Orisa Ijugbe

The history behind the Orisa Obarese includes the story of a very powerful man that lived an extraordinary life.  Here in Ile – Ife all the orisa have there own special power.  Obarese is the deity in charge of rain. According to Ile-Ife tradition, Oranfe and Obarese descended from heaven at the same time.  They descended to lloya with chain like the other Orisa.  Obarese was a powerful man during his time on Earth and had many magical elements at his disposal.  Oranfe is Obarese’s  older brother.  Because of his power, Oranfe wanted Obarese to leave his domain.  Oranfe has thunder (Ara) and is first god that had the power where fire could come out from his mouth.  Obarese can cause rain to fall whenever he wants.   Ifa was consulted , and Oranfe told Obarese that he is to have a wife.  Oranfe then slapped the rib of Obarese and changed the rib into a woman.  The name of the woman is Osere.

Osere and Obasrese proceeded on their journey to leave the domain of Oranfe.  They stopped at three locations.  The first land was Igbodo and they relaxed well there and they want to stay.  Oranfe then appeared to his brother and told him that he and his wife must proceed on with their journey.  Obarese carried out his Ifa and Odu, he then perform ritual and he prayed to Olodumare. There was a tree where he and his wife were sitting and he directed his magic to the tree and the tree turned to a hill.  This hill remains in Ife to today and is still the site of great magic and ritual.

Obarese continued on his journey.  He stopped next in Gidi Ogbo.  He met people that were joyful, they were celebrating an Ifa festival.  They welcome him with pounded yam and melon soup and he want to start eating.  Oranfe appeared to Obarese again and told him that he couldn’t eat the soup and had to continue on the journey.  Obarese again took out his Opon Ifa and Odu and performed a ritual, he turned the soup into a great stone.  This stone is still in Gidi Ogbo and is worshiped today.

Oranfe said that he had to move beyond river bank.  Obares went to a place Igbo Ogbe.  Obarese was afraid to cross the river.  Oranfe said he should not fear and once he gets to the other side he will tell him what to do.  After he crossed the river to the other side, Oranfe said that from that moment on, Obarese should never again come into his domain except for Oranfe’s festival.

Obarese  never went again into his brother’s domain and he continued his life.  He performed one wonder where he prayed to Olodumare to have yam grow during the Harmattan when nothing can grow.  He reached a new home during the Harmattan and his family needed food but was unable to plant yam.  He prayed and performed a ritual for the yam to grow in three days.  The yam grew plentiful at the end of three days:

oko su lojo oko

oko ko isu awure legbe

He was also the first man to plant and grow the palm wine tree in one day and to take the palm wine out that very day.  He had access to many powers.

During the reign of one Olofin, the people of the Ife communities were dying of hunger.  The herbalists were unable to take care of them.  During that time rain did not fall.  The Olofin called a priest to come and find the solution but they could solve the problem.  The people of the town told the Olofin that Obarese had the power to call for rain.  Olofin called  Obarese to come and solve this problem and he told Olofin that he will solve but he will  need 6 pounded yam, rat fish and other material to perform the ritual.  With this he had a power pot called Ikoko Elemeji, which he used to make the sacrifice and perform the ritual.  During the ritual he was sang this song:

tojo nika losoro tojo nika losoro

iran je tan iran mu

tan tojo losoro

They called the (ojo ) rain.  From that night the rain came.  The Olofin said that he was a real powerful man and gave him his own respect.  The other dieties became jealous and said he must leave their domain.  He went to his friend Oluorogbo he give him his ikoko elemeji.  Oluorogbo told Obarese that he wouldn’t betray him. Whenever the festival for Obarese was performed the rain would fall, they had to just call him and he will bring the ase.  With that Obarese left that place.  At the end of the day the Olofin began to beg to call the Obarese back.  Obarese accepted and agreed to come back to his home.  He went to see Oluorogbo and asked for his ikoko elemeji and he gave it back.

