can endure the challenge and adversity with calm, courage, serenity, composure and a contented mind. Ifá can extinguish a dangerous and out of control fire and/or Ifá can give us the power, strength and protection to walk through that fire without getting scorched [by the difficulties, problems, conflicts and challenges of life]! When we come out on the other side of the fire we will not even have the smell of smoke on us!!!
So, Ifá saves us by deflecting difficult, painful and challenging things from our lives, and Ifá saves us by giving us empowerment to calmly endure the difficulty, pain and challenge with composure, patience and a joyful attitude until it passes.
Only by undergoing this process of growth and development which is marked with moments of pain but which is also permeated with joy, happiness and satisfaction will we be able to enter into, enjoy and be established in Ifáyelele [the perfected or matured state].
Ifá gbe wa ooo!
Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.
Stinginess, Indifference, Ingratitude

IFÁ-ORISA: Most People Life Problems are Caused by their own Stinginess, Indifference and Ingratitude

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Ifá-Orisa: Not all problems, setbacks and life difficulties are due to witchcraft, bad spirits or divine decrees. Most problems are self-created and avoidable. There is no spiritual-curse, bad-spirit and negative-witchcraft worse than being a stingy, indifferent and unappreciative person:

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

One of the things that one unfortunately and often witnesses in today’s spiritual arena is that when someone approaches a spiritual practitioner to receive answers, solutions and guidance, the spiritual practitioner will tell the person 90% of the time if not more that his or her problems are due to ‘witchcraft’ or the influence of ‘negative spiritual influences’. Lucky for the inquiring person that for a nominal fee of ‘x’ amount of dollars the ‘spiritual practitioner’ always has the solution, rite and/or ritual to undo the ‘witchcraft’ and/or has the means to vanquish the unwanted spiritual energy, or has the wisdom and power to repair/fix the problem, no matter what it is! The problem can be spiritual, emotional, psychological and/or medical but don’t worry because these ‘spiritual practitioners’ always have the solution to your problems!!! The truth of the matter is that a great many ‘spiritual practitioners’ are nothing more than fraudsters and charlatans who are living in a very dangerous fantasy land of their own making!!! These charlatan ‘spiritualists, priests and priestesses’ are in the business of selling imaginary solutions to other people’s very real spiritual, emotional, psychological and medical problems! These charlatan ‘spiritualists, priests and priestesses’ are often delusional people, psychologically unwell people, and emotionally unstable people who believe in their own lies and who also believe in their own make-believe, deceptive and fantasy solutions and remedies. These crafty charlatan ‘spiritual practitioners’ are there only to make money by hook or crook. These shameless and deluded charlatan ‘spiritual practitioners’ are there to make money at the expense of your spiritual, emotional, psychological and medical health!! The default and go to answer of these fraudsters and charlatans is to ALWAYS tell their unfortunate clients that their problems are caused in part or entirely by ‘witchcraft’, ‘bad spirits’ or other similar causes! Ignorance combined with undeserved trust and a willingness to believe in such backward and deceptive people will spell disaster, grief and suffering to all parties concerned and involved, including the charlatan ‘spiritual practitioner’.

While there is no doubt that at times the lives of people can be temporarily obstructed, hindered and adversely affected by the influence of negative energies and/or by the malicious/envious/sabotaging intent or ‘witchcraft’ of others, in most cases the cause of people’s problems lies elsewhere. There is no ‘negative-witchcraft’ and/or ‘negative-spirit’ worse than one’s own STINGINESS, INDIFFERENCE and INGRATITUDE! Yet there are some people who like to be told that the cause of their problems and failures is ‘witchcraft’ or ‘bad spirits’ because as long as the cause of their problems or failures is ‘witchcraft’ or ‘bad spirits’ then they no longer have to honestly look at themselves and the wrong way in which they have been living their lives. As long as the convenient cause is ‘witchcraft’ or ‘bad spirits’, that gives them an ‘excuse’ to not take charge of their own lives and do the work of correcting, improving and reforming themselves. Such people will gladly pay a charlatan and fraudster to tell them [convince them] that the problem is not them, but that the problem and failure in their lives is due to ‘witchcraft’, ‘curses’, the ‘evil-eye’ or ‘bad-spirits’. Superstitious thinking or a superstitious mentality is a curse unto itself!!! A superstitious person is the author of his or her own fears, worries and anxieties and is easily taken advantage of, controlled and manipulated by human spiritual predators [the charlatan spiritual practitioner, priest or priestess].

Let us learn some Ifá today. Let us learn something from Ogunda Meji. This lesson is for those of us who are spiritually mature and/or for those who want to spiritually mature and grow through the power of truth, honesty, actuality and reality.

In Ogunda Meji we will learn how King Olofin was the architect of his problems through GREEDINESS, STINGINESS and acts of UNGRATEFULNESS.

Holy Odu-Ifá Ogunda Meji:

“Oju o kan won laaro

Lale, lale loju n kan won

A difa fun, Òrúnmìlà, Ifá n ro omo

Agbonniregun,

Ifá o lowo ti o fi te omo re nifa.”

“They are never in a hurry in the morning. But they are hurrying up at night. Ifá consultation was performed for Òrúnmìlà. Ifá complains about Agbonnireguns son. Òrúnmìlà has no money with which to initiate his own offspring”.

At one time prince Olofin really needed and wanted the help, guidance and assistance of Òrúnmìlà. Long-story-short Òrúnmìlà helped prince Olofin and made it possible for prince Olofin to become the king of Ootu-Ife. Now because of the help that Òrúnmìlà gave to prince Olofin he was now a King living in affluence, luxury and abundance. When Olofin became king, Òrúnmìlà needed the help of King Olofin. Òrúnmìlà speedily approached the king because Òrúnmìlà needed to BORROW some money from King Olofin to heal his sons illness which would be remedied thru initiation. On the advice of Elegbara, Òrúnmìlà went to see king Olofin to ask him for some assistance. You would think that after all Òrúnmìlà did for him that the King would just give Òrúnmìlà what he was asking for since it was not a large sum. The King spent daily and in useless, unnecessary and unpractical things much much more than what Òrúnmìlà was seeking to borrow from him. You will not believe this but King Olofin told Òrúnmìlà that he would LEND him the requested amount, only if Òrúnmìlà could provide a guarantor as collateral! Elegbara [Esu Odara] brought one of his sons called Atapatase to serve as colateral and guarantor, and to serve the king as a servant until the time that Òrúnmìlà would pay back the borrowed money! After all Òrúnmìlà did for him he asked for collateral and a guarantor before granting the loan!!!

One day Elegbara visited Atapatase and gave him a hoe which he instructed Atapatase to be using hereafter. [***The hidden meaning of this action by Atapatase of using the hoe on the Kings land meant that the King was digging a hole for himself for his disrespectful, indifferent and inconsiderate actions towards Òrúnmìlà, Òrúnmìlà’s son, Esu Odara and Esu Odara’s son***] As soon as Atapatase began using the hoe to work the land of King Olofin immediately several catastrophes began to befall the entire household of King Olofin. One of the catastrophes was that one of King Olofin’s sons, who was called Abolowopowo, fell seriously ill. [***Because the King did not have sympathy for the illness of Òrúnmìlà’s son, his own son was also experiencing the same illness***]. The more Atapatase worked the field the more ill did Abolowopowo become. King Olofin sent for the royal babalawo and the babalawo revealed the Odu Ogunda Meji. Ogunda Meji revealed that one of the king’s servants was responsible for the bad happenings and that this servant needed to be stopped immediately. The son of Elegbara, Atapatase was identified as the apparent ‘cause’ and was told to stop working, but Atapatase, son of Elegbara refused to stop working and said:

“Oju o kan won laaro

Lalaale loju n kan won

Hin…n

A difa fun, Òrúnmìlà

Ifá n romo Agbonniregun

Hin…n

Ifá o lowo to o fi te omo re nifa

Hin…n

Abolowopowo n lomo Olofin o

Hin…n

Atapatase lomo Esu Odara o

Hin…n

A ki i ma maa yani lofa ka ma sinni o

A ki i ma maa yani lofa ka ma sinni

Ee

A ki i ma maa yani lofa ka ma sinni.”

Translation:

“They never hurried in the morning. It was in the night that they were hurrying up. Yes. Ifá oracle was consulted for Òrúnmìlà. Ifá complained about Agbonirregun’s son. Yes. Òrúnmìlà has no money to initiate his son [and thereby heal him]. Yes. Abolowopowo is the son of Olofin. Yes. It is not possible for a servant to not serve his master. Yes.”

