Ese Okanran

7/30/2019 Ese Okanran

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Ese Okanran-Meji

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Oh dear! What's happening?Let's now go praise Okanran-Meji!And do you see, by any chance,the path or road that Ifa tookto finally arrive here, at this place?"You killed the rat, and Ifa didn't get a bite;you killed the fish, and Ifa didn't get a taste.How do you dare to eat ekuru

in presence of the Elders of the Night?"These were the elder ones who did cast Ifafor Rooster on the Road, 't was on the daythat Rooster went to roost in Babalawo's house."You Pecker!", they told Rooster,"do sacrifice, in order not to havemuch trouble on your way, for evil eyes are many,and many envy you." "What should I sacrifice?"the Rooster asked in awe. "One of your very own!A rooster, and some ewe you will findthere on the dry side of the farm,a hatchet, and ten bags of cowries."The Rooster listened, made the sacrifice,but on his way to Babalawo's yardhe crossed, unwittingly, a patch of roadwhere evil medicine was sprinkled.So when he kneeled in front ofIfa's shrine,his prayers suddenly changed into curses:"You get this sickness, and you that!I wish you got..." It all went on like this."Good heavens!" Rooster said,

"What am I saying?! That's not nice!"And then the skies did darken, and the rain,the rain that long had threatened did now pourupon the Rooster's head like ocean waves.This calls for counter poison, after whichthe Rooster, glad again, could utter blessings."But first you spoke all curses," people said,"and what, please tell us, was that all about?""All words I spoke before the rain did come,"the Rooster answered, "only in appearancewere evil, in Orunmila's good ears

they have become benign." Now in the meantimethe Rooster's wife and children had been hearing


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the news that Husband (also Father)experienced some problems in the yard,and quickly-quick they came to his assistance.All's well that ends well. Children heard their fatherexplaining happily: "It's me. The Rooster.

There is no need to worry, for the Rainhas changed all evil into great abundance.These were theAwo's words: You killed the ratand gave nothing to Ifa, then you killedthe fish, and Ifa got no bite.How do you dare you eat ekuruin presence of the Elders of the Night?"That's what was cast for Rooster, on the dayhe went to visitAwo. Now, my friend,can you now see how urgent is the praisewe owe Okanran for the work he did?You now must make an offer, sacrificewhatever may be needed to survive.Say greetings to the Odu, for the Oduwill make your life go well.

Ese Oyeku-Meji

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Orunmila says he will father something big;I say that Ifa will father something big,and Ifa fathered Farm.Orunmila says he will father something big;I say that Ifa will father something big,and Ifa fathered Market.Orunmila says he will father something big;

I say that Ifa will father something big,and Ifa fathered War.Orunmila says he will father something big;I say that Ifa will father something big,and Ifa fathered Road.Orunmila says he will father something big;I say that Ifa will father something big,and Ifa fathered House,the last one Ifa fathered was House.After having done all this, Orunmila departedfor the house of Olokun, to read Ifa there,

where he remained for a full sixteen years.On his return voyage home, the first son he visited


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was War, who received his father with food and drink.Thereupon Orunmila wished to relieve his bowels,but War said that no one could relieve his bowelsin the house of War.The second son Orunmila visited was Market,

who received his father with food and drink.Thereupon Orunmila wished to relieve his bowels,but Market said that no one could relieve his bowelsin the house of Market.The third son Orunmila visited was Farm,who received his father with food and drink.Thereupon Orunmila wished to relieve his bowels,but Farm said that no one could relieve his bowelsin the house of Farm.The fourth son Orunmila visited was Road,who received his father with food and drink.Thereupon Orunmila wished to relieve his bowels,but Road said that no one could relieve his bowelsin the house of Road.The last son Orunmila visitedwas his youngest child House who,as soon as he saw his father, slaughtereda goat, cooked large heaps of food, masheddelicious yams, and invited his friends, allto entertain his returning father.When Orunmila had eaten and drunk to satisfaction,

he wished to relieve his bowels, and House openeda room and said: "My house is yours.My father may relieve his bowelsanywhere he wants in this room."After Orunmila had relieved his bowelshe closed the door of the room behind him.Not very much later Ifa againwished to relieve his bowels, and House openedanother room which Orunmila, afterhaving relieved his bowels, also closed again.Thereupon Orunmila told House to open

and clean the first room, and when House went inhe found the room full of money.Thereupon House opened the second room,finding it packed with valuable beads.Then Orunmila spoke that henceforward all profitsmade by Farm, Road, Market and War,would be to the benefit of House.Ifa says a visitor will come to see us;we should take care of this visitor well,so his goodness and favor will not pass us by,for this visitor brings us abundance.


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Ese Ogunda-Meji

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Orumila says that on enteringa room with a low door,we automatically bow.Ifa, the question is:"Who among the deitiesaccompanies their followerson every journey, withoutever turning back?"

Shango replied that he accompanieshis followers on every journey, withoutever turning back.They asked him: "But what if,after a long journey, walking and walking,you arrive at Koso, home of your fathers;and they cook bean soupand make yam pudding,and give you kola and a rooster?"Shango said: "After such satisfactionI return home."Then Shango was toldthat he could not accompany followerson a far journey without turning back.Orunmila says that on enteringa room with a low door,we automatically bow.Ifa, the question is:"Who among the deitiesaccompanies their followerson every journey, without

ever turning back?Oya replied that she accompaniesher followers on every journey, withoutever turning back.They asked her: "But what if,after a long journey, walking and walking,you arrive at Ira, home of your fathers;and they slaughter a fat animal,and put a pot of corn puddingin front of you?"Oya said: "After such satisfaction

I return home."Then Oya was told


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that she could not accompany followerson a far journey without turning back.Orunmila says that on enteringa room with a low door,we automatically bow.

Ifa, the question is:"Who among the deitiesaccompanies their followerson every journey, withoutever turning back?"Obatala replied that he accompanieshis followers on every journey, withoutever turning back.They asked him: "But what if,after a long journey, walking and walking,you arrive at Ifon, home of your fathers;and they slaughter a hen with eggs,and give you two hundred snails,together with greens and melon?"Obatala said: "After such satisfactionI return home."Then Obatala was toldthat he could not accompany followerson a far journey without turning back.Orunmila says that on enteringa room with a low door,

we automatically bow.Ifa, the question is:"Who among the deitiesaccompanies their followerson every journey, withoutever turning back?"Eshu replied that he accompanieshis followers on every journey, withoutever turning back.They asked him: "But what if,after a long journey, walking and walking,

you arrive at Ketu, home of your fathers,and they give you a rooster,and lots of palm oil?"Eshu said: "After such satisfactionI turn and go home."Then Eshu was toldthat he could not accompany followerson a far journey without turning back.Orunmila says that on enteringa room with a low door,we automatically bow.Ifa, the question is:"Who among the deities


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accompanies their followerson every journey, withoutever turning back?"Ogun replied that he accompanieshis followers on every journey, without

ever turning back.They asked him: "But what if,after a long journey, walking and walking,you arrive at Ire, home of your fathers,and they give you fried beans, and a dog,also a chicken, corn beer and palm wine?"Ogun said: "After such satisfactionI sing my Ijala chants,loud and joyfully, all the way home."Then Ogun was toldthat he could not accompany followerson a far journey without turning back.Orunmila says that on enteringa room with a low door,we automatically bow.Ifa, the question is:"Who among the deitiesaccompanies their followerson every journey, withoutever turning back?"Oshun replied that she accompanies

her followers on every journey, withoutever turning back.The asked her: "But what if,after a long journey, walking and walking,you arrive at Ijumu, home of your fathers,and they give you flour pudding,together with greens and corn beer?"Oshun said: "After such satisfactionI return home."Then Oshun was toldthat she could not accompany followers

on a far journey without turning back.Orunmila says that on enteringa room with a low door,we automatically bow.Ifa, the question is:"Who among the deitiesaccompanies their followerson every journey, withoutever turning back?"Orunmila replied that he accompanieshis followers on every journey, withoutever turning back.They asked him: "But what if,