Another wonder that was performed by Obarese was when he was in the town of Ijugbe.  Obarese one day was looking for an olo (grinding stone).  He was in the process of making a powerful medicine.  There was a tortoise that lived near his home.  He saw the tortoise and turned him into a grinding stone to complete the medicine.  This grinding stone is still in the Ijugbe shrine today.  It is still used to make very powerful medicine.

Abon is a young woman that became an old woman.  She stopped by the house of Obarese and asked Obarese if she could stay the night.  At dinner time,  Obarese wanted to eat pounded yam for dinner and he asked the older woman if she would like to eat pounded yam, she didn’t want pounded yam but wanted only egg.  She wanted 16 eggs.  Obarese’s wife became angry because of the inconvenience of fixing 16 eggs.  Obarese told his wife to be calm, and gave the old woman 16 eggs making them one at a time.  She ate the eggs and they showed her the room for her to sleep in that night.  When the morning came, Obarese went to the farm.  When he returned his wife was very upset because the old woman had not come out of the room.  Obarese knocked on the door, then began to pull the door and it was stuck.  He pulled very hard and the door opened.  The room was filled with money and ileke , akun iyun and all other assorted ileke .  The wife became scared and forced the door shut.  Obarese opened it again and the old woman walked out and become the beautiful lady.  Obarese was very angry with his wife Osere, and when very powerful men get angry some curses will fly out.  Because of this, Osere was stricken with pox on her face and couldn’t leave the house again because she was embarrassed.  From that time on, Obarese was a very wealthy man and never wanted for anything.

Orisa Obarese is the first to use ileke, akun iyun and other things to make beautiful clothing and also to wear it around his neck and he has his own special beads.

omo akun po nijugbe

The Orunmila Barami Agbonmiregun, the World Ifa Festival was held Saturday June 4-5, 2011 at Oketase the World Ifa Temple, Ile-Ife. This festival celebrates the New Year for all the traditional Yoruba practitioners.

This year’s World Ifa festival was attended by many from within Nigeria as well as from all over the world. The rituals began in the early morning and continued into the following day.

The Ifa Divination for all Ifa practitioners worldwide is as follows:

OBARA OGUNDA; OBARA EGUNTAN – IRE GBOGBO (Ifa takes all aspects of Ire)
This is a good odu for all Ifa practitioners, Ifa has given special warnings and advice for this year. In Obara Eguntan, Ifa says that in this year all the people should use cock to feed their head. The individual should make the sacrifice so that they will be pregnant and will have good health and fortune during the pregnancy. All the women that are looking for pregnancy in this year will have it. Men should make the sacrifice for their wife in this respect. In this year the knife will not be used to deliver the baby. All babies will be delivered through natural means.
Ifa says that the boy child will be born in this year and he will bear the name Ifadeyi. We must make the sacrifice for all of our children this year so that they will not fight with their elders.
Ifa says it is taboo in this year to be greedy. A large sacrifice must be made for the house help, for those working in the home or the family that is living in the home, so that they will not create danger in the household. Ifa says we should feed the head of the home helpers and the extended family in the home.
It is not good in this year to work deceptively at someone’s back to be subversive in one’s actions. It is not good to tell lies in this year.
A large sacrifice must be made because of the Egun, so that we will have a curse on our head. An ancestor that perpetrated a terrible thing was cursed and as a result his descendants were also cursed. Because of this all Ifa practitioners must make a sacrifice to ameliorate this condition.
In this year all those who are initiated to Ifa and other Orisa will see blessings. Aje (money) must be fed because of the money that is coming in this year. The Erinlele must be feed with agbo (ram). One should not use force to collect money. Those that use force to collect money will lose their life. Be very careful about using powerful rituals for money, it will end badly in this year.  In this year we should not do things only because of money. Whether the thing is good or is false, the sole purpose in doing it should not be because of money.
In this year we must solve our grievances with one another and should not be angry. We should not fight amongst ourselves. Do not hold grudges or act passive aggressively. One should be direct and resolve differences. However, Ifa also says we should not tolerate nonsense.