Meaning:

[***This verse of Ifá means and refers to the heart condition of some people that when they are in need of help and assistance they are quick to come to see you expecting you to help them. And without fail and with genuine sympathy for their situation you lovingly and repeatedly help them and assist them to the best of your means and ability to resolve their problems, but on the one rare occasion when you need them or are counting on their help they refuse to help, or they give you many excuses for not helping you. Or if they do help they do it with reluctance, they make you feel like a nuisance. When they needed you, you did not belittle them or make them feel that they were a nuisance. As a good friend, devotee and priest you made their many problems your priority, but they on the other hand gave no priority or importance to your singular problem or situation. They were quick to ask you for help but after you helped them their sense of gratitude and indebtedness was short lived. On the other hand when you needed them, they avoided you and left you and your situation for ‘later’ that is IF they were able to rustle up some time at all!! When they need you they will call you many times or they will show up at your home or wherever you may happen to be. But when you need them they are nowhere to be found.***]

Let us continue with the Ifá story and lesson.

After King Olofin identified Atapatase as the apparent cause of his household problems he ordered Atapatase to stop working. Atapatase refused to stop working until both Òrúnmìlà and Elegbara were invited. It was then that King Olofin realized his great mistake, ingratitude and indifference towards Òrúnmìlà and his sick son, as well as his lack of consideration towards Atapatase, the son of Esu Odara. He then and there begged them for their forgiveness, made rectification and reparations. Now the King understood that he alone was the sole and true cause of all the mishap, calamity, illnesses and setbacks which were manifesting in the palace among his family. Fortunately for King Olofin, Òrúnmìlà forgave and pardoned him. King Olofin then gifted to Òrúnmìlà two-hundred she-goats, two-hundred dried fishes, two-hundred bush rats and two-thousand cowries.

What does this lesson teach us. This lesson teaches us that there is no worse ‘witchcraft’, ‘bad spirit’ and/or ‘spiritual curse’ that one’s own stinginess, indifference and lack of gratitude. An unappreciative attitude will ruin your home and relationships and make everything dear to you ‘sick’ and ‘ill’. Our own ungrateful and thoughtless actions will surely catch up to us, bringing sorrow, shame and affliction to ourselves and our household. It is better to be appreciative, grateful and generous. It is better to remember the kindness of others and compensate them [help them] when they are in need, especially when we are in a position to help and give relief. May we in a timely manner wake-up, open our eyes and correct [rectify] ourselves. There is no ‘witchcraft’, ‘bad spirit’, ‘evil eye’ or ‘spiritual curse’ worse than being a stingy, indifferent and unappreciative person.

May Òrúnmìlà Ajana Ekun be pleased with us. Àse.

May Òrúnmìlà Ajana Ekun protect, defend and illumine us. Àse.

May Òrúnmìlà Ajana Ekun grant us forgiveness and pardon, as he did to the people of the land of serenity [tranquility]. Àse.

May Òrúnmìlà Ajana Ekun envelop us in his love, sympathy and strength. Àse.

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

~ Awo Òrúnmìlà Mark Casillas

super_power

THE DIVINE SUPER-POWER. THE UNFAILING SACRED TALISMAN OF THE WISE

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Aboru Aboye

In devotion to Ifá and the irunmole-orisa iwure [prayer] holds the place of greatest importance. Nothing in Ifá and irunmole-orisa devotion can work and/or be successful without iwure. Without iwure no ebo will be received, accepted and approved. In the absence of iwure no connection can be made with the irunmole-orisa. Ifá recitation is an expression of iwure. Our traditional songs of praise are also expressions of iwure. Our personal requests and petitions before Ifá and the irunmole-orisa are an expression of iwure. Our sacred rites and rituals are expressions and extensions of our iwure. Iwure is that which sustains you and gives foundation, stability and rootedness to your life. Iwure is that which attracts the blessings of goodness from the unseen realm and causes them to become manifest in our realm of action.

In our wonderful Ifá tradition the experience, quality and concept of iwure is very different from that of other traditions or faiths. Iwure is not begging the divine to help us out or do us a favor. Iwure is not attempting to bribe, barter and negotiate with the divine. In Ifá and esin orisa ibile we do not practice iwure from a position of fear, worry, guilt, coercion or anxiety. We begin our iwure by understanding and knowing that we are greatly cherished and loved by the divine, and that we are fully accepted by the divine as we presently are. We begin in a state of fundamental goodness, dignity, innocence and worthiness.

Iwure is an invisible, unassailable and very real meeting place between two or more friends who love, respect, understand, appreciate and accept each other as they truly and honestly are. No guilt. No fear. No worry. No anxiety. No pretense and no pretending. Just genuine friendship, acceptance, love and trust. Iwure is our longing for and affinity with the divine. Iwure is the manifestation of our response to the attracting power of the divine realm. Iwure is our sensitivity, responsiveness and receptivity to the divine àse. Iwure is the opening up of our hearts and our desire [willingness] to entrust ourselves to the irunmole-orisa who in turn are the expressions of Olódùmarè. Iwure is the vessel that is able to receive unto itself and retain the energy, love and strength of the irunmole-orisa. Iwure is also the sentiment of awe, love, attraction and respect that we have for the divine.

Olódùmarè and his emanations the irunmole-orisa only desire our friendship, nearness and confidence. Once the love of the divine pierces and enters our hearts our trajectory to assured success, happiness and victory is set, and nothing can obstruct or hinder us any longer. Many people ask me from where do I get my understanding, knowledge, wisdom, strength, inspiration and sublime feeling for things. My answer to this question is iwure as explained above. Everything is included in iwure. Everything needful and good flows from and comes from iwure. In iwure there is power. In iwure there is comfort and wisdom. In iwure there is sweet communion and empowerment. In iwure their is clarity. In iwure there is unassailable protection and safety. Iwure is not only the spoken words but the intense feeling, longing and attraction to the sacred, awe-inspiring, holy and divine. Iwure is the intense desire to clearly understand and apprehend the divine reality and to pattern one’s life according to that understanding. If you carefully observe and analyze all the things that we practice in Ifá and in esin orisa ibile you will discover that all we do exists as a support to iwure or as an expression of iwure. Without iwure there is no Ifá, no isese and no esin orisa ibile. Iwure is the sincere, honest and pure heart that is reaching out in hope to make contact with the sublime, beautiful and joy conferring energies of creation. Iwure is our intention and effort to take hold of the rope of life that has been extended to us. Iwure is our response and reaction to the great and wonderful love, comfort, strength and encouragement that we receive from the orisa. In iwure immediate and direct contact is made with the sublime energies, powers and intelligences of nature.

This is a deep, wonderful and glorious mystery. [***In our Ifá tradition the word mystery does not mean something unknown or unknowable. The word MYSTERY in Ifá and esin orisa ibile means something that can definitely be known by us but only through our own direct and personal experience of it.***] This direct or personally known [directly experienced] reality is what we call mystical experience or mystical knowledge. The knowledge here refered to means experiential awareness [direct perception] and not intellectual information. This knowing is the knowing of the heart. This mystical experience and mystical knowledge [understanding] is what people are really looking for and needing when they initiate. This mystical experience and mystical knowledge [understanding] is what sincere students want to receive [and need to receive] from their study and practice of the secret [confidential] teachings of Ifá and esin orisa ibile [the noble way of the orisa]. This mystical experience and divine knowledge [direct experiential comprehension] is what sincere students and initiates are expecting to receive, looking to receive and experience as a result of their personal association and interaction with their mentors [initiators]. When the mentor and initiator is mature and experienced in this mystical knowledge he or she can communicate this experience successfully to his or her students with understanding, depth, inspiration and clarity. If the mentor [initiator] has not had or experienced this mystical knowledge or has not matured in his appreciation, understanding and comprehension of this knowledge assuming that he or she has had the experience, then he or she will not be able to communicate satisfying truth, strength, hope and spiritual meaning [reality] to sincere students. He or she will not be able to satisfy the spiritual needs and the legitimate expectations of the student in any measure.

This truth explains why many initiates quickly lose their spiritual respect for their initiators and elders. Over time many lose much of their fervor for the tradition because they find that there are in fact relatively few people who have and share the sincere fervor and lofty goals [thoughts] that they had when beginning their journey. They discover very early and very quickly that they made many assumptions that proved to be false and disheartening. Many good hearted people come to Ifá and to Orisa with great expectancy and hope as they should. They come with great trust, enthusiasm and faith in their mentors, elders or initiators but soon after initiation many discover that their chosen or recommended mentor is himself or herself in need of mentoring. They discover that their chosen or recommended mentor or initiator is not spiritual at all and has no spirituality and no divine knowledge to impart!! This happens more often than not! These sincere people came looking for people whom they took to be wise people, who might be able to answer their questions and help them resolve their life problem only to discover the people that they took to be wise elders know nothing of true spirituality, that they have no answer for themselves much less for others, and that instead of helping them to find relief from their troubles they only added to their problems, troubles and worries!!! This is why one must take ones time in seeking out a mentor and initiator. One must first get to know people well over an extended period of time before making any type of spiritual decision in regard to accepting someone as a mentor and/or initiator. Let us continue with our topic of iwure.