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after a long journey, walking and walking,you arrive at Igeti, home of your fathers,and they give you two quick rats,two fishes that beautifully swim,two chickens with fat livers,

two goats heavy and pregnant,two short horned cattle with big horns;if they make mashed yams for you,and prepare yam pudding;if they give you well-brewed corn beer,and atare, and give you good kola?"Orunmila said: "After such satisfactionI return home."The they said to Orunmilathat he could not accompany his followerson a far journey without turning back.The Awo's were astonished.They could not utter a word, for they did notunderstand the parable.Ifa, I confess my helplesness.Please cloth me in wisdom.Ifa, you are the leader,I am the follower.You are the wise one who teacheswise things like one's father.Ifa, the question is:

"Who among the deitiesaccompanies their followers on every journey,without ever turning back?"Ifa said: "It is Ori, Ori alone,who accompanies his followeron every journey, withoutever turning back."When I have money it is my Oriwhom I praise.My Ori, it is you.When I have children it is my Ori

whom I praise.My Ori, it is you.All the good things I have on earth,It is my Ori whom I praise.My Ori, it is you.My Ori, I salute you,you, who does not forget his follower,you who blesses his follower quickerthan any other deity.No deity blesses a human beingwithout the consent of his Ori.Ori, I salute you.You who allows children to be born alive.


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One whose offers are accepted by his Orihas reason to dance and rejoice.Ifa says that this person should offerto his Ori. The offer is8 pigeons and 16 times 4000 cowries.

And Ifa says that if this onesacrifices to his Ori regularly,his life will be good.

Ese Irosun-Meji

I II I00

00

"Those who feel goodalso behave good, the goodAwo"was the one who cast for Head,on the day Ori came down to Earth.They told him to make ebo.Ori listened and made the sacrifice,him being the same Orithat had come to Earth fearingthere would be no abundance for him.Osun, being the one who listensand takes good care of me,you are the one I tell my destiny,Ifa, make me a rich man in this life.Ori, who thought that he would never have a wife,Osun, you are the one I tell my destiny,Ifa, let me have a good woman in my life.Ori, who came to Earth thinkinghe would have no ire,Osun, it's you I tell my destiny.

Ifa, let me have all ire in my life.

Ese Oshe-Meji

I I00I I00

"It is the greedy personthat bites off large pieces";


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"My eyes are infectedand I cannot see", and"Restless Water Lettuce"were the ones who cast for"Couldn't see, couldn't grab"

on the day he went to Ibadan.Could he count on having peace?"Sure, my friend," theAwo's said,"as long as you sacrifice soundly!""Sacrifice? Me? Forget it, friends!"The results were quite predictable:from all directions trouble came his way,which was exactly what theAwo's said!"It is the greedy personthat takes the largest pieces,my eyes are sorely infected, andRestless Water Lettuce"made divination for "Disowned",also widely known as"Cannot see, cannot grab".Now if we want to have our peacewe should rest. That's simple.On that very same day it fel uponthe people of Ibadan, that teeming city,that they cannot relax anymore.How sad, too bad, next time better.

Greetings to the sacrife, in orderfor us to be able to relax.Grant us that possibility!

Ese Obara-Meji

I I00

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In those olden days the people of Okoro were frightenedby weird and awful sounds, coming from an anthill in the bush.For somewhere in that anthill, there along the path,something was hiding, disquietingly, making sounds,rumbling and grumbling away, sonorously, scaringthe travelers, who cried out loudly:"What is it in that anthill that rumbles and grumbles?If it wants to kill, let it come out and kill.

But if it doesn't want to kill, let it be quiet,and let it cease its rumblings and its grumblings too".


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The frightened people went up to their king, the Onirese.The Onirese in his turn called Ifa for his help.They told the king to take an axe, a wooden axe, quite heavy,and take a hoe, a supple twig, and go into the bush,together with his people, to soundly wreck the anthill,

and there they went, the heroes, singing a warrior's song:"What is it in that anthill that rumbles and grumbles?If it wants to kill, let it come out and kill.But if it doesn't want to kill, let it be quiet,and let it cease its rumblings and its grumblings too".Although they were scared shitless, the people of Okorounder the well-meant guidance of their Onirese king,went digging in the anthill, discovered at its bottoma rattlesnake whose rattlings, being muffled by the anthill,had made the sounds that scared them, prompting them to cry in fear:"What is it in that anthill that rumbles and grumbles?If it wants to kill, let it come out and kill.But if it doesn't want to kill, let it be quiet,and let it cease its rumblings and its grumblings too".And so the problem solved itself, for that's the way of problems.The rattlesnake, exposed now by the people of the town,turned out to be unable to kill a single human,but yet it didn't want to stop its rumbling, grumbling sounds.The people of Okoro, having had enough of snake sounds,then beat the rattlesnake to death, and walked back home again.They sang ('t was for the last time) the song they had sang often:

"What is it in that anthill that rumbles and grumbles?If it wants to kill, let it come out and kill.But if it doesn't want to kill, let it be quiet,and let it cease its rumblings and its grumblings too".Ifa now says to all of us that though we may feel threatened,the threat is quite unreal and there's nothing there to fearbut fear itself. Though things unknown may seem a little scary,the second that we face our fears they simply fade away.

Ese Odi-Meji

I I0000I I

"The very tall and powerful Odi,the very very powerful Odi"were the ones who cast Ifafor Eji Odi, on the day

that he went to the market of Ejigbomekun,on the day also that he wept


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because he had no wife.They instructed Eji Odi to make sacrifice."Allright, but what?" was the notunreasonable question.They told him to offer

plenty of honey, for if it all fails,honey's sweetness still will do the trick.Eji Odi listened and made the sacrifice.Out of the large amounts of honeyhe took to theAwo's, theAwo's tookjust a little, and made medicine of it.As soon as Eji Odi arrived at the marketof Ejigbomekun, he accosted the Chiefof the Market Women, and poured some honeyfrom the medicine bottle theAwo's gave,into her private opening;this unorthodox method did the trick nicely.Both engaged in intercourse, and Eji Odihad the time of his life. So did the woman.The result of this strange encounter wasthat most men, arriving from far and wide, wantedto have intercourse with the Chief Market woman.She made them all happy, and they loudly sang:"Leader of Market Women, Chief, let us go!Sweet honey prevents usfrom leaving your market,

sweet honey."

Ese Ogbe-Meji

I II II II I

We will sacrifice now first,for a long life, and when no offering is madewe will not go on, we areunable to go on unless we nowdetermine exactly what has to be offered.Do you see why Ifa follows this strange road?Make sacrifice for a long life."King of a good journey,be blessed, may we liveanother fine year, and whenyet another year comes,

let's celebrate, saying:King of the good journey, blessings!


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Let us call him now.Call whom?Call this thin treethat will live long enoughto grow many leaves, oh yes,

narrow path that will become a highway"were the ones who cast for"He who cleared the path first,that's Ejiogbe".They say it is his time do die,but he says: "That bad newsI haven't received yet, call Oyeku-Meji!"Oyeku-Meji says, it is not my turn yet, rather Iwori-Meji.Iwori-Meji says Odi-Meji's time is up, try him.Odi-Meji says I'll make gladly room for Irosun-Meji.Irosun-Meji says no not me, you mean Owonrin-Meji.Owonrin-Meji says I'm sorry, wrong number, dial Obara-Meji.Obara-Meji says the line is engaged, try Okanran-Meji.Okanran-Meji says good heavens no, you need Ogunda-Meji.Ogunda-Meji says no way, call Osa-Meji.Osa-Meji says I'm busy, but Ika-Meji is free.Ika-Meji says get my neighbour: Oturupon-Meji.Oturupon-Meji says I can't come, Otura-Meji will come instead.Otura-Meji says not me. I go away, try the next.Irete-Meji says it's Ose-Meji you want.Ose-Meji says I am not home, try next door.