Ifa says to all the Olorisa that in this year they must initiate to Ifa. In general we must be diligent in taking care of our Ifa. Take care of Ifa on every Ose Ifa and take care of our Orisa.
Ifa also says that all the babalawo, iyanifa, etc. should not be promiscuous and be careful who we have sex with. One should not take another’s wife or husband. The Oluwo should be careful about the female. What is done in private will leak out. If an Elder wants to curse, the Omo Awo should beg them to hold themselves. Beg the Elder to not be upset and not to curse.
All Ifa practitioners will see a promotion in their life this year. Ifa says that all the Omo Awo should be humble to their Oluwo. A big sacrifice should be made so that all the Awo will have good relationships. It is important that the Omo Awo make the sacrifice so that Ifa will teach them in their dreams.
Ifa says that others will not collect our blessings in this year. All the children that have left their home will come back to their parents. The blessings will come back home in this year. Our head will show us the right and prosperous path. Specifically those that are initiated to Ifa will see these blessings. If our head is good, then by this time next year we will see much prosperity. Because of the sacrifice that we are to make for our Ori this year, one should not carry heavy loads on their head in this year.
Ifa says that whatever his worshipers ask for in this year, he will do it. The Ifa devotee should sacrifice what is in their mind for Ifa this year. The Ifa devotee will live long and all disease will leave their body. All good babalawos will see good blessings in this year. All babalawo should make the sacrifice for their wife and children so that they will not see problems.
Ifa says that we should make the sacrifice to defeat all of our enemies. Ifa says that we should feed Moremi so that she will defeat all of our enemies. One should travel to the Moremi shrine in Ile-Ife to feed her. Ifa says the sacrifice should be carried to Ilamonja – Igbo Moremi. The sacrifice is 16 ogede omirin.
Ifa also gives all the Ifa practitioners the warnings to not use their mouth to curse. The Ifa devotee should not be too prideful and must show humility.
Ifa says that we should keep our homes neat and orderly. We should keep our clothes clean and well kept. One should not wear dirty clothes in this year.
16 Abe and the blood of the agbo should be used in the sacrifice for this year. The sacrifice should also be made so that those that are trying to send the babalawo out will fail in their plans. So that the hand they use to hurt the Ifa devotee will only be used to hurt themselves.

1. Ko ba lemi lo ninu sasa
Ma sa lo fun o ninu sasa
Ko ba lemi lo ninu perepere koto odo
Ma sa lo fun o ni gegele sa o sa o
A difa fun Aje {money} to gba eru ni ikole orun
Bo wale aye won ki orubo meji ebo iyi ati ebo egun
Ebo iyi nikan loru ko rubo egun.

2. Obara eguntan
Ifa mo ni egun ku seyin
Barami agbonmiregun
A difa fun ni Agbagba ife mefa ni ojo ti won ba egun su
Ti won ba egun ji won fi eji keta won gba oko awo lo
Awon babalawo so fun won ki rubo
ki won si gba lo igbo ilamonja (igbo moremi).

3. Obara eguntan
Ifa mo ni egun ku seyin
Barami agbonmiregun
A difa fun Oni wakawaka ti se bale odo
Ni ojo ti won fe le ko kuro lori oye
Won ki orubo oniwakawaka rubo
O seun o segun gbogbo ota re.

This year Orishada would like to thank Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse ll Olori Alade gbogbo Oonirisa  Arole Oduduwa , Awoyemi Adisa Monkanrawale Araba Agbaye Oluisese , Awolodunmirindinlogun and All the Araba ,Olu-awo, Babalawo,Iyanifa,Babalorisa, Iyalorisa,Ojugbona,Gbogbo Omo Awo. 

Aseyi Samodun A se Amodun Semi Odundun Lawo toro lowo
Olodumare ani fi odun yi se asemo Ase oooo.

To become an Ifa Priest (Babalawo) one must first submit themselves to Olodumare and Ifa.  The term Babalawo means “Father of the Mysteries/Secrets of the Earth.”  Becoming a Babalawo and Priest of Ifa is a lifetime pursuit for those who take it as a calling and profession.  There are four things that will be asked of the person that wants to become a Babalawo.  First: Do you want to learn Ifa because of the meat you will gain?  If so then you will have plenty of meat.  Second:  Do you want to learn Ifa because of the money you will gain?  If this is the case, then you will have plenty of money.  Third:  Do you want to learn Ifa to have many wives?  If this is the case, then you will have plenty of wives.  Fourth:  Do you want to learn Ifa because you seek the truth?  If so you all of the good things in life, meat, money, and wives will be yours.

