Essays in in Honour Honour of Professor Professor Wande Wande Abimbola Abimbola IFA DIVINATION PROCESS Bade Ajayi University of of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
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Introduction Divination is universally concerne !it" #ractical #ro$le%s an it see&s infor%ation fro% !"ic" #ractical ecisions %ay $e %ae' T"e source of suc" infor%ation is not conceive as %unane' T"e ivinatory arts are %any an a $roa unerstaning of t"e% can only e%erge fro% a survey of actual #ractices in various cultural settings' (en all over t"e !orl #ractise ivination an evice various various %et"os %et"os of oing oing t"is' t"is' T"e Assyro Assyro)*a )*a$yl $yloni onians ans "ave "ave t"eir t"eir *a% +seer an iviner iviner !"o e%#loys "a#atoaco#y)ivination $y o$serving t"e liver of s"ee# !"ic" "a $een use for sacrifice' T"e *u"ists *u"ists in Inia #ractise astrology astrology an t"ey use lots an oracles as %eans of ivination' T"e -ree&s "a t"eir oracular s"rin&s of .u#iter at Doona an A#ollo at Del#"i' T"e Ro%ans use t"e Sortes an t"e .a#anese use Orno#latosco#y' In Rornan society, aus#ices +aus#icia are t"e %eans $y !"ic" t"e Ro%ans see& to ascertain t"e su##ort of t"e gos' Ot"er for%s of ivination are #al%istry, crea% inter#retation an astrology' Diviners of si%ilar &ins inclue t"e %any ty#es of %eia !"o %ay co%%unicate !it" t"e ea +necro%ancy #rocess as !ell as)crystal ga/ers, rea% inter#reters an iviners $y auto%atic !riting' 0i&e t"e ot"er #eo#les of t"e !orl, t"e 1oru$a e%#loy various syste% T"ese syste%s inclue erindinlogun !"ic" involves t"e casting of si2tecn co!ries, !"ic" e%#loys a set of se#arate strings !it" four %ar&ers eac" an iyanrin tite +san an cutting' Ot"ers areo$i ia +casting of &olanut, omi wiwo+! wiwo+!at ateer ga/in a/ing g, o!o !i!o i!o+#aI #aI%ist istry ry, owo !i!o i!o+ga +ga/ing ing on %oney ney, ati# ati#aa or a$o&uusoro+necro%ancy an wjwo oju +ga/ing on t"e eyes' One of our infor%ants, A!oyerai Ele$u) i$on, e%#"asises t"at get t"at get +t"ree co!ries,3 eerin +four co!ries an ee4o +eig"t co!ries !ere use for ivination in t"e istant #ast' A%ong ot"ers, Ogi%$iyii +56789 :;):< A!olalu +5'6=69 585, *ascorn ++56>6955 an ?latun4i +56:<9 5@6 "ave)escri$e so%e of t"e #rocesses an for%s tivination a%ong t"e) 1oru$a' Of all t"e %et"os of ivination e%#loye $y t"e 1oru$a, Ifa ivination is consiere t"e %ost relia$le, an t"e %ost #o#ular %eans of ivination +*asco% 56>6955 an A!olalu 56=69 588' Till t"ese ay, t"e Ifa #riests are locate over t"e 1oru$alan' As t"is researc" reveal %ost of t"e various for%s of ivination a%ong t"e 1oru$a ta&e t"eir'sources fro% Ifa fro% Ifa ivinatioin ivinatioin ' Ifa' ivination is $ot" a $oy of &no!lege an a syste% of social, e%otional, #at"ological control, control, e%#loying e%#loying relevant "istorical an %yt"ological %yt"ological #receents #receents containe containe in t"e s#ecial ivinatory ivinatory verses to $e recite, c"ante or song $y t"e babalawo. lfa ivination is t"e %ost co%#le2 syste% of ivination ivination $ot" in its re#ertoire of verses an in its range of a##lications' To t"e 1oru$a, ivination ivination or consultation consultation !it" t"e su#re%e ivinity ivinity +Orun%ila is of crucial s#iritual i%#ortance' i%#ortance' T"e oral traition e%#"asises t"e #arit #laye $y Orunmila is Orunmila is guiing t"e estiny of %an an ivinities' One reason given for "is inti%ate &no!lege &no!lege of %atters affecting %an3s estiny is t"at Orunmila is #resent !"en %an is $eing create' create' T"erefore T"erefore "e &no!s &no!s all t"e secrets of "u%an "u%an $eings $eings an t"us t"us "e can reveal !"at !"at one "as esti estine ne an if t"e t"e esti estiny ny is an unfo unfortu rtuna nate te one, one, Orunmila can#res can#rescri$ cri$ee re%eie re%eiess to avert avert t"e %isfort %isfortune une'' T"is T"is is !"y Orunmila is $eing escri$e as Elerii)i#in +t"e !itness of estiny or lot, 3O$iri&iti A)#a)o4o)i&u)a3 +t"e great one, !"o alters t"e ate of eat"' If a ivination is o#erate $y %eans of t"e configuration calle Qdu. In t"e Ifa t"e Ifa cor#us are as %any %any as 87> #ossi$ili #ossi$ilities ties +5> #rinci#al #rinci#al an 8<@ %inor %inor Odu Odu) eac" containing %yt"ological stories !"ic" t"e babalawo narrates in t"e #rocess of ivination' T"e si2teen #rinci#al Qdu +#lus t"e signs in orer of seniority are liste $elo! +for easy reference' ODI (E.I
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esearc! in "oruba "oruba #angua #anguage ge and #iterature #iterature $ %1&&' %1&&'
Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola
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Note9 T"e nu%$ering orer +5)5> follo!s t"e syste% in !"ic" t"e Qdu signs are al!ays %ar&e $y t"e babalawo. 8