Ofun-Meji says right house but wrong person, Ose'Turawill go before me to carry my stuff.However, Ose'Tura has two thousandAwo'sto write the signs of the road in front of him,and one to make the sacrifice,two thousands chances to avoid death,and one to make medicine, which meansthat he must gain access to the animal kingdom.I am the one on whose shoulders rests the taskto find the one who can release me from this heavy death:goat, please go and take my place,

let me free so all of you will see menext year again, and we will celebrate this,and say: "Blessings be with you,King of the good journey!"Make sacrifice for immortality,that's what theAwo does.

Ese Osa-Meji

00I I


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I II I

"Osa is rich, makes a lot of noise,the sound of the bell reaches earth"were the ones who cast for Odu on the daythat she descended to Earth, and alsofor Ogun and Obatala, among whomOdu was the only woman."What will happen when we arrive on Earth?"Olodumare answered:"Whatever you want to obtain in life,I will give you the power to do so,in order for the world to become a good place."Ogun marched in front, Obatala followed,

and Odu lingered behind.Going back she asked:"Oh Creator, down there Ogun will havethe power of war. He has a machete,he has a gun, he has everything he needsto fight with.Obatala too has all the qualificationsto reach whatever goal he chooses.What then remains for me, the only womanamong them? What shall I do?"Olodumare spoke: "The power of motherhood

that keeps the Earth intact, belongs to you.The power of the Birds belongs to you.I will give you a large calabash,filled with these things.Odu, come back. Do you knowhow to use them?"Odu replied:"If humans don't listen to me,don't even ask my advice,then I will fight.If people ask me for money or children,I will be lenient towards them, providedthey are not impolite;for if that happens I will take it all back.""That's allright with me,"the Creator said, "but useyour power with coolness and notwith violence, or I will takeit away from you."Since that time, because of Odu,women have the power to always say what they want,

for in the absence of womenmen can do nothing.


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Odu came to Earth.All groves sacred to Egungun she entered freely,also the groves of Oro.All places where Spirits were worshipedthe woman showed herself.

Ha!, the old one was exaggerating, and Odufell into disgrace.Ifa was consulted on her behalf."Hey, you!" Ifa said,"You will have to calm down!""Why would I do so?""Because of the power you have been given,"explained theAwo's, "in order for peoplenot to find out what it's all about.""They won't," replied Odu, "for nobody sawhow the Creator gave me that power!""Sacrifice anyway!" theAwo's advised."No!" replied Odu."Nobody will takemy power away from me.They don't know about it."Then she put on masquerader's clothand went out in the open.There was nothing she did not do in those days.Obatala went to Ifa, said:"Hey! The Creator gave me authority on Earth,

but this energetical woman takes everything over.There is no place where she does not go."Ifa comforted Obatala:"No one can wrench the world from your hands.The world will not spoil. Sacrifice snails,a whip, and eight pieces of money."When Obatala sacrificed Orunmila said:"Don't worry: worship will return to you."In the meantime it was so that when Odu said:"Don't look!", and people still looked,they went blind.

"Let us live together," she said to Obatala,"That way you can see everything I do."Obatala sacrificed snails to his Ori,and then drank the fluid from the shells."Do you want some, Odu?"She drank and her stomach calmed down."Oh, I have discovered delicious food,snail fluid is sweet, snail fluid is sweet."And so Obatala gave herall the snails she wished."But all the things you have,all the things you do?""I will share it all with you," Odu replied.


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And then, when she went to worship Egungun,saying she was scared,Obatala went with her.In the sacred grove she put on the costume,but couldn't produce a sound like Egungun.

Later Obatala added a face cover to the costume,took the whip, and spoke with the voice of Egungun.He went outside."Hey! Ha!" people said, "This truly isan appearance from another world."He even scared Odu. Hey! Who put onthat costume so quickly? Who spokewith that unrecognizable voice?"So the man conquered the womanthrough cleverness.Obatala went through the whole townas Egungun.Seeing he was not at home,recognizing her costume,Odu stayed where she was and sent her Bird,to go sit on the masked one's shoulder.From that moment on, all what Egungun could dowas because of the power of Birds.When Obatala as Egungun had done everything,he came home, put the whip downand greeted Odu.

"You can have Egungun," she said,"Nevermore will a woman dare wear the costume,but the power you used will be our property,and when you go out I will dance for you.From now on only men will go out as Egungun.But nobody, children nor old men,will dare to mock women.The power of women is greater.Women give life through giving birth,and whatever men may want to do,women must help them or they will mess up."

So they sang together, and Obatala saidthat every week everybody must praise women,for the world to be peaceful.Bend your knee, bend your knee for women,for women brought you into this world;women are the wisdom of Earth,women have brought us into this world;have respect for women.

Ese Ofun-Meji


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00I I00I I

"When one leg goes forththe other must follow.If the father leads,the child follows behind.If, however, the child walks in front,then it will be honored as greaterthan once was its father."Ofun once was the first of all Odu,but he arrived late in Ife-Ondaiye:others came before him, because on his way

he had drank his fill, nicely and thirstilydrunk lots of palm wine.Finally arriving on Earth, Ofun foundEjiogbe having taken his place,Ejiogbe was first among Odu,Ofun was mad, and quite disappointed.The others said: "You were our leader,always in front, and we thoughtwhen we arrived here to find you,having like always gone before.So we simply took the placesin rank we thought ours."Then the people of Ife confirmed,after having heard this in earnest:"When one leg goes forththe other must follow.If the father leads,the child follows behind.If, however, the child walks in front,then it will be honored as greaterthan once was its father."

Ese Owonrin-Meji

0000I II I

Come gather all around me now,

you divination clients for this session,for it's for many people here together


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Owonrin speaks, as Ifa will explain."All tribal marks are gathered now,some faces here have thirty carvings,horizontally: that's called abajaSome others here have twenty

chevrons on their face: that's keke,and others still have fifty linesthat we call woro-woro, vertical."These were the ones who cast for Odunmbaku,the son of Ifa, yes, Orunmila's own son.They told their client he must sacrificefive bags of cowries and a five-toed chickento put outside, close to the road,taken by Hawk, then lost from sight.The sacrifice was gone, accepted.Iku, that's Death, came looking;and happy Odunmbaka said: "Good heavens,'t was Hawk took Chicken, and your road is blocked.This year I cannot go with you,so next year better, Death!I'm very sorry, but you know: that's life!"Death shrugged his shoulders, for whateverwe say about him: he's an honest fellow,who never takes what not belongs to him.The people sang and dancedand loudly praised their Ifa,

saying: "This year we should have died,but Iku just took Chicken,and left us living, yet to see another year.That's what theAwo's said:"All tribal marks are gathered now,some faces here have thirty carvings,horizontally: that's called abajaSome others here have twentychevrons on their face: that's kekeand others still have fifty linesthat we call woro-woro, vertical."

These were the ones who cast for Odunmbaku,the son of Ifa, yes, Orunmila's own son.All make the sacrifice, along with Odunmbaku,a chicken to Iku, for us to live some more.