There are several procedures necessary to become a Babalawo.  If one does not follow these procedures under a master Ifa Priest they cannot rightfully call themselves a Babalawo.  To become a Babalawo one must go though the ritual of Ounje Oju Opele (the food of Opele).  There are many steps that must be followed and they must be followed in a particular order.  After one eats the food of Opele, a perspective priest must have the 16 Odu Ifa opened for them over five days with the Akaragba.  Akaragba is made from the calabash used to make the sacrifice to Esu.  An omo Awo must use this Akaragba when learning Ifa.  They must keep it for life. However if you are a good omo Awo and your teacher sees you as a good student, he may open the Odu for you more quickly.  After one learns to open the odumerindinlogun, the next step is Amulu, divination.  The omo Awo will practice this and once they can do this well the third step is to learn how to divine “yes” and “no” questions.  Also at this point the omo Awo will gain knowledge about specific odu Ifa that have special meaning during divination.  After this, the next step is to learn how to make Ibo.  Ibo is characterized by particular aspects of “ire” and “ayewo/ibi,” (good and bad).  Next, the Ifa master will teach the omo Awo the elements of “ire” and “ayewo/ibi” and the differences in readings for males and females.  After the omo Awo can perform these tasks well they then must learn how to ask Ifa about “ebo” and “adimu.”  The omo Awo will then learn and memorize all the extensive elements of “ebo” and that of “adimu.”

The next step is to begin learning the Odu Ifa beginning from Eji Ogbe.  Depending on the omo Awo’s memory this step may take a long time.  After the omo Awo has made significant progress in learning odu Ifa, then they will begin learning how to make sacrifice, how to feed Ifa and how to feed all the Orisha.  Then they will need to learn all the elements of Ifa and the associated Odu Ifa.  Next the omo Awo will learn how to make medicine for a myriad of different problems.  This step in the Ifa Priest’s learning is also very extensive and one may use a lifetime to gain this knowledge.  It should also be recognized that all this information is memorized and cannot be recalled using notes or a book.

It is important to understand that this process begins after a person is initiated.  One cannot call themselves a Babalawo simply because they have been initiated to Ifa.  To be initiated to Ifa means that a person has received their Odu Ifa and that they know their destiny. Being initiated is only the beginning of the learning process.  Becoming a Babalawo takes a lifetime of dedicated service to Olodumare, Ifa, the Orisa, the ancestors, your Elders and family.

It should also be noted at this point about those that call themselves “babalawo” but are actually “babalariwo.”  The Babalariwo has not had the proper training, they have to read odu Ifa from a book and in many cases haven’t had proper initiations.  This article is being published in the hope of letting the general public know what is necessary for one to call them self a Babalawo.

If you are interested in more information about being initiated to Ifa, any Orisha, becoming an Omo Awo, becoming a Babalawo or if you would just like learn more, feel free to write us at:

Orishada@gmail.com

Como Convertirse en Babalawo

Para convertirse en sacerdote de Ifa la persona debe primeramente someterse a Ifa y Olodumare. El termino Babalawo significa “Padre de los Misterios/Secretos de la Tierra”. El proceso de aprendizaje y entrenamiento de un Babalawo o Sacerdote de Ifa constituye un trabajo que puede tomar el resto de la vida para la persona que siente el llamado a sacerdocio, siendo esta una vocacion y una profesion a la vez. Una vez que la persona expresa su deseo de convertirse en Babalawo se le hacen las siguientes preguntas. Primero, quieres a prender Ifa para tener de que comer? Si eso es lo que deseas tendras siempre de que comer. Segundo, quieres aprender Ifa para ganar dinero? Si ese es el caso y es lo que quieres tendras mucho dinero. Tercero, si quieres aprender Ifa para tener muchas esposas? Si eso es lo que deseas tendras muchas esposas. Cuarto, tu quieres aprender Ifa porque buscas la verdad? Si ese es su deseo, todas las cosas buenas de la vida la obtendras, comida, esposas y dinero seran todos tuyos.