The true understanding and purpose of things can only by apprehended by this direct experience. This direct experience can only be had by constant association with the divine and divine people. The connecting link between us and the divine and divine people is iwure or divine conversation, communion and fellowship. Love blended with iwure equals true-faith and authentic spirituality. Iwure is the bonding of the spiritual and invisible hearts of two or more persons.

Cultivate your iwure. Recite your Ifá prayers with feeling and clarity of understanding. Speak frequently, honestly and truthfuly with your chosen Orisa and trust fully what you receive from that contact. The Orisa will enlighten, guide and instruct you with gracefulness, sweetness and comfort. Eliminate the middle man. Go straight to the source. Perfect yourself in iwure and you will know and experience wonderful and extraordinary blessings and divine manifestations. Strengthen your bond with the Orisa and with genuine devotees and your life will be filled with satisfaction, contentment and understanding. Be the kind of devotee that you wish others would be or should be. Do not allow others or what you see around you to set the standard of spirituality, excellence and acceptability. Set a higher standard than the mediocre one which you see in most places and abide by that higher standard by the strength of iwure and noble conduct and you will become a true leader eligible to assist, guide and empower others.

Oke_Itase_2019

IFA OF THE YEAR 2019/2020 FROM OKE-ITASE, ILE-IFE, STATE OF OSUN, NIGERIA

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Eriwo ya!
We greet you all in the name of Olodumare, Orunmila and all other Orisa. We also extend the greetings of Araba Agbaye (the permanent Chairman of the Council of Araba/Oluwo, the pillar of the International Council for Ifa Religion) to you all in this season of the World Ifa Festival. With combine efforts of Board of Ethics and Scipture and the Council of Elders of ICIR, we the members of Publication Committee of the Oke-Itase 2019/2020 Organising Committee set up by the International Council for Ifa Religion are hereby presenting verses of the Ifa of the year recited with inspiration by the priests on the mat in the early hour of Sunday, 2nd June, 2019, which stands as the first day of the year in Ifa calendar system. The Odu Ifa that came out for this year is OTURAMEJI (Otura on the right, Otura on the left). The Odu advises us to guide against imminent fight (fight between people, groups, communities, tribes and nations) and ebo is recommended to avert it. Ifa Priests from Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Republic of Togo, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, United States of America, Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina, Panama, Britain, Switzerland, Ghana and Sweden were all there and made their contributions. The verses of OTURAMEJI recited with their narratives are below:

1.
Ifa sees fortunes for all believers this year. People will prosper over their businesses. Those who are planning to travel out of their place of birth will prosper there. For manifestation of this prophesy, people need to make ebo with two tortoises, 2 cocks, 2 hens, 2 pigeons, money and two cutlasses. After making the ebo, the two tortoises or one will be given back to the person. In other words, if at all tortoise would be killed for the ebo, it should be one. Also, the parents of anybody who is sick should make sacrifice with the above items except cutlasses. On this, Ifa says:
Pere n ko to oni se
A difa fun Otu
Lojo to n sunkun ire gbogbo lo si ode Ipapo
Igba Otua rahun meji
Lo la yebeyebe bi Oba Ereke

Pere n ko to oni se
Cast Ifa for Otu
When longing for all good things while going to the city of Ipapo
It was when Otu sacrificed two tortoises
That he became as rich as the king of Ereke town

The above verse talked about a man known at Otu. He went for divination when he was poor and was planning to change environment to Ipapo town. He was advised to make ebo whose items included two cutlasses and two tortoises. On getting to Ipapo, he went into farming with the two cutlasses. When he was working in the farm one day, he found a pot of hidden money. He came home and returned to his home town in Ife. He didn’t leave the tortoise behind. One day, the child of olofin was sick and the ebo recommended was two tortoises. They were looking for the tortoise but couldn’t find until somebody informed them there were two in the house of Otu. They went there and Otu demended for a lot of things. Olofin provided him all those things and collected the tortoises. They made ebo for the child of Olofin and he was healed. Another verse of Oturameji that supports that people will profit over their businesses is below:
Olobonhunbonhun ni fapa mejeeji da gbedu
A difa fun Aluke
Ti i somo Olodumare
Aluke mama de omo Olodumare
Eyin o mo pare aje la n sa kiri?

It is a beetle that uses its two wings to make sounds like gbedu drum
Ifa revelation to Aluke
Who was a beloved child of Olodumare
Here is Aluke, the child of Olodumare
Don’t you know we are all running after money?

2.
People are warned against adultery or even harbouring it in mind. Men should be careful for married women. This is because, what is considered to be secret will be exposed. In this verse, Ifa tells us the story of Orunmila who went to Ipapo with his wife. When Orunmila got there, some men were eyeing his wife. He sent the wife to present gin, 8 kola nuts and palmwine to the people. Then, they were disgraced. On this, Ifa says:
Oti loti ejo
Obi lobi imoran
Emu ta o ri ri ni emu arajonjo
A difa fun kekere Ipapo
A bu fun agba Ipapo
A difa fun Orunmila
Baba n sawo lo si ode Ipapo
Kekere Ipapo won kii ti ejo
Ifa mo ba won ro, mo segun won
Agba Ipapo won kii ti ejo
Ifa mo ba won ro, mo segun won

The wine is the wine of litigation
The kolanut is the kolanut of wisdom
The strange palm wine is the palm wine of Arajonjo
Cast Ifa for young men of Ipapo city
Cast Ifa for old men of Ipapo city
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
When he was going to the city of Ipapo
The young men of Ipapo were never found guilty
Ifa, I have litigation with them
I surely win them.
The old men of Ipapo were never found guilty
Ifa, I have litigation with them
I surely win them.

3.
Women energies are needed for positive changes and peace in the world. Proper recognition must be accorded women at all levels. We need to appease the Iyami Aje so that they will make our endeavours successful. Ifa says men who are not in accord with their wives should make peace with the wives for accomplishments. Many men are suffering owing to the conflicts with women. Ifa says mutual understanding and cooperation with women will make men successful. At home and in the places of work, men should try to win the cooperation of women. If not, there would be conflicts and it will not lead to favourable situation. There should be ebo with 4 big rats, 4 plates, kola nuts, palm oil and money. The ebo will be made inside 4 plates. On this, Ifa says:
Akiyesi ni odin abere
A difa fun Orunmila
Won ni ebo aseni ni ko maa se
Baba si gbebo nibe lo ba ru ebo
Mo mo yin adese!
Eyin aseni o! Mo mo yin adese! Eyin aseni!
Olasubulohun
Eyin aseni o! Mo mo yin adese! Eyin aseni!
Ote arinnijoojo
Eyin aseni o! Mo mo yin adese! Eyin aseni!
Eleyinju otingini
Eyin aseni o! Mo mo yin adese! Eyin aseni!
Apaparoro niya yin je
Eyin aseni o! Mo mo yin adese! Eyin aseni!

