SR Str Nea ar iy Ly) i) Mia! ; iH i re TRU r ‘ Ree ih at PU OU irEE IFA: OHUN IJINLE AVE (IFA: PHYLOSOPHY OF LIFE) Awodiran O. Agboola© Chief Awodiran Okanlawan Agboola All Rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced. it c , Stored in or reintroduced in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without th i f en 1] 12 prior permission of the publisher/copyright 62012 ISBN: 978-978-923-615-2 Published by Fagbenga Ventures Nigeria 51,.Coker Street, Olosha, Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria, Email: gbenga2000@yahoo,com Tat 08023327708, 08061164349, 08023642710 Edited by: Fakunle Oyesanya Cover designed by Fakunle Oyesanya Dedication This book is dedicated to jo orunmila Ata also called ffo Eleto or |ndigene Faith of Africa Inc. under the leadership of Chief Adeboye Oyesanya, the Oluwo of the temple and Arabe of Odi-Olowo. This temple has been responsible for the success of various members who have established their own organisations, The orientation and training they recelved from the temple have contributed to their present undertakings. On my own, the great stories | wrote in this book were some of the preachings/Sermons delivered at this great tample. | can boldly say that our temple lio Orunmila Ato located at 0 Freeman Street, Ebute-metta, Lagos Nigéria is a temple of knowledge, excellence and methodical planning as referred to In Ejiogbe. Ni kekerd ni jabajeba t/ niyl nf gaat Ni kekers (oma oba ti ni of orl esin Aalfa fun Asta Eyf til se babe Ertwe Emi ¢ m'aaic, Het Evi to ba to io je rere Translation: itis from youth that a cow has honour in the manger Itis from youth that a Prince has honour on top of a horse Cast Ifa divination for Aare, methodical planning The father of all organizations Ma, | Know not how to plan Itis that which you plan for me that | consider good and proper ii} Acknowledgements | owe debts of gratitude’s to a number of people who have helped in no small ways to see that this book is published, 1 2. 5 6. My special gratitude to Clodumara and Orunmila for endowing me with wisdom to write another book. Special tributes should be paid to my father, late chief Akano Fasina Agboola, Araba of Lagos (1984 -1991) who allowed me to combine education with Ifa studies under his late friend and deputy, late Chief Fadairo Ajagbe, Awise of Lagos, Chief Fatunbi Fasina, Areba of Lagos mainiand, Chief Fanlyi Ogunjobi, Araba of Suberu-ole and various Babalawos My gratitude to HRH Oba Jose Mendes Geleju of Sao Paulo, Brasil, It was in his palace in Sao Paulo Brasil that | wrote this hook My gratitude also to His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Basin! Oloruntoyin Saliu, Oba of Oworonsoki Kingdom, KLG, Lagos Nigeria and other Royal fathers for their support Special thanks to Awo Fakunle Oyesanya who contributed te the translation and publication of this book. Finally to my humbie wife Yeye Araba Olubanke Ag boola for her care and support. | would conclude, this chapter by referring to Odu fa “wort Maji” which states as follows Yinni yin ken! o se mil Adifa fun Patent Ti aging okunrin Igooi Ifa tno yin of koo tun Je se mi si Orlsa to gba gbe nl lef yin Translation: : Showing appreciation brings further favour ‘Cast Ifa divination for Fatéera ho is @ male child of Igoda (A town) fa, | thank so that you can bless me more The divinity that brings blessings is the one we hail. ‘Contents ‘Dedication Acknowledgements Foreword Iba (Reverence) Preface Introduction (Chapter One Relationship between God and Ifa How Does Ifa Relate to other Religions ‘Chapter Two Indispensability of Ifa on Earth, Heaven and General Philosophy The Words of fa Are Words of Wisdom How Ifa Enlightens The World on Reproductive System Two Ways of Life: Positive and Negative Destiny Chapter Three General Philosophy of Ifa Hfa Teaches Humility, Patience, Endurance and Wisdom Chapter Four ifa Speaks in Parables Chapter Five 16 Great Stories of Ifa Chapter Six Not Too Difficult Translated Long Verses of Ifa Chapter Seven Iwure To Greet Ifa in the Moming/For Blessings Chapter Eight Akose (Ifa's Medicine) Resources om 73 a8 176 216 eae 241Foreword For quite a jong time, Ifa knowledge used to be restricted to religious and occult aspects only among the practitioners, which had further mystified the knowledge over a long period of time. As a fasult, the knowledge was mangled cut of context and this gave room for misconception and misrapresentation of facts. Nevertheless, in the last few decades, books, magazines and journals had been published by Ha and university scholars with @ view to bringing to the fore some texts/scriptures which had long femained a mystery in the minds of the people. This book is aiso an attempt by the author, Chief Awodiran Agboola fo demystify Ifa with a view to bringing out the life philosophies inherent in tia. The author has been able to show the divine origin of Ifa and its relationship with Olodumare. The significance of Ifa and its relevance ta humanity especially in the areas of morality, wisdom and proper decorum are highlighted in the first five chapters of the book. The author went further to whet the Interest of readers by presenting the 16 Great stories in Ifa with their stanzas and the lessons $0 derived from them. There is no doubt thal there is a preponderant use of Ifa stanzas by the author In order to drive home his point. However, readers will be astonished after going through several Ifa stanzas bothering on different situations of life, As far as this book is concerned, there couldn't have been a better title than “Ifa: Ohun |jinle Aye” (Ifa: The Philosophy of Life). There is no gainsaying the fact that the book is informative, educative and interesting. It is indeed a challenge to some Ifa loners who still treat Ifa as secret, mystifying and idolatry qultie tradition that has encourage people's apathy and hatred towards Ifa and other African religions, Readers will at the end of this book understand that Ifa contains empirical statements and ‘Wherewlthal, which can be tapped for the benefit of mankind. vi The genemsity of the author in lavishing the roa Informative and beneficial Ifa stanzas for special suppl joni and Olodumare on a daily basis is worthy of praise, Also includ the book are (he “Akose", special lfa preparations which can bo applied by humans in order to overcome certain vicissitudes in life. | have gone through the pages of the book; my conclusion is that this book will reveal not only the philosophical dimansions of Ifa but would ensure the continued existence of the knowledge of fifa through proper understanding and apt utilization. Finally, | will not be exaggerating to say that this book is well- researched and deserves to be read by everybody especially those who seek sound knowledge and wisdom. Fakunle Oyesanya Agbongben Avo of Odewele, Alakuko Alakejl Oe of Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Lagos vilIba (Reverence) ‘dakisi Ona mi ré ed leyin Dia fun Esin Abd fin Agha Wan f saw Io silé Ooni Alana-kan-Esid Ebo ni won ni ki won se Wan gb'ébo won ni'bo Atesin, at'Agbd Awa li¢ Odni Aldna-kan-Esud Did fon Odni Alana-kan-Esvd L'6i¢ ti kd ribaa ilée baba re md Ebo ni won mi ko se O gb’ébo, d rd’bo ‘Iba a Babd o ‘Iba a Yaya o ‘Iba Oliwo.o ¥ ‘Iba Araba |'alé Ife ‘iba Akoda ‘Iba Aseda Mo juba Ojagbona Afeyi timo da seo K'Ord ma sai gba Translation The hollow part of a well-trekked path is it which breaks the back of a snake This was the Ifa cast for Esin, the horse When going on Ha mission to the palace of Ooni of Ife They were advised to offer abo They complied Both Esin and Agbo the resident Awo of Oani Alana-kan- Sih They were the ones who cast lfé for Odni Alana-kan-Esoa When he did not pay homage to his ancestors anymore He was advised to offer ebe He complied | pay homage to my father Homage to my mother Homage to my Oliwa Homage to my Araba of fe viii Homage to Akoda Homage to Asada | pay homage to Ojagbéna Unless | act without recognition and homage to elders and spiritual forces May | succeed in all | do.Preface The purpose of this book is to prove to the world again that Ifa is the philosophy of life. Ifa touches every aspect of life. Ifa has capturad the world as the following Odu tfa, Ogbe Ale indicates: Ajé ire ida’ pe iowa Imeirain ligkee Ida pe lekun Agbaido ghgfa dgbado 0 bots Ko je Pinker sows ome elomnil To ba jf d tile amo ré tetete kiri oko Adif@ fuin dkanienirinwd Jruinmole Ti wan iffg reel soko Aye rere Aalfat fin Grinmita if rilg rée soko Aye rere Grunmile nikan nl nba févin tf risebo £6 e éyl ara Ha rf ghayé lo dgberl oma Translation: Good fortune is money Combination of beads Is treasure Whether the com is knowledgeable in Ha or not Horse tail will never be handed over to another child But given to the legitimate ! biological child ‘Cast Ifa divination for 407 divinities When attempting to marry Aye rere (the Earth) Cast divination for orunmila also planning to marry the earth Only Grunmila complied with the injunction of sacrifice Oh, this is wonderful, Ifa captures the world, the ignoramus is surprised This book will siso identify various proverbs and wise sayings derived from Ifa corpus. People refer to idioms and expressions which are drawn from fa will find many Christians and moslems refering to these words. | ig just to show that Ifa had been existing since the creation of ‘world by Olodumare, God who sent Orunmila and installed him “Oba Atayese (King that reforms the Earth). urthermore you will discover in this book why Orunmila is regarded is “Opitan Ife (Great historian of Ife). Many people who are fond of feeding novels will find great stories from this book. Whether you fre a Christian, moslem or Ifa practitioner the stories will make you {mprove in your character and decision making. The writer has been able to point out various Jessons from these great stories. Finally the book is intended to teach the basic things from Ifa’s Spiritually and pharmacology (Akose), This is to correct some erroneous impressions that babalawos don'l shara their secret knowledge with people. The writer has therefore chosen 16 Akose for the benefit of mankind. It is my candid opinion that readers would find this book interesting. Thanks for your understanding. Chief Awodiran Agboola Araba of Oworonsoki ‘ Telephone: 1, 08023395402 2, 08167408883 3, OBO9977 7807th: Chin ine Ave ntroduction Verious books have said what Ifa is all about. The intention of this writer ig to touch on the philosophy aspect of Ifa. With ff, you are In contro! of situation in life. Ifé Is the embodiment of wisdom ‘Agiiilégbon". A Babalawo is supposed to posses "inner Gold” as narrated in the Qdo fa, "Ogunda di” Ofurufil kd se @ fehinit Adifa fuin Gruinmila to s'gkg Wursola Fig sode, Ifa lo tc oko Wure & $@ Babelawo td gbofa a bi wura niki Translation It's impossible to rest your back on the sky/air (Great philosophy statement) Cast divination for Ordnmila who will marry Waragla (Gold) Graat philosopher ifa only, can marry Gold (Wura) Babaldwo who knows Ifa has Gold in his stomach Story: Oninmila marries Wuraol, a very beautiful lady and decides to swallow Wuraglé ta prevent other people from snatching her. Itis assumed that all Babaldwos who have studied fa diligently have in their possession real Gald “wisdom of Life’. fa, the Son of God, The Protector (Ifa Qmo Olgrdn Asadi), When people talk of Jesus Christ as the son of Gad, | laugh, what about our own Redeemer, Ifd as narrated in Qwanrin Sogbé, Oruinkun abara yiyi Aluigt ioruin akeragbe Adifg fin Olukds! Ope Tit sem9 Oldrun Asaai By iket bat ef te mi bowe, tie Avwimalogbon gba nil o Ope dsinld gba mioTid: Chie Tale Ave iwe ma lome Olgrun Asad Bj dndn ba rf te mi bee, Ie Awimaiagbon gba iif o Oped asinia gba mio two md ome Oigrun Asadi Bj sig ba rie mi bowel, et Awimalagbon gba mio Ope asinia gba mio lwo ma tome Oigrun Asadi Bi of bal rf lef mi bowai, ita Awimatogbon gba mio Ope dsinis gba info lwo met tome Olgrun Asaat 8! Gran ba i ie mi bowel, ifs Awimalogbon gba iri o Ope dsinla gba ml a Iwo ma lomo Olerun Asadl Bi ése ba le mi howe, ite Awimalogbon gba mio Ope dsinia ghd mio lwo md lomo Olgrun Asdai 8i gbogbo ibi ba nfs mi bowel, ifr Awimalogbon gba mio Ope dsini gba mio lwo ma lome Oldrun Asdcit Translation: The knee with its tough thick skin The neck of a bottle gourd is usually forcefully broken His was the Ifa cast for Oldkdsi Opa (title of —Orcinmila) Who is the child of Oldrun, the shelter lf Ika, Death Is coming for me Awim@logbon teacher of wisdom and understanding please fescue me Ope, Asinia please protect me You are the child of Olérun, the Shelter If Aran, Ailment is coming for me Awimologbon please rescue me Ii: Chie Yin Ay Opé, asinia please protect me ‘You ara the child of Olgrun, the Shelter And if Ejé, altercation is coming for ma Awimologbon please rescue me Opé, asinla please protect me ‘You are the child of Qldrun, the Shelter Even if Of, Loss is coming for me Awimeldgbon please rescue me Opé, asinla please protect me ‘You are the chiid of Olerun, the Shelter Vf trouble is coming for me Awimolégbon please rescue me QOpé, asinia please Protect ma ‘You are the child of Olgrun, the Shelter If all evil things are coming for me Awimologbdn please rescue me Ope, asinia please protect me ‘You are the child of Olorun, the Shelter Ifa, The G si Partner. (Fa ri ta fa can be relied upon when traveling as narrated In the Odo Ifa Ovyeko Oo Oda (Oyekd Gunda} if 'oba Orisa I'dsin Oidrun Oba feni a a ghekele Adifa fun jkindudu tif-s'amo Ajaniwarun Nig tf nitgrun bd watye A se ka of kat rai Op¢ nfkan Ionl hun ler Ti rita ju gbogbo oma ardye ig. Translation: Ifa Is King Orisa is spacial Olodumare Is the king Is worth depending upon1B: Obdn Tinks Aye That |s the message of Ha the black Ikin (Ifa), The offspring of Ajaniwarun When travelling from heaven to earth Behold! Of all human endeavours Ifa is the only one that has in its possession the most profitable ventures {fa t66 yangan (lf is worth flaunting) From Ogbé Bara you can feel proud that you have Ifa, Oghe barbara fda g¢t! Sense of ¢ lddgun Sonse orf ¢ fawure ~ Adife fin lf toc yangan Tit somo bibl ine Agbonmiregun ifs ted yangan ome Awo Eeyan to pe Ifa o to yangan kd lo ree kota fa tod yangein omo Awa. Translation: Ogbeé barabara lad geti } Sonso ori ¢ loogon, the tip of its head Is used for medicine Songo ori e lawure, the tip of its head is used for awure, goodluck lfe's message for Ifa-tod-yangain (Ifa is worth flauting) lfé-to6-yangan, the offspring of Agboniregun lfa-too-yangain, you are truly the child of Awa Anyone who says Ifa is not enough to be proud of should go and learn lia Ifé is worthy to be proud of {fa ni lagba ti hobayé — Ifa is the saviour for mankind From lworl ‘wosa, Ifa is the savior. Oma ile nil fi iunpe se apa Adit fifn lagha, Ty6o ma gba gbogbo ome araye Wa: etn ln Ay Oninmild dpltan, fet ni lagba tf sighani. inslation: Mysterious child wears itunpa (protective arm band charm) round his arm Ifa's message for Lagha, The one that will be saving mankind Orunmila, Great historian, Ifa is the one that saves mankind iwLif: hon inte Aye Chapter One AJOSEPO OLODUMARE ATI IFA (ORUNMILA) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND IFA ‘The following stanzas show instances of several relationships between Ifa (Orunmila) and Olodumare, Grunmila was known to be the deputy of Olodumare especially in the areas of creations of the universe. As a result of this, Grunmila was able to know most of the secrets that Olodumare used in all\His works of craation, There were also situations whereby Orunmila casted Ifa for Olodumare and also made the appropriate ebo for Him fi OSA ALAWUURE (OSA TUA) Eni tioiba koenu om of dime iit omi mu'nt de Eni tio ba ke lbdcsl inf feyul yanydnyen sake Aol fin Qrunmmila nije tin ja ree rol Glodumare Awad re ni, swad ro ni Oledumare pel! Oninmild, gabe ni wan jo rise Awe arg ni Translation: He who jumps into the river knows the depth of the water He who shouts shows red eyes: Cast divination for Orunmila on the mission of knowing God's secret Just the two of us Olodimare and Ordnnillé are equally ruling the world Just the two of us Story Oninmila was instructed to fake the sacrifice (ebo) ta the foot of the ocean. It was at the same time God (Oloddmare) was taking his 6 fk: kota lh AWE ‘bath and Orinnilla glanced at his buttocks, he confirmed I “made Glddamaré to declare that Oninmila is endowed to Kin gecrat of the world (2 «© OGBE 'VEKY ‘Ogbe ‘yeku baba Arults Onl oghd, of ato n) baba Edan Adifa fun Olodiimare Bs Oba ateni iegelege for sapejl ami Ard te wile nif d se Bowun Olddurmare ata dudu, Ara ta wu'a nifa ose Adwun Oiddumare a ta furvun, Ara to wun'fé ni'fdd se Bowun Qlckimard ata pupa, Ard td wun'fa ni'fd o se Translation: on. Ogbe ‘yéku is the father of ‘Odu Ifa combinations: Longevity is the father of Fdan The message of la for Olédamare The King who uses the sky as his mat ifa is powerful and can perform wonders: If Olodumaré wishes, he can tum the sky to black Ifa [s powerful and can perform wonders if Olddumaré wishes, he can turn the sky to while, Ifa is powerful and can perform wonders. If Oldddmaré wishes, he can tum the sky to red, Ifa Is powerful and can perform wonders 3. Ej Oabe lid ni'taa ba tif, ki a maa tarp ohun gbogbe iow Oluwe wa Ki Oluwa we d ld bad ge ohun gbogbo fun wa Adifa fun Ala'sunwada tii soma bibt ind Agbenniregun Aldsunwadd paradd, ewo Wf mo nf kalo, Algsunwadd parade 7fst Chee inl Aye 1a: Oboe Wink ys fre. gbogbe tt mo ni kéite, Aldsuwads parade (6. Osa Bara Translation: Osa bamubamu ifa says, when we wake up, we should fequest from God our Obara bamubamu heart desires : Adi ful Oldse Alkul ; So that He can grant us our requests Ome at'orun sasq bora lagpe Oladuimars This was the Ifa’s message for Aldsuwada, Ararini, tani ngbe iku Olddumare The offspring of Agbenniragquin (Oranmilay Aldswada, be attentive, the money that | have ds notin Translation: abundance Osa bamubamu Alastwada, be attentive, (he multiple blessings | have are Obara bamubamu not sufficient Cast divination for Oldsé Alka He who uses the sky as covering garment Is the name of God 4 Ose 'ka itis impossible, who can hear the death of God In this stanza, Orunmila acknowledges the fact that Olodumare is the first among equals despite their collactive HOW DOES IFA RELATE TO OTHER RELIGIONS responsibility in the affairs of earth administration, There are (CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM)? times