Category: IFA texts

The importance of orogbo during initiation process , sacrifice , propitiation of head , prayer and other essential spiritual steps , before and after ifa activities cannot be quantified , but it is important to know that Orogbo during divination is equally important , if just to be at the pocket of highly revered babalawo . The presence of orogbo depicts longevity for babalawo and those around him , just like the presence of obi means, evil has no portion in the surroundings of a highly respected and honored babalawo .

Just like any other Yoruba words , the word ‘’orogbo ‘’ is coined and derived from two words – ‘’oro’’  and ‘’gbo’’ .  Oro means very small , round , minute, tiny  while , ‘’Gbo ‘’ means longevity , eternal , timeless, undying , everlasting , perpetual . when the two words are blended together , it becomes a unified and spiritually blessed word called Orogbo , which consequently means , a round fruits that attract longevity , everlasting blessing , enduring health and perpetual blessing of longevity . During , initiations or any sacrificial steps , or ritual  or propitiation , orogbo is used to pray for longevity , sound health , peace , harmony , and happiness. Indeed , a man with the blessing of long life and sound health , so also his loved ones enjoy the same degree of health and longevity  is indeed a blessed man in the jungle of life that is filled with mishap, untimely death and sorrow. The name of the fruits –orogbo – is coined to denote iwure , it is a spiritual seed  that establish the power of divinities with abundant  trait of long life  and sound health . However during  initiations , or sacrifice or ajiki , which is early morning prayer , ifa devotees or seeker of truth through the tradition of ifa , are required to pray and eat  part of this fruits , to serve as alignment  with the force and natural energies  embedded in the nature. IFA is a religion or philosophy based on the use of natural materials in the nature .

The natural force of this blessed  fruit  aligned with the vibration  of the body transmute and trigger or induced abundant spiritual force in the whole body thereby attaining secretly the sound health the body require to attain normal health. Every spiritual consciousness is quiet and invisible , just like the function of orogbo use it as prayer and eating small part trigger secretly the power of Olodumare in our live and enjoyment of the support of His numerous divinities . The prayer using orogbo and eating a fraction part  with iwure –that is prayer , means blessing , prosperity , abundant life , success , longevity and sound health .

While obi is perceived to be a female fruit energy , or female fruits , that give brth to male and female alike , Orogbo is a male fruit energy  that fail to have lobes or part like Obi. Orogbo can be cut into pieces either by teeth or knife , it has no parts, but a hard fruit that shows natural toughness and ruggedness. While obi is easily breakable with just hand and it is used also to denote the feminine part of the universal force or energy . Orogbo represents   the dominant energy of Olodumare  with unique characteristics of solidity , strength , firmness and oneness of energy in the universe  .  Orogbo symbolizes  unilateral force of Olodumare  which means life in abundance , wisdom in abundance , strength in abundance , victory in abundance , longevity and sound health in abundance . It also means , blessing  prosperity and strength to all race , color , and religion without discrimination . Orogbo also denotes that life in any way cannot be explained or invented  except through divine  and spiritual understanding and wisdom . every understanding or  wisdom is  unique , orogbo represents the uniqueness  of spiritual wisdom and divine understanding of how unseen forces of Olodumare works in the life of earthily men .  Orogbo becomes a divine and spiritual fruits  that are connected  with life through a divine order of things , manifesting in the  natural fruits and  blended in the lives  of men through the firmness  of Olodumare and his numerous divinities  .

Orogbo when cut into two has no line that cut through its surface like obi , the reason is not far fetched , it means , life and its benefits and spiritual supports would be enjoyed for time unlimited and our generation will enjoy the unbroken chain of spiritual and divine benefits.  Like obi , that posses the female attribute of openness and easy breaking habit , Orogbo represents the power of OLODUMARE and his mysterious character with enigmatic attributes  of unified power , unilateral force and undiluted vibration . Divine attributes cannot be explained through human understanding , just like Olodumare uniqueness is absolute above human understanding , the presence of orogbo to attract healing , longevity and sound health is  beyond  human comprehension and explanation .  Orogbo represents solidity , undivided , and shrewd manner by which OLODUMARE in his infinite nature contact men in their weak state . Strength and eternity belong to divine , and weakness and finite character belong to men in nature . Hence Olodumare cannot change , transformed and divisified to any things that maintain its original state , likewise Orogbo a true representative of Olodumare , cannot be transformed or divisified or changed to anythings rather than divinities obligation to maintain its uniqueness.