Carefulness is what needle requires
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
He was told to make ebo because of the adversaries
He complied|
I know you people
Oh you adversaries! I know you people! Oh you
Olasubulohun
Oh you adversaries! I know you people! Oh you
Ote a rin nijoojo
Oh you adversaries! I know you people! Oh you
Eleyinju otinginni
Oh you adversaries! I know you people! Oh you
Apapanroro niya yin je
Oh you adversaries! I know you people! Oh you

4.
Ifa recommends good hygiene for sound health. People should make clean the environment to guide against diseases. Also, people need to always put on clean cloth throughout the year. On this, Ifa says:
Guule-guule awo Kukumo
A difa fun Kukumo
Irin gbere awo Ewu
A difa fun Ewu
Alaafia lau awo Aso
A difa fun Aso
Aso a loun sebo Alaafia

Guule-guule the priest of kukumo
Cast Ifa for Kukumo
Irin gbere the priest of Ewu
Cast Ifa for Ewu
Alaafia lau the priest of Aso
Cast Ifa for Aso
Aso always says it has made ebo to be healthy

5.
This year, people will regain their lost glories. Ebo should be made with 4 pigeons, gin, honey, kola nuts, money, cooked beans and egbo (a kind of cooked corn). On this, Ifa says:
Egbo egbo ewa ewa
Ewa ewa naa egbo egbo
A difa fun won lode Erupe
Nijo ire ile won si lo
Ire gbogbo to si lo pe
O to se de
Egbo egbo ewa ewa
Ewa ewa naa egbo egbo

Egbo egbo ewa ewa
Ewa ewa naa egbo egbo
Cast Ifa for the people in the city of Erupe
When their fortunes deserted them
All fortunes that deserted long time ago
It is high time you returned
Egbo egbo ewa ewa
Ewa ewa egbo egbo

6.
Ifa says here that all chief priests/priestesses should make ebo for long life. All leaders of Ifa/Orisa groups should also make the ebo. The items of the ebo are a he-goat or 3 cocks, palm oil, a big rat, mone, pap and kola nuts. On this, Ifa says:
Osiki awo Imoran
A difa fun Olori Abore lotu Ife
Won ni won o rubo
O gbebo o rubo
Osiki ma de o awo Imoran
A kii mama fe Olori Abore ku

Osiki the priest of Imoran
Cast Ifa for the head Priest of the city of Ife
He was told to make ebo
He complied
Here comes Osiki, the priest of Imoran
We don’t miss the head priest

7.
Ifa advises all to always talk positive about Olodumare, the Imole, the Orisa and our leaders as well as our individual spiritual parents. Saying good things about them in their absence will always bring healing to us. There will always be blessings of all natures and misfortunes will be sent away from us by broadcasting good things about Olodumare, Imole, Orisa, our leaders and godparents. Besides the spiritual implication of saying bad things about them, anything we say about them will be revealed to them by people we think we confide in. Also, all spiritual parents should always pray for their spiritual children. On this, Ifa says:
Orunmila lo di iyannda
Ifa mo lo di iyannfon
Ifa ni ta ni n da
Ifa ni ta ni n fon
Won ni Agbe ni n dajo Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
Olodumare ni e so fun Agbe
To n dajo oun Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
E pe ko maa se aso re ni aro
Orunmila lo di iyannda
Ifa mo lo di iyannfon
Ifa ni ta ni n da
Ifa ni ta ni n fon
Won ni Aluko dododo ni n dajo Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
Olodumare ni e so fun Aluko dododo
To n dajo oun Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
E pe ko maa se aso re ni osun
Orunmila lo di iyannda
Ifa mo lo di iyannfon
Ifa ni ta ni n da
Ifa ni ta ni n fon
Won ni Odidere mofe, omo odo Oba ni n dajo Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
Olodumare ni e so fun Odidere mofe, omo odo Oba
To n dajo oun Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
E pe ko maa ti ire idi re bo inu epo
Orunmila lo di iyannda
Ifa mo lo di iyannfon
Ifa ni ta ni n da
Ifa ni ta ni n fon
Won ni Akuko otangalaja ni n dajo Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
Olodumare ni e so fun Akuko otangalaja
To n dajo oun Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
E pe ko maa da aso egberegbe bora
Orunmila lo di iyannda
Ifa mo lo di iyannfon
Ifa ni ta ni n da
Ifa ni ta ni n fon
Won ni Okunrun ibule ni n dajo Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
Olodumare ni e so fun Okunrun ibule
To n dajo oun Olodumare Oba si rere si rere
Ko dide
Eeru ogale! Ko dide!
Nijo ewure bimo tire ni dide
Ko dide
Eeru ogale! Ko dide!
Nijo agutan bimo tire ni dide
Ko dide
Eeru ogale! Ko dide!
Nijo adiye bimo tire ni dide
Ko dide
Eeru ogale! Ko dide!

Orunmila said the situation demands silence
Ifa, said the situation demands trumpeting
Ifa said who was keeping mute
Ifa said who was blowing trumpet
They said it was Agbe that was talking good about Olodumare
Olodumare said they should tell Agbe
For talking good about me, Olodumare
Tell him/her to die his/her cloth back
Orunmila said the situation demands silence
Ifa, said the situation demands trumpeting
Ifa said who was keeping mute
Ifa said who was blowing trumpet
They said it was Aluko that was talking good about Olodumare
Olodumare said they should tell Aluko
For talking good about me, Olodumare
Tell him/her to die his/her cloth purple
Orunmila said the situation demands silence
Ifa, said the situation demands trumpeting
Ifa said who was keeping mute
Ifa said who was blowing trumpet
They said it was Odidere mofe, the parrot, from Oba River, that was talking good about Olodumare
Olodumare said they should tell Odidere mofe, the parrot, from Oba River
For talking good about me, Olodumare
Tell him/her to dip his/her buttock feathers into palm oil
Orunmila said the situation demands silence
Ifa, said the situation demands trumpeting
Ifa said who was keeping mute
Ifa said who was blowing trumpet
They said it was Akuko Otangalaja, big rooster, that was talking good about Olodumare
Olodumare said they should tell Akuko Otangalaja, the big rooster
For talking good about me, Olodumare
Tell him to cover his body with beautiful cloth
Orunmila said the situation demands silence
Ifa, said the situation demands trumpeting
Ifa said who was keeping mute
Ifa said who was blowing trumpet
They said it was Okunrun ibule, the sick, that was talking good about Olodumare
Olodumare said they should tell Okunrun ibule, the sick
For talking good about me, Olodumare
Tell him/her to get healed
Eeru ogale! Get up!
It is on the day a goat gives birth that the kid gets up
Let him/her get healed
Eeru ogale! Get up!
It is on the day of birth that the lamb gets up
Let him/her get healed
Eeru ogale! Get up!
It is the day a chick is hatched that it gets up
Let him/her get healed
Eeru ogale! Get up!

8.
Those who have legal issues, even if they have genuine evidence that can vindicate them, should make ebo so that they will not lose the case. Such people should not be intoxicated by their social status, age, influence or affluence to the extent of looking down on anybody. Ebo must be maid with a he-goat, money, a big rat, pap and palm oil. On this, Ifa says:
Oti loti ejo
Obi lobi imoran
Emu lemu arajonjo
Ikunle ni fimoran we idi
A difa fun Kekere Ipapo
A bu fun Agba Ipapo
Nijo won n lo ree kunle ejo
Ebo ni won ni won o se
Kekere Ipapo nikan ni n be leyin to n sebo
Mo ba won ro mo segun won
Kekere Ipapo won kii ti ejo ni wiwi
Mo ba won ro mo segun won

The wine is the wine of litigation
The kolanut is the kolanut of wisdom
This palm wine is the palm wine of Arajonjo
Cast Ifa for a small boy of Ipapo city
Cast Ifa for an old man of Ipapo city
When they took legal action against each other
They were told to make ebo
Only the small boy of Ipapo city made the recommended ebo
Ifa, I have case with them
I surely win them
The small boy of Ipapo was never found guilty
Ifa, I have litigation with them
I surely win them.

9.
This year, Ifa advises women against divorce. Women, who are thinking of divorcing their husbands, especially wives of priests, should have a rethink. This is because, after leaving the husband, such a woman will be exposed to a lot of dangers which would have been averted had she remained with the husband. Men should also not maltreat their wives. They should not frustrate their wives to the extent of making her see divorce as option. If divorce takes place, the men will be accused of or took responsible for any danger the women are exposed to. On this, Ifa says:
Otura kan soso ni kii se eewo
Bo ba di meji a di otito
Bo ba di meji a di ododo gbakogbako
A difa fun Odidere
Ti i se aya Orunmila
Nijo to ni oun o ni ba Ifa se mo
Ebo ni won ni ko se
Ipin aisebo, egba aiteru
Odidere ni “Orunmila oro!
O ra oun leegun itan woo woo woo!”