(!e abalawo T"e *a$ala!o are t"e traine eicate Ifa #riests an iviners in t"e 1oru$a co%%unity of Nigeria' In 1oru$a tractional 'society, a $a$ala!o is a 3octor 53, a 3#"ar%acist3, a "er$alist an t"e %ost #o#ular iviner !"o t"e #eo#le3 consult for avice, guiance an %eical treat%ent' "en a #regnant !o%an is uner la$our, !"en a #erson is seriously sic& or !"en t"ere is a $rea&out of e#ie%ic isease, t"e babalawo*s "el# is 'soug"t #ersonally or on $e"alf of t"e victi%' It s"oul "o!ever $e note t"at t"e babalawo+s uniue #osition in t"e 1oru$a society is neit"er attaine t"roug" lineage or "onour' T"e status of a babalawo can only $e acuire after %any years of rigorous training an e2#eriences' T"e etail on training follo!s later' At any #oint in' ti%e, no #ractising babalawo vines !it"out using eit"er t"e o,ele % t"e ivining c"ain or t"e i&in +t"e sacre #al%nut' T"e use of t"ese instru%ents !oul ena$le !im- to &no!, t"e nature of "is client3s #ro$le%' T"e iviner relies on t"e ictate of t"e gos' T"e iviner' t"us serves as a lin& $et!een t!o !orls9 t"e e#"e%eral an eternal, t"e %aterial an t"e s#iritual' .ust as a %eical octor al!ays ta&es !it" "i% a stet"osco#e, a tec"nician "as 'an avo%eter, a scre!river an #liers reay !it" "i% for an e%ergency !or&, a babalawo #oc&ets "is #orta$le o,ele !"en "e is invite to a near$y to!n or village for ivine consultation' T"ere are 't!o %a4or categories of babalawo in 1oru$alan9 t"e) Awo Qlodu an t"e Awo Elegan. T"e Awo Olodu +t"e evote Ifa iviners are t"e %ost recognise an t"e %ost &no!legea$le class of babalawo in t"e 1oru$a society of Nigeria' T"ey are only t"e iviners $ut also t"e !ors"i##ers of Orunmila- t"e go of ivination an !iso%' T"e Awo Elegan on t"e ot"er "an,
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola are t"ose babalawo !"o are not fully engage in Ifa ivination' T"ese consist of t"e Agbamole an awosesegun. T"e Agbamole are t"e set of babalawo !"o eit"er in"erite t"e ivining c"ain or #artially traine in 't"e art of Ifa ivination $ut uninitiate into Ifa cult' "en t"is class of $a$ala!o feel li&e oing so, t"ey can ivie for t"e%selves or' any %e%$er of t"eir fa%ily, $ut never an outsier' T"e area of s#ecialisation attac"e to Ifa literature inclue t"e Ifa ivination art, "ealing an c"anting of Iyere +t"e ifa songs' A, babalawo %ay s#ecialise in one or t!o of t"e areas' T"e Asawosesegun- t"e secon su$)category of Awo Elegan %entione a$ove, are t"ose babalawo !it" co%$ine "onours egree in Ifa literature' T"ey co%$ine ivination !it" "ealing of serious illnesses suc" as le#rosy, e#ile#sy an %ental isorer' Usually, t"ey are %ore #o#ular as a "ealer t"an a iviner' C"ief io!u O$ayo%i +alias Afin4u *a$ala!o of I4ag$a co%#oun, Saga%u in Ogun Stale of Nigeria an late Alao&un of I&irun Oyo State of Nigeria are t!o e2a%#les of Asawosescgun intervie!e in t"e course of t"is stuy' To !"ic"ever category of babalawo one %ay $elong, t"e coe of conuct !"ic" $ins t"e% all %ust $e #reserve' A babalawo is al!ays generous, fait"ful, no!legea$le, an a goo traitional counsellor to t"e %e%$ers of "is co%%unity' A babalawo in isc"arging "is uty, al!ays $elieves "e "as an o$ligation to fulfil in res#ect of !is client +s an t"is "e oes !illingly' T"e babalawo are "ig"ly res#ecte, not only for t"eir !iso% an intelligence $ut also for t"eir fait"fulness an generosity to t"e %e%$ers of t"e society' Uner nor%al circu%stances, no one insults or fig"ts t"e%' (o ru ee!o orisa, I say it is a ta$oo to t"e orisaEni&an o g$oo na $a$ala!o, No one $eats an Ifa #riest, To $a g$ofa yanranyanran lotu Ife "o is Very Verse in Ifa in t"e city of Ife' -enerally, every $a$ala!o &no!s "is rig"t an also &ee#s te la! of t"e lan' A babalawo $y "is training an #ractice, is #re#are to avise an guie any$oy !"o consults "i%' e &no!s so%et"ing a$out t"e life an teac"ing of Orunmila an !"en "e ivines for "is clients, "e inter#ret only t"e %essage of Orunmila. "atever %ay $e t"e #ro$le% or co%#laint of a client is no secret to Orunmila an any traine an certificate babalawo s"oul $e a$le to rea t"e language of Orunmila t"roug" t"e Odu signs' *ut if a babalawo oes not receive a #ro#er training, "e %ay "ave so%e #ro$le%s in inter#reting Odu sign an t"us eliver !rong %essage to t"e client' In suc" a circu%stance, t"e clients !"ose fait" in Ifa ivinity is not strong enoug" %ay co%#lain of its ina$ility to foresee all t"ings' O#e)oseru, O#e +Orunniila is not is"onest, ?ni&i ni o g$ofa, It is t"e c"anter !"o is3not verse in IfaO"un a $a $G Ifa' "atever !e as& Ifa Nifa i so' Is !"at Ifa reveals' If t"is "a##ens, it is t"e babalawo !"o "as H%isre#resente t"e ivinity' Anyone !"o "as successfully #asse t"roug" t"e rigours of Ifa training !oul $e a$le to ientify t"e #ro$le% of "is clients' T"e babalawo s"oul $ase "is e2#ertise on t"e training "e "as acuire' T"ose !"o use c"ar%s to fin out t"e "ien #ro$le%s of t"eir clients are not true babalawo an in fact, t"ey are not fit to $e one' T"is class of babalawo +if any, are $eing is"onest, an t"ey #ay early for it' In t"e later #art of t"eir life, e%#"asise our infor%ants, suc" babalawo lose t"eir sig"t #er%anently' It is "ig"ly essential t"at one !"o3 as#ires to $e an Ifa #riest +$a$ala!o receives aeuate