Orogbo represents through foundation , it represents  through divine forces  and spiritual vibration of the  omni-potent , mere having this fruits at home represent eternal force of Olodumare to enrich our lives with longevity , sound health and victory against all evils and evil  manipulation of AJOGUN ORUN , that is the punitive knight of heaven , that is the reason  for a song praise  and the below popular sayings

Mo ti je orogbo , ki ohun mi le gbo kekeke ni isalu aye

Orogbo lo wa mu ni gbo saye

Sebi odundun lari orogbo

Odundun lari obi Lori ate

Odundun bayi ni ki a ma wa titi

Mo ti jorogbo lode isalaye

E jeki gbo gbo gbo

E jeki dagba , dagba

E jeki ferigi jobi

Ki fopa tile gereje-gereje

Ki to ló si iwala orisa

Ase

Translation of above verse

I have tasted and eaten orogbo in the physical state of existence

Let my voice and my life attract longevity and sound health in the universe

The force behind Orogbo gives us  the power to enjoy longevity in the universe

Yearly , we set our eyes on orogbo

Yearly , we set our eyes on obi at the market place

I have eaten orogbo in the physical existence

Let me live long , live old and live well in the world

Let me live a life dignifies of an ifa devotees

Before joining my ancestors

Ase

The above song praise is supported with the below verse of ifa . It indeed reinforces the existence and the power of orogbo  as an embodiment  of longevity  and sound health  which the ancient  ifa priest  and priestess and their various devotees had been used to prolong lives in the physical plain of existence . according to the holy verse  of  irosun owonrin

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Okun sun are nare

Osa su legbe legbe

Onibu nrebu

Alas an ni rasan

Asan naa paapaa

Awo ori ota

Awon agbaagba imole lo wo gbeyin

Won rip e ko suwon

Won subu yege

Won fi rungbo diya

Won firun dinu peepee pee

Won mu ogun orogbo

Won mu ogun obi

Won fi difa fun isese

Eyi tii se olori oro ni ife

Won tun um otalenigba din lerin

A difa fun isese

Eyi ti se olori oro ni isalu orun

A difa fun sango arabambi

Orisa ti bologbo leru

Ajisaye gbege loko iya olorogbo

Sango  ooo , orisa to loju orogbo

Ma ba mi já , da eko iya mi nu

Jeki PE laye , bi orogbo se npe

Jeki ferigi jobi

Ki wa fi opa tile gejegeje

Ifa o gbo o

Orunmila  o gbo

Ela osin o gbo

Edumare  tire lemi o ma se

Ase

Translation  of the above verse

The ocean is expansive  and extensive with infinite characteristics

The sea is mysterious and nebulous

The deep ocean is unclear , inexplorable and fill with mystery

The deep sea share the same character

Inexplicable belongs to the realm of divinities

Thus divine ifa oracle  for the mysterious head stone of ages

The elder  look aback

They discovered the mystery  embedded in life were inexplicable

They  bowed their head in prayer and respect

Shave their beads as an obeisance  to the divinity

Open their mouth in awe , calling the mysterious name of the Almighty

Using first twenty sets of orogbo

Gathering twenty sets of obi

Using them to cast  ifa oracle  for custodian of tradition

The mysterious head chief of ifa oracle  at the anciety city of Ife

The elder also gather another set of two hundred  fifty six orogbo

To cast ifa oracle for custodian of tradition

The chief priest of tradition at the spiritual place of existence

Thus divine ifa oracle  for sango arabambi

The divinity that intimidate death and her conhort

The lord strong in battle , blessed with long life

The formidable husband  of orogbo seller

Oh yee sango

The divinity that have the unique  eyes of orogbo

Never attack me and never destroy the wares of my mother

Let me live long , like orogbo , in the physical state of existence

Let me use my molar teeth to eat kolanuts

Let me reach old age with sound health  and walk with stick

Ifa , let your blessing radiate my life

Ela let your success be my lot

Oh God , bless my path , I shall serve you and adore you forever

Ase

The above verse shows the importance of orogbo , not just a special fruits of life , but an embodiment  of longevity , prosperity , sound health and success are given by OLODUMARE and his numerous divinity  from the beginning of creation .