Para convertirse en Babalawo, la persona debe pasar por una serie de procedimientos o fases. Si uno no sigue esos procedimientos guiados por un maestro Sacerdote de Ifa la persona no puede llamarse a si misma Babalawo. Para iniciar el entrenamiento a Babalawo  la persona debe pasar primeramente por el ritual de Ounje Oju Opele (la comida de Opele). Estos procedimientos constituyen un requisito fundamental en el proceso de convertirse en Babalawo y deben ser seguidos en un orden particular. Despues que la persona come la comida del Opele, se le deben  de abrir los 16 Odu Ifa en un termino de cinco dias con el Akaragba (opele hecho de la calabaza utilizada en sacrificio a Esu).

Un  omo Awo (estudiante de Ifa) debe usar este Akaragba cuando este aprendiendo Ifa,  y debe conservarlo por el resto de su vida. No obstante, si  el maestro Sacerdote de Ifa considera que la persona es un buen estudiante de Ifa, el podria decidir abrirle el Opele mas rapidamente..

Despues que la persona aprende abrir el Odumerindinlogun, el siguiente paso es Amulu o  adivinacion.  En esta fase  el  omo Awo aprendera los pasos necesarios para realizar preguntas cerradas de seleccion  en las cuales  la respuesta sera si o no, asi como los odus de relevancia que tienen un significado especial a utilizar en el proceso de adivinacion.

Luego, el siguiente paso es el de aprender como utilizar Ibo o los determinantes de una  situacion especifica que aparezca en el proceso de adivinacion. Estos aspectos se clasifican en “ire” (buena fortuna) y “ayewo/ibi” ( mala fortuna). Una vez aprendido este paso el maestro Sacerdote de Ifa explicara los elementos que configuran “ire” y “ayewo/ibi”, asi como la diferencia entre una adivinacion para hombres y una realizada a mujeres. Una vez que el omo Awo pueda realizar estas fases de adivinacion muy bien, entonces pasara a aprender acerca delos distintos elementos que configuran “ebo” (sacrificio) y “adimu” (comida) en una adivinacion de Ifa.

En la siguiente fase se comienza el studio profundo de Odu Ifa, empezando por Eji Ogbe. Dependiendo de la memoria del Omo Awo este proceso puede tomar un largo tiempo. Cuando el omo Awo ha realizado un progreso significativo en el eprendizaje de odu Ifa, entonces comenzara a aprender a realizar los sacrificios, como darle de comer a Ifa y a todos los Orisa. Asi mismo, estudiara los diversos elementos de Ifa que se asocian a los distintos Odus de Ifa. En la siguiente fase el omo Awo estudiara como hacer las medicinas necesarias para solucionar una gran diversidad de problemas. Esta fase de aprendizaje es tan extensa que puede requerir  el resto de la vida del estudiante de Ifa para adquirir este conocimiento. Se debe constatar, que toda esta informacion debe ser memorizada y no debe ser consultada en libros y notas.

Es importante entender que este proceso empieza despues que una persona ha pasado por el proceso de iniciacion. Uno no puede llamarse a si mismo Babalawo simplemente porque ha sido iniciado en Ifa. Ser iniciado en Ifa significa que la persona ha recivido su Odu Ifa y que conoce su destino. La iniciacion en Ifa es solo el comienzo del proceso de aprendizaje. El convertirse en Babalawo toma una vida de dedicacion a Olodumare, Ifa , los Orisas, los Ancestros, los Mayores y la familia.

Debe dejarse constancia en este punto que aquellas personas que se llaman a si mismas Babalawos, realmente son “babalariwo”, personas que han pasado por el proceso de iniciacion sin el entrenamiento adecuado; debido a ello deben de leer odu Ifa de un libro al no pasar por el extenso proceso de memorizacion y aprendizaje de Odu Ifa. Muchas de estas personas ni siquiera han tenido una iniciacion adecuada en Ifa.

