Why Ifa is Worshiped Every Five Days
OGBE OWORIN
(Day of Weeping)
This is the Odu that shares why Ifa is worshiped every five days. We Babalawos give respect by performing this ritual, here and in Nigeria, because of the ability of Orunmila/Esu to combat Death…
Hunger will never set into one’s mind (stomach)
For other matter to have space for deliberation
That was the one who cast Ifa for Orunmila
When he was going to snatch “Day of Wailing” away from death
He was asked to offer sacrifice
He complied.
Every five days, Death used to visit the world and kill many people in their youth. Consequently, there used to be a wailing and gnashing of teeth from friends, relations, and well-wishers of those who had been taken away by Death. As a result there was chaos and anarchy in the world. Nobody knew when his or her turn was next. People therefore behaved as they wished, without conscious.
Worried about the development, Orunmila consulted his group of Awos to find out what must be done to put a stop to this. He also wanted to know what to do to bring life on earth back to normal. The Awo told him to perform rituals of two kolanuts and two bitter kolas with a bottle of gin to Ifa early in the morning of the “Day of Wailing” He was also to offer assorted types of food to Esu Odara that same day. He was advised never to go out that day. He complied. When Death came on the “Day of Wailing”, he went straight to Orunmila’s house but met Esu outside. Esu invited Death to feast, but Death told Esu that he was on a mission on earth. Esu asked what the mission was. Death responded that he had come to take away Orunmila and the majority of his follower’s .Esu Odara said that it’s quite a simple mission since they were in front of Orunmila’s home and most of Orunmila’s followers were not difficult to identify. They’re always seen with their Ide around their wrists and on their necks. Esu persuaded Death to partake in the feast. After persuasion, Death joined Esu in the meal.
Immediately after taking the food, Death excused himself in order to go and accomplish the task for which he came. Esu however asked Death if he knew the owner of the food they had just eaten. Death replied that he did not. Esu then told him that Orunmila was the provider of the food. Esu went further by stating that the purpose for providing the food was to take away the “Day of Wailing” from Death so that people would no longer be dying in their youth. Death got annoyed and was about to proceed into Orunmila’s house. Esu ordered him back and told him that he (Death) was forbidden from entering Orunmila’s house to wreck havoc after eating his food, drinking his water and wine and taking his kolanuts. Death then claimed that he was not informed that the food was provided by Orunmila and that the purpose for providing the food was to take away his favorite day from him. Esu responded that it was the responsibility of Death to find out before sitting down to eat. Since he had not asked, he had no moral right to hurt Orunmila’s and his followers.
That was how Death left, defeated. Orunmila then he changed the name of “Day of Wailing” to “Day of Ifa”. That was how Orunmila’s followers worshiped Ifa Day, which is being observed until today. Orunmila was so happy that he began to give praised to his group of Awos thus:
Hunger will never set into one’s mind (stomach)
For other matter to have space for deliberation
That was the one who cast Ifa for Orunmila
When he was going to snatch ” Day of Wailing” away from Death
When he was going to snatch “Day of Wailing” away from Death
He was asked to offer sacrifice
He complied.
Before long
Join us in the midst of abundant well being
Ifa says the client for whom this Odu is cast will not die prematurely. They must be initiated into Ifa.
Tags: Ogbe Oworin, Ogbewonrin, Ogbe Wunle, Orunmila, Eshu, Esu Odara
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Tagged with: Day of Wailing • Eshu • Esu Odara • Ogbe Oworin • Ogbe Wunle • Ogbewonrin • Orunmila • yoruba-theology-and-tradition
Filed under: Ifa Theology
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Euro Converter
good one here but these are a part of what this odu is saying cos i happen to come under these odu and im always the type of person that want to know more it is also called OGBEWUNLE omo ajowunjemule.
Alaafia;
I’m honored by your visit!
Your desire to know more about things is an expressed character of your Odu, which is also know as Ogbe Wehin. Begin open to new and trans-formative ideas is a blessing which one needs to temper with humility, and patience. As new thought, ideas, information, and concepts influence and shape our minds we tend to open ourselves to confusion based on unresolved conflicting information.
Within the followers of Ifa exist many who while exploring and investigating have come across “seemingly” conflicting information. The disparity and divergence between one Ile and the next lies in the tradition (lineage) followed by the elders and ancestors of the Ile and not due to misrepresentation of Ifa. Having said this; I’m not foreign to the reality that there are some individuals who have purposely diverged from the traditions of practice and theology for their own financial objectives.
I welcome your visit, and hope you continue to share your thought and ideas regarding the articles of this site.
Ogbó àtó Asure Ìwòrìwòfún.
O dábò!
Awo Dele Ifayemi
Alafia Baba,
When is the ‘Day of Ifa?’ How can one be confident of its timing; since there exists conflicting views?
Odabo
Alaafia;
The day of Ifa is traditionally herd on the first day of June.
Can someone answer my question? It concerns the beginning of the use of gin and other alcohol beverages in Yoruba religious traditions. What is the history behind the use of such vices?
Alaafia William;
Your question is interesting and deserves an authoritative answer. The Odu Otua Obara says:
Translation:
In forms the blacksmith makes hoes
The blacksmith is very wise
In forms the blacksmith makes machetes
The blacksmith is very wise
In forms the blacksmith makes the brass gong
The blacksmith is wise Cast Ifa for Obiba
The brewer of Edu in heaven on the day he was crying of good things of life
He was asked to offer sacrifice
Hence Obiba come and taste it for me Obiba
If you taste it
It brings wealth Obiba
Come and taste it for me Obiba
If you taste it It brings wives
Obiba come and taste it for me Obiba
If you taste it It brings kids
Obiba come and taste it for me Obiba
If you taste it It brings all good fortunes
Obiba come and taste it for me Obiba
Don’t you all know that the gin is the character refiner of Awo?
This verse states that gin is the character refiner. Apart from this, Orunmila himself is known to like gin personally. So it is what he likes that has to be given to him.
Another verse of Ogunda Oyeku asserts this, like many other Ifa that controlled consumption of gin is good for casting Ifa. At times even dirung divination, Awo has to spray some gin with his mouth on Ikin for good casting. However, this does not make the Babalawo a drunk or become irresponsible. Awo who drinks irresponsibly are marked for punishment.
I want to thank my Brother:
Ayo Salami
Oluawo Agirimogusu ll
Amukinro Awo Ode Ilobu
President/CEO- International Federation for Arts, Religion, Culture,
Identity, and Theater of The Yorubas. IFARCITY Executive Member,
International Council for Ifa Religion Executive member, National Council
for Ifa Religion Owonrin Elejigbo Temple
For answering this question.
Ogbó àtó Asure Ìwòrìwòfún.
O dábò!
Chief Awodele Ifayemi
Atunwase Awo of Ilobuland
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