African Traditional Religion : Odu Ifa discussion

[awo dino]

ese ÒTÙRÁ MÉJÌ

As - water - flows - over - the - path - the - path - flows - through -
the - Eri - river cast Ifá for the Muslim with long cloths on the day the
Muslim with long cloths was trying to follow the path of the Immortals.
Ifá advised the Muslim with long cloths to make ebo. The Muslim with
long cloths made ebo. From that day on things went smoothly for the
Muslim with long cloths.

Ifá says this person must lead a devotional life to receive blessings.
Etutu (offering): 4 eiyelé (pigeon), 4 adie (fowl), 2 sets of Muslim
prayer beads, 1 epo (bottle of palm oil), 1 white plate and money
determined by the diviner, offered to Obàtálá.

Otura meji is where we learn of the Yoruba belief that all paths are valid. In this Odu are many verses that speak to this. Someone might come for divination and be told they need to follow the path of Islam, or another religion. There is no feeling of superiority, no prosletyzing.

ese ÒTÙRÁ MÉJÌ

It - is - the - egg - that - reject - the - spirit - of - the - child - it -
was - the - spern - that - rejected - the - spirit - of - the - child cast Ifá for
Earth and the destructive powers living on earth, on the day Earth
wanted to make sales at the market. Ifá advised Earth to make ebo so
Earth would not be damaged by the destructive powers living on earth.
Earth made ebo. From that day on all profit stayed with Earth.

Ifá says this person should make ebo so the destructive ancestors
in their family will not steal their abundance. Ifá say this person should
make an offer of kindness to their colleagues so they do not become
jealous and destructive.
Etutu (offering): 1 eiyelé (pigeon), 1 adie (fowl), 1 white plate, 1 epo
(bottle of palm oil) and 100 nira (money), offered to Obàtálá.
Éèwu (taboo): uncooked oil.

Not all our ancestors are Egun. Egun relates to the elevated ones. Here in the west, since there is no ritual for collective elevation of one's ancestors, what is spoken to in this verse is epidemic. If one's collective ancestors are not helped to elevate, one will not be able to elevate themselves at death.

 

[Qwamii]

Eji Ogbe (Merindinlogun)

Eji Ogbe


"Teach me how to divine so that I may know how to divine;
Teach me how to appease the gods so that I may know hot wo appease the gods;
Teach me how to prescribe sacrifice so that I may know how to prescribe sacrifices"

They were the ones who cast for "If I will be wealthy"
Who was the child of Owner when the earth was just created,
Who was the child of Owner who owned all sorts of things,
Who was the child of Owner when existence had just begun.

Yes. "If I live I will be wealthy," what could he do that his life would be pleasant?
They said he should not be greedy;
They said he should serve his elders;
And he began to serve them.

If he went to this person he lived with him for eight years;
He would learn this person's wisdom
In those eight years
This person would teach his wisdom,
And then he would live with another
And so he lived with about sixteen people on earth
And he served like a child under them.
"If I live to be wealthy" followed directions.

Afterward they told him that
He should go home to become the heir apparent in his father's house;
And he became the heir apparent
All the wisdom that they had taught him,
He turned it into money;
He turned in into money;

And "If I live I will be wealthy"
Became wealthy, he was rich;
He begat children, his life was pleasant.
He was dancing, he was rejoicing;
He was praising the diviners, and the diviners were praising Orisha.

He said "Teach me how to divine so that I may know how to divine;
Teach me how to appease the gods so that I may know hot to appease the gods
Teach me how to prescribe sacrifice so that I may know how to prescribe sacrifices"

If I will be wealthy"
Child of Owner when the earth was just created,
Child of Owner who owned all sorts of things,

He said, "You taught me I do not need she-goats;
I do not need chickens
I do not seek money
Wisdom is all I am seeking"

"If I live I will be wealthy"
Became wealthy and had money.

This is where Orisha says that this person should not be greedy.
Eji Ogbe is like this.

~Qwamii~

 

[awo dino]

Irete Meji

In the fixed order of Ifa, Irete Meji occupies the 14th position. Irete from ire te meaning "to press" good fortune. Irete is the stubborn determination to create abundance, to move towards self-transformation. In its negative manifestation (ibi) it would be stubborness regarding needed change, or inappropriate goals. Irete creates determination. In Irete Meji we find the idea that it pays to stoop to conquer - humility leads to success. This Odu denotes dedication to Orunmila. Children of Irete Meji must be devotees of Orunmila. This will lead to good fortune (Ire). Head cleaning (bori) will be needed from time to time to help with stress as well as humiliation from evil forces. Cildren of this Odu must learn how tro relax; they become bored, impatient and are easily fatigued when under pressure. If this Odu comes up and the client or a family member is sick, the solution is at hand - ebo to Babaluaiye and the Mothers.

ese Irete Meji

Okan awo Oluigbo li difa f'Orunmila
nigbi Orunmila mi lo si Ife
Won ni iye eniti Orunmila ba te ko ni Iku
Ewe tete, eyele meji ati beebee ni ebo
O gbo o ru
Won gbo ewe tete sinu omi kio fi fo Ori

Okan awo Oluigbo cast Ifa for Orunmila
when he was going to Ife
He was told that anyone he initiated would not die young
Tete leaves and two pigeons as ebo
He listened and performed the prescribed ebo
The tete was crushed in water for washing his Ori
ase

 

[awo dino]

ese Irete Meji

"Otewori, do not hang yourself,
for prosperity will come to you"
was the one who cast Ifa for Otewori, on the day
that he decided to take his own life.
Far back in those times of yore
Otewori had the saddest life on earth,
so he went to find a tall tree,
tied a rope around a branch
to hang himself.
The rope broke with an audible snap
and Otewori fell down, hit his head
against a hard root, became unconsious,
and dreamed a dream of the afterlife
that so clearly had refused to take him.
There was (we are still in his dream)
the gatekeeper to Heaven, who
shoved Otewori aside, bitterly saying
that this hasty client was far, far too early.
Waiting and waiting in line Otewori heard
other Dead, who had lived their lives on Earth
to the full end of their measured days,
say how later in life and not at the beginning
they had received great prosperity and abundance.
So Otewori decided to go back, and having arrived
again in the sunny land of the living,
consulted the Awo's who said:
"Otewori, do not hang yourself,
for prosperity will come to you."
Ifa says here is a very unhappy person
who is about to go look for Death
but shouldn't find this Grim Reaper yet,
for health and happiness are on their way.

 

[awo dino]

ese Irete Meji

Amukikutu cast Ifa for the people of Ipere Amuyo on the day they were going to use gin to nurse their children. Ifa advised the people of Ipere Amuyo to make ebo. The people made ebo. From that day on, the children of Ipere Amuyo developed good character.
ase

Ifa says this person will have many children. Ifa says this person should make ebo so that her/his children will have abundance and develop good character.
ase
1 fowl, 1 pigeon, 1 bottle of palm oil, 1 white plate, eko and money offered to Oshun and Orunmila.