Ese Iwori-Meji

00

I II I


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00

Let us all sing now for Iwori-Meji,in order to be able next year, this time,to come together again, Orunmila,

to celebrate having survived a whole year."It is the ant hill I saw,changed into a sticky image,who stuck his foot into the mud?It has been divided through the middle;efun powder, once inhaled,sticks to the hairs in both nostrils;muck from the throattouches the ground,starts rolling forward,

bouncing like balls".Those were the ones who castIfa for "Sperm,also Vitality", becoming a childof heaven, not ours, yes indeed.Child, you've got color, you've got spiritualforce of life; why don't you become thena human being?"Prospective Parents", parents ofAbiku,received the messagethat they should offer

four bush rats, four hens,four times 20.000 cowries together.They listened and made the sacrifice,good ewe was duly prepared then for them,and energy coming down from Heavenstopped being absorbed into the Earth,making pregnancy possible.That is how the act becomes a child.It won't be long now, it's not far away,before you'll rejoice with us,dancing and praisingour splendid son.Gratefully sung:"Ashe now no longerflows right into Earth,when I make loveI will have a baby,blood will not come again,her hands an her feetwill be white like efun,when I make love to her

the results will be mighty."Greetings to offerings,


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salute to the sacrifice,made and accepted,and fully effective.Greetings to all.

Ese Ika-Meji

00I I0000

Ifa says that all this person's possessionsmust be divided through the middle, in two,

in order for him not to loose both halves,that is to say loose it all.Ifa says that all this person's possessionsmust be divided through the middle, on behalfof a sacrifice, because for this personthe Ikin were beaten, the Opele was caston behalf of his life, for whicha goat should be sacrificed now."The beach gradually turns into sea, wet;the sea gradually turns into beach, dry"were the ones who cast for Owner of Hot Waterand also cast for Owner of Cool Water.Both asked what they would have to doin order to have a good life, abundant.TheAwo's instructed both to make sacrifice.Oshun offered cold water,Omolu offered hot water.When Omolu grabs a child,he dips it into hot water,and we say: "It has a fever".Then Oshun is given palm oil and

whatever else she wants, and she coolsthe child in cool water; we say:"Ha! Olorun did this! When we went to Oshunshe made the child loose its fever."This was the time when people beganto venerate these two deities.The people danced and rejoiced,praising theirAwo's who in turn praised Ifa,while Ifa praised Olodumare, becausetheirAwo's had spoken the truth."The beach gradually turns into sea, wet;

the sea gradually turns into beach, dry"were the ones who cast for Owner of Hot Water


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and also cast for Owner of Cool Water,when both came from Heaven to Earth.How do we know Owner of Hot Water?He is the one we call Omolu.How do we know Owner of Cool Water?

She is the one we call Oshun.Aye, this is where Ifa saysthat a sacrifice should be made, for weare too hot, far too hot.Sacrifice, before hotness kills us.

Ese Oturupon-Meji

00

00I I00

Now we have arrived at this text from Oturupon-Meji,all those who listen to what I chant here(for like in days of yore we do nowadays),they turn their backs towards this Odu, for I,Agboju Odebunmi, will not speak further, not unlessthis client and all others who are presenthave turned their backs on us and closed their eyes,for they are not allowed to see this Odu.Now make a sacrifice for health!"The good deeds of the Hornbill Birdbackfired on him, and no one sincehas done such kindness anymore,fixing their eyes in wonderand amazement on the Hornbill Bird"did cast for "Death caught Owner",both worshipper of Black Ogun,andAwo of the Early Dawn.

He says: "What's that?"They say: "Do sacrifice, my friend,in order not to find yourself in trouble."It is from Heaven that the palm weevilbrought his adversity into this world.They say: now go and tell it to"Elder who broke the palm oil keg",that is Obatala, he whoby covering it all, made it all right..."It is a starting war, an inner struggle,that goes on in the backyard of the skull,

which is the sacred home of Iponri,the secret home of Iponri, that is"


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cast for "She gave him Nightly Favors", concubinein Oba's palace until daybreak, shining clearly,so we see honor, wealth and health abundant:that is how odu got her name Odu.Now it turns out (don't fear!)

that He-dog mates with Night, and hence becominghis mother's husband, for his mother: that's what she is.We say: Ifa has come, oh, Ifa comes!Ifa now dims the light, so that the dogcan bite and show his teeth.This obscure mating better happens in the dark.Away, you weird placenta of the Night!Evil and badness, turn away from me!Oh yes, and now may those who turned their backs on usand Odu, turn around and face us once again.The He-dog still philanders with the Night:women are all the same to him, all women,and so he is the husband of his Mother!This is the hidden side, forbidden, of Oturupon.Let those who want to praise this sacred Oduwait after dark has fallen, kill the lightsuntil the praising has been duly finished.And if it happens in the afternoon, do close your eyes,and turn around, on Odu turn your back.When worshipping Ifa by chanting Odufrom the beginning to the end, when you arrive

at texts pertaining to the OduOturupon-the-Twins, do keep some kola,some kola nuts behind you, at your back,and say: "Now go away, all evil things,turn back, and watch the Doghaving his Mother."And then the evil things will turn away,and if you now all leave yourself and othersin peace and quiet calm, the evil thingswill leave you too in peace.Salute the offer

that's given and accepted,and we'll survive it all.

Ese Otura-Meji

I I00I II I

"Restles mouth, slippery mouth;


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the evil brought about by mouthis the worst kind of evil;it is the mouth of Chatterboxthat eventually kills Chatterbox;it is the mouths of those who idly chatter

that will kill those who idly chatter;it is the restles mouth that killsChatterbox, Blabbermouth."Those were the oneswho cast Ifa for Squirrel,who built his home along the roadside.They instructed Squirrel to be alert,be very much alert about his incapabilityto keep his tiny trap shut, abouthis utter inability to keep a secret.They told him not to tell anything,whatever he knew, immediately to others.Squirrel, of course, did not heed the advice.A short time later Squirrel's wifegave birth to twins, to ibeji,which pleased Squirrel mightily.He immediately announced:"Now hear this, now hear this!Squirrel has twins! His homehas become full of life. All thosethat listen: come and see

Squirrel's twins."When the people heard these words,they stepped aside the path, openedSquirrel's nest, and searched it.While searching Squirrel's nestthey found his two children.They took the young breed home,put them on top of mashed yams,and along with the soup Squirrel's childrenslid down people's throatsto their stomachs. Yummie!

Ifa says that we should not shoutour good fortune from the rooftops,nor should we tell any secrets, for silencehelps us to keep what is ours.That is exactly what theAwo's said:"Restles mouth, slippery mouth;the evil brought about by mouthis the worst kind of evil;it is the mouth of Chatterboxthat eventually kills Chatterbox;it is the mouths of those who idly chatterthat will kill those who idly chatter;it is the restles mouth that kills


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Chatterbox, Blabbermouth.""Like water runs over the path,so runs the path through the Eri-river"cast for "Muslim with long gowns",on the day that "Muslim with long gowns"was endeavoring to follow the path

of the Immortals.The instructed Muslim to make ebo.Muslim listenen and made the ebo.From that day on all went well and easyfor "Muslim with long gowns".Ifa says this person shouldlead a life of devotion, in orderto receive blessings.The ebo is: 4 pigeons, 2 sets ofMuslim prayer-beads, 1 pot palm oil,1 white plate, and an amount of cowriesto be set by theAwo.all to Obatala.

Ese Irete-Meji

I II I00

I I

"Otewori, do not hang hourself,for prosperity will come to you"was the one who cast for Otewori, on the daythat he decided to take his own life.Far back in those times of yoreOtewori had the saddest life on earth,so he went to find a tall tree,tied a rope around a branch

and hang himself.The rope broke with an audible snapand Otewori fell down, hit his headagainst a hard root, became unconsious,and dreamed a dream of the afterlifethat so clearly had refused to take him.There was (we are still in his dream)the gatekeeper to Heaven, whoshoved Otewori aside, bitterly sayingthat this hasty client was far, far too early.Waiting and waiting in line Otewori heard

other Dead, who had lived their lives on Earthto the full end of their measured days,


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say how later in life and not at the beginningthey had received great prosperity and abundance.So Otewori decided to go back, and having arrivedagain in the sunny land of the living,consulted theAwo's who said:

"Otewori, do not hang yourself,for prosperity will come to you."Ifa says here is a very unhappy personwho is about to go look for Deathbut shouldn't find this Grim Reaper yet,for health and happiness are on their way.