Este articulo, ha sido publicado con miras a esclarecer al publico en general acerca de los procedimientos necesarios que un Omo Awo debe pasar para poder llamarse a si mismo Babalawo.

Si usted esta interesado en mayor informacion relacionada al proceso de Iniciacion en Ifa o algun Orisa, o esta interesado en estudiar Ifa y convertirse en Omo Awo y Babalawo, o si esta interesado en conocimiento general de la religion de Ifa, usted puede contactarse con nosotros a la siguiente direccion:

Orishada@gmail.com

The Orunmila Barami Agbonmiregun, the World Ifa Festival was held Saturday June 5, 2010 at Oketase the World Ifa Temple, Ile-Ife. This festival celebrates the New Year for all the traditional Yoruba practitioners.

This year’s World Ifa festival was attended by many from within Nigeria as well as from all over the world.  The rituals began in the early morning and continued into the following day.

In the morning of June 6,  all the babalawos and priests proceeded to the palace to personally greet the Ooni in the New Year and recite the meaning
of this year’s Odu.

In the early afternoon on June 6th the Awo returned to Oketase and made the sacrifice for the New Year.

The Odu for the New Year is : Ose Obara, Ire Aje

In this odu Ifa says that the individual should look to hear prayers from their father and to feed their father’s head.  Ifa says in this odu that one should be careful of adultery and to not befriend another man’s wife or another woman’s husband.  One should not eat fried corn.  Every Ifa devotee needs to face their Ifa and turn over all their problems to Ifa.

People will find wealth through the truth and the truth will be found in Ifa.  Ifa says that those who are looking for children will find them in this year.  Sacrifices should be made to the Aje (money)  use ekuru to feed it, father’s head, and Esu.  Also, ewa (beans) should be placed next to Ifa.

It is important this year to stay close to family, especially one’s father.

A  se odun modun lawo a se odun modun

A se oro moro lawo a se oro tori peodundun lawo

Tori lawo toro lowo olodumare a ni fi odun yin se asemo tori pe

The Araba Agbaye greets all the Ifa devotees around the world for the New Year.  The Ilefin Araba Festival begins Junes 22, 2010 and the Araba Agbaye looks forward to celebrating with all devotees who have gathered here in Ile-Ife.

If you would like to hear more about this year’s new Odu Ifa, receive a full explanation of your personal Odu Ifa or receive Orisa oriki, feel free to write us at, Orishada@gmail.com

Aboru Aboye,

The Araba Agbaye has released the following statement:

I Araba Aworeni Awoyemi Adisa do not permit the unauthorized use of my name, image, or words to be used. Anything having to do with my name must be authorized by me especially when used to gain notoriety or money by the user.

It has come to the Araba Agbaye’s attention via the World Wide Web or internet that his name is being used as a means to gain money and notoriety. The Araba Agbaye has neither divined, given ebo instructions or authorized this to be done on his behalf in Venezuela. The advertisement of these services is false and is being done without his authorization.

Ake ko kumo enikokan

Ika kumo eniyan

Bi eniyan ba yo leda

ohun gangan a ma yo won se

A difa fun etutu ti se omo

Ikofa orunmila ni ojo to ba ni aya sun

Iro ti lo

Otito ti de o

Odabo

Orisa Nla Shrine, Ile-Ife

Obatala is a messenger for Olodumare. He created human beings by forming their bodies an facial features. However, it was Olodumare that gave human beings the breath of life. White people were created with red clay while black people were created using black clay. When Obatala was quickly creating human bodies, he created handicapped humans. He created them in order that humans may know the different facets of life and appreciate what they are given. Because of this the handicap are children of Obatala and worship him.

Anyone that is to take the crown of Ooni (king) must first be given the crown by Obatala. Obatala is the Orisha that wears the crown.

Obatala has many praise names, they include but are not limited to the following:

Obatakuntakun Lode Iranje, Eni To Nsoju To Nse Owo, Orisa Ni Maasin, Onileji Oje Oji, Orisa Nla Je Eeyan Pataki

Obatala is known for granting prayers for women to bear children, for making childbirth easier, for having good children and for obtaining money. Yemoo Oboboniba is the wife of Obatala.