when he had deliberately adopted Olodumare as his father, The stanza of Ose Ika reads: In trostin Agbé, Ifa says: Aghe jingin Odo senu kotokote ghiyan Aghe jingin Adifa fun Metiiya Saba aghe jfngin jingin taarin Tif se obinnin Agbonniregun Adit futi Orunmita, Nig tl nfomi oj sungbare ome Saba mda so Eledumaré of baba Won of ko kara rile, ebo niko se Gham! a, oluwa mi O gbetbo, d rubo Goal ofewa mi Ko pe kd jing ka waa bani ni jebuttl’ ome Jébutu omo ida bani lese Obarisa Translation; Agbe Jingin jalias Translation: Agbe Jingin } Mortar opens its round mouth for pounded yam Baba agbe jinginingin |aarin } ‘Cast divination for Meériiya Cast divination for Oranrila, Who was the wife of Ordnmila Who would adopt Olodumare as his father When lamenting her inability to have a child Protect me, my God She was sadvised to perform sacrifice All my hopes are on you She complied , Save me, my God At long last she was blessed with a childtt Chan lade Ave Story: The woman, Mérfiya, which according to some schools of thought is believed to be the biblical Mary, Meriiya was lamenting for inability to have the fruit of the womb. She went to the babalawo for fa consultation and advised to offer ebo. She complied and while putting the ebo (sacrifice) in {rant of Est, she was grabbed by Eso, who blessed her and eventually she became pregnant, mmediately after complying with the ebo, she took a bath with Ifa leaves and snail's juice. When she gave birth to a son, he was named Jéwesin, which some people believed to be Jasus, because his mother had aaten Ifa’s leaves, Note: | know this verse will generate alot of debate but I can quote that this verse was given by a knowledgeable Babalawo who is now deceased, Chief Aniptipé, may his soul rast in perfect paace, In Otud mf Ifa says: Aha rébete Awe oj om Aré sehin bo wet nif da fig fasel Adifa tun Ang CG nfom/ ajit stingbere ome O rigbawe air! pein O rffowel osun nue gin nt gbighe OC rimo fehia adie o bu pur sekuin Onl eye oke se nbimo juni lp Won nf ko kara rile, ebo ni kdse Ogbabe onibo Igha tf yo BH, of br Anef Won al ame Ang td nbl, ka ti maa pet Ka maa pee nt Anopt Translation; Aha rebéte, the diviner on the surface of the water (alias) Aré sein bo wa nif da tié fosd Cast divination for And When lamenting her inability to have a child 10 i Ay ‘With ne child to put on her back And rubbing a hand of camwood on a dry wall When she saw baby chickens running after their mather ‘She burst into tears Wandering why forest birds begel children more than humans She was advised to offer ebo She complied and bore a child called And And who vornited should be called Angbi * * Andti, according to the Muslims in Yoruba land is believed to be an Islamic Prophet. id Méjl (why fasting for 31-4 Gbengho ta woirdkd ding Adifa fun Nana Awawe Tinffom! aj sdgberé ema Igba tt yoo bit O bl Garimot 6 bl Kaletu O bf Paaikciyt Obi Lemma Erd ipo end Ofd, Ent ba gbebo if be ko riba Translation: 4A thick root spreads acrogs the road (alias) Cast divination for Nana Awawt When crying for a child When putting to bed She gave birth to Gaambi She gave birth to Kaleta She gave birth to Paakoyi She gave birth to Lemomo Travellers to lpd and Of towns Thosé whe so advised to offer ebo should comply85 Ohdn Tine. aye children but failed to perform the other sa of her children, they failed to about the 31 days fasting. Otda Mef Kai taldnga ket e fait Ataing yttrt \ Aseye oko Aawon gbd mate Awrdkd if job Aalfa fin Oninmita T yoo fee Awe T) yoo si fee Garimbr ‘fa a wa d? male AWG We ldiveinl avo fie borin i a wa df mate Translation: Ka talanga ka e lan Alamo yilri Aseye oko bawon ghd male Awordko a jobi Cast divination for Orunmita Who would marry Aaws a ae also marry Ganmbl tur rafigion (Ifa) now has similarities with Islam The Priest is decorated in i pihiles ted in Isiamie robe with beads Our religion has simitaritias with Islarn 12 lake Care of her. She Performed the sactifice to have Wes ae Despite the wealth ake Care of her, The mother & for 31 days and before she died, she cursed the chien that ley would have no peace unless they fast for 31 days. This bought (ts Cohite Wf Aye Order for Orunmila to woo and marry these women, Sawa and janmbi, he was Instructed by Ifa to dress like Alfa, Islamic teacher. He complied and was able to marry these women, ease note that the Orunmila being refered to in this stanza was ‘one of the disciples of Orunmila several millennia afler the exit of Orunmila on earth, Quite a lot of Orunmila disciples adopted his hame while some were simply labeled ‘Orunmila’ as a result of their outstanding dexterity in Ifa knowledge and application. tad Ke genbert Ka gaint Ka rukul dian banga Imdie ni d gho katate Gn fo arigaltet Lekegleked leye ild Hausa To ba ja ko bate sese A gort dguin bere A gorf oronibo Amada kowu elewu yankanyankan Ime mo eyt Ihab ey! Adlft fuin Burating TW somo baba nf male ij thn fo fe Adufe, ome Oldauimars Wfa, & ba dahun sord mi Ind id jare Burdimg rée, ome Olgrun fa, d ba dahun sord mi Ina io jare Rafat réé, omo Olgrun ffa, ¢ ba dahun sorg mi Ing io jare Falade réé, ome Oldrun Ifa, ¢ ba dahun sord mi Ing to jare 1ahi Oa Gig Translation: Ka génbar Ka ganni isa nko alaari banga Imale ni 6 gbo katafia On fo arigale Lékédiaked leye ila Hausa ‘To ba ji a ko bata sése Agori ogdn bere Agori oronbo A maa kewo eléwo yankenyankan ‘m9 mg yi Ibaba eyi These were Ifa messages for Buraimo The one who was the offspring of baba-nl-male When going to mary Adufa, ins ea of Olodumare a, please respond to Ina Is ‘ndioaten EE Here comes Buralme He isan of Olonun, God , please respond to m Ina is vindicated eines Here comes Rafatu fen offspring of Olonin, God fa, please re id to Ina is vindicated ee Here comes Falade The offspring of Clorun, God Ifa, please respond to my request Ina is vindicated 4 Chapter Two INDISPENSABILITY OF IFA ON EARTH, HEAVEN AND GENERAL PHYLOSOPHY \We nave earlier explained the universality cof |fa vis-a-vis olher religions. In a particular stanza of Irosan Oyeku, Ifa explains how reform the earth and heaven through the use iready offered ebo in order to ind in Ordneila was able to of Ifa. In the stanza, Oranmiila had a! be successful in the administration of affairs both on earth a heaven. Therefore, whenever there was a problemidisarray elther on earth or in heaven, Ordnmila was always called upon to came and help bring the situation under control. the stanza reads thus: Ewe Jl ewe kojif st gbd Eniwa jf jedan a si kaj sgden Adie pip! (aif lok hulu! sf Barapet Adie fain Qloma mimi Tinto rég say tf lo ree sorun Gbogbo ofun tf dun ba rise layer Ati @yf tf dun ba nse Igrun Lé moo bamw ni rdafa sf Won nf eb ni kore O sl gbebo be d ribo Ni gbogba aye rikorin Dloma mimi gba we 0, lomo min! lig aye f9, Grund ye lo Olamg mimi, ghd we o dase mo Qlome mim! laspe Grinmila Translation: The leaf sprouts and faces the forest The grass sprouts and faces the plain Afeatherless rooster wakes up and tum to Barapetu (Qranrnila)} for the blessing of feathers isti Ohi Yin Ayes ifa's message for Olome init Whose responsibility was to stabilize the Earth and Heaven He wanted to achieve success both on Earth and in Heaven That was his purpose for consuttation He was advised to offar eho He complied Then the whole world started singing lomo mini, save us, Olpme mim The Earth is full of tragedy, heaven Oloma niin, save us Olome mini is called Orunmila THE WORDS OF IFA ARE WORDS OF WISDOM There are so many stanzas of Ifa from where several words of wisdom were taken, We shall examine some of these verses of Ia which have their origin from Olodumare (God). 1. Idingeg Afin loll kekere hewyt Abuke lofeyin peru orisa woja Lagleighalja Id se gberaghere weil! Awon Io difef fiin Emit Tit se Ako Olddumare Bemif o ba bo, ow0 1 Be, hin In hin In owes abe Beil. o ba bo, aya be, hin th hth in aya woe Berit d ba bo ame ribg, hin In hin in ome ribs Transtation: An Albina is it that grows grey hair from childhood A Hunchback is It that carries orisa’s load to the market Laalagbaja enters the city aimlessly These wera messages for Er (life) Who was the first creation of Olodumare If life 1S still intact, money will come, yes money wil come yet people are not willing to go it wife will come Je still intact, wife will come, yes |p stil intact, children will come, yes children wil pis ‘Wife is stil) intact, houses shall be built or bought, yes they iil be blessed a E Ife is still intact, multisle blessings will come, yes they will ‘eome. . HOW IFA ENLIGHTENS THE WORLD ON THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM EJ] OGBE Ctggtete Oreigrong: Oldgtd lee jepa Otectd Isa Jemumu Lotdicte fda fold esunsun senu Ohun ntan nted Ohun ntore ntore : Ohun ntod ntord iad fobe makin lode Irainje Ko ie bad fohun tor! tore tan/ lore Adifa fun Ogateera Ti gbagun fo lid gbendl eben dyin weren Ogoigerd loruhe tf d a pe ol lu gbendu gbendu lonike tl da pe dbd Pell Ha bd pad o ; Oddi énlyan la off safe je Odidl aniyan Otggtd laa japa O1sete lad jamumu Loteldté laa fold esunsun sénu Ohun ntori ntori Ohun ntoré ntore hun ntori ntoré laa faba makin lode iranjé Vv 16Me Chi Tan Aye Ko lé baa fohun tori tore tani tore Cast divination for Ogotéére Going to confront the city of ld : i gbéndo gbendu I Pacisats is the name of Penis en sees ld gbendd gbendu is the name of Virg! immediately we meat = The result is child B. Otuid Orikd (Ottia Sogbe) Ad fi epost isin, isin ri pon Ad fl ivd sf dgdde, dgdde riceun Adifa fin Gnaghgn naghen TH toruin bet welyet Qnélgbgnnaghon baba ome Th@bd si Gnagbon naghon ad ways Oneghgnnaghgn babs omo Translation: We don't put palm oll on the fruit isin i 4 , yet its rl We don {put salt on the banana, yet its Beet Cast divination for Ondégbon fagbon (Penis) Coming from heaven to Earth oe is the father of child not for Onagbdnagbon, we can't come to this worl on, 4 id Onagbgnagbdn is the father of the child C. Osé Kanran Tolete awa ile Ose Kenran Adlifa fun Ggbdabd Iyewe Nig ti rirele oko dar To dg kan o doyuin Ta did kan o si domo Translation: Tato to (Bit by bit), diviner of Ose Kanran Cast divination for Ogbégbd lyawd (bride) 18 Eth: Obie Wine Aye ‘When going to the groom's house During intercourse, femate agg is fertilized suddenly Suddenly, a drop of serien becomes a child. 'S OF LIFE: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE; LACK AND WHITE; LIGHT AND DARKNESS; SADNESS AND OY; FORTUNE AND MISFORTUNE; TIME TO BE BORN AND TO DIE; ABUNDANCE AND SCARCITY. = f@ shall examine this concept philosophically, Yorubas say * Tibt /'Olodumare fi dale aye’ meaning God created the world with it and goodness- hey also say "Ti tenikan ko bale, Cenikan kil da” meaning if Someone does not experience misfortune, another person will nat ee goodness. ‘Also, they say ‘Eko eleko n/ egba elegba, meaning one man's food is another man’s poison, We can go on and on but let us refer to la, the esoteric language of Oledumare (Almighty God). @ bi" Ose bl apdhiwe Adifat fun ibi, ib} ritgrun bd wale Gee bi apdtiwe Acie file ire, ire ritdrun bd waye Odi¢ ta a ribi nibl mweld Osid ta 2 rire nire nde Translation: Ose bi apolowe Cast divination for Ibi, Evil Evil was coming from Heaven to Earth Ose bi apolowe Cast divination for Ire, Goodness Goodness was coming fram Heaven ta Earth 19The hin iad Amt The day evil is witnessed, it is buried ‘The day we witness Goodness, goodness arrives In this stanza, Ifa explains that good and evil were created and brought to this werld st the same time. For instance in Yoruba land, a child that is born represents "good" while the placenta represents “evil, That explains why placenta is immediately buried the same day @ child Is born. While the child (good) is greeted with jubilation and pageantry. AYANMO/DESTINY/IORI Crunmila is called Eferii jpin (Witness of Destiny). Orunmia was there from the beginning during creation, Therefore, Ifa plays important role in this tapi 1.Ogbe Ate Ogidighdl amerin Amsrin tan a gbagbe dafdighi! Adifa fin Ort Thif ig ref e telkeira nf kag Qbairiseal Ofoun do gbe mio wl mi Ayana eni kf maf gbeni tf Translation: Ogidigici ameérin Amérin tan a ghaghé ogidigidi Cast divination for Or {inner Head) When going to sell bean cake at the house of Obatala It has been confirmed that | will be blessed One's destiny cannot fail to bless oneself 2. Oturipén Méjl (Oldghdn Mj) Olgghon nid ta koko omi sett aso Méranmorain ni d mo ive edpe tig Arinna ka nid debi dnd gbe pekur Adifa fin Grunmila tl rig réé gbé ape ort ways Begyein bd lala to ba lava mej loo 20 (ida: ai, Titel Aye Won a nf ifa ire lob! Oluiwa re “fe ko, Orl ni Off fo se iyun un, Ifa ko siation: No wase man can tle water on the edge of his cloth The most knowledgeable ones cannot count the number of grains of sand on the earth Greatest traveler cannot reach the end of the world's path These wera Ifa's messages for Orinmila Who was going to carry the sack of Ori to earth If someone is so rich thal he marries two women simultaneously People would say he was Initiated with good Odo Ifa No, itis not fifa, but his destiny, His destiny is his Senefactor and not Ifa 3. Oygka Mejl Grunmifa nf Grujpuut Mo nf eruku Id yo tore O al off tf yoo dade ninu ajere ide nil tif wal Orun tl yo! fo eigberd leke ninu! ajera ide ni ti wa Babe Jol i yoo lo mesdajd agg Oba tf tana yanran yanran Ninu ajere ide nl tl wat Mo nf baba, bewo nia d se mo of tl yoo dade Mo ni baba, bawo nj ad se mo orn ff yoo lo eiighara Neko Mo ni baba, bawo nia ose mo, bebe Id! ti yoo Jo mosdajel aso oba tf tanran yanranyenran Gninmita ni, bt abel Bima, ito ba all ojo kela, bi wen ba bi dun leere Won yoo mo on if yoo dade Won yoo mo orun t! yoo Jo efighara ileke Won ydel mo bebe id tl yoo lo masdaja ago oba tf ntanna yenranyanran ‘On tf yoo dade af rial Oba Onin tl yoo Jo djighard ligke nf ridi awon lieve 21Wks Metin Tle Aye: Seibe lal tf yoo lo mesa ial aveoha @seaja aso oba ft ntannd yanranyanran nl Transiation: ‘Orunmila declares: ‘ i eee is the. asthe, Sieur Hs = tee head that would wear the crown comes from Ne oe He woul — with multiple beads Sac” wear the shinning king's robe comes Lake abe how do we know the head that would wear the | ask; father, cece ih mutt vais? that would be oe ioe know the waist that would wear the Sroreel eke: ‘when we give birth, on the third day, when | Ki ha dgele head thet will wear the crown ee @ neck that would be decorated with multiple Be tell you the waist that would wear the shinning King's nue that would wear the crown eventually becomes cst chief er makes with multiple beads are Biel that would wear shinning king's robe are the Mees The third day being referred to is called Ese ntaye' to inquire oe o sesiny of ie child. We should nat forget that Ordnmniila is ft ess Destiny) and y i ; (second in command to ‘Olodamare). Set ear SY 22 ihe Obie Td Ave man On buruiked if wut tuutu Aki dd ese asiwerd md lone Akita on aldyd lawujo Adi fiin Mabowt til se oblnrin Ogun On tl yoo joba Iola entkan kd mg Ki tokg faya md pe 6 rawor nl were mo Ga fi yoo joba [ole enikan ko m¢ nsiation: The head with bad destiny does not swell up We cannot identify the footmarks of the insane on the road We cannot guess who will be honoured amang the crowd Cast divination for Mabdwa, the wife of Ogan Therefore let not the husband and wile refer to each other as mad any longer Because the head tha! would be crowned king tomorrow, nobody knows. Can destiny be altered? This topic is very debatable, In some schools of thought it is believed that "Ayanmo ko gboogue” meaning that destiny cannot be altered with charms. If this bellet is anything to go by, then the question is; why do we go to churches, mosques etc to pray? Why do we consult Ifa oracle for protection and success? Why can't we accept our fate and do nothing? | believe that our destiny Is in own hands. We should do the right thing at the right time. We have been informed that both positive and negative factors exist. Nobody is free from challenges. Ifa will jeach us that we would experiance Gath sadness and joy at some pecasions, We should never give up. The downfall of a man is not tha end of his life. ‘There are various ways we can monitor and modify our destiny. 1. Through Ese ntaye, "third day divination after birth" 2. Through Itenifa (initiation to Ifa) 9, Through random divination and abo (sacrifice)Wik: Citi Tyla Aree There are some fa verses that can be used to correct or madity destiny that is considered bad or not prosperous enough, In view of the above, let us examine this stanza of Odu Ha in Irasun Agbe (Irsun Ogbe}, ‘rosin Agbe Aagbairiio ami ni ratios lgbehin ree a oi dsa Gomi ba pap a al rabata Adifat fin Grunmile tf ntorun be waiye On to walyel Ic foun oni lowo, ewe owewe: Jfé onl hie mama ff tdi we tion, ewe cwewe On to wale fo [oun o ni fdyavioko, ewe cwawe (fa lon] ki @ mama fi tawa we tiwon, ewe dwewe Ori fo waive to loun d nf bimo, ewer cweiwe He lon! kie mama fi twa we tiwon, ewe dwewe Onl ic walye to Idun ¢ nl kole, ewe owewe® elon! kie mama f Cawe we tiwon.ews owewe Onl to wale to loun o ni nire gbogho, ews dwawe Ife fond Ki g mama fi Nawa wer twan, ewe dwawe Eni dgun pa sf égbdd aja. ewe dwewe (fs lon! ki@ maine fi fawa we tiven, ewe dwewe Eni sonponna pa si ald jd, ewe dwewe, Ife lon! Ke meimat fi Uwe we ti won, ewe cwewer Eni eye nije oj! reg nf maguin, ews dwewel, Ifa lont ki e mama fl tdwa we tiwon, ewe dwewe On td waye to lowe toidwolewe Gwewe le lont kia wae fi tawa we tiwon, ewe owews On to waye td Idya toloko, ews dwewe Ifa fon! Ki @ waa fi tdwa we tiwon, ewe owewe Ort to walye to bime tabime, ewe dwewe Nei lonl ki a wee fi tdwa we tiwon, ewe dwewe O to wale Io kdid tokole, ewe dwewe Ia OnPki e waa fi awa we tiwon, ewe Gwewe Orl to welye tot ni tre. gbogbo, ewe dwewer 24 Translation: # Aye Na lonl ke we fi tawa we tiwon,ewe owewe Owewe o loruko mej, owews lawawe rig Alcikg tent kd orf wa ko ib Akuko nf yld ghd eliare pade wa lrosun Agbé 0, gbe ibi kuird lot wa lrosuin Agbe 0, gbe ire twa wat fuln wa Iyérosuin, Hal Jon! kta ma sun ning ibt lyerosuin, Ha we sun ire we ba wa o. Ase Akése: Ad dn ewé onirl (Owéwe) mo ose, a 6 te iyerosun ni Irostn Agbé, Ac pe lfé yi si, Ad daa sind ose, ao pa Akoko adie kan si, a 6 ro éjé ré si ose, a 6 pod po, ao ju ori akoko yen sind igba, ad wa ko ose le lori, a oma fi we. Confluence of water becomes vast and deep The end result bacomes a lagoon Plenty of the water becomes mighty lfa's message for Orunmila When coming fram heaven to earth The Destiny that is devoid of money The efficacious power of Gwewe, lfa, don't compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewe The Destiny that is devoid of good spouse leaf of Owewe, The efficacious power of dwéwwe, Ifa, don't compara mine to theirs. The efficacious power of Owdwe. The Destiny that is devold of children The efficacious power of owowe, If4, don’t compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewé The Destiny that is devoid of house The efficacious power of dwaweé, lia, don’t compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewa The Destiny that is devold of multiple blessings. 