Appearance of one otura is not impossible
When it becomes two, it becomes truth
When it becomes two, it becomes a meaningful sign
Ifa revelation to Odidere, the parrot
Who was a wife of Orunmila
When she said she would not have anything to do with Ifa again
She was advised to make ebo
She refused to make the recommended ebo
Odidere, the parrot said “Orunmila, the extraordinary being!
He broke my thigh bone with the sound ‘woo, woo, woo’”

10.
Kings and leaders need to make ebo so that they will prosper more and the subjects and followers be ready to follow them. Each person, especially kings and leaders must appease their Egbe Orun, the celestial comrades. And leaders should not be stingy especially about the type of meet to serve the followers during occasions. Frog should not be eaten or cooked to serve people throughout this year. For the leaders and head of temples and kings, a cow is recommended to appease the Egbe Orun. The items of ebo are honey, sugar cane, all sweet edible things, gin, wine, beer, money and a cow. After the ebo, the cow will be used to appease the Egbe Orun and people will eat and drink. On this, Ifa says:
Bata meta
Bata mefa
A difa fun Olofin
O se konko, awa ko e
Olofin se konko fun awa je
O se konko, awa ko e
O se gbangba, a gba e
Olofin se ohun gbangba fun awa je
O se gbangba, a gba e

Three bata drums
Six pieces of shoes
Ifa revelation to Olofin
You cooked frog, we reject you
You Olofin, you cooked frog for us
You cooked frog, we reject you
You cooked big meat, we accept you
You Olofin, you cooked big meat for you
You cooked big meat, we accept you

11.
Ifa priests and priestesses will be put to test this year. Kings and other important personalities in the community will need the services of the priests and priestesses. Ebo is needed because of people who are close to such personalities and who will be discouraging them against inviting the priests or priestesses. Also, the kings and important personalities should be warned to be careful of the people who will be advising them against consulting Ifa and making ebo. Ifa priests and priestesses should all make ebo and appease the Egbe Orun, celestial comrades and Ibeji. The items of ebo include sugar cane, honey, banana, aadun (parched corn, ground and mixed with oil or honey), gin, ground nuts, kola nuts, beans, beanscake, corn, pap and palm oil. In this verse, Ifa tells the story of Orunmila who was invited by Olofin. When Orunmila got to the house of Olofin, Ajibowu, a friend of Olofin who did not want things to get better for Olofin, told Olofin that Orunmila could not help him. He told Olofin to put Orunmila to test to know his spiritual capability. At night, they mixes sand with benniseads and gave to Orunmila to seprate from each other before the day breaks. Orunmila entered his room and was thinking of solution to the problem when his celestial comrades just appeared and did it for him. In the morning, he gave sand and benniseeds separately to Olofin. They could not believe. At night again, Ajibowu, the friend of Olofin again advised that before Olofin could rely on Orunmila, the former should ask the latter to climb the coconut tree in front of the palace and pluck all the seeds and cut all the leaves. This was a very difficult task because, the coconut tree was too tall for anybody’s climbing. The ultimatum was for Orunmila to do before the day breaks. As Orunmila was thinking standing beside the tree in the midnight, some monkeys came from nowhere, climbed the coconut tree, removed all the leaves and threw down all the seeds. Orunmila was as happy as a king. The king was surprised in the morning when Orunmila presented him the seeds. Ajibowu told Olofin to confirm before they could believe because, Orunmila could get the seeds from somewhere else. Then, they went out to look at the coconut tree in front of the palace and found out that the task was done. After this, Ajibowu was trying to advise Olofin against making divination but the Olofin did not listen again. When Orunmila eventually made divination to Olofin, it was Ajibowu that Ifa saw as an archenemy of Olofin. It was then clear to Olofin that Ajibowu was advising him against divination in other to cover his misdeed. On this, Ifa says:
Okanjuwa kii mu eje eniyan
Eje ara won ni won n mu
A difa fun Orunmila
Baba n lo si Otu Ife
Baba n lo ba won tun Otu Ife se
Ebo ni won ni ko se
O gbebo o rubo
Asebo setutu
E wa bani ni aruse ogun
N laa bani lese Obarisa

The greedy does not drink another person’s blood
He/she drinks his/her own blood
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
When he was going to redeem Otu-Ife
He was told to make ebo
He complied
All you believers
Come and meet us in victory
In such condition we meet one at the feet of Obarisa

12.
People whose things are being destroyed need to make ebo and appease Orisa Ibeji. Those who have Ibeji, twins, as husband, wife or children should treat them with love. The items are aadun, honey, sugar cane, banana, palm oil, kola nuts and money. On this, Ifa says:
Aarun waara
A difa fun won lode Ipapo
Nibi Alakedun ti n fi iru ba iwa won je

Aarun waara
Cast Ifa for them in the city of Ipapo
When the monkey had been destroying their fortunes with its tail

13.
Those who want to marry divorced women need to make ebo. This is because, after the marriage, the ex husbands will wage war against the new husbands. The items of sacrifice are shea butter, pap, money and palm oil. On this, Ifa says:
Agbe koya koya
Agbe kota kota
Agbe rora sure dako
Agbe rora ma ko iroko
Ki iroko ma baa wo
Oba igi ni se
A difa fun rapata Ose
To n lo ree gba Kudese obinrin Arira
Won ni ebo ni ko wa se
Ogbebo, o rubo
Arira wonu Ose
Awogbe! Awogbe aye!
Arira wonu Ose

The farmer who burns iya tree
The farmer who burns ita tree
Let the farmer be cautious while cultivating the farm
Let the farmer be cautious lest he burns Iroko tree
Lest Iroko fall down
It is a king among the tree
Ifa revelation to the big Ose
When going to snatch Kudese, the wife of Arira
He was advised to make ebo
He complied
Arira, the thunder struck Ose tree
Without any harm! Without and effect!
Arira, the thunder struck Ose tree

14.
Ifa says for total solution for the imminent fight or war, we should find the source, the causes and leaders and solve the problem from the source. Also, we should make sure we get to the buttom of the matter for permanent solution. On this Ifa says:
Orunmila lo di ajawarikan
Emi naa lo di ajawarikan baba mi Agbonniregun
Ifa ni bi Ogun ba pa eran
Bi o ba ti i ri ori re
Oju a maa yan an
Orunmila lo di ajawarikan
Emi naa lo di ajawarikan baba mi Agbonniregun
Ifa ni bi Ija ba pa eran
Bi o ba ti i ri ori re
Oju a maa yan an
Orunmila lo di ajawarikan
Emi naa lo di ajawarikan baba mi Agbonniregun
Ifa ni Obalufon makin are
Bo ba peran bi o bat ii ri ori re
Oju a maa yan an
Ajagba lu kere
A sekun lori re o
Ajagba lu keere
A ja gbori eku
Ajagba lu kere
A sekun lori re o
Ajagba lu keere
Aja gbori eja
Ajagba lu kere
A sekun lori re o
Ajagba lu keere
Aja gbori eye
Ajagba lu kere
A sekun lori re o
Ajagba lu keere
Aja gbori eran
Ajagba lu kere
A sekun lori re o
Ajagba lu keere

Orunmila said the right thing is to grab its head
I repeat the proper thing is to grab its head, Bara Agbonniregun
Ifa said whenever Ogun kills an animal
If he has not got its head
He would not be pleased
Orunmila said the right thing is to grab its head
I repeat the proper thing is to grab its head, Bara Agbonniregun
Ifa said whenever Ija kills an animal
If he has not got its head
He would not be pleased
Orunmila said the right thing is to grab its head
I repeat the proper thing is to grab its head, Bara Agbonniregun
Ifa said whenever Obalufon-makin-are kills an animal
If he has not got its head
He would not be pleased
We are rejoicing
We are happy over its head
We are rejoicing
We fought and got the head of rat
We are rejoicing
We are happy over its head
We are rejoicing
We fought and got the head of fish
We are rejoicing
We are happy over its head
We are rejoicing
We fought and got the head of bird
We are rejoicing
We are happy over its head
We are rejoicing
We fought and got the head of animal
We are rejoicing
We are happy over its head
We are rejoicing

15.
Business men and women should make ebo in order to have good profit. People will profit over business this year. The items of ebo include 4 pigeons, gin, honey, pap and money. On this, Ifa says:
Woroko woroko mo le sin iyun
Worokoworoko mo le sin segi
A difa fun Oba Ipara
To n lo re e ra Ina leru
Ero ipo
Ero Ofa
Eyin o mo p e Ina ti Ifa fowo ra
Lo je ki ara ro awo

With stress I can string iyun, coral beads
With difficulty I can string segi beads
Ifa revelation to the king of Ipara
When going to buy Ina
Travelers to Ipo
Travelers to Ofa
Do not you realise that it was Ina bought by Awo
That made life comfortable for Awo

16.
This year, Ifa/Orisa/Isese religion will witness influx of people. People from other religions will revert to Yoruba Traditional Religion. Even, among these people would be people who have castigated followers and blasphemed against Ifa/Orisa in the past. Ebo should be made with 8 pigeons, honey, gin, edible things and money. On this, Ifa says:
E je ki bunibuni o maa buni
E je ki peganpegan o maa pegan
E je ki ganniganni o maa ganni niso na
Ewure ile won abeenu gbongbo
Agutan ile won abenu bokua
Awon Abenu boruku boke bi igbado yomo tire leku
A sefa fun Orunmila
Nijo won lawon o nib a se mo
Asebosetutu
E bani laruse ogun
N laa bani lese Obarisa