Obatala has a strong relationship with the Aje Funfun. Yemoo, his wife, is Aje Funfun. The aje associated with Obatala are called Aje Obatala. The relationship of Obatala to the other Orisa is that he is their Elder and the ower of the Ase. Obatala often appears as an old man.

Obatala likes to dress in white. He likes to eat eku, eja, igbin, 6-toed cock. His taboos are emu (palm wine), aja (dog), day old pounded yam (can only eat fresh yam), he cannot eat on a stool, and he cannot walk on an overgrown path.

The Obatala Festival is held in Ile-Ife at the Itapa Temple in January.

Chief Posi Egbewole Obaluru Obatala is from the Iranje Orisa N’la compound in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He was born into an Obatala family. He is a priest of a Obatala and an herbalist. He holds the title Iwarefa in the Ogboni Fraternity.

The spirit of Ifa can also be called Ase and among other things is carried by those who deliver the message of Ifa.

The idea of Ase comes in many forms . There are many types of Ase, the three major types of Ase include: The Ase that the Ikin Ifa is empowered with, the Ase that Babalawos carry and the Ase a person takes for heaven.

When one is initiated to Ifa their Ikin should be empowered with the Ase of Ifa . In some initiations where a person’s Ifa is not empowered with the Ase of Ifa , Ifa may not answer their prayers or help them in times of need. This happens because of improper initiation technique, such as 3 day initiations or fake incantations.
The other type of Ase is the type that will come with the person from the heaven. When a person comes from heaven with this type of Ase, whatever they say will happen. If they curse, the curse will affected the person intended, and if they pray their prayers will be immediately answered. They are considered very powerful. This type of person carrying the Ase from heaven is called, Eleyin Oke and God gave the Eleyin Oke power. However they are not dangerous but are well respected.

To recognize the Ase that a Babalawo possesses a client will hear the truth about their life and circumstances. When the Babalawo divines, if he does not speak the truth, then he doesn’t carry rhe true Ase of Ifa. If a Babalawo carries the true Ase of Ifa, it is not good for him to curse. It is not good for a babalawo to be bad tempered or to lose control. A babalawo that is foul tempered, lacks patiences, or curses often should avoided. These type of babalawos are on a destructive path for themselves and those around them.

There are 2 type of babalawo. A normal babalawo that carries the Ase of Ifa and the other is called a Babalariwo. Those that are Babalariwo are frauds and don’t actually carry the spirit or Ase of Ifa. They fake readings to gain money and false prestige. A true babalawo must help those that seek their assistance. A Babalariwo exacts some outrageous price for their services. For instance, telling a woman that she must have sex with him for the her spiritual work is completed. Ifa does not accept this, it is not proper and is an indication of fraud.

A good babalawo must know the Esunsun. The Esunsun is a moral code by which all babalawo must follow. An example of the Esunsun is: don’t sleep with your father’s wife, don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t hurt people with juju, honor your elders, don’t disobey your parents, etc. The Esunsun is what allows a babalawo to live a long life. When an elder that has lived a long life is asked how they have lived so long, he invariably replies, “Esunsun mimon!” (It is the Esunsun that allows me to live a long life!)

There are different ways for one to gain Ase. One way that a babalawo gains Ase is by taking a title. During the title initiation, all the babalawos will gather to pray, say incantations, and empower the title taker’s Ikin Ifa.

A person can also lose their Ase in several ways. One way is by being rude or showing poor character in front of the wrong person, such as an elder. They can also lose their Ase by leaking secrets, telling lies, or committing heinous acts on others. If one is given power or Ase through an initiation title or other means and is rude to those that first gave them the power or title (initiation), the Ase can be removed.

“Odo to ba gbagbe orisun o ma gbe ni.”

– The spring that forgets it’s origin, will run dry.

If a person forgets or is rude to the person that gave them the power in the fist place, the power given can still can still collect that power back. By dishonoring God, orisha, parents, oluwo, ancestors, females or elders, etc a person will lose Ase. Also if someone does not respect their own destiny they can lose power or Ase.