25fd: Chia Tink Aye The efficacious power of dveéwe, fa, don't compare mine to theirs The efficacious powar of Owéewe Those who are killed by Ogun beside dogs The efficacious power of owéws, Ifa, don't compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewe Those who are killed by Obaldaye in the market The efficacious power of dwéwd, Ha, don’t compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewd Those whose eyes are being eaten by Vullure at the Ogun shrine The efficacious power of owewe, lf4, don't compare mine te theirs The efficacious power of Owewé The Destiny that is blessed with money The efficacious power of dwewd, fa, please compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewa ‘The Destiny that is blassed with good spouse, The efficacious power of dwéwe, (fa, please compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owéwé The Destiny that is blessed with childran The efficacious power of dwéwe, lia, please compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewe The Destiny is blessed with multiple blessings, The efficacious power of owewé, fa, please compare mine to theirs The efficacious power of Owewe Oweweé has no other name, il is Owewe ILis the ase in a rooster that prevents disaster from happening to me Itis the ase in a rooster that brings me fortunes ‘rosin Agbé, please protect me from misfortune ‘rosin Agbé, please bring goodness to me 26 (efi Cot Tpit Awe ‘yérosuin, Ifa has declared that we would not be involved in tragedy Wyérostin, fa please bring blassings to me. Ase. Preparation: We will grind the leat of Orind (Qwéwe) with black soap. Print |roson agbé on lyérosin on Ifa tray and recite the above verse, Then kill a rooster and mix the blood with the soap. Put the Rooster's head in a calabash, and then pul the soap on it. Take a bath with it with a spange from lime to time. This is geod medicine ta enhance.geod destiny. Time to be born and time to die itis incontrovertible that the day child is born, he has also chosen to die. Let us examine the odd. 1. Os¢ ‘Fun Okg sé okd fur Ada se add fun Funfun iednt rifin foods Aaifa fin Olodumard Oba aye Oke se gk fin Ada sé add fun Funfun idgnl ritun "ode Adifa fin Otodumaré Gba drun lio. dwon I maa kun ni wan ideal fur Ti Arye ba riblma, ebo Oledudmard Oba aye nda Ti Enlyan ba nku, ebo Olddumard Oba grun rid. Translation: Okd sé ok¢ fan (hoe breaks and tums white) Ada 56 ada fon (machete breaks and turns white) Crocodile spils white at the sea Cast divination for Olédamaré, king of earth Okd sé okd fin (hoe breaks and turns white) Ada $6 ada fin (machete breaks and tums white} 27is: Chin la: Ae (ei Cava Lie: Aye Crocodile spits white at the sea To Inquire about death, why does death strike and nobody Is Cast divination for Olédumard, king of the sky spared? 7 Both of them divined for more membership Qranmila replied that death is divine benevolence, It has its When people give birth, the sacrifice of Oladomaré, king of advantages. inal Earth has manifested ? Oranmila made reference to stagnant water bringing out Bacause the membership on earth has increased odour. 7 But when paople die, Olodomara, king of the sky is happy If human brings live forever, the flesh will become ae because itis better for Ertl (ife} to leave that person and go back to The membership of heaven has i sed Heaven Pp Ss increas Sq that the person cen come back with another flesh 2. Oyeku pose Ai amd tete ku, Awo ile Alay is brings us to Reincarnation. Is it (rue? Yes as we go on. Al tele kif isz, Awo fhanuje Ti iku bel de, ka yin Oluwa foga;-Awe olcate 9. “worl wédin Awan ni Agbagha Sankdsankd Ti nil rete wail iku wo Peidks Oreineitel Ke sf ablyamo t! ko fee . aye | Kay Pe, dese tf il fl riparni, ff kel s'6ni tt Ai ker Kd si abiyamo ff ko led bf Onn i Qrunmil@ nf, chun rare ni Olooumare fi ku se fun'ni, Baba eni bid bd bini ni pepe, bf 0 ba pé tit! a tun rif baba em Mitel, om td san siwd, iid san eehin tomo O o'omi gaddg, dagde omi ee Yeye eni bid ba bini nl pepe, bf o bet pg tit a tun ribl yeye eni Omi rf gbe won fo rere Jomo Omir gbe won b¢ rere Aaifa fin Grinnilia tf od wipe dun maa mu grun bo says Olgkunnun ka rete wa lo ree gba'wo tuntun bo Gun mda mu aye lo si Gru Translation: inslation: A § . i lia priest The household wh ' There is no mather, who cannot give birth to he seni where everything is working well with wealth, See ee ares taicanrol gis bth t Oromia Success (etc) will never think of dying Our father, having given birth to us soundly, can also be But where there is abject and som i iven birth to improvement, ii ae ae zt mather, having given birth to us soundly, can aiso be They will even pray for death given birth to : When death comes, we should praise God, the diviner of Cast divination fer Orunmita who says he would bring Truthfulness heavenly Mates to earth They are those who see death coming and they make And take earthly mates to heaven adequate preparation, This is the way Ifé described the Elders who visited 4. Osa mel Ordnmila Te’ ba ge pe orf gbogbo ni risun pas! 29Mi: dn Tal Ag (hii: Cobain jie it i es cl Lives Iroc ghogbo T het ti tain minus igbes vd oy in vas ve ees born ‘ a5 ce trina cae ee ai Cast divination for where we inca nt we would live besid shops lea dnes een Bee Ee Gh kom wien apm horas Actes th Bowed ttn bona Let's take palm oil, salt, gin, kola nf | J Oweire 9 iid gbogbo wa lote ; Nobody can predict where he would die and bose eh ee Geneon peo ze yers, divination and seerifice (eho) we can achieve our aim, re ld ja gh wa " Translation: If everyone ts to be buried with caskel, there would be no trees In the forest Cast divination for group of children, ‘coming to earth If everyone is to be buried with-coffin, there would be no trees in the forest Cast divination for Oware (Strugate) Coming from heaven to earth Weare all struggling Those who will die Sracefully are not panty Weare all struggling. 5. Ofdin nogbé Ka dase ala berin Ka da dy winnhwlint B'ekun Old dgainis nif pa thooKes fom tim Adifa fin ibi ta ma gbet Adiifa fain ibi tf won gbe bini Adifét fuln ibi t} ddigbe sun un Atari o mo ibusun Off 6 me ibuighe Aba m'éo. dba mu'yg, aba mot, dba m'abl Aba fi tun ile the se. Translation: Let's cover the elephant with mighty garment Let's cover the tiger with multi coloured cloth Daytime rain beats the hyena on the eyes and nose 30Chapter Three GENERAL PHYLOSOPHY OF IFA 1. Trosun Aweéye (irosin iwarl)- acceptance of different situation, Bia je adun tl tafe tkord ote si Ayé a maa sun nil je Pie ti ie InGnyl f ket mo adn org a fun awon Agbg tt wie ‘gbogho aye i ba fg kik! ajo Aye | bs din lddtintan" worn nf eo 0 nl dwon yoo ribo, kt Orunmila Grunmiia nf kt won wel rubo nitod were won Ati pd Kaye id maa wa bi Oloctimare ti dd aye sf Igbd djd ati Igba @ruin kt oma tase wan ké rubg Grunmita wa je kf did po nt odun nee ttt a ko ft ff ogrun rave Enlyan bere sf soktuinrun, won, si ke! pupe jodun nag, Ohun dgbin ati beébee fo ko dare i Won wa pada wat mba pele) abe Oruinmilé nf eee goke, ebo di giga. Translation: iFwe continue to enjoy life without tasting biterness Life becomes monotonous Those who don't experiance hardship cannot pte the sweetness of wealth ast divination for farmers who wish t ence eae lor rainfall all the time So that they can enjay life ee task enjoy life abundantly, they promised to do Ordinrnila should assist them, Ora i , Orinmité said they should di the sacrifice for thelr insanity, He advised theabat the ss Earth should Remain as God created it. 32 Li Cui Tlanks ye Rainy season and Dry season should remain intact, They failed ta do sacrifice. Orunmild allowed excessive rainfall that year that there was no sunshine at all, People stared getting sick and many people died that year, Plantation that year was a disaster. The farmers came back to bag Oninmil to do the sacrifice Ordnnilla charged them in multiple fold. | Owgnrin Warl- work to earn money Isu-wdn, epo wor, dghaoo won ‘Ohun gbogbe tf enu rig ni o won Adifa fuin won lode Iwart, Won nf kiwon of ribo kf ded lé dee fun wor Wan gigi wan rue if nf kf gbogbe éniyan ko ong atl dda Ki won mda re ako lo sige Ki dag le age Ise nf ride ipeinjur Transition: Yam is scarce, palm oil Is scarce, maize is scarce All food items are scarce Cast divination for people of worl They are asked to do sacrifice so thet they can abundance Thay complied fa says ‘let everybody take Hoe and Cutiass And go to the farm to work Work reduces poverty”. 4. rosdn Afin [Irosan Ofdn)- unrealistic request Oj Ipdn kupon dun nil mu gmode gawd Isekuse Aadifa fin Afin meta, tof¢ if won nf awon fe al duct Adiifa fun Akapd if rf be Idarin Ipdnjel Erd Ipo rd Ofa, ke wa ban! nf wwe ire. a3JE: Chain Lf Aye Translation: Abject poverty leads a child ta embark on unprofitable project Cast divination for 6 Albinos who want to be made black Cast divination for Ifa:’s davotee who is facing diffleulty People of the world, we are blessed with goodness, Story on the Albino {fa advised the Albinas that they should accept fate, They told AkapO to use his initiative in dealing with the Albinos. Akapo advised the Albinos to be initiated into Ifa cult. They complied and felt satisfied because their situation improved. ‘They brought huge money to Akeipé-just to turned into black. Akapo accepted the money and rub their skin with various herbs. He Instructed them not {o bath for 7 days, but on the fifth day, they felt Uncomfortable due to hitches and rashes. And they had to take a bath and eventually, they found themselves red again. You cannot blame Akdpa (the devotee) for this rata, Ifa teaches Character 1.lwérl Méjl- Respect for Eldars Bl omode ba niterfba fun Agbalagba Ohun gbogbo td bd ridawoid a mda gun 96 ge’ ge lwa re a si ma tut pésdpase Adita fun omo onfwepele Trio saifojuldi st Baba tabs lat Thayer ditn jojo, Translation: Ifa child respects the elders He will succeed in all his endeavous P His character would be commendable (Cast divination for a good child Who does not disobey his parents 4 Wea: Conan Le Ae And his life is enjoyable. 2, Ogbé ka Mo durodurs owed mi a tosin Mo berebere owd mo tagin Opglop¢ awon dghd kan dwon dgba ken Tiwon nt kindibaile yeke - Mo ddbaid yeild, isin bg simi towed igin by simi lenu Adifa fun Ejike go go go Ti yad gbosu re ghodu Kal pe koi find Kawel bani nf jetbutul ire inslation: | stand on my feet yet my hands cannat pluck the fruit | bend down yet | could not lay my hands on the frutt te Then, some elders advised me to prostral Immediately | prostrate, the isin fruit dropped on my hands and mouth Cast divination for Ejiké go 90 ga Who is taking ofun to Ifa groove Before long we are blessed with goodness. Ika di Egmodd be rigawo cgbojul ; Te ba ko dgbel Awo lone ib Piva ba ko agba iségun ko jeg nly dle ; - bart oe abore nibi if ngbe afer! kanlé, ke doju ré dele Adifa fun dwon Aldighordn t won nf kds! eni totem a ‘won Ajgod ayd ko si feni td na agho Awa Aleldpe ko sl feni io na dgbd isegun (Omg td na dghd Aboré nibi fo gbe rifort kanie Iku ara ree lo wat Warawara mo.nikuf idin wardwerd 35Ma: Cohuin ‘Hjlakp Ay Translation: Ifachild behaves with care free attitude When he meets an elderly priest on the road, let him slap hie When he meets an elderly herbal practitioner, let him beat him mercilessly When he meets a devoted priest where he is appeasing the gods, let him give him a pinfall Gast divination for disobedient chitdren who think nobody can caution them It means there is no longevity for anyone who stops an elderly priest Short life is the consequence for anyone who beats an elderly herbal practitioner Anyone who wrestle a devoted priest where he is appeasing gods He is looking for premature death Maggots die prematurely and suddenly. is Cit Yfke Ay Oganda Maj Buiniburet isd yk Goegrigborg lea dgddbalg Ka doddbale ke pa ighdnwe mg pel GO lacure ire tf rima rise funni Adifa fun enl id mdsin dpe Ti yoo jaye ga pe pelt ifg mo m@sin dpe, Jé njaye eal! pe more Translation: Shaking one's shoulders. To prostrate straight When prostrating and covering our elbows Brings someone a lot of favour Cast divination for the devotee of Ifa Who will enjoy the benefits of serving Ifa Ifa, | am devoted to you, lat me enjoy your benefits 4. Qwenrin wage (Qwénrin Ogq) Reward for wickedness is punishment: ce rene ce Ifa teaches in the following stanzas Iwa won ni ylo ma fé won Kiri Adlia fun Aniwanitkein i ea aie Ti vio ma ber tdsan toru ee BY iwaju tka bet dare prdieatcen! Ehin tka ko nf sunwon Antwontkun ki 9 ye séf Kiri BI ofa Translation: Leave him, fet him run Their character will make them run Cast divination for Aniwonikan (wicked person) Who is always scared day and night You better behave well You better show good character Aniwonikan, stop running like a coward 36 Adifet fuin citite inu Ome otite afiteld tirgigtirgig Olédumard Ie nl ie, Oledtimare ioni Idaje Esan ni ti Olddumard / Oba ylo san fun onikaiuke g¢gebl ise owe won Translation: If the wickad enjoys today, He will suffer tomorrow Gast divination for inner truth Who Is always al easeHfa: Obie Tin Aye Consequence is for God The King will reward everybody according to his or her character. 2. Ogba ‘Sa 2 8! oj ba ripdn Babdlawo, if Babalawo ma purd 8) ajil ba ripgn oniseégun, Kf aniségun mase purd Gidi, Keni ma séke tabi se pard Adif fun Oroinmilé nti eni dmg wel riko ogun jefe Kolp¢ koi jinn kawel bani larusegun Translation ff Babalawo, an Ifa Priest, is in need of money, he should nat lie if Onisegun, a Herbal Practitiéiner is in need of money, he must not lle Truly, one must not be insincere or lie Cast divination for Orunmila when unknown evil harassed him Before long, he became victorious. 3, Ogbe'sa Purgpurd ku, oki stigbe ing Sikasika ku, @ kul s'ddan ociuia Sdotosddtd ku, o ku ghedemuke, & fehint amuleke Grunmila Awo Aye io dfs fun Aye Mighell! woin rise Aye, if Ayel ket roju, i Aye ko jo Wein al ki won o kara rile ebo ni kd won a se Olodare nikan ni ribe Ighin tf risébo Nig satig addodo, soore masikca Obtty abgnd toard, dsike ahond gbarara Solita sidodo, sddoda scititd Eniti of sotitey ni imole rigbe Translation: The fiar dies; he dies In the hell fire The wicked dies, he dies In the forest of deep heat 38 Inde Covi Uf Aye The truthful dies, he dies peacefully and rests his back leisurely r Orunmila, diviner for Aye (Earth) cast divination for Aye When things were being done on Earth incorrectly, and the earth unstable / They were asked to perform ritual and sacrifice (ebo) Only the Truthful performs the ritual Please be Truthful and sincera. do good and avoid wickedness The Truthful waypath is straight while the wicked's waypath is awkward Be truthful and sincere, be sincere and truthful Those who are truthful are blessed by the gods. _ Otura Rera (Otua ‘Gunda) Eke ¢ kunni Ika @ komo dnlyain Bakee ba nygid ddd Ohun buruki’ a maa yo won se Adifa fuln Sagbdglrlysin Eyl ti yoo bale aseotc Satitg, sddado Eni ba gdote ni imolé migbe Translation: Insincerity does not pay Wickedness is bad if the untruthful Is betraying, he faces @ lot of trouble Cast divination for Sagbagirlyan Who will be installed the leader of truth Be truthful and sincerely The gods reward the truthful Ogunda kete Kuinkuinrlduinky abews gerugery Gpdigng odgun agunme galeaaie Bon Idpg odguin, bd 9 lekee 33Th: Oban Yd Awe Eke ko ni jet koje Intl rere 0 je o ju awe le Adifa fuln Adibd Ggunda kete lod ope ni kdl je Kf nraye bakit te Translation; Kunkunduku has teo much leaves Toa much black medicine makes one to be proud Hf you have foo much black madicina but YOU are insincere Your insincerity will make your medicine impotent Truthfulness and righteousness is more potent than leaves (medicine) Cast divination for Adibo (the empire of tla's divination) ‘Ogunda kete My role as the referee of casting of Ifa saves me from death. 6 Eflogha 81 Olgnin Oba ti dari ai mo ge Mo rise rere, smi d sikd, émi d sebi Tort ki n ma bad bosiker Owd tf a ba $e Ideard timatime Io meta rimgni dojo ale Adifa fun Olocte abu fun'ka Oldiete ni ribe Ighirt tf risebo Translation: The way God created me | am behaving tam doing well, | don't do evill, | don't tia So that | won't die a wretched man Because the business we engage in the morning extends to night time Cast divination for the truthful and the wicked Only the truthful triumph. Hf: Olstiny Win Aye Wisdom Ibinu ¢ $e fikankan fun‘nl Suur ni baba we Agta td nf suuril ohun gbogbe lanl iowa Adiifa fuln ind. ine iohun o joyé amadrara Adifg fiin Odruin, Odrun Idhun ¢ joy amorora Adifa fin Osupa, Osupe ishun o jaye amororo Osupa nikan ni ribe ighin ti igebo Ind, bdo ti dda to, dse oo niwa'nu Amosupd joy amarare ‘Odnin, boo ti dda td, dsé o ¢ niwe'nu Amosupa joye ara we tu'ni inslation: Anger does nebody and good Patience is the leader of character | The elder who has patience has everything . Cast divination for Fire, contesting te be the king of ightness es divination for Sun, contesting to be the king of Brightness r Cast divination far Moon, contesting to be the king of Brightness: Only the Moon excels Fire, though you are good, you have no character Tha Moon is made the King of brightness Sun, though you are good, you have no character The Moon is made the King of calmness. 