training fro% a verse an e2#erience babalawo t"at "e %ay $e a$le to %eet t"e res#onsi$ilities of t"e i%#ortant #ositions in !"ic" "e !oul later fin "i%self in t"e co%%unity' "ile in training, t"e !oul )$e babalawo !oul $e taug"t t"e Odu signs an co%%it to %e%ory a great nu%$er of3 ese Ifa +stories associate !it" t"e Qdu starting !it" Ejiogbe +t"e first' Odu in t"e cor#us' After t"e'%astery of t"e reuire stories in eac" of t"e si2teen #rinci#al Odu. t"e #rocees to t"e stories in "e %inor Odu As e%#"asi/e $y our infor%ants, t"e stuy of ese Ifa reuire ee# concentration, ot"er!ise t"e trainee !ill $e !asting ti%e in re#eating t"e stories of an Ou several ti%es' In "is !or&, A$i%$ola +56=>95:)8< escri$es t"e syste% of training an initiation of a !oul) $e babalawo' Nevert"eless t"ere are so%e ot"er facts !ort" &no!ing for, unerstaning fully t"e
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esearc! in "oruba #anguage and #iterature $ %1&&'
Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola #rocess of training of a !oul)$e babalawo ' *efore an trainee lays "is "an on anyt"ing, ivination "as to $e #erfor%e for "i% on orer for "i% to &no! t"e Odu !"ic" is estine for "i%' T"e babalawo usual ter%s for t"e t"is notion is Odu to $i eni&anG !"ic" literally %eans t"e Odu !"ic" gives $irt" to so%eone +t"e trainee in t"e case' It is t"is Odu !"ic" !ill guie t"e %aster babalawo t"e !ay to treat t"e #erson in training' T"e trainee $egins "is eucation !it" t"e ientification of t"e signature of eac" of t"e si2teen #rinci#al Odu an essentially t"e O,ele is t"e %a4or instructional %aterials for t"e #ur#ose' T"e O,ele use for t"e training is %ae fro% #ieces of cala$as" +#aaa&ara !"ic" loo&s inferior to t"e usual O,ele t!e babalawo use for ivination' T"e #rocess of stuying t"e signs of Ou is referre to as isi O,ele+t"e o#ening of O#ele' T"is ter% erives fro% t"e fact t"at t"e %aster)babalawo uses "is "an to for% t"e #attern of eac" Odu !"en teac"ing "is stuents' It %ust $e note t"at it is only t"e #rinci#al Odu t"at are learne t"is !ay' After a trainee "as %astere t"e signs of t"e si2teen Odu, "e !oul $e e2a%ine $y "is %aster an #er"a#s in t"e co%#any of a fe! fello! babalawo' T"e #erfor%ance of t"e trainee !oul eter%ine !"et"er or not "e !oul #rocee to t"e %inor Odu' Assu%ing t"at t"e trainee "as is#laye %astery over t"e #rinci#al Odu "e starts learning t"e %inor Odu +$eginning fro% t"e first %inor Ou)Og$eye&u' is %aster no! uses t"e %et"o casting t"e O,ele to teac" "i%' "en t"e O,ele, any Odu can e%erge an in t"is case t"e trainee oes not only learfn t"e %inor Odu $ut also revises t"e #rinci#al Odu' A trainee learns $etter $y unerstaning "is %aster as "e +"e %aster ivines for various clients' T"e trainee learns t"e correct stories to eac" Odu an t"e correct tone !"ic" istinguis"es ese Ifa fro% all ot"er #oetic arts as esa an Ijala a%ong t"e 1oru$a' In aition, to "is &no!lege of Ifa an't"e #rocess of ivination an as#iring babalawo rnust &no! t"e a##ro#riate sacrifice for eac" Odu. e %ust also acuire a vast a%ount of "er$al an #"ar%aceutical lore !it" its acco%#anying re#ertoire of c"ar%s an incantation' It t"erefore follo!s t"at t"ose !"o ulti%ately ualify as full #ractising babalawo are %en of so%e intellectual strengt" an 4uge%ent' A$ove all, t"e babalawo is not only an artist $ut t"e custoian of 1oru$a cultural "eritage' In res#ect of t"e age of t"e trainee, $ot" t"e young an ol can ecie to learn Ifa Accoring to Ae$ayo e"ine of Ele#e Oni#ele Co%#oun, Oyo, a $oy of ten to t!elve years !oul s#en si2teen years +as against t!elve years state $y A$i%$ola $efore "e can $e grante)freeo% to #ractise on "is o!n' It is t"en t"e young babalawo is sai to $e fairly %ature to s"ouler t"e res#onsi$ility of a babalawo. Nevert"eless, t"e young babalawo is still uner t"irty at "is grauation an t"us "is age an) e2#eriences %ig"t #revent "i% fro% s#ea&ing !it" full aut"ority es#ecially !"en "e is in t"e %ist of t"e ol %aster) $a$ala!o' e s"oul realise t"at Ifa training is t"e %ost co%#le2 of all t"e syste%s of ivination a%ong t"e 1oru$a' For e2a%#le, t"e training of Erindinlogun- Agbigba- Osanyin an so%e ot"er for%s of ivination oes not involve too long ti%e an s&ill' it"in a s"ort ti%e, an Erininlogun trainee starts ivining for so%e clients' It is ifficult +if not i%#ossi$le for one to $eco%e a res#onsi$le babalawo !it"out an aeuate &no!lege an t"oroug" unerstaning of t"e Qdu an t"e ese of Ifa. T"is is !"y Io!u +56>895;=)5;: escri$es t"e Ifa ivination syste% as 3an intricate art !"ic" is #ainfully an la$oriously learne $efore it can $e %astere to an a##recia$le egree' One "as to learn an co%%it to %e%ory t"e 87> Odu !it" t"e enless stories connecte !it" t"e% an t"e #ractical a##lication of t"e stories' e s"oul also learn to #rescri$e a##ro#riate sacrifice an %eicinal #re#aration' All t"ese are t"e s&ills !"ic" ta&e %uc" ti%e, #atience an energy' Furt"er%ore, a !oul)$e babalawo or iviner oes not sto# stuying once "is a##rentices"i# is co%#lete an "e "as $egun to #ractise on "is o!n' Fie continues to learn ne! verses an %eicine fro% "is teac"er an ot"er babalawo or iviners' In effect, t"e #erio of stuying ese Ifa never ens' A iviner &ee#s on learning until "e ies' T"ere is no ou$t, t"e $a$alawo rare very intelligent $ut t"ey o not clai% to &no! everyt"ing' *asco% +56>6 escri$es t"e babalawo as t"e $est,,organise an %ost &no!legea$le, %agico) religious secf of t"e country' "en a babalawo is in searc" of &no!lege, "e coul consult any ot"er