Omode bu iroko o poju weyin o ro pe orujo loluwere pa ni

-The child that insults the Iroko tree, doesn’t know the moment when the Iroko tree will punish him. Any babalawo that disrespects their elders will one day regret it, even if th punishment is not immediate.

Check back to Orishada.com for the Elements of Ifa part III: The Implements of Ifa where we will detail all the implements used in working with Ifa.

We also use this time to thank OLODUMARE for the new Olojo festival of November 20, 2009. We greet the AROLE ODUDUWA OBA OKUNADE SIJUWADE OLUBUSE IKEJI ORISA OLORI ALADE GBO GBO!

We use this time to greet our father ARABA AGBAYE OLUISESE AWOYEMI AWORENI ADISA MAKONRANWALE and all Awo of Ile-Ife.

We also greet all the Ile-Ife indigene, all the Yoruba at home and abroad in the diaspora, for the new Olojo festival that will start on november 20, 2009. The Ooni will carry the crown of Oduduwa to ode agbalasa and pray for all the world.

A SE YI SA MODUN

A SA MODUN SE MI O

The ORI created the individual to this world, it created all the orisha including orunmila and oduduwa.  The Ori is what holds an individual’s destiny.  The Ori is what creates rich and poor, allows for dissapointment or joy.  The Ori is in control of one’s daily ups and downs.  Ose Tura explains that the Ori is more important than medicine, that one shouldn’t believe in juju but in one’s own individual power manifested by their Ori.

The Ori is a spirit each individual has on his or her own.  When we come from heaven we pass a place where we obtain our own destiny, but it is the Ori that assists us in getting a good destiny.  When the human being was created, Olodumare created the Ori.  When one dies the Ori dies as well.  Before consulting Ifa, one already knows their duty to their Ori.

We can know when our Ori is angry through consutation with Ifa, asking from our head, and realizing something is amiss when our hard efforts seem to waste in vain exertions.  The Ori is a spirit akin to the soul and follows us when we come from the heaven.

An individual has two heads, the Ori Inu is inside the physical head.

Ori Inu ma ba to de je

This is a prayer that the Ori inside doesn’t spoil the Ori outside.  The physical Ori that you see is on the outside.

One can know the precise things that their Ori wants through divinaion.  If one disobeys their Ori all things will fail despite their best efforts.

Some examples of different types of destinies are as follows:

1)   To Wa Wo Iran, with this type of destiny the person has come from heaven as an observer.  Their destiny is to just look and not to act or participate.

2)  Asiniwale Aye,  the person with this type of destiny has come to earth worship another person.

3)  Eni To Wale Aye Wa Se Rere, a person with this destiny has come to earth with the sole purpose of doing good.

There is a difference between destiny and behavior.  Where behavior is a choice, one’s destiny cannot be changed as it come with us from heaven.  It is not possible to change one’s destiny.  One’s destiny can sometimes not be fufilled do to their choice in behaviors.

To care for one’s Ori, it is important to keep your head clean, not to be careless when touching your head, and be mindful of who is touching our head.  One can receive Ori to worship.  When one wakes, they can hold their head and pray that their Ori will bring good things.

Ori Ajike, ori aji ge, ori logbe ni ti a de ade owo, ori

lo gbe ni ti a wo ewu ileke, ori lo gbe di olola,

ki a to mo obi bo Orisa ori ni ki a mobi bo

Plenty of odu Ifa speak about the Ori, for instance Ose Tura, Ogbe Di, Ogunda Ogbe, Obara Meji, Eji Ogbe, Etura Meji, etc.  White is the color of destiny.  As for the taboos of the Ori, how your ori creates you is how you should be.  Don’t use color on your hair or use harsh treatments on your head, treat your Ori with care.  The food for the Ori is, obi, cock, eja abori, igba, omi tutu, otin.  However your Ori bless you, you can feed it.

We appreciate you visiting Orishada.com and if you have any questions please comment and we will answer.  May your Ori bless you and keep you safe throughout your travels.

ASE O