IFA also states in various verses that Orunmila went back to search  for the fruits of orogbo , in an attempt to ensure eternal life in the physical state of existence . But Esu disturbed Orunmila saying , people will feel like God , if they do not ripe , grow and wither away like other fruits, seeds, plants . Death according to esu is one of the way , men look up to God for salvation and delivery from fear of death.  Indeed , life of every man should follow  the natural law of birth , growth , old age and crossing to the land of ancestors . The explanation of Esu was established on the premise of one facts, that growth entails replacement .

Those who fail to grow either in stature , knowledge  and understanding and wisdom remain like immovable object in the universe, such as mountain and hills . Esu says , those who faithfully follow Olodumare and His numerous divinity with sound discipline during their life time  will be guided and blessed with long life and good health. They will be called the disciples of Olodumare , Eni Orisa , the follower of wisdom – onimo ifa . While those who fail to recognize their own existence  and lack discipline  attract the early penalty of death , suffering , losses, and generation curse. The beginning of life  starts from ENITOLODUN and the end is with Him , hence start your day and end your day with OLODUMARE  , that is God , start your life and end your life with God . Esu says , just like earthly life is filled with happiness and joy , remember that destruction and woos are present and surplus .

Ignorance brings self destruction , knowledge of universal order of things through the tradition of ifa brings longevity , sound health and victory . Just like the weeds and the plant are available for the foolish and the wise , likewise the way to self destruction and victory are available to Ogbeeri – the fool , and The wise –awo .  The physical level and the spiritual level need a constant maintenance , that is , there must be flow of energy , lives and soul between the two level of existence . When this things , we see it as birth and death at these two levels.  Orunmila agreed but advised  that to minimize suffering , people must  live to old age , to be able  to take care of their loved ones , to be able to serve others, serve Irunmole and serve the Omni-Potent OLODUMARE , hence How then can we achieve this , through , initiations, propitiation , sacrifices, rituals , prayer , discipline , effort , spiritual and physical educations , and sustenance of tradition of IFA , all these combined are well articulated  and analysed through the use of Orogbo , the fruits of life and longevity .

According to IFA verse  under ogbe ofun

Ifa jebo naa o fin

Ela jebo naa o rode orun gbure gbure

Isu dape jale

O npo apa

Akere dapa tele

O pojo

Omo kekeke ni soro fun  agbalagba

Ki won o le baa rohun muje

Owo ni siwaju ijo

Opolopo oro ibanuje ni siwaju  ija

Orogbo asiwaju ebo

Orogbo a siwaju ebo emi gigun

Mo ti wa jorogbo , ko hun mi legbo

Egbe mi lorun , e wa gborogbo jê

Ki egbe aye , ki o le pe  lori ilê  isalaye

Mo ti forogbo Fe gbe , ki le pe laye

Ifa , mo ti se etutu , forisa , ki le fowo pawun

Ela oba bami tamori se

Ela o pitan

Bi oko ba da , alegbede ni ntun se

Ela o pitan ,o ba ba mi tamori se ,

Ela opita

Bi Ada ba da , alegbede ni ntun se

Ela o pitan , o ba ba mi tamori se

Ela o pitan

Translation of the above verse

Ifa let my sacrifice be accepted

Ela let my ritual goes up to the heaven above

The yam grows into tuber during planting

The toad  toil and stand on  the ground

And call for heavy rain to moist the ground

The little children after propitiation and sound spiritual and physical education grow

And offer ritual and gratitude to the elders

Such that the elders would not suffer with old age

The young supports  the leder and fend for them at old age

Stretching forward of the hand precede dancing

Evil utterance  and nagging precede dispute and chaos

The fruits of orogbo precedes all sacrifice

Eating of orogbo precedes longevity

I have eaten orogbo , let me have a strong voice , sound health and long life

The heavenly mates have accepted my sacrifice of orogbo

Let the earthily companion be blessed with longevity and sound health

I have given sacrifice to my heavenly or spiritual mates

Let me live long in the plain of existence

I have given orogbo to divinity

Let all divinities support my cause

Ela the greatest historian and the sage

Repair and remould my destiny

Whenever the hoe breaks , we give it to blacksmith for repairing

Oh ye , Ela , the illuminated ones, attract  greatness , success and blessing to me

Whenever the cutlass breaks

We give it to the blacksmith to repair

Oh , ye Ela , the historian of humanity , bless me with abundant success , progress and wealth

Ela opitan repair and remould my destiny

Let my destiny fulfill his mission at all level  of existence

Ase

Orogbo according to above explanation is an object that represents the uniqueness and unified energy and vibration  of Olodumare in our lives . If all necessary spiritual , physical , mental , moral and emotional obligation are followed , happy lot  , success ,  longevity and sound health will be out lot , that is the meaning of Orogbo .