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola babalawo- ol or young' Even !"en Orunmila !as alive, "e once soug"t &no!lege fro% one of "is c"ilren' Ag$a to %oyi &o'%oyi, T"e eler !"o &no!s one t"ing %ay not &no! t"e ot"er, A iafun QnmmilaPerfor%e Ifa ivination for Orunmila Ti yoo si tun &fa loo "o !oul still learn Ifa fro% A%osun, one of "is A%osun re' follo!ers' T"e e2cer#t a$ove s"o!s "o! "u%$le an a%$itious t"e babalawo are' No true babalawo #retens to &no! everyt"ing' e is al!ays #re#are to learn %ore any!"ere an fro% any$oy' It is a co%%on attitue of t"e babalawo t"at t"ey are al!ays #re#are to teac" Ifa to anyone at any ti%e' "en one !ants to acuire so%e &no!lege on Ifa cor#us, "e a##roac"es a babalawo an tells "i% "is %ission' e !ill reaily i%#art t"e &no!lege' If a grou# of babalawo asse%$les for a %eeting, a festival or certain cere%ony !"ere t"ere is a nee to c"ant e se lfa- eac" %e%$er +$eginning fro% t"e youngest babalawo) c!ants, recites or sings ese Ifa !"ic" is a##ro#riate to t"e situation or an Odu !"ic" e%erge' *ut if a babalawo !"o is calle u#on oes not &no! certain #ortion of Ifa "e !oul corne 'out fran&ly t"at "e "as forgotten or t"at "e "as no iea of t"at #articular as#ect +for Ifa %yt"ology stories are so nu%erous t"at no single #erson can clai% to &no! ail' T"is is !"y t"e $a$ala!o say a$oru$oye, o ya 4u iro loG + confession of one3s ignorance is $etter an %ore "onoura$le t"an #retence' /
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(!e lient T"e ter% client, in t"is stuy, refers to t"e #erson !"o consults a $ abalawo for avice an guiance $y %eans of ivination' *efore a client consults a babalawo - "e s"oul s"are t"e $elief in t"e institution of traitional, ivination $ecause t"e factor of fait" #lays an i%#ortant role in a #ositive outco%e of t"e #ractice' "atever "is social status, religious inclination, age or eucational attain%ent, a client %ust su$%it "i%self to t"e aut"ority an irection of t"e babalawo ' T"is is $ecause t"e babalawo is $elieve to $e eno!e !it" t"e &no!lege to solve t"e client3s #ro$le%' An as t"e %ost truste iviner, t"e babalawo too oes "is $est to fulfil t"e o$ligation' To t"e 1oru$a, consultation !it" t"e su#re%e ivinity + Orunmila )is of crucial s#iritual i%#ortance !"en one is a$out to c"oose a !ife, !"en a' c"il is $orn, !"en one intens to $uil a "ouse or !"en one #lans a 4ourney or unerta&es any #ro4ect !it" c"ances of #rofit or loss' e H$elieves t"at $y follo!ing t"e set rules of t"e syste%, "e can ac"ieve a irect contact !it" Orunmila t"e !isest ivinity an t"e %ost truste %e%$er of t"e #ant"eon' It is interesting to fin in t"e e2isting !or&s an fres" ata collecte on Ifa literary cor#us t"at Orunmila "i%self, t"e Odu - t"e ivinities as !ell as ani%als an inani%ate o$4ects "a once $een clients' T"ey consulte Ifa oracle for various reasons, lac& of %oney, c"ilren, !ives, or for 9victory over ene%ies' Foe e2a%#le, Orunmila consulte ot"er babalawo !"en "e "a no %oney, to $uy foo for "is visitors as s"o!n in t"e e2cer#t $elo!9 Oa)o!o, a!o&oro, ?a)o!o, Ifa #riest of &oro, Aa$o, o$inrin re, Aa$o, "is !ife, O%o !on o&e I4erot T"eir c"il in t"e city of l4ero, *i oa o!o ti n a%i, .ust as'lac& %oney, *ee ni aa$o %i n $o %i, I also "ave security, A ia fun Orun%ila, Perfor%e Ifa ivination for Orun%ila, Ni4o ti aale4o %eta, On t"e ay t"ree strangers, O !o sile $a$a, ere to loge in t"e fat"er3s "ouse, Ifa o si nii ni oo&an, An Ifa i not "ave any co!ry +%oney, A a yoo na+A$i%$ola 56>:9 87)8>' "ic" "e coul s#en' Anot"er event is !"en t"e babalawo ivine for Eji2Obara- one of t"e si2teen #rinci#al Odu. Poverty !as t"e cause of "is consultation' ere is t"e ese lfa
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esearc! in "oruba #anguage and #iterature $ %1&&'
Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola Ise o so"un a%usereJ Poverty is not a t"ing to #lay !it"J 0ya o so"un'a%usa!aaJ' Suffering is not a t"ing to 4est !it"J A'ia fun E4i)O$araJ Divine for E4i)O$ara Ti n "ag$on ola, "o is !eaving $as&ets to $e !ealt"y, aye n tin An every$oy is laug"ing at "i%' In t"e ata $elo!, inani%ate o$4ects +so%e rin&s a##ear as t"e clients' I!o lo se e (ee $a o !i Oran isiin !on o to4a, I4a naa lo e lorin o!e, A ia fo ti ?%oo !on loe Ilare I!o lo se e (ee $a o !i, Oran isiin !on o to4a I4a naa lo e lorin o!e ia fun Ogoro, Tii so%oo !on loe loe, I!o lo se, Ti %ee $a o !i Oran isiin !on o to4a, I4a naalo e lorin o!e, Difa fun o%i tutu, O%oo !on oe Otun (o$a