Let the abuser continue abusing one
Let the despiser continue despising one
Let the derider continue deriding one
The goat in their house with small mouth
The seep in their house with wide mouth
People with sharp mouth like the young maize
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
The day they said they would not relate with him
All performers of ebo
Come and meet us in victory
In such condition we meet people at the feet of Obarisa

17.
Ifa reveals that there are fights in the home, temples, clubs, societies and organisations. Ifa says that the busybodies are the ones creating unnecessary quarrels in the places. Ifa said the busybodies should stop the bad acts. On this, Ifa says:
Orunmila lo di atoto perepere
Emi naa lo di atoto perepere
O ni Atoto perepere to n be nile Ogun
E kilo fun un ko ma bale Ogun je
Orunmila lo di atoto perepere
Emi naa lo di atoto perepere
O ni Atoto perepere to n be nile Ija
E kilo fun un ko ma bale Ija je
Orunmila lo di atoto perepere
Emi naa lo di atoto perepere
O ni Atoto perepere to n be nile oun Orunmila
E kilo fun un ko ma bale oun je

Orunmila said this is a mere gossip
I repeat this is a mere gossip
He said the busybody in the house of Ogun
Should be warned not to destroy Ogun’s house
Orunmila said this is a mere gossip
I repeat this is a mere gossip
He said the busybody in the house of Ija
Should be warned not to destroy Ija’s house
Orunmila said this is a mere gossip
I repeat this is a mere gossip
He said the busybody in his (Orunmila’s) own house
Should be warned not to destroy his (Orunmila’s) house

18.
Ebo should be made by parents to prevent misfortunes for their children. Parents, especially mothers, should monitor the movement of their children who are in schools or place of works. Also, parents should be advised against using their children to hawk commodities and taking commodities to the market on behalf of the parents. They should know the actual time that their wards return from school and should call the ward or the school when it is time and they have not returned. Also, people who kiil or kidnap should stop the devilish act. Kidnappers and killers will be caught. Also, people who have only three female children need to make ebo lest the children got kidnapped and killed. The items of ebo include 3 cocks, 3 big rats, 3 knives, 3 cutlasses, money, 3 small gourds, palm oil and pap. On this, Ifa says:
Akuko to ko lanaa iko rere lo ko
A difa fun Iki to n rele Ado
Akuko to ko lanaa iko rere lo ko
A difa fun Gbodogi to n rode Ijesa
Akoko to ko lanaa iko rere lo ko
A difa fun Otutu ti se aya Orunmila
O n sunkun airibi
O n gbaawe airipon
Ebo lawo ni ko se
O gbebo, o rubo
O bi Wuruku-mo-jinde
O bi Woroko-bi-osu-le
O bi Odere-ki-i-se-oso
O bi gbogbo won labolabo
Awon meteeta dagba tan
Osin oba Ijaye loun a fekan ninu won
Bee ni won ko gba
Won wa lo ree naja ni Ijaye
Won to de bee ni won ko de
Otutu gbera, o mori le ode Ijaye
Ero ona e ba oun ri omo oun bi? Ijaye!
Oruko omo re tii je o? Ijaye!
Okan Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
Okan Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
Okan Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si agbala. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si Mogun. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si ekule. Ijaye!
O ni aye ra lonii o
O na ado mole
Gbogbo ero ona ku beerebe
Ero oja e ba oun ri omo oun bi? Ijaye!
Oruko omo re tii je o? Ijaye!
Okan Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
Okan Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
Okan Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si agbala. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si Mogun. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si ekule. Ijaye!
O ni aye ra lonii o
O na ado mole
Gbogbo ero oja ku beerebe
Osin, Oba Ijae, o ba oun ri omo oun bi? Ijaye!
Oruko omo re tii je o? Ijaye!
Okan Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
Okan Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
Okan Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si agbala. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si Mogun. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si ekule. Ijaye!
O ni aye ra lonii o
O na ado mole
Osin, Oba Ijaye ba ku
Iya Osin, o ba oun ri omo oun bi? Ijaye!
Oruko omo re tii je o? Ijaye!
Okan Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
Okan Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
Okan Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si agbala. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si Mogun. Ijaye!
Osin pakan si ekule. Ijaye!
O ni aye ra lonii o
O na ado mole
Otutu ati Iya Osin ba woya ija
Won ja titi eni kan o da eni kan
Bee ni eni kan ko la won
Otutu ati Iya Osin we po
Won ba di aagba inu igbo

The cock that crowed yesterday was timely
Cast Ifa for Iki when going to the city of Ado
The cock that crowed yesterday was timely
Cast Ifa for Gbodogi when going to the land of Ijesa
The cock that crowed yesterday was timely
Cast Ifa for Otutu the wife of Orunmila
She was wailing over her barrenness
She was starving herself for inability to conceive
She was advised to make ebo
She complied
She gave birth to Wuruku-mo-jinde
She gave birth to Woroko-bi-osu-le
She gave birth to Odere-ki-i-se-oso
The were all female
When the three children grew up
Osin, the king of Ijae wanted to marry one of them
None of them agreed
They went to Ijae market with commodities
It was time for them to return but they had not
Otutu, their mother stood up and headed for Ijaye town
Returnees from Ijaye, did you see my children please? Ijaye!
What is the name of your child? Ijaye!
One is Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
One is Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
One is Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in his palace premises. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in the shrine of Ogun. Ijaye!
Osin killed one at his backyard. Ijaye!
She said the world is destroyed today
She threw down a small gourd and broke it
All the returnees died
Market people, did you see my children please? Ijaye!
What is the name of your child? Ijaye!
One is Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
One is Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
One is Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in his palace premises. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in the shrine of Ogun. Ijaye!
Osin killed one at his backyard. Ijaye!
She said the world is destroyed today
She threw down a small gourd and broke it
All the market people died
Osin, the king of Ijaye, did you see my children please? Ijaye!
What is the name of your child? Ijaye!
One is Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
One is Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
One is Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in his palace premises. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in the shrine of Ogun. Ijaye!
Osin killed one at his backyard. Ijaye!
She said the world is destroyed today
She threw down a small gourd and broke it
Osin, the king of Ijaye died
The king’s mother, did you see my children please? Ijaye!
What is the name of your child? Ijaye!
One is Wuruku-mo-jinde. Ijaye!
One is Woroko-bi-osu-le. Ijaye!
One is Odere-ki-i-soso. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in his palace premises. Ijaye!
Osin killed one in the shrine of Ogun. Ijaye!
Osin killed one at his backyard. Ijaye!
She said the world is destroyed today
She threw down a small gourd and broke it
Otutu and the king’s mother started fighting
They fought for long without victor from anyone
And there was nobody for intervention
Otutu and king’s mother twisted together
They then became aagba rope in the forest

19.
People are advised not to get panic over rumours. We should have evidence of issues before taking it serious. This is because, there will be a lot of false rumours circulating around this year. On this, Ifa says:
Orunmila ni o di atutupere
Emi naa ni o di atutupere
Orunmila ni oro ti o n ba Aworo Ogun leru
Ti Aworo Ogun n beere lowo Ogun
Orunmila ni atutupere ni
Orunmila ni o di atutupere
Emi naa ni o di atutupere
Orunmila ni oro ti o n ba Aworo Ija leru
Ti Aworo Ija n beere lowo Ija
Orunmila ni atutupere ni
Orunmila ni o di atutupere
Emi naa ni o di atutupere
Orunmila ni oro ti n ba Akapo oun leru
Ti Akapo oun n beere lowo oun
Orunmila ni atutupere ni
Orunmila o se n fo bi Egun?
Orunmila o se n fo bi Eyo?
Orunmila iwo lara iwaju
Awa lero eyin
Orunmila a jewo obun
Orunmila ni atutupere ni oro ti ko to nnkan

Orunmila said this is gossip
I repeat this is gossip
Orunmila said that matter that Ogun priest is panic of
That Ogun priest is making enquir from Ogun
Is nothing but mere gossip
Orunmila said this isgossip
I repeat this is gossip
Orunmila said that matter that Ija priest is panic of
That Ija priest is making enquir from Ija
Is nothing but mere gossip
Orunmila said this isgossip
I repeat this is gossip
Orunmila said that matter that his priest is panic of
That his priest is making enquir from him (Orunmila)
Is nothing but mere gossip
Orunmila, why are you speaking a strange language of Egun?
Orunmila, why are you speaking a strange language of Eyo?
Orunmila, you are the leader
We are your follower
Orunmila, we confess our inability to comprehend your statement
Orunmila said it means an immaterial issue

20.
There will be breakthrough for people who were cursed. Those who have been moving around with curses on their heads will be relieved of the curses. They need to make ebo with, beans, corn, 2 cocks, 2 pigeons, kola nuts, palm oil, coco nuts, honey and money. On this, Ifa says:
Berebere okunkun
Berebere osupa
A difa fun Orunmila
Lojo ti won n gbe Baba sepe
Bi won n gbe mi sepe
Ma maa laje maje
Mo rubo ewa
Mo rubo egbo
Bi won n gbe mi sepe
Ma maa laya maya
Mo rubo ewa
Mo rubo egbo
Bi won n gbe mi sepe
Ma maa bimo lemo
Mo rubo ewa
Mo rubo egbo
Bi won n gbe mi sepe
Ma maa nire gbogbo more gbogbo
Mo rubo ewa
Mo rubo egbo
Ko si eni to mo bi omi se denu agbon
Ganniganni!
Egan ko pe ki oyin ma dun
Ganniganni!