Please inform your followers to exert themselves to make their minds fine (full of clarity and discernment) and pure.

Inform your followers to struggle to achieve a mind that is smooth (serene) and clean.

These were the declarations of Ifa for Orunmila when his followers no longer had the power to retain and recall knowledge (memory).

Orunmila was advised to offer sacrifice and he complied:

(Prayer and request of Orunmila):

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment when you arise (to act). You and I are very united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment when you arise (to act). This is the sacred leaf of Ogbo, which enables me to understand Ifa just like my holy elders.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are very united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). This is the sacred leaf of Ope, which enables my ability to recite melodiously the versus of Ifa just like the holy elders of ancient times.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are very united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). There are sixteen path (enclosed) within the seeds of Oniyenye all of which are used to draw and consume water.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are united. Certainly we are one.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act). You and I are united. Certainly we are one. At the moment a great fish leaps upon the river this one will not be the least capable to see the river bed.

Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up as the moment you arise (to act). You and I are united. Certainly we are one. Ifa, please awaken me and lift me up at the moment you arise (to act).

Aboru Aboye.

Aboru Aboye Abosese, 

The male and the female nature of  this great entity called OLOKUN has created a lot of controversy among the devotees  of OLOKUN and IFA pratictioners world wide, but what may be said on OLOKUN , must be taken from ODU.  the energy and the vibration that create all things therein , in the universe, and this same energy has continued to create a lot of things , which are yet to be seen  in both the physical state of existence and in the spiritual state of being.  In fact,  the male and female characteristics of IRUNMOLES or divinities should not be a subject of debate , it must be seen that Sex  classifications are only peculiar to human beings in the lower caste of life , while in the spiritual realm , nothing of such nature has any significance . Divinities assume both the male and female attributes depending on the level you want to use them . It is  once averred that ODU herself was from the womb of OLODUMARE,  and it is the word of GOD to reshape and to create  life and non living objects  in the cosmos. ODU comes from OLODUMARE , just as man comes from his mother with the help of his father . The coming together of two  living  generates another living obejcts , according to  EJI  IDI .

ifa jeko ebo naa o fin

ela je ko ebo naa o rode orun Gbure – gbure

njo nla ta di sasa

a difa fun won ni di kunrin

a bu fun won ni di obirin

nijo ti won nmekun oju rahun omo

idi ni a apa asa

igba idi ba di meji

ni la di olomo

 IFA orunmila ma ma jeki a yagan bayi

Ase

Translation

IFA , let our sacrifices go to the heaven above

Ela accepts our rituals

success depends on perseverance ,

see how rain drops  in time

wear out the stone

this declare IFA oracle to the husband

and also declare IFA oracle to the wife

when they are weeping all days for not having children

commence your effort

from bottom upwards

for when two male and female meet

A life is born in the physical state of existence

IFA Orunmila  deter barrenness from our life

Ase

Since , the vegetative body can only been born in this way , that is the coming together of man and woman to create life through the powerful  hand of GOD , while Divinities does not assume sex  or sex categories from the source of energy -OLODUMARE , on reaching  the physical life , to avoid confusion , sex was attributed to them . We have seen many times where most  or all divinities  have been classified as male and female respectively. Just like Oduduwa ,  Erinle , and the topic of the day OLOKUN  have been attributed  to female and male attributes.