2, Oghe yond Onibinu nl yoo sq Ibi dun fi wel Aldjarigbild éniyain nit fira reg han O tun ko'se ré dé ono nif so‘ni 41Mi: Cibin Fn Ay Adil fin Oke, 0 "dun ojala nirdwe nite Onlyanjat Adifa fun Sebs, 0 Joun ojalapa nirawe nile Oniyeinjat Adifa fun Ere, o loun o jalapa nirawe nile Oniyanja Adifa fun Nini, 0 foun o jalapa nirawe nile nian Nini nikan nj nbe fehin & nsebo Looto a mu Nini joba, Oks losiwawu, oun lo ba se reje Loeote a mu Nini joba, Loote a mu Nini joba, Sebe Jasiwawu, oun lo ba sere je Leote 4.mu Nini joba Coote a mu Nini Joba, Ojola io siwawu, oun la ba sere je Loote a mu Nini jaba Translation: The high tempered man shows where he is coming from The uncompromising person reveals his personality Fanatism gives you a bad name Cast divination for Python, contesting to be a king of Irawe, house of Oniyanja Cast divination for Cobra, contesting to be a King of Irawe, house of Oriyanja Cast divination for Anaconda, contesting to be the King of ‘lraweé, house of Onfyanja Cast divination for Nini (Smaller, harmless snake) contasting to be the King of Irawe: ‘Only Nini triumphs Truthfully, we make Nini the King, the Python mishehaves and spoil his parsonality Truthfully, we make Nini, the King: the Cobra misbehaves and spoil his personality Truthfully, we make Nini, the King, the Anaconda misbeves and spall his reputation Yes, Nini, the humble, intelligent is made the King of Irawe. Another stanza in Ogbe "Yonu says: Ind bibl nfl so ibi f wén ti wa Alaj@Agbula nfl fira reéhan O tin gbe'se ré dé, ortiko nil so ni 42 ih: Cha Hedy Aye “A difé fan Oka “Adifa fun Gré Adifa fin S@bé A difa Fin Nini Ti somo ikeyin won lénje-lénje Nij6 ti wan 110d je Oya Alapa-nirawé Nilé Oniyanja bo ni wén mi Ki won wa $e Nini nikan ni Abe layin fi figabo Laéété la md Nini joba S@bé Id siwa wa, lé ba isé © jé Ldddté la mu Nini jeba inslation: Excessive anger potrays the ir upbringing He who ignores mediation easily exposes himself “You have come again with your bad attitude" will only give one a bad name These were the Ifa cast for Oka, the Cobra And to Ere, the Boa Conscriptor And to Sebe, the Black poisonous snake And to Nini, the Beautiful snake When they were going to become the Alapa-Nirawe, the King in the household of Oniyanja They were advised to offer ebo Only Nini complied with the advice Truly, we have installed Nini as Oba {King} Is the misbehaviour of Oka that ruined his career We have installed Ninias Oba The misbehaviour of Ere was it that ruined his career We have truly installed Nin| as Oba The misbehaviour of Sebe was it that ruined his future Truly, we have installed Nini as Oba" 43Ite vt Tile Aye The Story When the King of Irawe,the house Oniyanja died, there was ni need to have a successor who must come from his Toyal house. Hi) four biological children in order of seniority are Oka(Python), Sel (Cobra), Eré (Anaconda) and the youngest! Nini are 16 vie for t post. The King makers decided to interview the contestants. Firstly, Oka, they asked him “what would you do if you are made thi king?* Oka answered "| am really qualified to be the king but if @ny point, somebody annoys me, | would use my deadly teeth/ston to kill that person, They lett him, Secondly, Sebé, they asked him “what would be your intention @ than me? If any of the subject stag on my tail, | would Spit on thal person to blind him. They left him. Thirdly, Era (Qjols), they esked him, what are your plans If you a made the king? Oj¢la replied, you know | am the fastest among thi contestants, so, that makes me the king but if at any time, | a hungry and there is no feod around, | vould climb a trea any subje walking under the tree would be swallowed, They left him for the: youngest Nini, They asked him, what would be your mode operation when you are made the king, Nini said “All of us would decision makers. Though, | may be the king but | would make! consultation with eigers bacause decision Is made. | would be a servant of the people taking care of their requirement. The king makers said “by their action, character and utterances, we: know our King”. Nini was made the King of Alapa. 4, fon Blorl ke suniwon boyd ogban ni kote Omi rbe nie Clokun, Okun be Clon omi Omi be nlie Clos, ose ili keft Ogbdn nbe ninu Akeda, Akgida if riko gbogho aye nite Ord the ninu aseds, Ageda tf ike gbagbo agba nimdrain If; hoe Wank Aye Ogbon nbe ninu Orunmila, Amayeigun, Odudu tir nou ort flemere Kon lemerd ma bad fo, A tun ort eni thks sunwon $e Adifa fun dwon Komoose-Komagwa, ti fi gjoojuma Kigbe ort alsunwan Na nl dwon Kamoose-Komoowa Th won bef kefa orf won dsunwon nighghin ‘ansiation: ny | i F wisdom lf the destiny is unfavorable, it may be lack o! y Water is abundant in the Ocean, Ocean the King of the Sea Water is available in the Lagoon, Lagoon, second in command There is wisdom in Akéda, Akadé who teaches the world Ifa corpus: There is intelligence in Aséda, Aséda who teaches the elder hilosophy - chars is wisdom in Grunmila, the world stabilizer, he, who protect thw child's head from breaking, he who corrects bad destiny ; Cast divination fer incapable-no goog character always erying of having bad destiny ifa says, the incapable-no good character If they learn Ifa corpus, they will have the last laugh 4. Idin wor Bia foghan ninu bia kdio, ey ee nind bla kold, ao dole / pial énlydn t] wen ma ba Olggbdn rin md ba sige Tl won risdré era isale aye Ifa ribawon wi, dnl lwo ko be enl rere rin lwo kd ba eni rere sgre Onl burukef ni riba eniyan Transiation: IF we have wisdom but fail to apply it, we bacome ignorant if we have strangth but fall to utilize it, wa become lazy 4SMic bude Tink Aye Mis Olin Trl Aye { will be patient and not be in haste so that | went die prematurely | will enjoy life slowly The message of Ife for people who associate with wise people but don't work with them and make friends with backward people Ifa cautions them, you don't associate with good people And you are not friendly with them, then you are doomed q Oloyan 5. Ejlogba Beédyart dtd lle ko ma fohun olla Beeyein o toi lord ket ma fohuin olgrd Ka ma fi kanjukanje jaye Ka ma fi warawa ke mokuin ord Vf@ nl tts bef de ibj to tut Kalwo wait, ofet fot to ttt Ka wehin wd nitord atisun ent Adilf fin oniwalulu ti yoo Jake aye Eni kote gélete kif rf fin Adi fin dodig td idhun o joye Oluwert gu alru ésv situ © drift johun nl bi fi nse hslation: Don't boost as a wealthy man, when you are paor Don't promise when you are incapable Those whe cannot perform a difficult task should not come forward | Cast divination for the frog contesting to be the king of Animals in the Sea ‘ Can you see the end of a boastful small animal Transiation: Don't let us be in hurry to enjoy life Don't look for money with devilish tendancy Ifa say, when we get to acool place Look up, the days are endless Look up so that you can steep graciously Cast divination for a responsible man who will succeed in life. 4, Ogbe yond pite the presence of sharks, crocodiles, tortoise etc in the ean, the frog still wants to contral them. In a fraction of a second, @ frog was swallowed, Kerekere leku nawo Aaifa fun Bera 8. ‘worl ward (wari rete) TI yoo sakapd ile pet titntt Ay? tete ni un ofe Arora rete won Emi o je ward af nwaa ku Rora te won ki dwon gma ardye ma slwawtl Aye tote nf uno je Eni tin se rere, d se fun ara re Eni tin se ikd, o 8 fun are re Translation; Adifa fun oma areiye Hani, dwan old ki won ma jalé mo Wor nf eni tf nil won légberun dsofd egbawa faye Enl tio rlakeboje kid soore fun Enl tho soore egberun 4 fi gb'egbawa Dandan, Oluwa wa io me sain fun The rat eats its object slowly ‘Cast divination for Ant Who will associate with the floor for a long period Uwill enjoy life smoothly 46 at{efs: Oihtin Tink: ait Translation: Arora reté won Step them siowly so that humanbeings don'l misbehave Those who do good, do so for themselves Those who do bad, do so for themselves Cast divination for people of the world Ifa says, thleves should stop stealing Those who steal 1,000 items will forfeit 10,000 items ‘Those who see rituals eaters should assist them Those who render 1000 favours will gat 10,000 in return Truly, God will reward them, 9, Efloaba Eke 0 pelekee Odile &f poloidal Aalfa fun Amodkun-jale, t0 ni amo araye o rihun Tama araye 0 ba nfo, Oba grun riwd ¢ Translation; The wicked will die wickedly The traitor will die as expected Cast divination for those who steal in darkness, thinking nobody seas them 'Fearthly people don't sees you, what about God? 10. Okanran Otdrapon Eke ¢ jg pelekée idhun Ika ¢ je peraré nik & Jihun Idja, @ ff bdyin Bara iwajul d ba rf wor, érd shin we won Adifa fun olgkanran Eyl tf rife ‘binrin oltiwo Olokéardn wo (is CMa Tin Ay Oldkcdnran to tu lepen lation: Liars will never admit they are tiars The wicked will never admit they are evil You steal in the market and hide it behind if people in front don't see you, what about people behind Cast divination for Olokanran Who is having sexual relationship with his master's wife Whois that Olokanran? It was the Olokanran that had a swollen testicle kanran had been sleeping with the wite of his teacher and was ned to stop the act. He failed and lost his life in the process | ka bara Kemi ni bard, kink 9 nl bgb¢ dajflie Baa bajl kajo moo Kera wa Aalfé fin Grineniia Ont if won 0 ma fi owe eru fe ale Wen nt tort kiné Ontkt won d le bad laje, Kt won d le bad laya, ki won ola bad bimo E momo dakun, ewd éru e mo & fale @ dakun ansiation: Kémi mf bara, Ki nké o ni bobo adfille When we wake uo, let us take care of each other Cast divination for Orunmila He says, his devotee should not use their income to engage in extra marital affairs They ask why? He says so that they can be wealthy, have wives, have children Build houses and have all good things of life Please, listen, safe your money for better ‘things ag42. in Oguinda Eni yao ni Gguin rigbe Ioig ie Enlyein tf kale fa, tf kolé sore Ko nf lee ghe ninu aye pe Jd Hisold, ga rise iyt Adifat fun Ggungbermi Wor nl bi ko tile ni fran nigbakigbs Ti ia bade si, Ki o md sd o Alagbara font aye Kd seni tio je buy! fun ole Akin Idnil aye, wan Kil bu ola fun ajo Translation: Ogun the first attacker during fight People who cannot fight. whe cannot talk Cannat live in this world for long Fight can bring wealth and honour Cast divination for Ogtingbémi He was wamed that even if he would cause trouble Anytime he is confronted, he shouldn't run The powerful lives with ne fear Nobody gives honour to the weakling Courageous people feel on top of the world They don't give award to the coward, ° 13. Okanran Osa Méjd masda nl dime Akin Akin tf o mogia tke moctset Aba Akin tbdiritran lo Adifa fuln Akinsuy? Won at ki o nuibo, vegki o ba le maa mo Igbati f ¢ yere ail diyera fun Iie Kio bale ma nfyt igid gbogba (fi: Citi Hla Ay Don't fight, don't run is the Ignorance of the brave The brave who can fight and fail to run when necessary Would find himself to blame Cast divination for Akinguy! He was spiritually advised to perform sacrifice So that he will know when te run and when to stay So that he would always be honoured i.e he who fights and run lives to fight another day. 4. Opokd rate (Oyeku rete} Pokupaku swale Adifé fun Arindsadgun Tio soko Arinndkoll! Arnndkolil, sé bdo loddke Eke nl pa Arinnskolu Translation: Pokupgku sewele Cast divination for Arinfasaagon Who is the husband of Arinnakold Arinnakold, didn't you deny having extra marital affairs. ‘Your betrayal to your husband has killed you. 15. Osa logbé Ifa bibo ojojuime nil mu aso babalawo gbd idruinkuin ldgbalg nil 9 gyin dghe Kugd Inf nu mi rf inu domo enikel kori bes Binu omontke! bar! be, inu mii ke bet dun Jojo Adifé fiin Gninc ire ti won nfi moran ike @ Io Eyl o wu kefed, ey! d wa kaa fd, oninu ire lope o gbe Translation: Appealing lia everyday makes Babalawg’s dress fade on the knee 52Hit: Ohuin etl Age Prostration makes the back of the farmer looks like hunchback The ways | think, my fellow human being does not think the same way If my fellow human being thinks that way, | would be very happy ‘Cast divination for a truthful and generous man whom wicked peopie are planning to set trap for No matter what we say, Ifa will always bless the truthful Story: Despite his kind gesture, people still hate him, They had to lie against him to the king that he wants to dethrone him because thera was no rain and he hates the king because he has not been made a chief. He was invited by the Oba when thé King listened to him and accepts his advice to consult Ifa for the rain, Then rain started to drop which brought sanity to the town. The King now realized that it was envy and hatred which led people to blackmail him and assassinate his character. The King punished the wicked people and made Onindire his second in command. He was installed the Majéekobajé of the town. Majaekobajé means “he would not want the town to suffer”. No matter the situation we find ourselves, we should always do good because “Truth shall always prevail”. a bé seni logre I howing appreciation) I states this In various stanzas 1.Qabo-Ate Ina nil pon eja toju Opd odrun nif pon algken ieyin Iguin id jebo tan nf kd Kf edo ku inswo ebo ana lbg ki elabe ku inswo ebo ang iba til rebo omiran je Akaid Jo jérd jeérut ni kei kl elerul ket Inawet dru ane tba ki tein ku iIndwo én dnd Iba til rénv dmircn je Adifa fuin Of ti nsuniun alataya Won nf ko kara rile ebo ni ste 52 bo, dnb . 4 dd fe, o fe Apdreé tii seme Olokun Sentade “Adifa fun Orunmila Tinlo ree dupe dna igwo Qlokun nitor! Apere omy re to gbe {Ort Mo duipe mo gbo're Mo dupe ana mo gho're tant bd Ma dupe mo gbo're nelation: Heat from the fire disturbs the fish Too much sun harasses the crab ! The vulture ate offering without thanking the offering giver the next day : : If he had thanked the offering giver for yesterday's offering, he would have eaten another one ; E The Akala ate some rilual without thanking the ritual giver the next day : : . ; Ife had thanked the ritual giver for yesterday's offering, he would have eaten another one ! These were lia's messages for Ori that was lamenting Inability tohave a wife | ’ He was advised to perform sacrifice, which he did When he was to marry, he mamed Aperé, the daughter of ‘Olokun (sea god) ; : The above set of Babalawgs also divined for Orunimila Who was going to thank Olskun for yestarday's offering of Olékun's daughter in marriage to Ori | show appreciation, | get additional goodness I show appreciation for yesterday's gift, | get another goodness today i show my gratitude, | get another favour je St hen Ori was contemplating of taking Glékun’s daughter, Apéré as ife, ha was advised against it because the mother, Oldkun was nd of taking her daughter back after marriage. Some of hose who ad married Apéré before included the Royal fathers namely: Alara, ord and Orargon. They all failed to have Aperé beinInk: Ohiba Wale Ase because they never went back to thank {heir mother-in-law, But O with the spiritual guidance of Grunmila succeeded where others h failed because he was accompanied by Qrunmila to go back next day to show appreciation to Olékun. Olékun was impres and in addition, she offered another person, ‘Ore’ to them. Thi: started the tradilion in Yoruba land whereby younger sisters of th bride usually accompany their sisters to their husbands’ home. Thi is called “Qmo tyawo" 2. Twerl Mojl Yinniyinnl kent o se mil si Aaiifa fun Feiteru Til s'gmokunrin igadd ifimoa yin 9 ko tun fe sé mit sh Origa to ba gheni fae yin Translation: Showing gratitude (sa motivation to render another favour Cast divination for Fatéra Son of the town of Igodd Ifa, | thank you so that you can give me another goodness The divinity that supports oneselt is the one we. praise What's better than money? 1. Ejiogbe Oro tegr¢, Awo in igbe Aadifa fun Ajé ti nsomo Olu'sikitiristest Tinie ree fle Ejlogbe seouda Ko jeg ma fisd silé Awo Ajé dé onisg Ko jee md sd sile Awo Translation: The long tree, the Priest of the forest Cest divination for Ajé/owe (money) the child of Olusikitinsikitl Going to choose the House of Ejiogbe as abode 54 ek: Citi Wb At ease, come to my house ey has come, the important goodness ease, come to my house ‘Weta “Fun “Ate mote O fun ghot Adifa fun Aje ti sarémo Onigbd Bigba o ni kd led se bebe B'osorun on kd jee sdyeya Atswe dtdghd, are aje ld risa kirt jslation: é Fr Ate mala O fin gba Cast divination for money the eldest son of Onighd if kings de not see money, they cannot do anything If subjects do not see money, they feel depressed Both young and old, we are running after money 8, Osa Oldyan (Osa'Reté) Osa ‘rete Orin ‘rete O gbdnd rete bo Adifa fun Aje ti ntdrun bo waye Won ani, Aje pal 0, dgungunnisa Anamo naye, Ana agbalagbd sa gidgid inslation: Osa ‘réte Orin ‘rate O gbona reté bo : Cast Ifa divination for aje(money) when coming from heaven to earth seats They say, money, we cherish yor j . tai een tnabs everybody unhappy if you are not available 55Uf: Cohan Wied Aye Itt: Obes Tink Aye he man with the children only performed the sacrifice hen the rich man died, his money perished (nobody to iherit) and was buried shamelessly Nhen the wealthy man died,his wealth perished (nobody to herit) and was buried unceremoniously 4, Oyeku bl ‘wort Gyetur bt wari, ke iojid ise Adifa fin Tegbon tabura Won ntorun bow aye ple of the world, don't you see that the man with children Ejija agba ke waoran I never perish because his children will continue to multiply Aig Isghon, labured ind carry on with his legacy / E jlid dgba eas The man with the childran was given a befitting burial Translation: Ogbe Yond (Health Is wealth) Ad sf ‘hun to dun b! ka jf kara ole Adifa fuln Gidigidl, wan nf ke jl ko gabo airide Oydkel Bi worl, ka loje ise Cast divination for one brother and his younger one They are coming from heaven to earth Fight for leadership and lats watch ia mo ji. mo sebo ajiride NOTE: Ara ghamughdmu ni tedsan In this respect, when the child was bom, thay had to look for mon AK bokuiniun eye fart Ret to buy the soap they would usa to bath the child. That mal Code gbangba laa bewe ajilékege Money superior on this occasion. But let us examine further, Ode ghangba Ida fist lo On kulumbd, odd wésdwese 5. Ejiogbe OG wa dab gma Ogbe yonu Otitote Awo Olawe Jo dif fun Oldiwo lation Otgtgtg lee jepal There is nothing more Important than to wake up soundly Awo olord Io difa tun Olde \fa's message for Gidigidi, he was advised to do sacrifice for Ka jéod tan, ka ghonwd ¢ saje papopo good health Awo Gldma Io difa hin Ofdme IF l wake up and sacrifice for good health Clamo nlken at abe lehin tt rsebe Eésan, herbal leaf is always healthy We can never see sick birds in their den The leaf of ajilékege is energetic Ha looks healthy, energetic and sound like the child of Ogbe'Yonu Oldwe ku, owe ree seigha Olgrg ku, ord ree gbdindainu Erdpo, ore Oe, ayin 6 mg pe ipa oldie kit run Ohi olimo, aége la o gbe geige Translation: , Obara'lworl (Money is not everything) Otototo, the Priest of 3 rich man Otatoto laa japa, the Priest of a wealthy man Org bate a wulwo b! dwt Kajepa tan, ka gbonwo 6 saja popopo, the Priest of a m A alfa fun Aye withchildran Nid tf ghogbe 9me ripgn owd pe S7Af&: Chin Wink Aye Ko sf ohun mirain-an