Ese Okanran-Oyeku

0000000 I

Good grief, now look at this!First came Okanran, then came Oyeku!Watch your heart, take carethat it won't miss a beat.Be careful too, Ifa says,that you don't miss anything else,for to this client Ifa saysthat something is in dangerto be totally overlooked,to go missing.Ifa says that somewhere in our lifea crack, a break, a holeis now developing.Respect and alertnes are in order!Ifa says to watch the tiny things,for it's a small thing that might

ruin our plans. For there is a hole,a break, an emptiness developingin our life. Ifa says:"Fill in that hole,fill up the emptiness."The emptiness is temporary, butshould be filled anyway.Lay your foundations now,and build later.

Ese Okanran-Ogunda


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I 0I 0I 00 I

Greetings to Okanran and Ogunda,who fell in exactly that sequence."A good rooster knows when to crow,a good penis knows when to rise,a good rooster knows exactly when to crowto make the tired penis, about to fall asleep,rise in time and glory."These were the ones who cast Ifafor Tired Penis, on the daythat he did not know whether

to rise or not to rise.That was the question.Ifa says that this is the right timeto rise and get crackingwith regard to the matterthat we consulted Ifa for.Ifa instructs this clientto make sacrifice, in ordernot to fail when we are repeatedlyand urgently called uponto duly perform.This client must sacrificein order to wake refreshed in the morning,for work is waiting.

Ese Okanran-Irosun

I 0I 0000 I

"Don't curse your fate, becauseyou know exactly what you've got,but not yet what you will get;maybe you'll get your wayand another fate: worse."These were the ones who castfor Impatience, on the daythat he was very dissatisfiedwith his fate, his destiny.

They told him to be carefuland not hasty, because he who


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unthinkingly changes fate or destiny,runs the risk of making matters worse!Ifa says that this clientshould not run in circles, should notdo things like an automatic robot,

and that this client should smileand simply survive the bad times,for the good ones will come.Look, Ifa says, it seemsthat nothing happens, but you can'texpect thunder when the sky is blue,and in the dry seasonno rain will fall.Use this period of stagnationcreatively, to gather strengthfor when the tempest comes!Ifa says: make sacrifice,in order to be prepared to dancewhen the wild music starts again.

Ese Okanran-Oshe

I 000I 00 I

"If you don't know what to do yourself,how can anybody else tell you?"were the ones who cast formy Father Oshoosi, on the daythat 401 conflicting instructions reached him,about how he was expected to act.There was Oshoosi: how could heever figure this out?One person said: "Do this!"

while the other said: "Do that!"and strangely enough "this" and "that"were never even remotely similar.Father said to himself: "If I don't knowwhat to do myself, how cananybody else tell me then?"Well now, that made sense, of course.So Oshoosi took his bow and arrow,and a-huntin' he went.As usual one person said: "Go hither!"while the other said: "Go thither!",

whereupon the first changed his opinionand quickly said: "Go thither"


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which gave the second person causeto re-direct: "Go hither!"Father Oshoosi, being thoroughlyfed up with this nonsense, replied:"Until you finally figure out

whatever it is you want or mean,I will go my own way, follow my own noseuntil I arrive where the game is hiding.Anything else?" No, there was notanything else, so the quarreling continuedwithout Father Oshoosi, who trotted offhappily into the woods and heard,echoing behind him, still the know-it-alls:"Aim high!", "No! Aim low!","No, absolutely aim high!","No! Of course aim low!"Oshoosi shrugged his shoulders, aimedhis arrows exactly where he himselfthought he should aim, and of courseall his arrows found their targets.He who tries to teach Oshoosi how to shootis like a man explaining to a womanhow exactly to give birth to a child.Father danced and rejoiced, praising theAwo'swho in turn praised Ifa, becausehis diviners had spoken the truth.

"If you don't know what to do yourself,how can anybody else tell you?"Those were the ones who cast Ifafor my Father Oshoosi, on the daythat 401 conficting instructions reached himon whatever to do, on the daythat he left his quarrelsome advisors behind him,and became free and succesful again.

Ese Okanran-Obara

I 000000 I

Well now, my friend, if you see Okanran fallto the right, and Obara falls to the left,then a thunderstorm is coming for you, eitherin a literal or in a metaphorical sense.Ifa says that with the rainstorm falls a blessing,

a blessing will come to this person from Heaven.Ifa says that this person's Iponri is looking for him, searching.


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Ifa says this person should actively workto align himself with his Iponri.Ifa also says that this person learns the hard way,by butting his head against the wall;stubborn, we call this.

Well now, take the hard roadif you don't want to followthe easy one! It's your own choice.The main thing is that you eventually arriveat the goal of your destiny.When Okanran falls, accompanied by Obara,then multiple rhythms will run through your life,and ups and downs follow in sequence:down goes the hand and the drum sounds;up goes the hand and there is silence.This person should learn, Ifa says,when to show a hard hand, and whento show a gentle one.Get your head cleaned in orderto improve the quality of your dreams.

Ese Oyeku-Oshe

I 000

I 000

"Let us not die as the friendof the house of strangers,may we not diein the house of mourning";"When Death comes, let us praisethose friends of brave character";"A shrewd man will never die inside";

"Feathers improvethe beauty of the bird";"Friend of Afinjumaku,don't die, don't do evil":these were the ones who castfor human beings, on the daythey called theAwo'swhen the town realized that no onecan withstand Death.This Odu speaks of the deathof this person, or of the death

of someone very close to him.


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We shall be at peace with Death,whether he is close or far away.

Ese Ogunda-Irosun

I II I0 I00

"Ogunda did not give offence,Ogunda did not cause pain,it is not good to punish Ogunda"were the ones who cast for Olowo,

on the day that he was toldto make sacrifice, in order not tobe punished his whole life long.They said that never in his lifeOlowo would be punished."What is the sacrifice?"one very happy Olowo asked.One pigeon, one sheep, 4400 cowries.Olowo listened and made the sacrifice.Always honor and respect other people;it is better not to punishthe son of an honorable man.A tree is honoredfor its complicated shape;albino's are honoredbecause of Obatala.All of you should honor me.

Ese Irosun-Okanran

0 I0 I00I 0

"Those who fail in their defenseagainst insults from others,must continue to suffer"were the ones who cast for allservants ofIfa, especially

for the omolawo Ologbo.Ologbo, that is the Cat, was determined


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to conquer all obstacles, and havevictory over his enemies.They ordered him to sacrifice a knife,atare pepper, 22.000 cowries, and ewe.Cat listened, made the sacrifice, and sang:

"The ikeke always dominates the wood;let me dominate my enemies today;let this medicine help me out today."The ebo is 1 knife, atare pepper,a flat headed pin, ikeke-ori leaf, isepe leaf,herbs from the farm, and 22.000 cowries.Grind the pepper with the bark of the ikekeand rub the powder on the top of the head.Eat the atare peppers before sayingthe invocation, and spit them afterthe invocation out over pin and knife,held together. Then stick the ikeketo the top of a garden tree with the pin.Use the powder pften, and rub the knifewith atare pepper mixed with water.

Ese Irosun-Oyeku

0 I0 I00

00

"By not kwowing what we have to do,we finish up doing exactly nothing;by not knowing what we should not do,we make the same mistake over and over again"were the ones who cast for Oshoosi, on the daythat he was worried about his path. Should heor shouldn't he try again, what in the past

had only given him lots of trouble?They told him that no animal, not even the donkeystumbles over the same stone twice, so whywould Father be more stupid than the beasts?Well now, Oshoosi had no answer to that.