Berebere okunkun
Berebere osupa
Cast Ifa for Orunmila
When they were raining curse on him
Whenever they are cursing me
I will be having riches upon riches
I have sacrificed beans
I have sacrificed cooked corn
Whenever they are cursing me
I will be having wives upon wives
I have sacrificed beans
I have sacrificed cooked corn
Whenever they are cursing me
I will be having children upon children
I have sacrificed beans
I have sacrificed cooked corn
Whenever they are cursing me
I will be having fortunes upon fortunes
I have sacrificed beans
I have sacrificed cooked corn
Nobody knows how water got inside the coconut
Oh you despisers!
Derision can never remove sweetness from honey
Oh you despisers!

21.
To overcome enemies, a ram is recommended as one of the items of ebo. Other items are kola nuts, palm oil, pap, gin and money. On this, Ifa says:
Mo dafa dafa, Ikin mi lu
Mo dibo dibo, Ikin mi la
Agbo gboro ija, o ke ruru ke ruru
A difa fun Orunmila
Nijo ti won n dite mo Baba
Agbo kuru mo on
Ma beru ija

I cast Ifa to the extent that my Ikin got perforated
I made use of the determinants to the extent that my Ikin got broken
A ram hears about fight, he starts boasting
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
When people conspired against him
Ram, instigate the fight
Do not be afraid of fighting

22.
Ifa has said that grown up children should take good care of their parents. Ifa said the children are in the best position to make their parents have sound health and live long. Children should not be far from the parents to know what is going on with the parents and take the necessary actions. For the health of the parents and wellbeings of the whole household, children from each household need to make ebo so that misfortunes will not befall the household. The items of ebo include 3 cocks or a he-goat, a big rat, pap, palm oil, money and kola nuts. After making the ebo, an akose will be done which will be hanged at the entrance of the house. On this, Ifa says:
Iku dudu ni kosun dudu
Iku pupa ni kosun pupa
Aimookun ni kun ilepa orun dododo
A difa fun Omoseebi
Omoseebi ni somo Aro
A difa fun Omoseewo
Omoseewo ni somo Odofin
Iku ti ko ba pa Aro
Omoseebi omo Aro ni ko je
Arun ti ko ba se Odofin
Omoseewo omo Odofin ni ko je
Iku ki o ma yale yii wa
Ero ona, kii yale alakan mumi
Arun ki o ma yale yii wa
Ero ona, kii yale alakan mumi
Gbogbo ibi ki o ma yale yii wa
Ero ona, kii yale alakan mumi

Black death painted itself black camwood
Red death painted itself red camwood
The one that didn’t know what to use painted itself with clay
Ifa revelation to Omoseebi
Omoseebi is the child of Aro
Ifa revelation to Omoseewo
Omoseewo is the child of Odofin
The death that would have killed Aro
It was Omoseebi, the child of Aro, who repelled it
The disease that would have afflicted Odofin
It was Omoseewo, the child of Odofin, who prevented it
Death, do not enter this house
No passerby enters the crab’s house to drink water
Disease, do not enter this house
No passerby enters the crab’s house to drink water
All misfortune, do not enter this house
No passerby enters the crab’s house to drink water

23.
Priests and priestesses should be ready to always build their godchildren. This is because, they will surely reap the profit of the good seeds. They should not think of the bad things the godchildren do but the good ones. Godchildren should always be available to their spiritual parents. They should not think of the bad that might be done by the spiritual parents but the good. With this, they will receive blessings. Both spiritual parents and spiritual children should have mutual understanding and appreciate each other as well as forgive each other of bad acts. Additionally, Ifa advises that anybody who is due for initiation should do so without delay. On this, Ifa says:
Oti loti ejo
Obi lobi imoran
Emu ta o mu ri lemu arajonjo
A difa fun Orunmila
Baba oo te enlojo Igi nifa
Baba oo te Ogo keyin won
Won lebo ni ko se
Ogo de omo Elewuji ooo
Eni kan ni mo pe
Igba eni ko maa je mi

The wine is the wine of litigation
The kolanut is the kolanut of wisdom
The strange palm wine is the palm wine of Arajonjo
Cast Ifa for Orunmila
He would initiate one hundred and sixty four trees
He would initiate Ogo last
He was asked to make ebo
Here is Ogo, the child of Elewuji
I call just one person
Two hundred people are responding

24.
This year, there will be many wicked people using charms and incantations with strange languages. People should just depend on Ifa to overpower those people. On this, Ifa says:
Apala mo fio
Afio mo pala
Oro bale so woyowoyo
A difa fun Orunmila
Lojo ti Elewu n tori re ke
Ti Oloogun n tori re sa
Won lebo ni ko se
Belewu n ke
Boloogun n sa
Bi owo mi ba ti te Ikin
Maa sete

Apala mo fio
Afio ma pala
Issues lead to uproar
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
The day people with strange-language-incantation were reciting because of him
The day charm-men were doing because of him
He was asked to make ebo
If people with strange-language-incantation are reciting
If the charm-men are doing their evil works
Once I have my Ikin
I will overcome

25.
Ifa says the enemies will be put to shame because, the bad things they are expecting will not come to pass. All the chief priests of Ifa (Araba/Oluwo) in each town should make ebo because of the people who are after their downfalls. On this, Ifa says:
Araba ni baba
Araba ni baba
Eni a ba laba ni baba
Eni ti a ba niwaju to baba se funni
A difa fun Araba Pataki
Nijo ti n be nirogun ota
Kowokowo! Araba o wo mo
Oju ti Iroko

Araba is father
Araba is father
The person that got to a place first is the father
The senior one is enough to be the father
Ifa revelation to the prestigious Araba
When he was amidst enemies
It will soon fall! The Araba tree does not fall
Iroko tree is put to shame

26.
This year, there will be a lot of envy among siblings, friends and groups. This envy might turn to destruction of properties. The rich should be careful not to make the poor angry. Wherever one is, one should not make his/her siblings or half brothers/sisters feel that one does not recognize them. In this verse, Ifa tells the story of orunmila who was richer than others. Later, they were angry with him out of envy. He consulted Ifa and he was advised to tell the people that all that he possessed belong not to him alone but to all of them. He told them they have equal right to the properties. It was then they became happy. On this, Ifa says:
Yangi abori kugu
A difa fun Ebo
Ti n moju ekun sogbere omo
Igba ti yoo bi, o bi Esu Odara
Igba ti yoo bi, o bi Sanponna
Igba to yoo bi, o bi Iyami Aje
Igba ti yoo bi, o bi Orunmila
Baba ba baba Esu Odara
Owo ti mo ni yii o teyin ni
Baba ba baba Esu Odara
Iya mi yami Osoronga
Owo ti mo ni yii o teyin ni
Iya mi yami Osoronga
Baba ba baba Baba-Ode
Owo ti mo ni yii o teyin ni
Baba ba baba Baba-ode

Yangi abori kugu
Cast Ifa for Ebo
When longing for children
When it wanted to give birth, it bore Esu Odara
When it wanted to give birth, it bore Sanponna
When it wanted to give birth, it bore Iyami Aje
When it wanted to give birth, it bore Orunmila
Esu Odara, my father
The riches I possess is yours
Esu Odara, my father
Osoronga, my mother
The riches I possesse is yours
Osoronga, my mother
Baba-Ode, my father
The riches I possess is yours
Baba-Ode my father