mo nine aye tf of tun nil me rare Won nf awon od ko ohun ghogho sie awon yod mo sare owd pao al, ey! {6 rir mitt owe begni at éyl Ho ried bee S ie idba maa ye, oghon faba maa ye. awon fdbea ma bu ‘ui Agbéniga ld ¢ pa ows, Abliwaile lad pe awa Eni ict bat riferan ow late, Iwai re a baja Iwa rere ni sq eniydn Bie nl owe Idwd ko wipe ki e me ai afore Ko wipe ke ma di asnwere Ko wipe kf e me dl arg i Ko wipe kf e met di gigktinnin aif bee bee to Abuke ara gbogbo led dé ba yin E jg lo tun oghdn ghon, ki ¢ tun erdgbe Kig mu wa rere, Khe mu ogbon Afe rufbo KI ara fe re yin tinetdde Translation; Serious issue is heavy like cotton wool Cast divination for the Earth, whan people of the world at praising money That there is nothing else in this world that is important money They vow to reject everything and pursue money Orunmila said; what you are thinking sbout money is true ai it is false Why not hail Ifa? Why not seek for wisdom? They are more honourable Ego booster Is money, it is also character spoiler Those who worship money too much spells their character Good character is better than richas jou having foo much money cannot prevent you from bein in Itdoes not prevent you from being crippled Itwont stop you from getting sick and so on ‘Teas: (Hues inl Aye You might even get incapacitated uinmila urged them to use their head and become wise Imbibe good character, be sensible Perform stipulated sacrifice So that your well-being can be enhanced |. lwori wowo (Iwori-Ose} Iwan wowd lweirt woken lwed wohun gbogbo monakun mgnakun lwo! sf of tle ko Fw Ose Iojut Adifa fun won nt Sésan Agere nibi owd gbe nigmeg lo Ard Sésan Agere owd le mde dmgmo slation lwori look at money lwori look at wealth lwori look at other things with contempt worl open your eyes and look at poverty Cast divination for people of Sesan Agere who cherish money than children People of sesan Agare, why do you cherish money more than your children? jany Ifa’s scriptures have become idioms, proverbs, s, school stories, theories Ogdnda Meji: 200 yrs = 1 yr Absingid dékan aboju regunreguin Adifa fuin Oninmile Wa ritade drun bg wale ayo Won nf ko rubo ko le bad pet layed Won nf ko ru ogunataare , ke Je bad pe ogulin odun jaye Grinmila rv ogun ataare, ds! pe ogun gaun Won ni ke ni ogeta ataare ko lé bad po oggta gan laye Grunmila rif pgota stare, 0 s! pe ogyta odun Wen nf kein igba ataare ko le bad pe igba dun laye 59‘Was Ohi Tink Aye Gruinmild ru igba ataare, o sl pe Jgba edun Woh nf ko ru eyo ataate kan ko Ie bad se dodigpd dun faye Qninmila rif eyo atgare kan, o st se Spdiopd odun jaye Srunmité we wipe ‘6 d rine IGBA ODUN, ODUN KAN NI" Translation: Abe mole eekan aboju regunregun Cast divination for Orunmila Ifa is coming from heaven to earth ios Bent do Sacrifice to live long on earth le was asked to sacrifice 20 aligata Weran ae igator pepper so that he cai He did and lived for 20 years He was asked to sacrifice 60 gigator pepper so that he cal live for 60 years He did and lived for 60 years He was asked to sacrifice 200 aligator live for 200 years nee eae He did and lived for 200 years He wee asked to sacrifice one aligator so that live for ever aE oe He did and lived for ever Onunmila said “don't you see that 200 YEA Gib kee RS 1S EQUAL TO. 2. In Iwori Meji, Ha says: A gb‘ejo enikan da, agba osika ni - He who is partial in juctging is a wicked elder Owe omode ko tc pepe Tagbdlagha ko wo kérégbe is¢ tewe e ba be agbalagha ko ma fi se thine Ont ise ti baba omo rfse f'dmo A dffa fun Oriamila Nig Akapo re peg lejqt s'cde Oisduimare Oruinmilt nf Gun sa apa Gun tun Akapo Ipin Akapd ni d je Ait naa ni Olodumaré pae fase pe KTenikgnl mage idajé enu enlkan mo Asedaig enu enikan ed san) eae Cov file Aye “Asedajo enu enikan ¢ 0 séniyan Nigbati eo gbo tenu enikejl ami ld ndajg se ation: ‘The hand of a child cannot reach the ceiling The adult's hand cannot also entr a narrow pot The assignment the child begs the adult to do shouldn't cause anger ‘Yes, father can render service to a child Cast divination for Orunmila When his devotee sued him to Olodumare's court Orunmila said he tried his best for the devotee Bul his destiny is unfavourable Thal day Olodumare commanded that nobody should judge any matter without hearing the other side Those who do that are not following my injuction It has become wise saying that ‘the judge of a division of a dispute ts a wicked alder’ ‘Rosun Igba Ika o Josun, em Jo fi nsawo Adife fun Fatgla Eyl ti same if to we domo doga Ero po ero Ofa, éyin ¢ ramo araye twa righgma oba fesun insiation: When Ika doesn't have his emblem how does he parform his task Cast divination for Fatela The child of Ifa, now tums to a disciple of Qbatala People of the word, don't you sae how human beings reverse situation . Osa Logbe En a al ko kinni tghin, aguin fo fi swe Eni a nl ko feni Inj, ata jo fi senu Eni 4 ba find han ni nj alarokid ent Adifa fin Osanyinmawe fi nraye apesin Emi o reni pesin mio 61Mi: Ghats Tiinl Avé: Etyti agbede tc bal a k'agbalagha tid Translation: jae paeon who is to mb our back has thomy scrubbiny ae ‘The person who is to blow dust from our eyes has pey his mouth = Tver The person we can confide in becomes a rumor monger Cast divination for Osanyinmawé who came to be served worldwide May | also have somebody to serve me The Elders aro usually gathered around the ashes of the blacksmith 5, Ogba Ate a Ka puro ka ida kul, ka wo eniti yoo se daro ani Ka borin burin ka Fese ko paird ka wo eni f yoo sen pele A bala kul nf ride todo iken inal won Adifg fin Qrunmila Ti nlo ree ddnra wo I"dgbale Ekvn ara wan ni won rmsun Orunmita & fet mo Se bi dla lo wat Ekun ara won ni won risun Translation: Let's pretend to be dead in order to know the real mourners Let's pretend to be in discomfort ta know who will console us What's In their mind is for us to die Cast divination for Orunmila Who pretended to die to know his true friends They were just shedding crocodile tears Ondinnilia did not die He was only hiding in the attic They wera just shedding crocodile tears In this stanza, Qrunmilla had many friends whom he thought really loved him. One day, a thought occurred to him that he should test 62 In: Odin fle Ave r love for him in order to ascertain who really toved him, unrrila then tested his associates by pretending that he was dead order for him to know his true friends and those that will only me ta shed crocodile tears. The members of his family were ing that in order to show that Ordnmila wes actually dead. All long, he was hiding in the attic of his house in order to see those se whe had come to mourn him. Unfortunately, they all failed the st with the exception of Esu who réally showed true sympathy and jincerity, . ros Idrin (lros: rin Omi tag mu kil sda gbon nifre Adite fun Kinkin tin se areme Onfaye Won a nf ye Jamorin bi Kinki Translation: The water we shall drink can never pass us Cast divination for Kinkin, the eidest son of Onijaye People say, this person Is great like Kinkin 7. Ose Tua Te dni PGluwe Ti féé ni t'Ojubgna Ti ite ba kuin igba Eni to tuu“he ko lée gbemu Adifa fin Anigbo abori kokokes Ti nig sgja Ejigbomekun toun tase lowe Eni to ti sun ko dide Igba akuko naaya Ent to ti sun ko dide Translation; Authority is for Olawe Obedience is for Ojabona Acalabash full of saliva The person who spit it thera cannot be asked to drink It 63TA: taien fink Aya Cast divination for the Elderly women Who is going to the market of Ejigbomekun with power of authority in her hands Those who sleep should wake up Since the rooster floors the dog in 8 fight Those who sleep should wake up 8.Ose Mey Sdinso orf amu obinrin & gun il tofu Akaya obinrin ko gbeleji aniyan nf suinsun Adife fun Ose t! yoo segun mej india Igba Ose segun mej looje fara waa roint Translation: ‘The painted nipples on the breast of a woman cannot injure one's eyes The lovely chest of a woman is not meant for two persons Cast divination for Q's¢ who will triumph twice daily When Ose triumph twice daily, we get comfortable 9. Ose bi ‘Rete Ase'bl fe aja nrajia Aa se'biile aja nraju Ing nl won na maja Ipgit aff kel jo'bl it Adifa fun gbagba Iodra omokunrin ode iaape dsun Osun gborird ko moe dubule Grd gangen ig hasun Translation: 10. We braak kola-nut on the ground, the dog winks We don't break kola-nut on the ground, the dog winks They lie against dogs, dogs never eat kola-nuts Cast divination for slender staff of Ifa called Osun Osuin always stands upright bi“ La: Obie Tinie ays Sinmi ttt 'Awo Strmt ttt Sinmi jinné Awa Sinmt jinna Mo.sin 9 jinnd td, un o pada Jahin re uln In kete jin tn gegele Eni to jin sf kotd, & kg are yooku Ipgbon A diff fun Ose ti ydo bi "Rete sile Aj Kasei wad bint ola Eni eni kasal wa bini gia, eni ent Transiation: Following me up is the awo of following me up Accompanying me longer is the Awo of accompanying me longer | have accompanied you already, | will return Falling into a pit He who falls into a pit teaches others a lesson Cast divination for Osé, who will push Irete into the house of Wealth Pushing one into wealth is a joyful experiance 11. Oftin 4 rete Al pgma gira ko ma seyin gongo To ba seyin gongo ko ni gba até lwdfa bo Aaiifa fuin Ofun ti nba Irete rade Ej € 2 je 0 jiwo Ofun o rete id da nle Translation; We can't step the child of a wealthy man from exposing his pointed teeth Even if the sharp pointed teeth escape from the mouth, the lips of the poor cannot cover them Cast divination for Ofun, who Is accompanying Irete to'a party Live him let him eat polson Ofun orete was casted at home 12. Oftin 6 rete 65i: Chin Tj Aye Nic seni leeken kd tun ghodd sani lsékejl mo Adifa fin Eléyin gangan, Eyl tf rele oko dai Kal pg kol jinng kawa beni nf jebuty omo Translation ‘Once beaten twice shy Cast divination for the bride with exposed dropping teeth visiting her husband Not longer than necessary, she is blessed with children Story When the bride struck her baby with her teeth while playing with the baby, she was warned to desist frontthat and subsequently her children lived, 43. lke mapa end te jf to nitainet lord Keni to ff td ridin fdnd kd fojulu te ko weoran Ko wo ise f Algjoguin rifini se Kern mase eni tf rigberd tka nfkuin Keni ff foberd tka nikin ko fojuul le ko worn Ko wo ise f Afajogun nifini se Aalfa fin won al Déromul aig Abu tun wor ni Dordmu avwurd Moir |p, mal méwa lo Oajd lewe ribd, orf eni nf bani dele oko Emi nid ma ran mi se Iranran ori ni oma ran mf se Translation: Let death not kill the wicked who wakes up to wish evi Let him live to witness ones fortune Let sickness not afflict the evil doer who is malicious Let him live to witness the consequence of wickedness Cast divination for Deromu ale and Doromu awura Let your destiny follow you and not your beauty Beauty is temporary but your destiny accompanies you To your matrimonial home What will support me most 66 Inte Civ Binks Ayil My destiny will always assist me, in Hot ual Epo se¢ je isu isu see je epo Akasd dun un gakest Obinnin seg basun ju Okunrin Ip Okunrin see sun tiju Obinen jo Bgkunrin ba ribe oleunrin sun Bil koko, BI odwo, bf Iku, bi dghdadrin B'abinrin ba riba obInrin sun Bl epete, bi conn, erofd, bl eer Bokuinnin ba ibe oblnnn sun. Bf obinrin be risun th gkunrin Bf enfgid yun fun, bf gnfgla yurra igi dfuin ¢ rete lord gangan-olelé Adifd fun Apon ako tf Iq re digi¢ gigfagaya Apon pe Qiele ko jg 0, koju ohun tifa mse to o Apon pe Glele kd je 0, koju ohun tebors ise lo nsiation Paim-oil is good to complament yam for consumption And yar is good as complement for eating palm-oil The ladder is good for climbing the rafter A woman is better for a man to make love te than his fellow man Aman |§ batter for a woman to sieep with than her fellow woman Ifa man sleeps with a man It will result Into lumps, boils, and yaws If awoman makes love to a fellow wornan Tt will result into murk, stinking odour, dirt and irritation Ifa man makes love to a woman And a woman sleeps with a man The result is feeling like being on top of the world The fealing is like having unlimited and unqualified enjoyment Ofin-Ret ‘s organs strong and turgid 87Wi: Cbien Timid Age This was the Ifa cast fora Chronic Bachelor When going to mamy Olélé, the offspring of Ol f The Chronic Bachelor called upon Olélé but she responded not The problem is not more than what Ifa can solve 15. Ogbe Sé- Taking care of oneself md tf ritgiu ara ré nif d'cko Ova tf rite ara ré a dari mort marl Otetg dniyen to ba aj ara ré a pe nile aye tititt Adi futn igha igi ninu igbd A bu fun igba Ope nijur Ope nikan nf ibe ighin tf isebo Igba igi weve loko, ati wowe"Gioe scro Kaka kewe imo 0 wo, Gpe a of jésra dpe a di jooro Nia wa ba dod dij! la be Babalawo tatku Kir janjan laba dod elijel Translation: Emo (the rat) that takes care of itself becomes big Oya (the rat) that takes care of itself becomes strong Human beings who take care of themselves live long Cast divination for 200 trees in the forest Also divined message for 200 palm trees in the bush They are asked to perfor sacrifice and take care of themselves Only the palm trees comply When 200 trees are-being hit by storm in the forest, palm trees remain firm For palm trees to be lose their leaves, palm trees remain protected and victorious As we discover the palm trees to be strong, so also Babalawos who take care of Themselves are blessed with longevity Palm trees have strength. 68 Tek Obi Tin Aye . Ogbé sé (Hard times are manent, Ifa teach Oju U rien Babalawo dpcin ke ket Os! tf ritawo atta Is nl 86 ba ps tit ao ford yf serin rin Adifa fun Odsarila Osderemaghd Tid rile sigjé ajigbomekun, ¢ nile rée raro wale Kolpe, kot jind arg fsokun, aro nsode Aro rise Qidginigin! aso Iriga anslation: The hard times facing Babalawo {any human being) are not permanent The situation of poverty will and with wealth ‘On the long run, we shail have the last laugh Cast divination for Obatala When Going to the market of Ejigbomekun to buy a cripple as aslave At iong last, the cripple makes Gold, silver and Jewelries The Story: Qbatala was facing financial predicament and he consulted Ifs oracle. He was informed that his hardship will not remain forever. He complied with the injunction to perform sacrifice. He had been fold that he should buy the first item he sees in the market. When he got to the market, it was @ cripple he saw first waiting to be sold “He followed the advice of lfé and bought the cripple and took him home. He put him In the garden. To kill idleness the cripple staried setting traps for Odideré (parrot). He captured so many. During that time the feathers of parrots became so scarce that all kings In Yorubaland (the world) were looking for them. That was how the crippia made Obétala a wealthy man. 17. [kd Fon- Ati fenu fafdfd na abuké- The Miser Iptid dred ni o.ghe fere keai a mo mille Aailfd fuin Abuke éja dig dna Tebut Erd po érd Oe, All fenu fofdfd ne ikeEi: Chin inl Aye Translation; The origin of a matter super cedes other views Cast divination for the Hunchback of many tricks fram Ijeb land People of the world, how do you want lta cure youl hunchback. Withoul paying for it? The Story: The hunchback went for consultation to cure his disability with th intention of not revealing his true identity to the Babalawo. H slayed outside and threw consultation fee to the priest, When th priest divined, he told him he wanted the luggage on his back disappeer but he should sacrifice 2000 worth of money, He asked the Babalawo, would the luggage disappear if he sacrificed 1000’ Babalawo said yes. He went further, would it disappear with 500? The answer was yes, What of 400, yes, what of 300, yes, what 200, yes, what of 100, yes, what of nothing. Then the Babala shouted “A jf fi enu fofdfd na ike", “you den't cure hunchback wi nothing”. It was then he realized that ifa knew he had hunchback, lati Mi: Obie inl Avs Sleepiness is unavaidable Oju mame ad ghd peropore ade gungdn Inge dedede a d ghey woyowayd kainkd sd Oganjt gan dode a ¢ gbo sinrinkuns! obe nin awo Adif fuin lwo tf rtio ree’ wad! Ibi Igba Iworl ¢ je, gba iworld mu, lwo wa se & wool iabi The day Is almost over yet we don't hear any yams being pounded Its almost night yet there is no sign of food It's lunch time yet there is no salivating of delicious soup Cast divination for Iwori who was going to take care of Odi with hunger Since lwor has neither eaten nor drank, how ‘do you expect Him to cure Odi of his ailment. He decided to go inside and allowed the Ifa priest to observe him i On Ma details. . Ahere o ku hwo nikan nind oko He performed the required sacrifice and was cured of his deformity, Eru d ba'be flat O dijd did be rd k’ahere o to d'eleni ninuf ok 18, Osé Tid - The necessity of sleepiness cae ee Ae eeu : Ti somo bibl inu Agbonniréguin Gguinguin lo bale is fara jo Guinnugun oa ie oe oe Adifa fun Oorun tf S'drémo Olodumare Owe tf N dae ie rift Erd ‘po end Gfe, Oorun kit ya ni (ofa ket mig re je Bite bet hel kan: ma te mej Gittain mt Wc sin Ow ti N ose 12 nif Oorun, O mkuin miN o sun anslation; Translation: Ogungun looks like vulture when touching the ground lfa was cast for Oorun, sleep, the crown prince Olodumare People of the world, there is no way you can ascape fro sleeping lam dozing, | have to sleep The hut is dasertad In the forest Itdoesn’t make Il scared When it rains, the hut will surely have people as his companion lfa's messge for Eqbe Ope Who was the offspring of Orunmila When casting Ikin Ifa, if two appears on the palm. | print one 71a: Obi Tink Ayt My profession as an Ifa priest would make me rich When casting Ikin Ifa, if one appears on the palm, | print My profession as an Ifa priest would make rich Chapter Four ORUNMILA SPEAKS IN PARABLES 4, Ogdndaake (Ogdnda Obara)- Wisdom to interpret the message of Ifa Grunmita wi Ogbdn nu, Ifa me nl dye skun Gini Ogbon ind Jafil gba epo idwd ha O ni ogbgn inu ede ni gde fil pa eran nf ogban inu Iscwe al fif se dwa Onl ogbdn ind agbe ni dighg fit rake Wain nf, Gruinmila bdwo lo se rife bi égun bf eyo si Gal Akgpo dun ni dun ibewl Ont él éniydin @ ba f Ogben Jnu ki dun Onl won yod so pe "Kajal itt elation: Orunmila says “Inner wisdom, Ifa | say sober reflection He says ‘il is wisdom we use Lo make palm ail He says ‘it is the wisdom of a hunter that makes him succed in killing animals He says ‘the business person Uses wisdom to do business He says “the farmer uses wisdom to farm They ask Orunmila, why are you speaking in tongues He replied, “| am directing my speech to my devotee/disciple He said, If the Ifa priest or devotes does not use wisdom to. Interpret the divined message, they will say he is talking rubbish. 