The instructed Father not to take uphis old trade, that time upon timehad given him trouble but very little money,for the thousandth time again. They told Fathernot to pay attention to those people

that in the past had given him on disappointmentafter the other. And they instructed Father to burn


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a small lamp or a candle for Eshu, in order for himto finally close the roads where one runs in circles,and open new ones toward good luck and abundance.Ifa says we've got a person here who is

very disappointed in people he had counted on.Put it out of your mind, Ifa says, and neverthink of them again, every energy investedin chewing that old cud is wasted, what a waste!And Ifa says this person is on the brinkof letting themselves be abused again,like in the past, when others harvestedthe fruits of his labor. Ifa saysthis situation should not be repeated!And Ifa says that this particular client

is caught up in an obsession with peoplewho in the past have used him. Stop it!

They are not worth you energy at all!And Ifa says (we have not finished yet!)that his human being should be much moreon a spiritual path than a materialistic one,especially where his work is concerned, so ifthere is a choice (and there always is!) we shouldchoose the spiritual side and not, as ususal,

the materialistic one. So do not complain anymoreabout a friend who turned out to be a parasite,or about another who has disappointed us;by thinking about having been short changedwe only short change ourselves, and we are better offwithout the other. And if we have a choiceof long term thinking and of short, we shouldthink of the long term, for the tendenciesthat made us fail have not yet changed.So think ahead, abuse should be avoided.

The ebo is adimu for Eshu,and money to be determined by theAwo, in orderto get out of the rut that has kept us for so long. EseIrosun-Okanran

0 I0 I00I 0

"Those who fail in their defense


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against insults from others,must continue to suffer"were the ones who cast for allservants ofIfa, especiallyfor the omolawo Ologbo.

Ologbo, that is the Cat, was determinedto conquer all obstacles, and havevictory over his enemies.They ordered him to sacrifice a knife,atare pepper, 22.000 cowries, and ewe.Cat listened, made the sacrifice, and sang:"The ikeke always dominates the wood;let me dominate my enemies today;let this medicine help me out today."The ebo is 1 knife, atare pepper,a flat headed pin, ikeke-ori leaf, isepe leaf,herbs from the farm, and 22.000 cowries.Grind the pepper with the bark of the ikekeand rub the powder on the top of the head.Eat the atare peppers before sayingthe invocation, and spit them afterthe invocation out over pin and knife,held together. Then stick the ikeketo the top of a garden tree with the pin.Use the powder pften, and rub the knifewith atare pepper mixed with water.

Ese Irosun-Oyeku

0 I0 I0000

"By not kwowing what we have to do,we finish up doing exactly nothing;

by not knowing what we should not do,we make the same mistake over and over again"were the ones who cast for Oshoosi, on the daythat he was worried about his path. Should heor shouldn't he try again, what in the pasthad only given him lots of trouble?They told him that no animal, not even the donkeystumbles over the same stone twice, so whywould Father be more stupid than the beasts?Well now, Oshoosi had no answer to that.The instructed Father not to take up

his old trade, that time upon timehad given him trouble but very little money,


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for the thousandth time again. They told Fathernot to pay attention to those peoplethat in the past had given him on disappointmentafter the other. And they instructed Father to burna small lamp or a candle for Eshu, in order for him

to finally close the roads where one runs in circles,and open new ones toward good luck and abundance.Ifa says we've got a person here who isvery disappointed in people he had counted on.Put it out of your mind, Ifa says, and neverthink of them again, every energy investedin chewing that old cud is wasted, what a waste!And Ifa says this person is on the brinkof letting themselves be abused again,like in the past, when others harvestedthe fruits of his labor. Ifa saysthis situation should not be repeated!And Ifa says that this particular clientis caught up in an obsession with peoplewho in the past have used him. Stop it!They are not worth you energy at all!And Ifa says (we have not finished yet!)that his human being should be much moreon a spiritual path than a materialistic one,especially where his work is concerned, so ifthere is a choice (and there always is!) we should

choose the spiritual side and not, as ususal,the materialistic one. So do not complain anymoreabout a friend who turned out to be a parasite,or about another who has disappointed us;by thinking about having been short changedwe only short change ourselves, and we are better offwithout the other. And if we have a choiceof long term thinking and of short, we shouldthink of the long term, for the tendenciesthat made us fail have not yet changed.So think ahead, abuse should be avoided.

The ebo is adimu for Eshu,and money to be determined by theAwo, in orderto get out of the rut that has kept us for so long.

Ese Obara-Irete

I II 000

I 0


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"When Obara fallsand then Irete falls, we thinkimmediately of Orunmila"were the ones who cast for Orunmilaand told him to sacrifice, in order

not to encounter an enormous problem,and also to be important, always,wherever he would be or go.What was to be sacrificed?To be sacrificed was a snail,a white cloth, 3200 cowries, and ewe.Orunmila listened and made the sacrifice.And then they told him that he would neverbe confronted with anything above his powers.Orunmila initiated himself into Ifa,and always, forever, he wouldinitiate others into Ifa too, he wouldinitiate all students ofIfa.Ifa says this Odu says that his person might beon the path of Ifa.The ebo is 1 snail,a white cloth, 780 cowriesand ewe."I cast my eyes in front of the world,and perceived reason and intelligence;I looked at the trail the world had left

and perceived only misery; so I wrappedmy gown around me and took off, fast,like the whole world was pursuing me"were the ones who cast for Orunmila,on the day that Iku, that is Death, wantedto collect all Orisha's at once.Orunmila asked: "Will he take me?"They told him to sacrifice a rooster,a ram, and seven bags of cowries,and they prepared ewe for him,named Erunyantefe, and Iku

could not kill Orunmila, who liveduntil he reached a very ripe old age.And that's exactly what theAwo's had said:"I looked into the future and I sawreason, intelligence, and behind menothing but misery and trouble, so I tookmy meager possessions and shot throughwith the padre's daughter, like a man possessed,like one who is hunted prey" were the oneswho cast for Orunmila, on the daytha Iku wanted to get all Orisha's.Greetings to the sacrifice here, madeto make our survival slightly more likely.


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Ese Odi-Okanran

0 I

0000I I

"The palm tree by the crossroadsis carved by many a machete" and"Two people cannot sleepon a duiker hide" were the oneswho cast for Olokun, on the daythat Olokun was to suffer a loss.

They said that someone would suffer a lossthat year, and oh yes:the sacrifice would betwo pigeons and 10.000 cowries.Then, after only a short time,Olokun's cow died, and she put the carcassunderneath a shroud, just likeshe would have done with a human body.She instructed her familiy to spread the wordthat Olokun had died, and to tell theAwo'sto come and cast Ifa, exactly likewhat would have happened had she really died.When the priests came they all cast Ifabut not one of them managed to discover the truth:all said that now Olokun was deadeverything would be allright. These,one might say, were incompetentAwo's.Then Olokun's family, taken back withtheAwo's failures, asked whether somewhere elsemight be anAwo left, a good one.They answered that only "Tail" was left.

So Tail was invited, he cast his Ifa,and promptly declared that Olokun wasn't dead,but that she only had suffered a loss.Then Olokun came out of her hiding placeand appointed Tail her personal Awo, becausehim being the only one who had told the truth.Tail swiftly determined Olokun's sacrifice:two goats, a gown and 50.000 cowries, in ordernot to suffer another loss.Olokun listened and made the sacrifice.Then she told allAwo's that,

whenever they went out to divine,they always should have Tail with them.