Ti g$og$o
It is you !"o offens, T"at l $la%e you, (atters of no!aays s"oul #ot cause a uarrel, It is t"e uarrel !"ic" %a&es a song soun #rover$ial, Perfor%e Ifa ivination for Oti +!ine' T"eir offs#ring a2 are It is you !"o offens, T"at I $la%e you, (atters of no!aays s"oul not cause a uarrel, It is t"e uarrel !"ic" %a&es a song souns #rover$ial, Perfor%e If a ivination for Ogoro +ate #al%)!ine "o is t"eir offs#ring at *oe It is you !"o offens, T"at I $la%e you, (atters of no!aays s"oul not cause a uarrel, It is t"e uarrel !"ic" %a&es a song soun #rover$ial, Perfor%e Ifa ivination for omitutu +col !ater, T"eir offs#ring at Otun 3(o$a 3+Irosung$e%i +a %inor ou
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T"ere is nee to iscuss furt"er t"e)relations"i# $et!een t"e iviner an t"e client' In %ost cases, t"e iviner is an aut"ority an t"e %ost active #artici#ant in t"e course of Ifa ivination' e +t"e $a$ala!o casts t"e ivining c"ain or o#erates t"e sacre #alrnnuts an !"en an Odu e%erges, "e inter#rets an narrates t"e relevant stories an #rescri$es sacrifices' All along t"e client re%ains #assive an listens attentively to t"e ivine %essage' o!ever, "e %ay $riefly react to t"e general finings of t"e iviner, !"et"er !"at "e +t"e clients "as in %in "as $een touc"e or not' After t"e #erfor%ance of any #rescri$e sacrifice, t"e client "as e%otional relief an #syc"ological J satisfaction' 3. 4.1
(!e Ifa 4i5ination Practice ome Instruments 6sed in t!e Practice of Ifa 4i5ination Pro%inent a%ong t"e Ifa instru%ents use for ivination t"e t"e I&in +t"e si2teen sacre #al%nutof ivination, t"e O#ele +t"e ivining c"ain an t"e various o$4ects !"ic" for% t"e ibo +instru%ents for casting lots' Ot"ers are t"e Iyerosun +ivination #o!er, O#on Ifa +t"e ivining tray, Osun +orna%ental Ifa %etal staff, Iro&e +t"e carve ivory rattle an a,o Ifa +$ags for &ee#ing Ifa ivination instru%ents' e are a!are t"at A$i%$ola +56=7,56=>, 56== an *asco% +56>6 escri$e t"ese ite%s $ut !e are going to re)e2a%ine an escri$e in etail, t"e i7in- t"e an t"e ibo !"ic" are very crucial for a $etter unerstaning of Ifa ivination #rocess a%ong t"e 1oru$a'
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(!e I7in %t!e si8teen sacred ,almnuts) T"ese are t"e sacre #al%nuts wit! !"ic" Orunmila re#lace "i%self !"en "e !as returning to "eaven' Every babalawo regars I7in as t"e %ost original an t"e %ost sacre instrument for Ifa ivination' Divining !it" i7ini.is a very teious an la$orious o#eration' For a single uestion #ut to
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esearc! in "oruba #anguage and #iterature $ %1&&'
Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola Orunmila- u# to t"irty ra!s of #al%nuts %ay $e %ae' In aition to t"e trou$le entertaine in o$taining t"e %ain res#onse, several ste#s are 0i&en to fin out !"at sacrifice !ill $e acce#te or t"e %anner an #lace in !"ic" t"e sacrifice is to $e %ae' T"e i7in are o$taine fro% a s#ecial '&in of #al% tree t"e babalawo call O,ele Ifa Suc" #al% tree loo&s slig"tly ifferent fro% all t"e ot"er #al% trees' Co%#are to t"e nor%al #al% tree, O,e Ifa frons are often fole an s"ort' A!o falae Ala$i an Fasola Areo fro% Og$ornoso in Oyo State of Nigeria confir% t"at out of several $unc"es of #al%nuts on a #al% tree, a single one %ay $ear i7in. In suc" a $unc", at least one of t"e nuts %ust "ave four eyelets, !"ic" eac" nor%al i7in "as' "en a babalawo collects t"e !"ole $unc" of #al%nuts, "e concencrates t"e% after !"ic" "e selects one out of t"e sets of si2teen #al%nuts' Eac" set is calle o!o &anG or +owo Ifa3 +literally, "an of Ifa, A babalawo may "ave at least t!o sets of i7in, all #ut in a single Ifa #late +a!o Ifa' One set is $urie !it" t"e babalawo !"en lie ies 'an t"e ot"er is in"erite $y one of "is sons +if "e "as one !"o ecies to $e a babalawo)- ot"er!ise, t"e ot"er set l+s !ill $e "ung so%e!"ere in "is "ouse' %b) (!e Q,ele %(!e 4i5ining !ain) T"e O,ele is t"e secon %ost co%%only use instru%ent 'of instruction in t"e #rocess of Ifa ivination' 0i&e t"e i7in- t"e O,ele is "ane over $y Orunmila to "is c"ilren an a"erents' T"e O,ele !"ic" is regare as t"e original is %ae fro% t"e fruit of O,ele tree+Sc"re$era golungensis' *esies t"at, so%e O,ele are %ae fro% a lig"t, !"ite %etal or $rass +ie an t"e c"ain %ay $e %ae of silver +faa&a, lea +o4e, iron +irin or $eas +ile&e strung toget"er !it" strong cors' Every ty#e of Q,ele "as concave an conve2 surfaces, $ut, t"e outer surface of %etallic O,ele are ecorate !it" si%#le geo%etric #atterns' Suc" ty#e is rarely use for ivination $ut !"en e%#loye for i%#ortant ivination, t"e sacrifice so #rescri$e al!ays costs %uc" %oney' T"ere is anot"er ty#e of O,ele %ae fro% #ieces of cala$as" an use $y a##rentices !"ere t"ey are stuying ivination #rocess' A#art fro%, t"e Q,ele %ae of #ieces of cala$as" !"ic" %ay $e %ae as %any as t"e nu%$er of t"e !oul)$e babalawo in trainingJ a babalawo %ay "ave t!o or %ore ty#es of Q,ele. T"e lig"t!eig"t %etallic