2, Ogbé Ka - Ifa states. on Inordi Oruinniia wh oj kan, Ife mow! ajo kan Oj kan ni add ni ti nkeg! @ ambition rE}Iti: Oda Tink Aye ECHR Fst Olu kart ni aid nf tf fi rffa oma re mode Wor nf Orinmila, 0 9@ fg bf éguin bi dye si Onl Akapd dun ni dun cbawt O nf koma ba kenju Ikan kuken an Abdgundd nf dun rd pé oun o belyin gbe dsé kk awon o fi si niki Gun wa tunge Gnuinmilé ni Oninguduput, if nf Otu Ife baje Gniwen ¢ lo pe eni tate Otu Ife tun se we Ko ma ba hehe kuhe Grunmita, mo jawo dbun, dasg rémi, moped elgjglut Gholajakdd, okinkin tf rife) ghetine icike! alg Tran 4 Rone Beem Glkuncin kukuru dké Igel, delice tof du or emer, The tee sed Mespond that leone eed Kf orf llsmeére oma bad f9. he cutlass uses its one side to cut wood At'gnt eni ti d' sunwdn $e, Aja (Obatala's instrument) uses its one side to draw his Baba akerefinusoghon, children closer They ask Orunmila, why are you speaking in tongues He said, | am directing my speech to my priest. He must not rush for money «_ : So that he does not mest untimely death, Opltan ifé, Babe elesin dycin, Elerif Iain, ibikejt Olodumare, afédefeyd Onuinmila iwo Card lwajel, awe l'éro eyin, Ara lure nt riko érd éhin lgghgn, Talc’ to Ife tun ge? Gruamila af kl won of fo mf ikin mejo lowe gtun, Ikin meio idwea dst, Ofdn Mei Ki won bu lye si ate, Ki won dafa ti awan emo dun be dé be Won yeti mo ohun tf won yo se /'Otute Grunmite ni Gringudifodu, Ifa nf Otu Ife baje Grunmita nf kf won dru oral mefrindinidgen O nf won o io pe eni tote Gnu fe wn so wet ie okt Cr, wan i Cee, Ota ba cael Oriyaghs nt ha, to be se pe oko Is on Won gbg'he, wan ribo Oun ke po ess ieee care oe Maye co be rd Ai wal ni dyto mn Nh Grinmila ni Gruingudupuu, fa ni Cte Ife bajer Ela mama jek aye wa o baj¢ ologbe sacs 6p pa eni toto Otu lie tun se wa ieee refal At g Hunsohunse LER Oninilla says “il is devastating” i lia retorts that Otu Ifé has been destroyed Worn ni Otw Ife Io baj¢, lawon nt ket wel bal won tunse Hunsohunso ni hdd to belse pe mu! jant kei pe, to |x lojur Omu to jati leyin asa, dun I ba bayin tun so Oninmila ni Orunguicuipuu, if nt Otu ff bale Onl won ¢ lo pe eni toto Olu ife tun se wer Won fo kasi Abogundé. Abdgundd nf kilada? Won nf Oiu if icf baie He asked them ta go and call the preson who will reform the land of Ife 7 Thay went and called Onyagbe, the farmer They told him that Oty He had been destroyed Onyagbe exclaimed and told them that If they had called him for farming problems, he would have offfard to help but he lacked the capacity to administer of town "What sort of situation is this?" 75Iti: Olan init Ave Orunmila says “it is devastating’ 4 Ifa retorts thet Otu If has been destroyed He-asked them to go and call the person who will reform the Jand of ie They went and called the cloth weaver The cloth weaver exclaimed and asked what had happened They told him that Gtu Ife had been destroyed So they called on him to came and help reform it He told them that if the yarn had broken on the laom warp That he would have been abla to mend it “What sort of situation is this?” Orunevila says “it is devastating” fa retorts that Otu Ife has been destroyed He asked them to go and eall the person who will reform the land of Ife ~ They went and called Abegunde Abogundé exclaimed and asked what had happened The cloth weaver exclaimed and asked what hed happened They told him that Otu fe had bean destroyed So they called an him to come and help reform it He told them that if ity was a matter of barricading the town againal war Thal he would have been able to offer his help “What sort of situation Is this?" Oninmila says “it Is devastating" fa retorts that Otu if has been destroyed Ha asked them to go and call the person who will reform the land of Ife Oninmila, | confess my ignorance, please cover me up, mopé elejela Gbdidjakéd, okinkin, the one that is blowing the elephant tusk The short statured man on the mount of ‘get, The one that protects the head of the young anes So that they don’t break ta pieces The one who reforms bad destiny The short and intelligent man The great historian of Ife, the father of asin in dyan land, 76 Uo Cond We Awe The witness to dastiny and deputy of Gladamare, The multi linguist Oninmilla, you are the leader while we are the followers The leaders are the ones who teach the followers wisdom Who was the person that can reform the land of fe? Oninmila asked them to go and procure eight ikin on the right hand And eight ikin on the left hand They should pour iyerorsun on the tray And to cast Ifa, that when his disciples get there, they would find out wht to do in Ife Ordnmilé then advised them to offer 16 pots, 16 snails Ifa faaves: They complied Ifa, please do not let our world be destroyed ‘With the eficacy of opépétiiéss laavas, Ela, will not let our world to be destyrayed Ofun Meji (Grifamniia dou jf nt kultukultel, Gun ke spd oun derekunde, Gun ké apd dun derékunds Gun ghdnd fe ¢ re Gun ba awon érilgjo salam Miwon ding ewe Ni won righcin sist Gun af kino de? Won nf haa, lle Oba lois Nie kefwwon Iq tun iis Oba seni Oninmil ni won ntan ara won je ni O ni egberungbeje won a fe ja awe kan wole O ni won nian are won je ni Qrufamig idun jf nf kubutkutu, Gun ko apd dun derekunde, Oun ko dod dun dgrgkunde Gun gbdnd ite ¢ ré Wfa; Ohdnn Finks Aye ‘The Ohin Finks Aye Oun ba diwon eriigjo Heit. Ha then proceeded to the town of Ife Oun nf kin leide? He met 165 red ants clutching to a leaf Won ni hed, le Oba to jo yil, They were also cringing Lawon nf kawon wa sa eke ; He asked them what happened Kawon lo tin ile Oba ke They exclaimed that the King’s palace was engulfed in fire Oninmild nf won ntan ara wen je nk They decided to go and rebulld the palace O nf dimoye won kd le sa gege wole Oronmila told them that they were just deceiving themselves Wor nian ara won je ni He told them thal even the 7,000 of thern could not even Orunmitté four jf nf utukettu, pluck a leaf Gun ko apd dun derskunde, They were just decetving themselves Gun ke apo Gun deretunde Oronmila said he woke up very early In the moming Gun gbdna ifé ¢ re He carried his divination sac Gun ba awon driigio ghonmighonrnl He then proceeded to the town of fe Ni won nghonmi ma He met 165 soldier ants Gun of kin io der? They were also cringing Won of hag, He asked them what happened Ori Oba id gba ela They exclaimed that the King's palace was engulfed In fire Kawon 0 ghd adc They decided ta go and cut rafters Kawon of mut eja ni Orunrila told them that they were just deceiving themselves Onunmila at won ditan ara won je ai He said that thousands of them could not even bring ina Onl wan dle gbon aha omi kan kuird ninu odd piece of wood Grunmita joun jf nf kutukutu, They were simply deceiving themselves Oun ke dpd dun dergkunde, Oninmila said he woke up very early in the morning Gun kd apd Gun derékunde He carried his divination sac Gun gbdnd Ife ¢ re He then proceeded to the town of Ife Gun ba agen Ne lus, id wal mul aanin-un He met 165 flies trying to drain the siream Lo pe bl Obalulé ba ba Gun sun They were also cringing TI Ejie ba oun sun He asked them what happened Tt Onuinto be dun sun They exclaimed that the King's Ori requested a fish for Gun ft bime propitiation So they decided to go and drain the stream so they could catch a fish Orunmila told them that they were just deceiving themselves He told them that they couldn't even drain a cuptul of water from the stream Orunmila said he woke up vary early in the morning He carried his divination sac He then proceeded to the town of Ife Grinmila ald nfan ara réje ni G ni oko mej! meta kil wo fet won kt wan of bime Erd'po, érd Ora Eni ba gb'sbo rbd ko nf bo Transtation: Ordnmila said he woke up very early in the roming He carried his divination sac 79Ma: Obsie Tj Aye He met a barren woman of Ife town who brought five cowries for consultation That if Obalufé, the king of He had an intercourse with her lithe king of Ejié had an intercourse with her And even if Ortinié also had an intercourse with her That she would be able to concsive Qrinmila told her that she was just deceiving herself He also told her that no two or three men can mate with a single woman for her to conceive Travelers to Ipo and Ofa towns Whoever is advised to offer ebo let him comply Okanransodé Orunmild Io af Oigkenransods mi Mo Io di Digkatansode Onl disedé oma eku ni rseku pa ame aku Orvnmila tool Oldkanransode ml Mo le di Olikeinreinsode Gal disade omo aja Io iseku pa omo-eja Grunmila lo di Qlgkenransedé mi Mo lo di Olgkanrdnsode Oni sisodé omo eye id rgeku pa amo eye Grinmila id di Oldkenransode mi Mo id oi Olgkdnransode Gol alsode ome eran nl riseku pa ome eran Grunmila to d) Olokeinransode mi Wo Id a! Olgkdnrdnsode Ont dlsodé omo eni ni Nsekit pa ome eni Won nf Grvamila ge rif@ bf eguin bf dy belyll Onl Akapa dun i'dun nbawt kot maa sade Onl kun ois bad kot bi Io Kolwe oie maa je fun Nig awa di ajisodé dwe d ku mg Awa di ajisodé emo awo Translation: ‘Orunrmila says “its time for Olokanran ta wear divine beads" ao is Cha Teg Agee \say, yes, its time He says ‘failure of the offspring of the rat to wear divine beads causes its untimely death’ Orunmila says “its time for Olokanran to wear divine beads” I say, yes, Its time He saye ‘failure of the offspring of the fish to wear divine beads causes its untimely death’ Orunmila says ‘its time for Olokanran to wear divine beads" say, yes, its time He says Yailure of the offspring of the bird to wear divine beads causes its untimely death’ Orunmila says “its time for Olokanran to wear divine beads" I say, yes, its ime He says ‘failure of the offspring of the animal to wear divine beads causes its untimely death’ Onunmila says “its time for Olokanran to wear divine beads” I say, yes, its time He says ‘failure of the offspring of human beings to wear divine beads is the cause of thelr untimely death’ People ask, Orunmila, why are you speaking In tongues? He said,’ | arn speaking to my devotees/priests of Ifa to wear beads So that it can remove all negativities from him/her, and that he can be protected Now, we have become the wearers of divine beads We can no longer die We have Ifa's emblem and spiritual identity . Tkd'gbe Onunmila nf oka woroko sojubund, Ife Mo nl ¢ ke woroko sciubuna G nl eku td ke woroka soju buna ke, O nt eky olgkunnin lkeigbe ni Grupmild nf o ka woroko sojubuna, fet Mo nf d ke woroko sojubund O ni eja to ka woroko sou buna rik, 81Ii han Tale Ae G nf oj oldkunrun Ikegbe ni Grunmila nfo kel woroko sejuibune, ifs Mo nfo ka waroko sojubund O nf aye td ke woroko soju bung niko, Ont eye ofdkunrin lkagbe ni Grinmila nif o kat woroko sojutuunel, lel Mo nf o ket wroroko sejubuna S al gigi enlyan to kal woroko saju buna rike, O ni eran olgktinnin Ikegbe ni Wd nf Grinmiig, o se rife bl égun bi eye baytt Onl kt Akspe so fun olokunrun ile r¢ pe abo aie ni kot rif Akapd ni bawo ni yoo se see Gniinmilia ni gig to ra agg idja ni wan ff oj sin-in wale Aso td rai kein in, eran ghighe, dkete kan, lye owd fo fi ra as nad ni yoo nu, palit iga eno mejf Olokuinniin se etute yi os! gbadun Translation: Orunmila says, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire, Ha’ I say, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire’ He says, the rat that lays lifeless near the fire, you Know, is a sick rat of Ikagbe ‘ Orunmila says, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire, Ifa’ | say, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire’ He says, the fish that lays lifeless near the fire, you know, is a sick fish of Ikagbe Orunmila says, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire, Ifa’ | say, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire’ He says, the bird that lays lifeless near the fire, you know, is @ sick bird of Ikagbe Orunmita says, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire, Ifa’ | say, ‘he lays lifeless close to fire’ He says, the human baing who lays lifeless near the fire, you know, Is the sick animal of Ikagbe | People ask Orunmila, why are you talking in parables Crunmila replies, he is referring te this devotes Wea: Cihiin Yn Aye instructed the devotee to inform the sick parson in his jouse lo perform sacrifice for witches The devotee ask, how should it be done! Orunmila said, the day the sick person went to the market fo buy clothes was the day they (witches) followed him home “The sacrifice would include the clothes, dry meat, one big rat, the cost of the material and 2 bottles of palm ail The sick person complied and got cured J, Ogbe Alara (Oube ti) Grinmita lo af afule, Ha mi er wowo Ifsint kt Akapd lo rée musohun end to wilwo wet Akdpd mo eku mej olnwers la ni kif se eru to wulwo Orunmita io oi ofulle. Hef mi erut wulwa He nt df Akaipe lo réé mul ohun ent to wulwo wal Akdod mu gja mel ablwegbddd Ha nl kil se ent id wulwo Qruinmild io ai ofule, ie mn aru wulwa He nl Kt Akdpd lo rée mul ohun eni to wuwo wal Akgpo mu abidle mejl abédg fukeluke Hg nf ki se end id wuwo Grutnmila to i ofl, Ife rif ered wulwo lft nf kf Akapd Jo née mut ohun era to wulwo wal Akapo mu ewure mej! abamu rederede Ife nf kif se eru to wulwo Orunmila (ot ol ofulg, Hat mi er wulwo Ifa nf kf Akapd ip réeé mu ohun eru to wulwe wet Akapd mu enla meff to f¢ padre para nlgbd id Na nf kif se eri to wulwo ; Oninmila, mo jéwd dbun, dase rami, Mope Eleigly Qkinkin ef mu eyin enu fon Afedéfeyd Opitan fe Kiln wa ni ofun eri to wilwo sIfe: Chin tas Ave Oruinmila nl kd Akaoo Ip ree tole! obf mej to yan ‘Gun ni eu to wuwe fa ni ob) ni dun yoo ma fi bi iu nd forf aitapo {fa ni ob] ni dun yoo ma fi bi drin nu lor akelpd Na nl obi al dun yoo ma fi bi did net lor akepe He nf obi ni dun yoo ma f bi gbogbe ibi nd lor akape if€ nl obf ni dun yoo ma fi bl ire ajé wa fun akape Ifa nt obl ni dun yoo ma ff bi ire ome we fin akapd Jf nl obi ni dun yoo ma fi bi ine ghogbo we fin akapo Qrutnmita nf kf akalpd ff obt met yl let Ifa lal la awan abi yl Akapd se hee Ibi la, ire de Translation: % Orunmila says, it is soft, my god(lfa}, the load is heavy Ifa ask the devotee to bring the load which is heavy The devotee brings two moving rats la says itis not & heavy load Orunmila says, itis soft my ged{ifa), the load is heavy fa ask the davotee to bring the load which is heavy The devotes brings two big fish swimming gracefully Ifa says it is not a heavy load Orunmila says, it is soft, my godl(Ifa), the load is heavy lfa ask the devotee to bring the load which is heavy The devotee brings two hens with big livers lfa says It is not a heavy load Orunmila says, it is soft, my god(ifa), the load is heavy Wa ask the devotes to bring the load which is heavy ‘The devotes brings two goats with heavy foetus Ifa says it is nota heavy load Orunmila says, it is soft, my gad (Ifa), the load is heavy Ifa ask the devotee fo bring the load which is heavy The devotee brings two cows jumping dangerously in the thick of the forest lfa says it Is nota heavy load Orunmila, | am helpless and empty Please cover me Mope in the city of Elejelu, Ins Qhin Yale Ast hat makes the elephant trumpet inmita, the polyglot real historian of Ife Where is the load which is heavy? Crunmila directs the devotee to bring two solid kola nuts ‘hat is the load which is heavy’ : ifa says, the kela nut (ob/} will remove death from devoiee's head ita says, the kola nut (obi) will remove sickness from devotee's head : Ha says, the kola nut (obi) will remove tragedy from devotee's head ifa says, the kola nut (obi) will remove all evils from devotee's head But the kola nuts (obi) will bring money ta Akapo (devatee) But the kola nuts (ob!) will bring children to Akapo (devotee) But the kola nuts (obi) will bring all good things of life to the devolee to Akapo (devotee) Orunmila instructed the davotee to put these two kola nuts without breaking thern on the tkin Ha The devotee (Akapa) complied Misfortunes removed, goodness guaranteed Obara Ika (Qbara fila) Grunmila io di Obdrd rikcise Mo io di Gbard rikasé Bara mi Agbonniragin Won ni kint won firiribo Olobard nkese t're 9 dwg ni Won nf eku mejf oluwere Grunmila nt ied tovhun taa fil ru’bo Oldbara nkas¢ tire fi riwold eni Gruinmita td di Gbara rkese Mo Io o! Obard riketse Bara mi Agbonnirégun Wer al kint won fi firube Olgbara nkase tre fi riwaly ent Won nf eja mej! abwegbedaTranslation: Ta (hati Tin Aye Grunmila nf kd tohun tda fil r’bo Olobara nkase Ai riwolg ani QGrunmila Io dl Obeira rikese Mo Io oi Obdra rikase Bare mi Agbonniregun Win af kin! wan fi drufbo Oldbard rikdse tire fi five eni Won nf obidie mej abddd juketike Grunmild nf ko tohun tda fil eho Olobara rikase fi twalg eni Qrunmila io di Obara rikase Ma fo oi Qhéire rikeisd Bara mi Agbonnirégen Worn of kini won ff cinvibe Ovobara rketse tire fi eni Wor al awurd mejteabamu rederede Qrunmild nf kd tovhun faa fil nfbo Oldbdrd kasd i Fi rivole en) Gninmila mo jéwo abun, daso rad mi Mape Elejelu Okinkin if mu eyin srin fon Bara sigsin oloyan Agdigbsta ajdmu Erinml rede Owe Mo nf kf ini won fi nirube Olbdra rikaseé tlre fi wole en Qrunmila nf kt won le res mu akika wel Kavbi kutra ona fin wa Akika wordkcd Kathi Kure Iona fun wa koo kere wet Orunmila declares ‘its Obara nkase’ | say its Obara nkase, my father They ask, ‘what is the sacrifice for Obara nkase th brings goodness to one's home? They reply; two moving rats Orunmila daclared, Its not enough for the sacrifice Obara nkase that will bring goodness to one’s hom Orunmila daclares ‘its Obara nkase' Iti: Conan Hele Aye I say its Obara nkase, my father They ask, ‘what is the sacrifice for Obara nkase that brings Goodness to one’s home? They reply; two big fish swimming gracefully Crunmila declared, its not enough for the sacrifice of ‘Obara nkase that will bring goodness to one's home Grunmila declares ‘its Obara nkase’ | say its Obara nkase, my father They ask, ‘what is the sacrifice for Obara nkase that brings goodness to one's home? They reply; two hens with big livers ‘Orunmila declared, its not enough for the sacrifice of Obara nkase that will bring goodiness to one’s home Orunmila declares ‘its Obara nkase” | say its Obara nkase, my father They ask, ‘what is the sacrifice for Obara nkase that brings goodness fo one’s home? They reply: two goats with heavy foetus Orunmila declared, its not enough for the sacrifice of Obara nkase that will bnng goodness to one's hame. Orunmila, | am helpless and emply Please, cover me with your spiritual robe Mope in the city of Elejelu, that makes the elephant