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And from that day on all Babalawo's havea flyswitch, made from a cow's tail,just like the Oni of Ife carries, with them.They all sang a song in praise of Tail:"I'm going home to get my Tail,

for Tail is what the King of Ife carries.""When Olofin falls ill,we ask theAwo's to divineand speak about his illness"were the ones who cast Ifa, on the daythat Olofin fell illand asked theAwo's to divineand speak about his illness."You will tell Olofin,"theAwo's said to the messenger"that he must sacrifice his eldest servantto the main Iroko tree in his district,in order to get better and be whole again."The messenger ran home to Olofin,but having arrived there he deliberatelygarbled the message, and told Olofinthat theAwo's had saidthat he should sacrificehis eldest son to the tree. Why?How could a thing like this happen?Well now, theAwo's had not known

that the messenger himselfwas the eldest servant of Olofin;they simply had read the Odu,exactly like anAwo should.And the messenger, of course, could not beexpected to ask Olofin for his own death,so his omission, his garbling of the messagewas only natural and human!So Olofin gave his eldest sonto the Iroko tree while his wife was away,for women, as we know, are rather

peculiar about these things.When mother returned home,she learned about what had happened.She immediately went to theAwo'sto verify whether her eldest sonreally was the sacrifice!TheAwo's, of course, repliedthat this wasn't what they had said.They informed the motherof having told the messengerthat the eldest servant was the sacrifice.As fast as she could run the womanran to the Iroko tree, she ran


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over seven hills and through seven valleys.When she reached the seventh hillshe saw her son being tied to the tree.The Iroko tree is known as Iroko Olojudo.She sang while she ran:

"Reremide my son, wait for me, Reremide.It is not right to sacrifice my sonto the Iroko tree, Reremide."Just when they were about to kill the sonthe woman reached the tree,and told the story,and the boy was set free.He clicked his fingers and shouted with joy,while telling his mother that he did not wantever to see his father again.While his mother knelt and begged,the young man flapped his arms,and changed into theAgbe-bird.He flew to the crown of the tree and sang:"The memory of my father's deedsagainst me, daily rings a bell with me."And until the present dayAgbe-birdssing exactly this song.The ebo is: 4 snails, 780 cowries,some ewe from "leaf of preference"and "leaf of comfort", crushed in water,

to thoroughly washone's body with.

Ese Ogbe-Odi

I I0 I0 I

I I

"Ogbedi, the sturdy one,Ogbedi, the very strong one;wrap it up and don't let the points stick out,take care that they don't stick out"were the ones who cast for Big Beast, who wantedto ask Grasshopper to help him on his farm.The same neighborly duty was required of Hen.And he asked Wolf. And he asked Dog.He asked Hyena and he asked the Hunter.

He did ask Snake and also Walkingstick.And Fire too he asked.


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He did ask Rain, he did ask Draught,and last of all he askedthe tiny Drops of Dew.Big Beast had been admonishedto sacrifice before, and he was told

to stay away, to stay away from trouble,which Big Beast had solemly promised,but he came from a difficult family.Big Beast began a farm,and when the time of harvest camehe went to Grasshopper, and said:"Friend, help me. Come within seven daysand do your duty as a neighbor."Grasshopper answered: "Sure. But look:I have an enemy. And if you wantthat I come help you on your farm,then don't invite her:it is Hen. Don't ask her to performher neighborly duty as well."Big Beast declared: "What? She with thepointed beak? I won't invite her, forthere's nothing she can do."This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Hen,and greeted her as follows:"Mother of many chickens,

please help me on my farm,in seven days from now."Hen said: "Oh yes, I'll be there,but please, you shouldn't askif Wolf will come also."Big Beast calmed her and said:"He with the blackened gums?I do not need him, forwhat can the gubber do?"This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Wolf,

and greeted him as follows:"Greetings, you silent stalker,husband of many chickens!"Pleasantly touched said Wolf:"Thank you!" and then Beast askedif Wolf would come to help him.Wolf said: "My friend, of courseId help you, but for a small,a very tiny problem.Now you have asked me forthis helping of my neigbor,I must confess that Dogis not a friend of mine."


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Big Beast immediately said:"That Dog is worthless.That red-furred animalcan do nothing for me.I won't invite him, even stronger:

if he shows up I will not let him in!"This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Dog,and greeted him like this:"Greetings friend Dog,big son of many barkers!"Dog asked: "What can I do?"Beast said: "Come within seven daysand help me with my harvest."Dog answered: "Sure, it's nothing.I only want to ask you not invitemy enemy Hyena, for we are not good friends."Big Beast said happily:"Him with the knobbly knees?He's useles. No, don't worry:he will not be my guest."This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Hyena,and greeted him like this:"You fast and beautiful animal!"Hyena nodded: "Thank you!"

and Big Beast took the clue:"I need your help, my neighbor,to help me on my farm."Hyena promised:"Sure. I'll be there, but please dome just a tiny favor,and don't invite the Hunter;he doesn't like me much."Big Beast then soothingly said:"That fellow with that bag?Why would I ask him, pray?

He doesn't know how to work!"This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Hunter,and greeted him politely.The Hunter said: "I thank you!What can I do for you?"Big Beast explained to himabout the neighbor's duty,and Hunter said: "That's true,I'll come and help you, butthen don't invite that slimy horror,you know, that awful Snake.""Of course not," Big Beast said,


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"Why would I invite Snake?He cannot work, just crawl."This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Snake,and greeted him as follows:

"Greetings, oh sacred animal!"And Snake said pleasantly:"I thank you, and I willcome honor your request. Only,"he said, "please don't invitethe Walkingstick. I'll come,if he dont come, for sure.""Oh no," Big Beast said reassuringly,"That long thin one? He cannot help me,so he won't be on the list."This being said Big Beastwent straight to Walkingstick,and greeted him politely:"Greetings, friend Walkingstick,killer of many snakesthat never eats his prey!""That's right!" said Walkingstick,"I thank you for your praise!"When being asked the Sticksaid: "Sure, my friend, I'll come.There is one problem though:

I do not much like Fire,and I'd be very sadif Fire too would come."Big Beast sneered: "Who? That red one?I don't like him myself.I think he makes my bodytoo warm, yes, much to hot.No no, I won't invite him."This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Fire,and greeted him like this:

"You who destroys with heat!"Fire said: "My friend, I thank you.What can I do for you?"Great Beast asked: "Come and help me,and do your neighbor's duty."Fire nodded: "I will come.But not if Rain comes too!"."Oh no," was Big Beast's answer,"Him with the many feet?He can be of no help.Don't worry: he won't come."This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Rain,


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and greeted: "Mighty flood!""That's me!" said Rain."What can I do for you?""Please come and help me, friend,just within seven days."

"Well sure!" Rain promised,"But not if Draught comes too!'t Would be the end of me!"Big Beast said soothingly:"That miserable dryness?I won't invite that one,for he would be no use."This being said Big Beastimmediately went to Draught,and greeted him like this:"Oh Conqueror of floods!"Then Draught said: "Sure, I'll help you.And may Olodumare bless usfar beyond those seven days."Thats all that Draught then said.And then Big Beast went visitthe Drops of Dew, not knowingthat these soft forces werehis sacrifice, that thiswould make his offer valid."Dear Drops of Dew, the child

of great and pleasant wetness,"Big beast said. Dewdrops answered:"I thank you," and was askedto come and help Big Beast."I'll come," said Dew,"And may Olodumare save us!",but just like Draughthe did not speak of enemies.And then the great day came.Grasshopper was the first,greeted by Great Beast with:

"You who so nicely jumps."Grasshopper answered: "Thank you",and sat down on the floor. But then,good grief, Hen entered!"Hen, mother of so many,"big Beast said greetingly,but Grashopper said uneasy:"I'll be in trouble now!"Hen did have different thoughts:"My prayers have been answered!"until the Wolf came in,greeted by Big Beast with:"Greetings you silent stalker,


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husband of many chickens!"And Wolf, looking at Hen, said:"It'll be a pleasant day!"But then the Dog arrivedwho, looking at the Wolf,

said: "Dinner has been served!"And then Hyena enteredwho said the same of Wolf,who cringeing with great fearwet Big Beasts well-swept floor.There was more fun to come,because now Hunter entered,fondling his great big gunwhile looking at Hyena."I must now thank Ogun,"said Hunter piously,"for this will surely bea very pleasant day."Then Snake arrived, and Hunterdid try to hide himself:"Good heavens: I'm deadlyscared of that fearsome Hunter!"Snake looked at Hunter hungrily,but then came Walkingstick.He looked at Snake and thought:"I'll beat him up quite soundly,"

but Fire coming inlooked happy at the Stick.Next one was Rain, who hadthe Fire mighty worried,and then the Draught arrivedwho had no enemy.Then everybody stoodand went out to the farm,for they were here to work,as Big Beast pointed out.They went: Grasshopper, Hen,

Wolf, Dog, Hyena, Hunter,Snake and the Walkingstick, then Fire,then came Rain, then Draught,and Dewdrops was the last.There was no food, however,and after hours of workingHen took a bite of Hopper,and Wolf a bite of Hen.Dog then bit Wolf, Hyenatook a big bit from Dog,the Hunter aimed his rifleand shot at the Hyena,himself felt Snake's hot poison,


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and poor Snake in his turngot hit by Walkingstick.Then Fire set fire to stickand Rain extinguished Fire,then Rain was killed by Draught.