O,ele is)often ta&en along !"enever t"e babalawo goes, 4ust as a #ractising (usli% #uts a rosary in "is #oc&et' It is i%#ortant to note t"at ivination !it" O,ele is si%#ler, uic&er an #er%its t"e as&ing of uestions t"roug" alternatives' T"is #ro$a$ly accounts for t"e co%%on state%ent t"at t"e ivining c"ain tal&s %ore t"an t"e sacre #al%nuts' Nevert"eless, t"e t!o %et"os of i7in an Q,ele yiel t"e sa%e set of Oda !it" t"e sa%e na%es, ran&, orer an t"e sa%e stories, %c) (!e lbo 9Instrument for asting #ots) In t"e #rocess of Ifa ivination, t"e Qdu signs are o$taine $y %eans of eit"er i7in or O,ele $ut t"e ibo for% an inis#ensa$le o$4ect for t"e inter#retation of Orunmila*s %essage'T"e oracular inter#retation of t"e %essage as containe in ese Ifa is usually very $roa an of general a##lication' In orer to %a&e t"e inter#retation relevant to a #articular #erson or situation, one nees furt"er clarification fro% t"e ivinity "i%self t"roug" t"e use of ibo *asco% +56>6 an Oyesanya +56:>9< escri$e ibo as 3eter%inant3' ?#eola +56:7 instru%ents3 an A$i%$ola +56== escri$es t"e% as 3t"e instru%ents for casting lots3' *ut A$i%$ola3s escri#tion of ibo see%s to $e %ore a##ro#riate $ecause it is $ase on t"e use for !"ic" t"e o$4ects are #ut' So%e of t"e o$4ects !"ic" for% t"e ibo inclue t"e co!ry s"ells, #ieces of $ones, stone an $ro&en #lates eac" sy%$olising ifferent t"ings or notions' For e2a%#le, a)#air of co!ries tie $ac& 'to $ac& sy%$olises %oney, gooness, !ell)$eing an it enotes affir%ative +1es $ut a #iece of $one sy%$olises eat"' It si%#ly enotes negative +No, A stone sy%$olises i%%ortality, long life, !"ereas, a#iece of $ro&en #late signifies efeat of ene%ies +victory' o!ever, t"e $lac& see of a&e)a##le fruit sy%$olises Orunmila "i%self - !"o is $elieve to $e a very $lac& #erson' A s%all s"ell stans for %arriage or sic&ness' It %ust $e note t"at any t!o of t"ese o$4ects can $e use $y t"e iviner to fin out %ere etails a$out t"e general %essage Orunmila sens to t"e client+s' T"e ivine %essage to t"e client or t"e iviner "i%self, !"ic" is containe in Ifa stories, %ay $e clarifie an su##le%ente $y as&ing a nu%$er of s#ecific uestions #"rase in ter%s of t!o or %ore %utually e2clusive alternative #ro#ositionJ t"us Orunmila %ay $e #resente !it" t"e c"oice
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esearc! in "oruba #anguage and #iterature $ %1&&'
Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola $et!een several s#ecific courses of action or %ay $e as&e uestions !"ic" %ust $e ans!ere eit"er 1es3 or 3No3' T"ese uestions are #ose in ter%s of t!o state%entJ t"e first, affir%ative an t"e secon, negative' For e2a%#le, if it "as $een reveale t"at t"e client consults Ifa for "is intention to travel, t"e first state%ent !ill $e T"is #erson coul travel toay3 an t"e secon state%ent is to $e T"is #erson s"oul not travel toay3' T"ese uestions, alt"oug" not %ar&e $y uestion %ar&, are #ose follo!ing t"e initial t"ro!s $efore its verses are recite or c"ante' Suc" uestions are %ost freuently as&e !"en t"e ivining 'c"ain is e%#loye' It is true t"at eit"er i7in or t"e o,ele %ay $e use for ivination, $ut $ecause of its si%#licity an uic& result, %ost babalawo use t"e O,ele to ivine' *efore casting t"e O,ele "e %ust touc" t"e ivining c"ain !it" t"e co!ry s"ells enoting 31es3 an #lace it on "is) sie' Again, "e touc"es t"e !it" anot"er o$4ect of ibo, usually, a #iece of $one inicating 3No3, an #laces it on "is left sie' "en t"e iviner casts t"e O,ele, t"e ran& of t"e Odu !"ic" e%erge uring t"e first an secon casting !ill eter%ine t"e res#onse of Orunmila eit"er affir%ative or negative' T"is is !"y it is "ig"ly essential to %aster not only t"e na%es an t"e signs of all t"e Odu $ut also t"e #osition of eac" :du ; s#ecially t"e #rinci#al ones !"ic" for% t"e $asis for t"e %inor Odu. As a %atter of fact, t"is is one of t"e %ost fa ivination #rocess' Nor%ally !"en, ivining, t"e O,ele is cast t!ice an t"e tec"nical as#ects of I status of t"e Odu !"ic" a##ears !ill eter%ine t"e jbo !"ic" one !ill #ic& !"et"er u is t"e one on t"e left sie or t"e one on t"e rig"t' *ut if t"e Eji2Ogbe or t"e Ofun
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esearc! in "oruba #anguage and #iterature $ %1&&'
Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola is t"en reveale, t"e)rig"t "an sie is #ic&e since t"e first of $ot" %inor Odu is t"e sa%e +Otua)' e %ay &ee# on %ulti#lying t"e e2a%#les a$ove' T"us, t"e #rocess of fining out etails !it" t"e use of t"e Ibo es#ecially !"en a babalawo or a iviner ivines all $y "i%self, #lacing t"e ibo in t"e o#en is as escri$e a$ove' T"e secon ty#e of ibo tec"niue %ay $e co%#are to a secret $allot in an election' "en a babalawo is to ivine for "is client, "e as&s t"e client or )"is trainee to conceal t"e #air of ibo o$4ects, one in eac" of "is or "er #al%s' lt is !ort"y of note t"at 3as t"e client or trainee sits facing t"e iviner irectly, "is or "er rig"t "an nor%ally faces t"e left of t"e