Olokun as the name implies, is from the word OKUN , according to  Yoruba  cosmology means the ocean. Whenever  Yoruba used the word OLO, as in case of OLODUMARE , it means , the owner , the controller , the authority in charge and the absolute power in control or in charge of something . While OLODUMARE is in charge of all that is created and to be created  and exist in the cosmos,  HE , the infinite being in the Yoruba conception  of this authority as designated his authority to many levels of consciousness and unconsciousness , so to feel his presence.  In case of OCEAN and it inhabitant , OLODUMARE  manifests HIMSELF  through OLOKUN and empower this IRUNMOLE, vested in him or her the absolute authority to be in charge and in control and relate to him all the time concerning matters about ocean .   The reincarnation of the  OLODUMARE energy in the ocean form is called OLOKUN — meaning the owner and the power behind the ocean and its habitant .  However the word OLOKUN has a symbolic and spiritual connection with IFA ADIMULA , that is while most babalawo says , ”ifa olokun a soro dayo ”, that  is “ifa olokun that speaks of happiness and fortune”.  In fact, Odu was called from the beginning of creation as ODU OLOKUN , in the place of ODU OLOFIN which is revealled in a verse under OYEKU OTURA .

According to the Odu

ifa jeko bo naa o fin

ela je bo naa o rode orun gbure gbure

baba ba komo eni

omo eni o moo gbon sara sara

a difa fun aje tii somo olokun

baa si komo eni

omo eni a go

a go ju isu lo

a difa fun obawinni

nijo ti nsukun oun o lobirin

aje omo olokun n sunkun alai loko

Translation

if we train our child

one child would be sharp

they are the one cast divination for Aje the child of Olokun

if we refuse to train our child

one ‘child would  be foolish

his stupidity can be compared to a dead yam

they are the one that cast divination for Obawinni

on the day he was crying of having no wife

Aje the child of OLokun was crying as well because  she had no husband(1)

STORY

The two personalities had gone to meet their respective IFA priest for divination , about the their lack of mates . They were advised to take their sacrifice  to different places. As fate would make a reality , the duo met and married. Although the stories of people meeting under circumstances which can only be said  to be divine appear in many verses of IFA , the peculiar nature of how this one occurred makes it worth examining .  OBAWINNI  is another name or one of the various names of ORUNMILA BARA AGBONIREGUN . After the meeting with AJE ( the goddess of riches and wealth ) they started living together as husband and wife . They had one child without Orunmila asking for the hand of the woman in marriage , not to talk about paying her dowry .  On a particular day , they both decided to take a trip to see the parents of his wife, so that the marriage  could be formalized and also  show them the new child.

Aje knowing the set up of her parent’s house , warned her man about some rules in the realm  they were visiting and how to cope with them . My parents are discreet , exclusive  and divine . They are  not the kind of person anyone can see just anyhow. They have formations along the way to warn  any visitors  of the danger . When  you get to the first station , you will see a person  holding on enormous  crown  in his palms . His name is IRIN, he does not wear it , he must not drop it , and neither would he sit down . He is an enormous figure , his stature tower above many giants and his dressing surpass that of hundreds of earthly kings  put together. But you must not prostrate to greet him , as he is a slave of my parents. Aje said  and warned Orunmila, Obawinni .

After we may have walked for a long distance again , you will meet  another being  holding a staff  in his hands. The staff is so tall that nobody can see the end . The person holding it is adorned with expensive ornaments , but he is equally a slave of my parents. You must not prostate to greet him . All these warnings are to prepare you for the sacredness of the place  you are going, and to give you an idea of what the real person we are visiting may look like , AJE warned.

Orunmila in great awe , decided to consult IFA according to his habit to know about the trip. ”What do I do about these intricate observations along the way to see the parents of my wife  ?” In the verse  of the same Oyeku Otura above , we have these

oro lana

enikan kii ri ana fin

a difa fun orunmila

nijo ti nba Aje aya re lo sile Olokun Seniade

Translation

in laws are comparable to sacred rites

no one disparages his in law

cast diviantion for Orunmila

on the day he was visiting with Aje his wife in the house of OLOKUN Seniade

One important materials of sacrifice which IFA asked Orunmila to offer was a puppy . After sprinkling the puppy with the powder of IFA, that is iyereosun , the babalawo returned the dog to him and instructed him to raise her as a pet . Some weeks  after the sacrifice , he called AJE , so that they could begin their trip to the realm of OLOKUN . Orunmila did not forget his dog. He carried it while his wife strapped the child to her back upon their arrival at the netry of the enormous home. Orunmila saw the first person , IRIN , exactly as described by AJE . The sight was awe inspiring and he quite forgot the warning of his wife. He has almost prostrated in greeting, mistaking him for OLOKUN.  Aje stopped and bursts into the song of IJASI to bring him back to his sense.