The only critter leftwas soft and gentle Dewdrops,and Dew was very shocked.So Dew took over, cooling;soft, gentle drops brought peaceupon the hosts big farm,cooled all the victims, more:Dew brought them back to life,and doing so restoredthe peace among the neighbors..

Ese Osa-Irete

I0I I0II I

"If the one who sleeps alonealso has the misfortune to sleep badly,only Olorun can wake him"were the ones who castIfa for the Stranger, on the daythat Stranger went out into the fieldsof Eluju, to go and live there.They told him it would be easy for himto carry his loads to his new house.They told him to sacrifice in order tofind someone who would do it for him,help him carry his load on his head.

"Yes, yes," Stranger said, "but tell me:what might be the sacrifice?"The sacrifice is one hen,three thousand two hundred cowries,and ewe made ofolusesaju,by squeezing its leaves in water,to bath in with soap, Stranger,oh Stranger in this land!Stranger carefully listened,and made the sacrifice.Then Stranger went off to the fields,

preparing his load, but,looking left and right,


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looking back and forth,everywhere he looked he sawno one to help himThen the Winds of Heaven came,took pity on Stranger who, after all,

had offered correctly,and helped him to carry his load.He said: "This load is now Olorun's load,a dupe! Efufulele, therefor help meto place this load on my head, Efulele.Don't you know then, my friend,don't you realize then after all,that those having no humans to help them,must place all their trust in Olorun?"Don't you know that, my friend?

Ese Ofun-Oyeku

000 I000 I

We call this Odu also Ofun-Tena,which means Odu does press the Road,impresses and imprints, which means in turnthat Ofun casts, Ofun makes divination."Ofun, decked out with quite impressive cloths,that make him look like a big mountain's back"cast for the Elder Female Worshipper,to be exactly on the daythat she was living bothin poverty and pain.She took her hoe, went outto gather roots and lettuce.

But was she going to the good,the right, the very best of places?"Oh yes, you are!" was the reply, "but makea sacrifice of pigeons, and a cutlass,and twenty six large bags of cowrie money.She listened, made the sacrifice allright,and trotted off towards her farm,with trust and confidence, for isn'tthe sacrifice what helps?Not making offers has never helped a soul.What would you say?

Ain't that the truth, my friend?Arriving at the place


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where she would gather firewood,she saw a dried-out trunk,the remnants of a tree."Oh, well, that is good news!I'll dig it out and take it!

It's good for a large fire," the Elder Women said.Straining her muscles she did pull the trunkout from the crusty earth, and ha!,what was beneath it? She took a closer lookand saw a deep, dark hole,completely filled with money.Old Female Worshipper began to shovel moneyand totally forgot what she'd set out to do.It didn't matter though: from that day onwardsshe was a rich, a very wealthy person.She danced and sang and praisedthe group ofBabalawo'sthat earlier that dayhad said: "Ofun, well-dressed;light comes on top of dark;the far side of the mountain",they were the one who castfor our protagonist,who went out to get firewoodbut found her wealth instead,went home a wealthy woman,

immeasurably rich.She sang: "It's from Ofunthat I gathered my riches,the hole was underneatha tree trunk: no one knew!I didn't know it either,but yet I found the treasurein Ofun's splendid house,and took it home with me.The journey was much shorterthan I might have expected.

This shorter journey, though,brought unexpected wealth.My trip was shorter, better,I did not loose but gain."Now he who knows the wayto cast the chain ofIfa,he does not know the roadto Ofa town as well.And he who knows the roadto Ofa can't cast Ifa,so just make up your mindwhichever of the twoyou will set course for: Ifa,


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or Ofa. One of those.Empty is full where treasure can be found,go to the hole, the mountain.Be smart enough to choose,for no: you can't do both.

Only for those who don'tcare where their trip will finish,it must be said that eachand every road will do.But if you have a goal(also called destination)the finish is what matters:so wisely choose the roadthat takes you there. That's all.

Ese Ofun-Odi

I 00 I00I I

"Ofun put a limit to goodness;Waragba, act fast in order forOfun not to kill us!"was the one who castfor Olori-Oga, on the daythat he limited his goodnessto his own family only.TheAwo's said that thosewho limit goodness to their own house,will never receive goodness themselvesfrom anywhere outside. They said:"Sacrifice a pigeon, a sheep,plenty of kola nuts and 20.000 cowries,to give goodness a chanceto finally enter your house".

Ifa says that we should work,for we are far too heavily relying onthose around us, and we abuse their goodness.Sure, being good for oneself is allright,but listen to Ifa and ask what exactlywould be good for us. And if we don't findgoodness within ourselves, we can searchoutside forever, and never find it.And so it happened exactlyas theAwo's had said:"Ofun put a limit to goodness;

Waragba, act fast in order forOfun not to kill us!"


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was the one who castfor Olori-Oga, on the daythat he limited his goodnessto his own family only.Ifa was cast for "It is not my fault",

on the day that she refusedto listen to Ifa. They instructed"It is not my fault" to sacrifice, they saidthat her sacrifice would consist ofdoing things she hated to do."It is not my fault" immediately weptand complained heavily: "Weara white headdress? Never!Learn how to cast the cowries?Never! Learning, studying, me?!No way. Never!""It is not my fault" refusedto make the required sacrifice.So madness came and took herinto his tormented realm. For whereIfa cannot help because one does not listenand does not sacrifice, madness lurks.Making ebo is what helps people;not making ebo has neverhelped a human being.So count your blessings,

and make sacrifice."A ladder rests at both ends:one and on the ground, the otherleans against the house;an insect stings with itslower body"was the one who castIfa for Odudua Aterigbeji on the daythat he should make ebo, in orderto call all children on this earth his own.The sacrifice was made. This is

why all human beings are calledOmo Odudua, that is:Odudua's Children..

Ese Ika-Odi

I 00 I

00I 0


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"Whether a man is simply too liberalor just liberally too simple,in both cases he will often be lied too"cast Ifa for theAgba drum, on the day

that he thought he would be in trouble.They instructed him to sacrifice, in ordernot to be punished undeservedly, not towalk straight into the trap of trouble.What was he to sacrifice? They saidAgba drum to offer ten eggs, shea-butter,thunderstones, 44.000 cowries, and ewe.Grind oriji leaf and olusesaju with black pepper,and make a soup of it with an egg, slowly slithera thunderstone into the boiling broth and let cool,the broth to be eaten first thing in the morning,this being good medicine!Agba drum refused to sacrifice, and since thenhe is beaten all the time, soundly!"When an unashamed young boymeets an oldAwo, he beats him;on meeting an ancient herbal doctorhe punishes the Elder heavily;whenever he sees an old Muslim priestkneeling down on the floor in prayer,he will beat him unconscious"

where the ones who cast for "Disobedient",who said that nobody could teach him a thing."Why's that? Don't you know thenthat a child that hits an old,praying Muslim priest, will soon facehis own premature death?For maggots die quickly, their lifebeing over in just a short while,very quickly indeed."

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