trumpet The great king of Eleshin Oyan The mighty of Qjomu The master philosopher of Owo lask, what is the sacrifice for Obara nkase that brings goodness to one’s home? Orunmila instructed them to go and look for Aluka Remove evils from our ways Akika woroko Remove evils from our ways and bnng goodness a7Chapter Five 16 GREAT STORIES OF IFA ‘This chapter shall reveal why Ordiniiiia is regarded as a great historian of If 'Gpitan (fe. These stories from ifa corpus shall be presented as delivered by me at our Temple in Lagos, Nigena. Indigene Faith of Africa, |jo Orunmila Ato. It would be'in four catagories namely: 4) Akolé (Theme) 2) Oda Ifa 3) The Story (tan) ~ 4) Eke Kiko (Lesson) Please enjoy lf. 1. SIRENTE-GBE AKOQLE — "Loot, Awo tédid ni'iwo rise" THEME — ‘It is true, you are a genuine Babalawo" ODU IFA: — Irente-gbe. Somurcga Awo Fw! Sawalalcle Awe Gke lend Apaifidjodgun Awo Ewl Awon meteeta ni won rset fin Ew! Ola Omo astyun sorun bawon jo gbédu Wo Ewi ¢ lewod, Evel Idwo Won MEwi 0 Jobinrin, Ewl Jobinvin Won Ew! o kote, Ewi koe Aid nef kan Jann kan gédeghe Tis Cohn lis Aye To this Ewl d san Won dele Ologosé Aw Alagdare Aldrere gasuin Awa Igosuin Egunmd abt tittt! Awo won nihé Ebe Perégun sususu Awe llamo akunnu Won kifa kif won d jet Woo wef dele Mafaga, Mowdgo Mo webin org yf eru bint jejeje Apa enia ni rbe iowa Laniose Agd méstddd al nibe idrin Leruba Awordn d ko arn Awo ile Olagbojigdiddekun Difa tun Olgigbdjigdiddekuin Afise'sawa if dbaiwan gbade Nawe Dif fun Alapa nt yawe Ome Owese ni Wonja lye o doje tapa Ataf pdrind Awo Oba Lo offd fun Oba Faldde Oya Awon yen tf njagun Apd won o fed dele Wain nf ke ff Isokearcinke om re foko Awa Won nf k'dgba ma jobl Pogho Agba mjobt t’dgbo Wor nf icsigba ma leis mejl nf rdgbardgha Aghbd rldya mej! nf righardgba Ologbdjigeld lofi Isokuinronke, gmo Oba laléde Gyo saya Pele ejidiniciguin amo H Soktn bi silo aye Omo Andpdnriia jam taro esin Bia a tile mo dida awe B emi d tile mo drite ale Emi md pe of Alapa ni ribe |'akoto Oldigbojigald Awe tdotg a Olid loldigbd risawo anslation: Somurdga, Priest of Ewi Sawololglg, Priest of Oke ljera Aparijajoogon, Priest of Ewi The three of them divined for Ew, lo aoIi: Cin ‘Iinle aye Oma asiydn sorin bawon jo gbédu, he-who-adomed-his n polls iy beads-to dance-the-beat of gbedu drum (praise They predicted that Ew) would be rich, it manifest They predicted that Ewi would get wives, it manifest fee predicted that Ewi would build houses, it manifest ee Ewi gol afflicted with some disease, they ike further advice from Olégosg , the priest of Alaréré gosiin, the priest of ‘igosiin Egunmd abid ott, the priest of iha Ebé Peregdn sustisd , the priest of ‘llama akunou They chanted various verses of the Odu Ifa Inete-Ogbe But they couldn't identify the medical problem of Ewi They left for the house of Mofégo, Mowago {Praise name} Mo wehin ard yi éru bami jejejé (praise name) Apa enla mi nbe i6wo Lanlosé (praise name} Ag6 mésiada ni Abe lénin Lardba (praise name) Aworan 6 ko grin, the priest of the household of Oldgbatigdiedekun Cast divination for Qlagbafigslogekun Apoor Babalawo (Priest) living in the town of ilwa ‘Casi divination for Alapa ni yawe Ome Owosa ni Wonja (praise name) iva o dojd lapa (praise name) Atari ponina, the Priest of the King Cast divination for the King af Oya They have been attempting to capture the city of Apa But they could not suecsed 2 ne _ mee to perform some sacrifice allowin | i fata er daughter Isakinrdinké to marry a Priest (IsokUnrdnké was part of the sacrifice to conguer Apa) ce ine spirltually not to eet big kola nut The Elders were advised not to marry.a second wife without adequate preparation and divine Instruction Heke Citi Fino) Aye But they disobeyed Ologbdfigélé, was the Priest who married Isokinranke, the daughter of the King of Oyo We salute you, the eighteen children of IsokGnranke Ome Aropdnila jor tore egin (praise name) Even, if | don't know how to cast [Ain fa in my palm Even, if |don't know haw to print Odu ffs with lyerosun (lfa's powder} | can boldly say thal the Head of Alapa, the king of Apa is in the calabash Oldgbojigslé we hail you You are a talented lia Priest itis incontrovertible, Olégbdjigdlg is a genius sto. e three Babalawos mentioned above, Sémuroga, Sawoldlolo and fijajoogdn were diviners for King Ewi fora long time, Before he to his present position, they had en there for him, They had forecasted his prosperity which came pass. They had predicted that he would nol remain a bachelor hich came to pass. They had also adicted he would buiki many houses which came to pass. He ould be blessed with many good things of life which also came to ass, But something bothered King Ewi, he could no longer father Schild. He called his three Priests for divination. He didn't raveal is problem to them orally, He wanted them to diagonise the oblem spiritually. hen the Prests casted Ifa, the Odo Inénté'gbé appeared on the ivinily tray, They chanted so many verses of frente'gbe but could ot pin-point Ewi's real problem. “There is no perfection in umanity” so the adage says, They had to look for further advice jrom fellow \fa Priests. Alararé gasin, the priest of ‘Igesiin, Eganma atidi tif, the priest of tha Ebé, Péragan susdso . the priest of lamd Akunnu, OL 90(ri: Cum Hants Ayes Mi: vin fn Aye They chanted various verses of the Odu Ifa Irete-Ogbe but th couldn't identify the medical problem. In fact, the three Priests Ewi had chanted similar verses. They feft the four Priests a continued their journey. They were wondering where else ta, when one of them reminded them of a Babalawo, resident in fown of llawo, : [his town, llawo and followed them to see King Ewi., When ved al Ewl's palace, he told the King that his problem is his ty to produce more children. He is suffering from sexual ince. He told King Ewi that some invisible insects have d his night wear robe (asq ibora), which have rendered him This night wear robe must be burnt and other sacrifica must performed. King Ewl remained speechless because he had i hypnotized by this Babalawo's Ingenuity. He complied with Wifitual advice and started producing chlidren again. He was so. Apart from enriching Ofogboliggigdekon, he decided to ge him full time as his chief Priest and spiritual consultant, He him a house to stay. Olégbdjigdlédekin's poverty ended that Thay left for the housa of Mofégo, Mowdgo (Praise name} Mo wehin oro yi en bami jejeje (praise name) Apa enla ni tibe lay Lantosé {praise name) Agd mesiada ni nbe Iéran Lardba (nraig fame) Awdran 8 ko ortn, the priest of the household Oldgbdjigaiidektin Cast divination for Oldgbdfigaédekin, a po Babalawo (Priest) living in the town of law, i Before the arrival of the thrae Pridsts of King Ewi to the house & Ologbofigdlodekon, he (Olegbafaglodekur) too was a i some sacrifice to take care of his financial responsibility, In fact, lives in abject poverty, He was so poor that ha had no- clothes {¢ wear. He was asked to sacrifice two Pigeons to his Ikin Ifa a the two pigeons were to be cooked with some herbal leaves Olégbdjfigdlodekuin to eat after all other processes had beef] completed. Coincidentally, it was the same ‘Odu fa, Irente'gbe appeared for Ologbdfigdlddekin. He was eating this divine tood (aseje) when the three Priests of Ewl entered his house. welcomed them atler exchanging the Necessary greeting. ® town of Apa, they were being harassed and tortured by the of Oyo who took them-as slaves every year. How could they ip this? The King of Apa, Alapa was a friend of King Ewl, He ested for his assistance to prevent further attack on his tory, = =King Ew volunteered his chief Priest, Babalawo Ogbojigato te assist them. jen) Cldgbojiggladekin got to Apa, he divined jor them and scribed necessary sacrifice, The sacrifice includes some herbal paration made from Ifa's leaves. This concoction would be used wet all the grasses during Oyo's invasion. This should be lowed with some incantations, “korika e dide, eruwa e dide™, ieaning, “grasses wake up, leaves wake up". They showed hin the Odu Ifa an the divining tray, Irente'gbe.’ The: were Surprised when he mentioned thelr names as diviners of Ki Ewi who sent them. They were shocked. He mentioned thel various Babalawos they have visited before getting to him. Hel wanted to mention the problem of Ewi when they stopped him, They prefered hin to follow them to King Ew to'tell him directly. | They wondered, this man must be a wizard, He complained of faving no dress to wear but they donated some of theirs to him, That was @ positive sign for the sacrifice ‘Ologbdjigdladekun had performed to relieve him of his Poverty, He now have clothes to Wwéar. jan this was done, the grasses tured into soldiers who killed a number of battalions from Oy¢ town. Alapa was relieved and happy that he decided to retain the Babalawo, Sgbéfigolodekan permanently. This he worked out with his friend Ring Ewi. Olégbdfigolédekon now became the Chief consultant of apa. The war seized and the town of Apa mow peaceful. it the other end, the people of Oyo became rastless. The people of 4 who are supposed to be thelr subjects now have sudden pendence. They could not accept this change of event and 93 92Aa: hoe Vil) Aye decided to consult fa oracle. They invited a Babalawo named Atay Ponna who divined for the King of Qyd town. Pyour kola nut?’ she told him. The big kola nuts were inviting, OG her beaty. He took some of the kola-nuts and ate them. To he fong story short, Isoktnrdnké succeeded in seducing The Babalawo, Atari Ponna, revealed from the Odu Ifa lrente’gl Oflagidekun. He took her as a wife and gave hin the first that until they remove a wizard called Babalawo Ologbojiggisdek Eight other set of twins followed, giving Ologbajigglédekun the Chief diviner of Alapa, the war would not be favourable ta ther Son children, The only way to achief this is for the king of Oyd to offer fi daughter, Isokdnrénké. as saerifice to be sent to Apa with kola nu to woo and seduce Babalawo Olégbépgdlédekin. Though, daughter would not be killed immediately as saonfice but the Kin was still afrald for his daughter, How can you send your daughtg found and the wite had to be engaged. Ologbdjigalddekun told to the war front? Is that not suicidal? But having analyzed th @ secret of the concoction, because he was not thinking situation, ha decided to consider the option. lsokunronke ght. She asked him again, what is the antidote for the dressed spiritually with basketful of Obi (kola nuts) on her head a poction? What would make the invisible soldiers disappear? He set for the town of Apa. ily (her that another concoction would be prepared. He told her the d ia leaves to prepare thern and they would have to say the tation: “£ wi falejd ko Jo, § t sasara bagbo". Meaning, ‘tell the ibible soldiers to leave immediately by throwing the liquid at lsokunronke's father mission to Apa commenced. One day, Pinaking love and some consumption of alcohol, she asked jbofigdiddekon the strength of Apa against Oy in case he is A day before ‘|sokunronké was to arrive, Dldgbdfigoledekun had) nightmare and consulted Ha oracle. The revelation was a 6 trouble ahead. He informed King Alapa immediately that the should be a big sacrifice to avert imminent danger. He also warm them that @ strange beautiful damsel might come to the town the Intention of selling kola nuts. She should be totally avok People should avoid having two wives without adequate ni The response of the king Alapa was that since they possessad tI concection fo turn grasses into soldiers, there was no need further sacrifice. He tragically failed to comply with this spiri message. jj next day, she packed her luggage and the children and left for 0, when her husband was stil sleeping, She had not reached ‘destination when Qlogbojigela woke up and realized whata fool | had been. You cannot beat the wizard completely, Babdigdlédekin sprinkled lyerosun, lfa's powder, into a tray and fnted some incantations and blew the powder on the air. diately, Isokunronke had dislocated joints and rendered mobile but it was few metres to Oyé town, As forecasted by Ifa, the strange beautiful damsel came to tow and immediately people saw her, they ran away and closed th doors. Who would have thought that it would be Olagbofigglodeks that would break the taboo. lofa had warned everybody to run fra a strange woman who would carry Obi (kola nuts) on her head. fact, nobody should eat kola nuts for that penod. PgbojiqolgdekOn caught her there and she started crying begging Babdfigdlodekon for forgiveness. She had to see her family, It then Ologbojigolo realized she was from Qyd, the enemy's tory. But the power of Ifa and ebo still overpowered Babdjigdlédekun and he cured her of dislocation of joints and was je to walk again. Olagboligolodekun opened his windows and glanced at beautiful damsel, He was hypnotized by her beauty and e a followed her to Oyd. When they gol to the King of Oyo, the Ebo. He Invited her into his room, He asked, ‘how much are yf ve @ ol Og, they we him shelter, food and other comfor, The daughter gave herWie fia Tying AE Ink: Crit Eins Awe i | If don't know hove to identify or print Odu Ifa with paun (lfa’s powder) a i Bt say that the Head of Alapa Is in the calabash father the secret and immediately, they waged war against the ta of Apa. The people of Apa started shouting the na Olagbdfiggiédekan who was no where to be found. remembered the concoction and when they used it, the aff concoction neutralized il. As they shouted “Aerio e dide, era dide" that is, “lel the grass turn to soldiers,” the opposition shoul back with their own concoction saying "2 wi falelo ko fo, e ti sass b'agbo" (Let the invisible soldiers disappear). ¢alabash was opened, it was 80. The Oba and his chiels sre pot surprised including the audience responded by gbojiggid Awo tactd o The army of Oy¢ conquered the people of Apa. Aldpa, the ki Apa, was killed and beheaded. As a sign of victory, the King’s h was put in a covered calabash and taken to Oyo for his Ri Majesty, the King of Oyo. the King of Oyo opened the calabag and what he saw amused him, Sa, the town of Apa now under fi domain, ing: Ologbéfigalo, you are a wonderful Babalawo Yes, you are a wizard a him @ dekon was honoured by the king who gave gone his family. One can still trace the house of Then he thought, how could he test the competence of 4 jogbojigglodektin In Oyo lawn. babalawos (/fa Priests) in his town if not by asking them to deced what's In the celabash. All Ifa Priests were summoned. One ff one, they started expressing their views through fa. While soni claimed the calabash contained the head of animals like sheep, dog, ram, horse, lion, tiger, gorilla, monkey, antel elephant, buffalo ele, some mentioned birds like parrot, vultu duck, rooster, pigeon, etc. They all failed to decode the message. was then the king remembered his son-in-law, thie Babslawo d Apa, Ologbdfigdlodekin. He was invited to the palace with large evidence fo express his view through Ifa, I inte'gbe has taught us a lot of Jessons. Ifa has Bu aoe ia be ups and down like it happened to or We should never give up. lia is always there for us to consult. mM , tory demonstrates the spirit of sportsmanship. You can Teer Hourself as Mr-Know- all, There is nothing wrong for a superior opinion on a matter, This, the three Priests of demonstrated by consulting other Babaiawos until they sseauiees Olagbojigdlddekin. The power of sacrifice is Hen hese Firstly, Oldabdfiggodekun's sacrifice manifest when clothes ie being offered ta him when he had nothing on Then he ee : cure Ewi of the medical problem by prescribing ebo, ee 8 situation is also on focus Ologbofigelddekon, due to a extraordinary spiritual powers was able to rescue Alapa from the hands of Oyo people. Immediately Ologbajigelodekun threw the divining chain, Opele and the Odu Ifa Irente'gbe appeared again, he looked at thé Calabash and started crying with the words; Bemi d tie me didd owe Bemi g tile mo crite alg Emi md pe off Alspa nt abe /aketo Meaning: Even, if | don't know how to cast Ikin Ifa in my palm oF‘Thy Chin Take Ave Now, the main issue: Why did Alapa fail to perform the simple sacrfica but instead he relied on medicinefchanms? It led to his untimely death. But the main question is, why should it be Olagbojiggldekan of all people to be easily captured by an ordinary woman? Was Isokunronke an ordinary woman? Even,.lf not an Ordinary woman, what power did she possess to hypnotize Ologbofigdigdekun? We shouldn't forget the words of Ifs “kukunduku abewe gerugery, opolapo cogun agunme galegaie" meaning “too much power/charms makes 4 man to be too full of confidence". Here, abo is more efficacious than madicine/charms. Why did Ologbojigolo break his own taboo? i, Be careful of a strange woman Wi. Avoid eating kola-nut (abl) Now, ta the men, we should net underestimate the tricks of women. In other holy books, powerful men Rave been brought down by women, One fa stanza says: Kent ma find hen Podbinrin, Oblavin leke, oblnrin I'edaie. .. Meaning: Men should not reveal every secret to women They can betray you... Why did Ologbdjigdlédekiin raveal everything? | know this is debatable, What! can contribute is that you become cautious when you are rising because it is easier to fall than to stay where you are, 2, Esékan-Qla (irete Otua) Akole— Ema bad dsika dard Esan lo ke lori red Theme — Don't sympathize with the wicked, she paid for her sin Odu Ifa — Esékan Ola [lreté Otua) Ebuiru nf nibamt ken Aboro nif rami taj 38 Lic Cn In Ag Adifa fun (legleigitt Tito ré € ra Arogja I'gnt iff ken nidase, ded kan rikotd Adifet fun Akone eluju Won nf kit riba Ootin nif ni gdun gla re pe Ercipo, dnd Off, 2 d efile gintgll tet war dle Ardoja Translation: Taking Blegal route scares me Narrow path confuses me Cast divination for llegirigir Who was going ta buy Arcojo as a slave An Ifa revelation nianifest a palm tree brings wealth Cast divination for Akope efuju (A forest Palmwine tapper} He was asked to perform necessary ritual This year would be his year of wealth People of the world, cant you see Gingiri’s house now being owned by Aroojo Sta liégitigit was a wife of a King. She was barren and could not bear any child for the King. The King refused to marry another woman because of the love he had for her, The Inability to have a suocessor was a big issue for the King himself, He had consulted lfa oracle several times and he had been assured of some miraculous way he would get a child. He had complied with various instructions to perform necessary sacrifice. He still thought his beloved wife would bear him a prince. He did not want to betray his wife by having extra marital affairs, though he was in-a position todo so, African culture recognizes polygamy. In addition, Kings in Yorba land are supposed to have many wives In fact, there were Kings who had over 25 wives, But this King stayed with hie wife despite childlessness. 