Obawinni , mo dobale ki o

Obawinni , mo dobale ki

irin to gbade lowo

eru obi mi ni

Obawinni mo dobale ki

Translation

Obawinni do not prostrate to greet him

I warn you not to prostrate

Irin whom you see carrying the beaded crown

is actually the slave of my parents

Obawinni do not prostrate  to greet him

The same things almost happened  when they got to the second one carrying the staff. Again, Aje  reminded  Orunmila not to prostrate to greet him.  Finally they arrived at the close quarter of OLOKUN, who spoked from afar. The voice of the person speaking sounded like a thousand  canons blasting at the same time. However, Aje had warned her husband  to close his eyes before entering  into the close quarters, which he did. With the eyes closed, she introduced  him and the new child which they have . “Aje, you are back”. The voice has said , if not all for all the messages you have , been sending back home, I would have been apprehensive  but I am happy  that you are back ”. For a long time , the voice continued to speak , greeting his i-law, his wife  and the child , praying that they would not lack again in life .

Orunmila was unsettled.  Being the inquisitive person, he had always been , he bent his head to one side  and stealthily opened one of his eyelids to have a glimpse of OLOKUN , despite having been warned by Aje. According to the details given by the verse , what he saw was startling . He could  not help heaving deep breaths to contain his amasement in the presence of his wife and of OLOKUN. He ultimately opened his two eyes wide in bewilderment at the creature in front of whom they stood. OLOKUN did not rebuke him neither did she stop taking to the couple and their child.

After a time , she allowed them to leave so that the  woman could go into the inner rooms to greet the entire household.  As soon as they left the place , Orunmila’s eyes became swollen and reddish . Aje did not say anything neither did she sympathized even as he scratched his itchy eyelids. He had willfully broken the taboo and was the reason for the eye troubles. When they got to the quarters where OLOKUN told them to lodge, she left the child with her husband  and proceeded to greet her people. With the eyes troubling him , the child in his hand , the dog on the ground , he became highly uncomfortable but did not complain . Orunmila  decided to lie on the mat so that he could at least be sure that he would not collapse when walking with his eyes almost blinded. It was while he was lying down that the new baby defecated on his face, compounding his troubles . The mother was not around and Orunmila did not know how to get anything to clean the mess. It was then the dog which he offered the last time  came to his rescue. It started licking  the feces off his face . He licked all of it and did not stop until he licked the gum on the eyes. Abruptly , the eyes opened and orunmila could see again.

Olokun herself realized that her in-law had eye problems as a result of the breaking of the taboo. She called Orunmila and had an accord with him by giving him and his male children the opportunity of seeing her in a veilded form. Also given to Orunmila was the neutralizer which would soften the effect  of seeing the odu with naked eye (2).

Odu in conjuction with initiations may be said to be a way through which one may have spiritual  rebirth. Odu may also be said to invoke a kind  of spiritual affinity on the new initiate so that he can tap from the vast esoteric energy of the universe flowing freely in space . By this , he may be said  to have empowerment  for astral travelling . This  apart from its bringing one spiritually closer to OLODUMARE ‘s spiritual  pedestal, gives the human the ability to become Babalawo .  All these are however possible if the human is spiritually docile and vulnerably presents himself before he can become fully encapsulated in his spiritual realm . What is seen  and the extent of spiritual contentment is not describable in the pages of a book as there are diverse spiritual satisfaction . This experience is better left for anyone willing to go through the Igbodu.

It was since then that sighting of the odu has been the final rites of a full initiation into the cult of ifa . This was one of the promised of OLOKUN  to Orunmila . Also by being exposed to the ODU , one becomes empowered and insulated from attacks of force which may usually have negative impact on the life of  the man.

The odu is usually covered in a wooden bowl and is not exposed unless there is the need to offer sacrifice to her or when someone wants to experience her. She is venerated and sacrifice offered to her regularly . The design of the bowl takes different  forms and these days , some  people  are improvising by using leathers bags as containers(3).