iviner' T"en, t"erefore, t"e iviner or t"e babalawo casts t"e O,ele as "e often oes, suc" t"at "e !oul "ave #ic&e t"e ibo on t"e rig"t' e !oul t"en as& t"e #erson "oling t"e o$4ect to ro# t"e Ibo on "is left "an first' ence, t"e babalawo often says otun a!o losi ai$o3 +t"e rig"t "an of' t"e iviner is, t"e left of t"e #erson !"o conceale t"e ibo). "at t"is %eans is t"at t"e rig"t "an of t"e iviner is irectly o##osite t"e left "an of t"e client or any$oy !"o "ols t"e ibo an vice versa +Oyesanya 56:>9>' *efore a babalawo starts casting, "e "ans over t!o out of a set of t"e ibo o$4ects to t"e client or so%eone else to $e &e#t in eac" #al%' T"e babalawo coul not &no! !"ic" o$4ect is conceale in t"e rig"t #al% an !"ic" is in t"e left !"et"er it is a #air of co!ries or a #air of $ones' "en t"e babalawo casts t"e o,ele - "e consiers t"e #osition of t"e Odu t"at a##ears, as "e "as one for 't"e tec"niue of ibo Ifa senior Odu is reveale $efore a 4unior one, to "irri t"e ibo on t"e rig"t "an sie is t"e ans!er to t"e uestion #ut to Orunmila- $ut t"e babalawo !ill as& t"e #erson "oling t"e ibo o$4ects to ro# t"e ite% in "is or "er left #al% first' T"e reason for t"is #ractice is as state a$ove, t"at, t"e babalawo*s rig"t faces t"e left of client' E2ce#t t"e #erson "oling t"e i bo o$4ects, no ot"er #erson !oul $e sure of t"e o$4ect to $e ro##e first !"en t"e babalawo says 3o!o otun ta$i o!o osiK +rig"t or left "anK' T"e o$4ect %ay $e t"e one e#icting fortune or %isfortune, o or on3t, yes or no' If t"e res#onse of t"e ivinity t"roug" t"e ibo is 3no3, t"e #rocess of casting !ill $e re#eale several ti%es an !it" ifferent alternative till an affir%ative res#onse is receive fro% Orunmila. 3. > (!e tructure of Ifa 4i5ination Process L Ifa ivination #rocess "as a structural #attern !"ic" istinguis"es it fro% any ot"er for%s of ivination a%ong t"e 1oru$a' In t"is stuy, Ifa ivination #rocess "as $een ivie into t"ree $roa structural #arts, na%ely, #rologue, narrative an e#ilogue +A&innaso 56:;' T"e t"reefol ivision ao#te "ere covers !"at "a##ens fro% t"e %o%ent t"e client enters t"e babalawo*s "ouse until "e e#arts' T"e internal structure of t"e ivination is as follo!s9 I (!e Prologue Ma T"e #reli%inary e2c"ange of greetings M$ T"e client3s intention e2#resse ' +c T"e babalawo #aying "o%age + T"e babalawo ivines for an Odu to e%erge II (!e ?arrati5e +e T"e inter#retation of t"e :du sign +f T"e narration of relate stones +g T"e e2#lication of t"e %essage containe in ese Ifa III (!e E,ilogue +" T"e client3s vie! of t"e revelation +i T"e etaile finings !it" t"e use of ibo + 4 T"e #rescri#tion of sacrifice +& T"e #erfor%ance of sacrifice 3.0 (!e 4i5ination Practice Several Odu e%erge uring t"e series of Ifa ivination #rocesses !atc"e an unerta&en uring our researc" on t"is !or&' T"e follo!ing e2cer#t is one of t"e cases !"en E4i)Og$e e%erge' T"is #rocess !oul ena$le us to get t"e true #icture of t"e t"ree structural #arts' Ibere Prologue Oni$eere9 Ago onile oA$oru$oye o Client9 salute t"e o!ner of t"is "ouse
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola *a$ala!o9 Ago o ya oAg$o, ato o *a$ala!o9 I salute you also Oni$eere9 E 4o!o, %o fe se i$eere ni (o Client9 Please' I !ant to inuire so%et"ing fro% fe $a Ifa soro Ifa *a$ala!o9 +A!o g$e o#ele 4ae E aniyan Client9 +T"e #riest $rings out t"e ivining c"ain E %u aniyan !a +Oni$eere aniyan (a&e your intention &no!n +t"e client 4ee4e' A!o i o#ele %u laarin, o na an !"is#ers "is #ro$le%' T"e #riest "ols t"e si!a4u re' ivining c"ain in t"e %ile an stretc"es it for!ar Orunmila o g$o o, A&in)oosa' Orunmila you "ear, A&in)oosa *alogun loe orun, ?lu%oran Ioe O!o T"e officer in "eaven, t"e &no!er in t"e to!n of O!o Ari"in) in ro"i4n)un, One !"o oes everyt"ing, O g$o o"un to !i o, 1ou "ear !"at "e sai, I!o la!o, e%i log$eri, 1ou are "e !"o &no!s !"at is secret, I a% ignorant O"un to !i, i!o 5o g$o, e%i o g$o "at "e sai, you "ear it, I i not "ear it' *o $a ti ri ni o !i o, Tell e2actly !"at you "ear, (a fire #e$i, %a fi$i #ere' DonGt call a goo t"ing a $a one nor a $a One, a goo one' I!a4u o#on, o g$o o, t"e front of t"e ivining tray, you "ear +!"at !e sai, Eyin o#on, o g$o o , T"e $ac& of t"e ivining tray, you "ear +!"at !e sai, Olumu lotun)un, Olu7anran losi' Olumu on t"e rig"t, Olu7anran on t"e left' Aarin o#on, o g$o, ita orun' T"e %ile of t"e ivining tray, you "ear +!"at !e sai, o#en air in "eaven' Ile, o g$o Ag$alague T"e groun +#raise Ag$alague, you %y "ear Ati!aye o4o, ati!o oorun T"e a!n an t"e sunset A4e, i!o naa g$o' T"e ivinity of %oney, you also "ear, O g$o o"un ti olo!o yii !i o' 1ou "ear !"at t"e o!ner of t"is %oney sai' Ire +*a$ala!o a O#eleJ -ooness +t"e $a$ala!o t"ro!s t"e ivination c"ain E4i)Og$e, $a$a Ifa +ou to "u E4i)Og$e is t"e ou t"at e%erge Ire ni lfa loun ri' Ifa sai "e sees $lessing' Ire o!o, aya, o%o +a!o g$e o#ele sanle Is it $lessing of %oney, !ife an c"ilrenK +t"e *a$ala!o casts t"e o#ele 3*ee &o3, ni a!o yiiK +o g$e o#ele sanle T"is $ro&en #late signifies NoG +"e casts t"e O#ele a secon ti%e O!o otun +O!o eyo to uro fun 3$ee ni3 ni t"e rig"t "an +t"e concealer ro##e co!ry ai$o oni$eere &o&o 4u sile s"ells inicating J1esG to t"e uestion' Itan Ifa ?arrati5e *a$ala!o9 +A!o $ere sii so o"un ti Ifa !i' O n *a$ala!o9 +T"e #riest inter#rets an narrate i Ifa Eni to a E4i)Og$e, Ifa ni &i Ifa %essage T"e #erson for !"o% Eji2 oniyen ru$o' Ifa loun o nii 4e o te, Ifa Ogbe is cast, Ifa reueste "i% to offer loun o nii 4o4u o ti i' Ifa Pe g$og$o o"un a sacrifice' Ifa sai "e !oul not let ti eleeni $a a!o le ni o %aa yori si aaaa' t"e #erson $e isgrace' Ifa sai