99Ife: OMNIA Ae One day, in his inner chamber, his wife llegirigiri entered to have a chat with him. The Queen said she had been meditating over the issue of childiessness. She wanted the King to have a successor, even, If il would not be from her, She wanted the King to take a second wife who might give him children, She believed itis still not impossible to have a child of her own. She might be blessed through the proposed wife. The adage in Yoruba which says “bor! kan ba suwon @ rar ‘gbe" meaning, 'you can be blassed by sharing and felicitating with a joyful person’. Despite her strong arguments, the King was still reluctant to grant her request but she continued to pressurize the King claiming she meant well. But the King aways remember the wise saying “cosa je npe mali obintin ko si" meaning, No woman wants a rival’, He advised the Queen to think about it Sernously because he would not want the palace to be turned upside down as a result of polygamy which ‘might bring envy, hatred, jealousy etc, The Queen responded that since she was the ons. whe. brought the proposal, everything would be taken care of. The King finally approved her proposal. She decided to find a woman for her husband, Than she taught of buying a slave whom she can control. She mentionad this too to tha king which the king also consented to. Then she consulted the Babalawos: Ebund nf nibam! fer) (Taking Illegal route scores me}. Ahoro nil rumi Ieju (Narrow path confuses me}, They casted Ha for her: She was wamed that under no circumstance should she deviate from the good intention. That she would be blessed too if she remained sincere, caring and supportive of her junior wife to be. She went to the market Oja Ejigbomekun, the anciant market where you can buy anything you wish. She finally brought a slave called Aroojo home introduced her to the king as the second wife. To cut long story short, the slave now 2 junior queen conceived for the king. Everybody was hapay, the ting, the chiefs and the entire kingdom. They are now going to have a Successor, though praying the baby would be a son. The senior queen llegirigiri also demonstrated her joy openly to everybody who thanked her for her Magnanimity, Everybody prayed for her. There were comments 100 The Chae inl Ave every where that what she had done was uncommon, | bring a fival home to share your husband? In fact wanted her to conceive immediately People have forg I wise saying “Awofgld bonu, ad ku asebo meaning “the | covers the stomach but the thought of s wicked cannot DM revealed", The senior already had a plan. The king so much truate her that he entrusted with the delivery of the baby, Sha was going to be the nurea and the native birth attendant There was no: hospital at that time. On the day of delivery, she was the only person around the pregnant queen. Then she delivered a baby boy, the baby cried, and suddenly she substituted the baby with @ stone. She took the baby, wrapped in a white cloth, rubbed the stone with the woman's blood, left the stone with the unconscious woman, and escaped from the palace before dawn with the baby. She left fer the forest and put the baby to the thick of the forest where she thought nobody would see her. But she had forgotten that there is no place where the eyes of God cannot see. Unfortunately for her, a palm wing tapper was ona palm tree when she came to the forest and he immediately recognized her a the senior queen. What could the queen be doing in the forest at this pariod of time? Dua to his advantage position, he glanced and saw the baby the queen was. putting down, The senior queen left the child to be eaten by snakes or insects, She retumed to the palace to announce that the junior queen had delivered a stone. Back to the palmwine tapper, he had been living in abject poverty. This was the reason he had visited the two Babalawos: Ifa kan fiddse, gpg kan Akola for consultation about his well-being. He was: advised to do some sacrifice which he performed. It had been forecasted that the year would bring him wealth, After the queen had ieft, he gat dewn from the palm tree and went straight to where the queen had put the child, He cleared the insects, fies that were striking the child. He wrapped the child with some claan cloth and pul the child in a ventilated calabash. He went home with the child. Then he visited the palace (without the child) to i01Id: Ohhiies Tp: Aye know what was happening, Then he heard waling, crying, shouting, non-conductive atmosphere. He asked what has happened. He was Informed the junior wife had given birth to an abomination, a stone. The junior wife had to be castigated. She can no longer live in the palace. The chiefs were consoling the king. What a calamity: Childlessnass is better than plague, cankerworm. He entered the palace and wanted to see the king for an urgent matter. After various attempt to send a poor palm wine tapper away, he was allowed to see the king alone. He whispered into the king's ears what happened. The king could not believe it until the paim wine labper brought the baby in the middle of the night when everybody vad slept, The king gave the paim wine tapper big.money to take care of the child for him, Nobody should know until it's time to inform everybody. lfa which revealed that the palm wine tapper would be rich that year was not talking nonsense. When it was exactly two years after the incident, the king invited everybody for some important ceremony. Everybody had gathered al the palace when a young boy of two years old ran into the palace. Everybody was surprised to see the carbon copy of the king. He looked exactly like the king. He ran to the senior queen llegirigii and when she saw him she was perplexed. But nobody knew what the meeting was about, The king Invited the palm wine tapper into the palace to narrate every detail, The palm wine tapper did. The senior queen could no longer endure the agony and collapsed and died. It was afler this the king shouted, “E ma bda dsika deed, Esan io ke tort re” “Dor't sympathize with the wicked She has paid for her sin" 102 Tri Ohi inde. Aye The junior wife, the mother of the child was brought out from detention and the chid was handed over to her. Then the inevitable has. now cocurred. The hame of llegirigiri has now belonged to {he home of Aragjo. *E asi lie girigiri to wa dile Araajo’, “The house of lleginigin now belongs to Anoojo" EKO/AGBEYEWO/LESSON/COMMENT Ifa has taught us many things here, You can't play with God, Ifa or somebody's destiny. It is a wise saying that “Ohdn eéniydn ni ohun Olgrun” meaning the voice of man is the voice of God. At times, we say things thal we really don't mean. You should always remember that at time things you say manifest. Some spirits around you make them realistic. Let's consider Ilegirigiri Why did she suggest something sha knew would be unfavorable to her? Was she playing saint or trying to tast the great work of Clodumare, She forgot that there was nothing hidden in darkness that would not come to light, The baby has come to live. There is nothing anybody can do about it. Why couldn't she be consistent to the end despite so many divine prayers for her? Why didn’t she follow the advice of the Babalawos she visited? Did sha doubt God or the message? Why did she destroy the house she built herself? Why did she bring the wrath of God upon herself? Even, without a child, she could be worshipped by everybody. Why did she betray the love the king had for her? Love must be total, Half love is incomplela. If she really loved the king as the king loved her, why did she attempt to kill his innocent son? Well sha paid for her sin. May be she could still have been pardoned by the King because of the unconditional love he had for her but God Almighty intervened in this situation as some holy books would say “the wages of sin Is death” Now to the junior wife Aroojo, people in her position should ramain steadfast and prayerful, Nabody beliaved her when she sak she heard her baby cried. Was it because she was a slave thal she was treated that way? Wa shouldn't punish innocent souls for nothing. With God, truth shall always prevail. 103Hrs Ghani Aye Now to the king, does he share in the blame? Why did the king have to wait for 2yrs before the mystery is unraveled? He could have stopped the unpalatable situaliv al the palace the next day, the palm wine tapper visited and showed him the baby, Well, the king wanted some adventure. He wanted thee child to walk, Now to the palm wine tapper, he was committed to his job despite the prediction that he would be rich. Ha didn't walt for money to come to his house. He went to his job and got his reward. Ebo is. good, We must believe in it and need to be patient. We have been informed in my first book: Gaun env Ofdduimaré" that sacrifice may take some time to manifest as declared in Osa Oldyan by Orunmila that "Ibi Ti ni ke jekl Ha o se lodjig mg Osa Oldyan Io se idseju tt won ff mi awo dso" meaning “the suffering experienced by Oronmila is the reason why Ifa no longer takes a day to manifest, It was Osa oloyan that did more than what what was required of him and this it what makes people lo regard Babalawo as wizards. 3. Ejiogb Akole- Eni ba saand yoo ri aand gba Thomo- Givers never Lack Odu Ifa- Ejiogbe Oda awd Awe Koro Abd Awo cke Jierd Boda ba rid Babalawo Abo nf ribo Aaife fuin Qrunmita Nilo swon alejé til mete yoo wa site baba Ekini akulwerdpa Ekejl onijabute Eketa onigbodog? abapa Fogafaga Kolpe koljind apo wa lawa fisti¢ {eleore 104 BATTED A ee — Translation Scarcity of money, the priest of Koro Refuge, the Priest of Oke Ijera if Babalawo is suffering from scarcity of money The refuge shields him Cast divination for Orunmita When he would be visited by three undesirable people The first, man suffering fram epylepsy The second, man suffering from leprosy and tuberaulosis The third, man suffering from polio and elephantiasis Before long, we left the sack of Goodness for the benevolent. The story The condition of a Babalawo is not permanent, so also all human baings. At times, Babaldwos feel secured and motivated during period of boom, continuous patronage, large audience, cients coming to shrines for solution to one problem or the other. The Aabaldwos are happy during this period because they have a lot of money at their disposal, Then hardship comes. No clients, no audience, do divination. Everythings remains silent. There is na money to spend around. Yet babalawos have a lot of bills to settle. This was the situation Grdnmila was facing. How would he survive the hard limes? He consulted the three lfa priests: Oda owo awo Koro (Scarcity of many Priast of Koro) Abo awo Oke lero (Refuge the Priest of Oke ijero) Bodaa ba nda Babalawe abo nj nboo (if babalawo faces hardship the refuge shields him). They divined for Orunmila and Ejiogbe appeared. They told him the hardship would 90 and joy would follow. But ha has to be patient and do good at all times no matter the situation he finds himself. He would be rewarded. They told him he had to persevere In the following weeks because he might receive unexpected visitors. They told him to offer sacrifice which he did. One day, Orunmila was still meditating on his financial situation when he heard some knocks at his door. It was followed by the greatings “Abory Aboye Abogige (may the sacrifice be accepted). 105(ik, Cold Hil: Aye He responded "Ogbo Aié meaning (May you |lve long}, He open the door and saw three undesirable people. One man was sufferi from epilepsy, another man with leprosy and tuberculosis, and the third man suffering from polio and elephantiasis, Orunmile thought, could this be the unexpected visitors he wou receive. He remembered the words of Ifa ta do good at all times. He allowed them in. they told him they have come to spend some time with him. What do you expect a man complaining of money to do? How will he feed these strange visitors? Will he gat Infected with their contagious diseases? How would his wifa cope with these strange guesis? Despite all these unanswered questions; Orunmila put his faith in God as expressed in the words of Ha. He welcomed tham and put ther in a room. He called his wife Osunfunniayo and did the necessary introduction. He asked Osunnlayé to prepare food for them. She cid and the guests ate to satisfaction. This was in the morning. They also ate lunch and dinner and went to sleap. The next day it was the seme routine. For three days, they had to eal and drink. They were not ready to go. The food items in the house were already consumed and there was no food again yet the visitors must eat, What would he do? He called his wife, Osunnlayd silently and told her to go to the market to trade his ancient treasures, expensive beads, expensive clothes and regalia for money so that they can buy food to take care of the quests, Osunnlay® obeyed and did as directed but she came back with red ayes after some hours and met her husband with the visitors. She had to deliver some unpleasant message without the guests knowing. She resorted to lyere (Ifa's coded song): O tod ki o Gruinmilé Bara Agbonnilrdgun, ...hin Won feéyt kukiiru san igbio, ...hin Won fay! did san egbefa o, .,.hin Won fey # em! san sabedagun, hin N gbawa, N me gba wi fun mio N gbows, Nima gba wf fuin mio Nogbowd, N ra gba wi fun mi ba tiene telah eats ha Meaning: Listen my dear husband . They traded the short treasure with 200 ‘cownes They traded the beads with 1200 cowries They traded the ancient garments with 300 cowrles Should | accept the bargain or nat, tell me Should | accept the bargain or not, tell me Should | accept the bargain er not, tell me Ordnmilé responded: Onf been o, Osunniay aya mi, hin Thwoin ba fi ey! kukurd sari igbi o, -- hin Thwtin bd fi éyf ald san egbefa 0, ...hin Tiwen bd fieyl ti emi san egbedagun, ee hin Lo gbowe nif igrain alaijagun 0 Le gbowd nif tgran alajogun a Lo gbows nif toran alajogun a Meaning: O, yes, my dear wife Qsunniay : ifthey trade the short treasure with 200 cowries If they trade the beads with 1200 cowries : if thay trade the ancient garment with 3000 cowries Go and take the money so that | can take care af the visitors Go and take the money so thal | can take care of the visitors Go and take the money so that | can take care of the visitors st so much, but she unniayé felt bad because these treasures oo : re ho choice than to carry out her husband's wish. She returned home with a lot of food items. inment of the visitors continued for four more days. on te dans, they called Orunmila and thanked him for their good reception. They were ready to go. Orunmila urged them to stay further because he enjoyed their company. Thay said no, their time is up. Orunmila escorted then to some distance while many people 107Balen iia Aye were wondering whal a righteous and benevolent man could be doing with these to undesirable humans, After some further steps they parted ways. They left and Orunmila retumed home. He entered the guests’ room to do some spiritual cleansing, when he saw a big sack. 'Ho, these guests have forgotten their luggage’, He rushed back to find them, they had gone, He had to call them with lyord, divine song useful for communicating at long distance, tee elo Evin aktiwardpa alg dna... bin Eyin Onijabute Awo aie 9ja o...hin Eyin oni gbodogi abapa foga foga...hin Apo yin léyin fi silé kee to mi aloo Apo yin layin fi silé kée té aii aloo Apo yin lévin fi silé kée to mi algo Meaning: i, Please wail, people with epilepsy of yesterday's night People with leprosy and tuberculosis priest of the market People with polio anc elephantiasis with funny shaped arms You have forgotten your luggage as you left ‘You have forgotten your luggage as you laft ‘You have forgotten your luggage as you left They responded: See ni o, Ordamilia Bara Agbonmirdgun Awa aktiwardpa ale daa...hin Awa Onijabute Awo ale oj o...hin Awa Onighodog! abana foga foge...hin Apo hw i'dwa fi sil faildore 0 Apo lwd I'dwa ff sif@ foicore o Apo wa awa ff silé Foldore o Meaning: Yes, it rue Orormila We, the people with apylespy of yesterday's night We, the people with leprosy and tuberculosis, priest of market We, the people with polio and elephantiasis 108 Ie Obin Hele Age The sacks of Goodness we left for the Ben The sacks of Goodness we lait for the Benevolent The sacks of Goodness we left for the Benevolant When Orunmila retumed home and opened the sack, he saw a ancient beads, treasures, gold, silver, a lot of jewelnes, expen fabrics, garments, regalia, a lot of money worth billions of dollars, including blessing of longevity. good health and protection, Orunmila and his wife Osunnlay® thanked God and destiny which brought the above theme: Eni bd 9a4nd yid ri adnd gba Givers never lack COMMENT/EKO/AGBEYEWO/LESSON Wo must always remember that no condition is permanent. When we have teo much money at some pariod, we must remember that hard times shall come. We must always save for the rainy day. Even if we have little or nothing at home, we must be patient and prayerful, We must follow our destiny. Heavens help those who help themselves. We must seek spiritual counseling and follow instructions ratigiously. That was what Qranmila did when he consulted with all their directives. How many people can act the way Ordnmila did? How many people will allow someone with epilespy in his home? How many people would sell their treasures to take care of unwanted quests? How many people would have the patience and perseverance to accommodate uninvited guests for seven days? How many people would follow Ha's injunction? The way Ordnmila did. | pray to have the patience and wisdom of Oninmila so that | can be blessed abundantly. How much did Oranmila spend? How much did he get In retum? Now to many wives at home. How many of our wives can have the Joyally and endurance of Qsunniayo? Generally, women don't have such patianee, | know some women would advise their husbands against such kind gestures. How many will cook for the epiteptics? 108