SOURCE—

(1) “YORUBA THEOLOGY AND TRADITION,THE WORSHIP”  AYO SALAMI. PUB NIDD 2008. PAGE 559

(2) “YORUBA THEOLOGY AND TRADITION,THE WORSHIP”  AYO SALAMI. PUB NIDD 2008. PAGE 561

(3) “YORUBA THEOLOGY AND TRADITION,THE WORSHIP”  AYO SALAMI. PUB NIDD 2008. PAGE 564

Olokun as ocean divinity is frequently coupled in IFA verses as an embodiment of aquatic vibration radiating the entire cosmos with power to enrich men and women’s destiny and improve their lives in a greater proportion. One of the various verses of IFA pointing to the expanse power and greatness of Olokun is shown below under ejiogbe

Gbogbo ola omi ti nbe laye

ko le to ti Olokun

Gbogbo iyi odo ti o se ni isale

iyi won ko le to ti osa

olokun mo pe ooo

olosa mo pe ooo

to ba too sanni , sisan nii san ni

to ba to yeni , yiye ni i yeni

ewo ni keni sowo sowo

keni ma rona koo dele

a difa fun orunmila

ifa nsawo lo apa okun elakeji osa

ni wan ran ola nibi ojumo ti mo wa

Yoo gba gun okun

Yoo gba gun ide

yoo gba gun olginniginni aso irada

orunmila yoo kokun oro wa nwu -ile

Translations of eji ogbe

the greatness and the importance of the world can not rival the quantity of the water in the oceans

the greatness of the streams cannot rival the importance and the greatness of the sea

 the divinity of Ocean , I give my obeisance

the deity of the sea , I  give my obeisance

there should be time enough

there should be time

time to succeed , time to prosper

hard would it be , forver to bear

a life of struggle without success

a life of commerce without profit

thus declare IFA oracle for Orunmila

when he intended going to the city accross the ocean

to practise  ifa divination  in that prosperous land full of opportunity

the land full of prosperity , and wealth of higher proportion

ifa will receive in that land the reward of beads , gold and other ornaments of higher value

presents of various cloth in high quality

orunmila will return with riches and wealth of higher proportion back home

ifa let all our steps attract the spiritual and physical gifts and presents of higher proportion

Ase

Olokun here is seen as the energy responsible for blessing of wealth, riches and prosperity of higher proportion .  However some tradition refer to Olokun as a male energy in the universe according to IFA verse

 “olokun nii gbogbo awon obirin re lo yagan  ni won a loyun , un , lo da fa pe awon obirin wonyi le bimo fun oun “

Translation

“there was this client olokun with a problem , his wives were infertile , so OLOKUN consulted the diviner asking , would his wives become fruitful and bear him children !!! (4)

Olokun as a male energy is a symbolic representation of IFA , as a surbodinate and  coadjudant  of Orunmila to enrich his devotees in a miraculous manner . The energy of wealth , riches and prosperity embedded in the deepest part of ocean manifesting in the surplus enrichment of the people in the universe. Olokun enjoys the surbordinate role of IFA in the universe. He is divinity of wealth , symbol of large  and abundance surplus of riches in the cosmos

Moreso her  female role as one of the greatest, favourite, and closest  wife of Oduduwa  could be seen in the most of Ifa verses, according to the story . Olokun was the wealthiest woman of her time.  She started the trade of making beads and other precious ornaments of greater value. Till the present date , there is a grove attributed to OLOKUN as IGBO OLOKUN , where traditions believed that she strived to initiate the habit of making beads which consequently enrich her in the world.

(4) ifa festival – abosede emanuel pg 192

“Eji Ogbe , lati fi lo Igbin bori , ati lati lo Igbin Bo Orisaala”

Mark this odu on iyereosun before chant this incantation and prayer for Ori , using snail as a special offering to Obatala and ORI. Then break the bottom of the snail and pour the  fluid of the snail to your head and rub it with left hand, and do not shower for that day. Alafia