27.
People who are longing for fortunes need to make ebo. After making the ebo, Sanponna, Ogun, Esu and Obatala must be appeased. This verse tells us the story of Orunmila. When he wanted to come to earth, he appeased Ogun, Esu and Sanponna before he went to Obatala for calabash of fortunes. The tradition was that when one chooses something as part of his/her destiny, Obatala would put ase on it and the person cannot choose any other thing. When Orunmila got there, Esu, Ogun and Obaluaye were playing with Obatala. Orunmila chose all fortunes and carried the whole calabash of fortunes before Obatala could realise. People who came after were told to go to Orunmila to choose from the calabash of fortune which was already with Orunmila. This is why till today, people go to Orunmila for fortunes. Full Ifa initiation is also needed for people who are longing for fortunes. On this, Ifa says:
Ajenjeniregun
E gboro oni de
A difa fun Orunmila
Baba n torun bo wa sile aye
N oo lowo lowo ki n to wa
E gboro oni de
Ajenjeniregun
Egboro oni de
N oo laya laya ki n to wa
E gboro oni de
Ajenjeniregun
Egboro oni de
N oo bimo bimo ki n to wa
E gboro oni de
Ajenjeniregun
Egboro oni de
N oo nire gbogbo ki n to wa
E gboro oni de
Ajenjeniregun
Egboro oni de
N oo gbo gbo gbo ki n to wa
E gboro oni de
Ajenjeniregun
Egboro oni de

Ajenjeniregun
Let today’s utterances come to pass
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
When he was coming to earth
I will be very rich before I return
Let today’s utterances come to pass
Ajenjeniregun
Let today’s utterances come to pass
I will have wives before I return
Let today’s utterances come to pass
Ajenjeniregun
Let today’s utterances come to pass
I will have children before I return
Let today’s utterances come to pass
Ajenjeniregun
Let today’s utterances come to pass
I will have all good things before I return
Let today’s utterances come to pass
Ajenjeniregun
Let today’s utterances come to pass
I will live very long before I return
Let today’s utterances come to pass
Ajenjeniregun
Let today’s utterances come to pass

28.
Kola nuts with two lobes should be used to appease Ifa by individuals. We need to tell Ifa all our desires. This should be done for 16 days with 1 kola nut with two lobes every day. On this, Ifa says:
Ka mu raga kairaga
Ka mu raga kairaga
Afaiseye oko gbomole aworoko n jobi
A difa fun Orunmila
Baba n lo ree fi gooro ro ni rara
Oro aje ti n ko tii ni
Ni mo wa ro fun o Ifa
Gbogbo ohun ti n dunni
N lawa wa fi goro ro
Gbogbo ohun to n dunni
Oro aya ti n ko tii ni
Ni mo wa ro fun o Ifa
Gbogbo ohun ti n dunni
N lawa wa fi goro ro
Gbogbo ohun to n dunni
Oro omo ti n ko tii bi
Ni mo wa ro fun o Ifa
Gbogbo ohun ti n dunni
N lawa wa fi goro ro
Gbogbo ohun to n dunni
Oro ire gbogbo ti n ko tii ni
Ni mo wa ro fun o Ifa
Gbogbo ohun ti n dunni
N lawa wa fi goro ro
Gbogbo ohun to n dunni

Taking raga against raga
Taking raga against raga
He who eats kola nuts and talks in strange language without being a bird
Cast Ifa for Orunmila
When he was going to make supplication with two lobes kola nut
The matter of riches that I am longing for
Is what I have come to express before you, Ifa
All that we are longing for
Are what we have come to make supplication for with two lobes kola nut
All that we are longing for
The matter of wife that I am longing for
Is what I have come to express before you, Ifa
All that we are longing for
Are what we have come to make supplication for with two lobes kola nut
All that we are longing for
The matter of children that I am longing for
Is what I have come to express before you, Ifa
All that we are longing for
Are what we have come to make supplication for with two lobes kola nut
All that we are longing for
The matter of all good things that I am longing for
Is what I have come to express before you, Ifa
All that we are longing for
Are what we have come to make supplication for with two lobes kola nut
All that we are longing for

29.
Those who travel and leave behind women who might be their mothers, wives or daughters should take good care of them. We should not abandon any woman. We should always remember them, talk to them and bring things for them. This is because, when a woman feels abandoned and is angry with a man, things will not be good for the man. Ebo to be done here include a he-goat, a big rat, pap, money and palm oil. On this, Ifa says:
Mo ba won niwaju, mo ki won ki won
Mo ko won lona, mo saalo saalo
Aalo o te ara oko lorun bi afojudi
A difa fun Orunmila
Baba n sawo lo egbe to jin gbungbungbun
Yoo si fi awon Iyami Osoronga sile
E mama binu, e ma ja
Iyami Osoronga, e ma ja
Aje ti mo ni teyin ni
Iyami Osoronga, e ma ja
Aya ti mo ni teyin ni
Iyami Osoronga, e ma ja
Omo ti mo bi teyin ni
Iyami Osoronga, e ma ja
Ire gbogbo ti mo ni teyin ni
Iyami Osoronga, e ma ja

When I caught up with them, I greeted them politely
When I met them, I treated them with humility
Humility is never appreciated by the uncultured but they are quick to notice rudeness
Ifa revelation to Orunmila
When he was travelling to a very far place
He would leave behind the Iyami Osoronga, extraordinary women
Do not be angry, do not fight
Iyami Osoronga, the extraordinary women, do not fight
The money I possess is yours
Iyami Osoronga, the extraordinary women, do not fight
The wife I have is yours
Iyami Osoronga, the extraordinary women, do not fight
The children I have is yours
Iyami Osoronga, the extraordinary women, do not fight
All good things I possess is yours
Iyami Osoronga, the extraordinary women, do not fight

30.
Ifa says with ebo, we will not fall for enemies. Ebo needs to be done with a big rat, 3 cocks, palm oil, pap and money in order to overcome enemies. On this, Ifa says:
Baba dana koya, baba dana koya
Baba dana kota, baba dana kota
Baba dana kooro, baba dana kooro
Baba dana ko Ogungunbere tii se baba ewe
Babalawo Ose lo sefa ojo kan fose
Ti won ni yoo subu laarin ota
Korokorokoro ni ikona wose
Ko si ohun ti won oo fose se
Korokorokoro ni ikona wose

Man burns iya tree, man burns iya tree
Man burns ita tree, man burns ita tree
Man burns ooro tree, man burns ooro tree
Man burns Ogungunbeere, the tree that small kids like
Ifa priest of Ose revealed Ifa messages to Ose, the baobab tree
Who people prophesied would fall for the enemies
Contemptuously, people who burn trees look at Ose, the baobab tree
There is nothing they can do to Ose, the baobab tree
Contemptuously, people who burn trees look at Ose, the baobab tree

31.
This year, when we appease any Orisa with an animal, the head of the animal must be put on the Orisa. We can remove it after some minutes depending on the environment. Also, this year, when such animal is cooked, the head of the animal must be used to feed the Orisa. On this, Ifa says:
Orunmila lo di ajanwari
Mi ajanwari lo da Bara Agbonniregun
O ni bi aja ba ti peran tire tan
Ori re lo n ja wa
Orunmila lo di ajanwari
Mi ajanwari lo da Bara Agbonniregun
O ni bi ekun ba ti peran tire tan
Ori re lo n ja wa
Orunmila lo di ajanwari
Mi ajanwari lo da Bara Agbonniregun
O ni bi idi ba ti peran tire tan
Ori re lo n ja wa
Orunmila lo di ajanwari
Mi ajanwari lo da Bara Agbonniregun
O ni bi oun Edu alajogun ba ti peran toun tan
Ori re loun n ja wa

Orunmila said emphasis should be on the head
I repeat that emphasis should be on the head
He said whenever a dog kills an animal
It is the head it struggles to take
Orunmila said emphasis should be on the head
I repeat that emphasis should be on the head
He said whenever a tiger kills an animal
It is the head it struggles to take
Orunmila said emphasis should be on the head
I repeat that emphasis should be on the head
He said whenever an eagle kills an animal
It is the head it struggles to take
Orunmila said emphasis should be on the head
I repeat that emphasis should be on the head
He said whenever he himself kills his own animal
It is the head that he struggles to take

AFFILIATED

Iyami Aje
Egbe Orun
Ibeji
Esu
Sanponna
Obatala
Orunmila

TABOOS
Do not steal
Do not eat frog
Do not commit adultery
Do not divorce
Do not fast

Verses recorded, transcribed and translated by:
Oluwo Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode (Chairman, Publication Committee)
Omidan Ifakemi Onifade (Secretary)
Oloye Fatunbi Adeniji
Chief (Dr) Abiodun Fafolarin Agboola (Secretary, International Council for Ifa Religion, ICIR).
Otunba Kehinde Idowu Fagbohun
Babaawo Ojoawo Windare
Babaawo Fayemi Abidemi Fakayode

Aboru! Aboye! Abosise!