Ifa je bo naa o fin

ifa let the sacrifice be accepted

ela jebo naa o rode orun gbure gbure

Ela , let the rituals go up to the heaven above

Sigidimogbari  loruko a a poru

Sigidimogbari ( the secret name of the darkness) is the name we called dark night

okunkun  se-bo lojo kanle

darkness covers the night till dawn

Mo- gba- reu loruko a a pona

Mo- Gba- Reu is the name we called you the path

Emi o ni rin na ko ku

I will not walk up to death

beeni , mi o ni rin na ko mole

I will not walk  to meet the evil divinities

aja ti bi mimi sunkun

the dog cries and weeps in a mysterious  manner

Onile eti odo nii gbo ranran adan

those who dwell and put up the tents near the river will hear the cry of the bat

a difa fun orisanla oseremonigbo-

this divine ifa oracle for Orisaala, the ancient of days

to  bimo meji to loun o gbode ale

that have two children and says he will take charge of the night

a ki jegbin jekarawun

no one eat the snails and eat the snail’s shell

igbin bayi ounje irunmole ni

the snail is the food of the divinities

igbin ko le je , igbin ko legun

snail neither  have blood nor bones

ero pese ni tigbin

calmness, peace  and patience  form the greatest characteristics of the snail

ero pese ni ti obaorisa

calmness , patiences and peace  are  the basic characteristics of the king of all divinities

ori la fi oba-orisa nje lawujo gbogbo irunmole

Obatala is the head of all divinities

emi (call your full name)  mo domo OBatala obatasa obatako tako ni ilu iranje

I (call your full name) have become the precious child of Obatala , the greatest , the ancient of days , the king of Iranje

mo ti figbin bori  , ko ri mi o gbe keke bi ti obarisa

I have used Igbin to offer sacrifice to ori , let my head or my destiny be a fulfilled one like the king of all divinities

Ero pese ni tigbin , ori mi ero pese , aye mi ero pese , aye ebi mi ero pese, aye awon ojulumo ero pese

Patience , peace and calmness belong to the snail , hence , peace , patient , calmness  should be my lot , the lot of my family , and the lot of those I know and and I associate with here and hereafter

emi ni mo mbo lona , gbogbo eburu e ya lona

I am coming and tread a path , quit my path oh yee the evil spirits and evil vibration

aja ki nsawo  ko to gbe ni losi iju lo ko ni ifa

the spirit of whirlwind will never pay before taking  the right man away to the jungle to teach him the way of wisdom

bi iku ni ba mbe lona  e ya fun mi  , bi aarun ba be lona , eya fun mi , ajogun ni be lona , e yaa go

Death on my path should give way , sickness on my path should give way , punitive knight of heavenly doom on the way should give way

mo ti di omo ifa , mo ti di omo orunmila , mo ti alajogun , mo ti file ti Obatala oseremonigbo , ko ri temi o le gbo kaakaa lotun ife

I have become the devotee of Wisdom , the child of Orunmila, the conqueror of the punitive knight of heaven , i have put up my tent with the shrine of Obatala the ancient of days , let my destiny be fulfilled in the land of IFE , that is in the physical state of existence

gbogbo ohun buburu  ti mbe ni ile aye , e jomo olowo o lo , gbogbo eburu ti be lona, o je omo orunmila o rin ko re, ori mi a pejo , ori temi a peyo , ori a pesin , bi ti irunmole

All the evil on the path  , give way ,let the chosen one has his way to prosperity and wisdom , all the evil vibration on the path , let the son of orunmila walk without evil attraction , My Ori or destiny is the type that attract joy , happiness and victory , my own destiny is a fulfilled one like divinities

ohunkohun ki pade esu lona ni bi se ise tire

Nothing disturb ESU on his way to deliver his own spiritual duties

osa pon ganrin ganrin , aajin jin dun dun

The day light shows its brightness , and the  night shows his  darkness

ifa ni e jomo olowo o lo, ki ori o pere owo , ire omo , ire alafia, ire aiku bale oro , ire aseyori , ire aseyege

ifa says , let the chosen one goes without hindrance, let ORI attract to me riches , wealth , children , peace , longevity , sound health , victory , and success  in the land of the living and the hereafter

ojo ti igbin ba fe ka iyo , lojo iku re o pe, aje ki gboju titi , ki o jedo idi ara re , ogun aye , amoni se , ke dawo ibi duro , nitori olubori loruko ti ape obatala , apesin bayi loruko ti a pe ori , mo ti bori iku , aisan loni , ori mi ti di apesin

The days snails eat the salts shall end his physical existence , never heard of strong witch that eat up her clitoris and survive , all the evil one must stop evil , all the evil doers must stop evil , because  Overcomer is the name we called  you -Obatala- , Adoration is the name we call you ORI, i have overcome evil  of death , sickness, failure  and my destiny shall be worshipped  and adored by many

Ase