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola Ifa #e &i oniyen o ru$o a4e, &oru$o o$inrin, !"atever t"at #erson lay "is "an on &o ru$o o%o, #e ire to tori re afa si, #e ire !oul $e successful' Ifa instructe t"e naa o sun un $o' #erson to #erfor% sacrifice in res#ect of %oney, !ife, c"ilren, t"at "e !oul "ave all reuire $lessing in a$unance' Euu o !ule u, T"e $lac&ness !as not %erely $lac&ene, O&un&un o !ule &un, Dar&ness !as not %erely ar&ene, .alag$a la!o ag$ara jalagba !as t"e #riest of erosion, A ifa fun Atenilara a!o osa Perfor%e Ifa ivination for Atenilarat"e #riest of t"e lagoon' Euu o !ule u, T"e $lac&ness !as)not %erely $lac&ene, O&un&un o !ule &un Dar&ness !as not %erely ar&ene' .alag$a la!o ag$ara jalagba !as t"e #riest of erosion, A ifa fun Atenilara a!o atan orni Perfor%e Ifa ivination for Atenilarat"e #riesf of large !ater Atenilara, a!o o&un Atenilara, t"e #riest of t"e sea' Eni ti o $a ni Io!o 7o ni isin%i e !"o "as no %oney "as no rest of %in, *ee ni ti a!o osa So it !as in t"e case of t"e #riest of t"e lagoon, *ee ni ti atan o%i T"e sa%e !as t"at of t"e large !ater' Orun%ila lo !a afa #e a!on atenilara yii, It !as Orunmila t"at consulte "is (eteeta le #e foun, oun o le te $ayiiK on #riests !"et"er "e !oul "ave t"e t"ree ni e$o ni &o ru, Orun%ila si ru$o' in "is #ossession, "e !oul not $e isgraceK T"ey instructe "i% %Orunmila) to offer a sacrifice, Orun%ila #erfor%e t"e #rescri$e sacrifice' Atenilara a!o o7un loru&o a a #e a4e' Atenilara t"e #riest of ocean is t"e na%e of %oney' Ifa ni &i eleeni o ru$o a4e' Ifa sai t"e #erson s"oul offer a sacrifice $ecause of %oney' Atenilara a!o osa loru&o a a #e o$inrin Atenilara t"e #riest of lagoon is t"e na%e of !o%en' Atenilara a!o atan o%i loru&o a a #e o%o Atenilara t"e #riest of large !ater is t"e na%e of c"ilren, Ifa #e &i oniyen o ru$o o$inrin, Ifa instructe t"e #erson to offer a sacrifice $ecause of c"ilren' Orun%ila lo!o lo!o, o lo$inrin, o si $i%o, Orunmila "a %oney, "e "a !ives, an "e ni inu re !a un ni n #e "a c"ilren, "e felt "a##y an $egan to sing9 Ori %i a#ere, (y "ea is a goo one, Aya %i afo$i &an (y c"est t"at is touc"e !it" olanut Orisa)ag$o &o %a %a 4e &i Atenilara o te %i Orisa)ag$o, o not #er%it Atenilara to o' isgrace %e' Ifa loun o ni 4e &i eleeni o te' Ifa #e oun o O je ire o to oniyen lo!o' Ag$e$o aie, o&e %ef a, e&u ati e)4a ni e$o re' I,ari %I7adii) Oni$eere9 E seun a!o, -$og$o o"un ti %o
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Ifa sai t"at "e !oul not let t"at #erson $e isgrace' Ifa sai t"at t"e #erson !oul $e $lesse' A "en, t"ree naira, rat an fis" !ere t"en sacrifice to offer' E,ilogue Client9 T"an& you t"e #riest' 1ou "ave
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola aniyan ni e 4a, nig$a ti e n &ifa' (o touc"e all t"ings t"at I "a in %in setan lari ru e$o ti e &a sile fun %i' +Oni) I a% no! #re#are to #erfor% t"e $eere ru$o' *a$ala!o si g$e e$o naa si!a4u' #rescri$e sacrifice' +(!e client offers t!e sacrifice and t!e babalawo ,laces t!e offering in !is front) *a$ala!o9 Nig$a ti a a Ifa fun A4i$ae, E4i) *a$ala!o9 + directing !is attention to t!e di5inity) Og$e lo 4ae' O ni ire' Ire &in niK O ni ire "en !e ivine Ifa for A4i$ae, E4i) A4e, ire aya , ire o%o' in la o seK O ni e$o Og$e e%erge' It sai $lessing of !"atK Ni &i a ru' ?i ig$ona g$ooru3lo ni e$o ti a It sai $lessings of %oney !ives an &a sile fun un' E$o naa ni yii o, Ifa .e &o c"ilren' "at s"all !e oK It sai !e fin' .e &o a' .e lo to e oe orun' .e &i e$o !ere to offer a sacrifice' Instantly, "e re to o!o Eleaa +A!o &ifa lo $i ile $i eni #erfor%e t"e #rescri$e sacrifice' T"is E4i)?g$e a&un $a ni se e' Fiye enu, Fiye is t"e Offer, Ifa #lease, let t"e sacrifice e&un' Fiye e g$og$o ara' Olale&un, $e acce#te in "eaven an let it reac" t"e O%ini&un, Atata$ia&un '''' Creator +t"e #riest narrate %any relate stories' Eji2Ogbe, #lease, "el# assist us an !"ole)"eartely su##ort us in t"is offer' Olale&un, O%ini&un, Atata$ia&un Oye&u (e4i !a a $a ni se e'''' Oye&u (e4i, #lease co%e an $less t"is offer o o fiye enu, &o o fiye e&un, &o o fiye Please, #aron us, !"ole "eartely, e g$og$o ara' su##ort us' E4i I!ori !a a $a !a se e''' E4i I!ori co%e an su##ort us Oguna$ee !aa $a !a se e''' Ogundabede co%e an 4oin us Oye&ulog$e !aa $a !a se e, Oye7ulogbe co%e an 4oin us Osetua !aa $a !a se e Osetua co%e 4oin us ?&anransa !aa g$e$o naa O&anransa co%e an acce#t t"e sacrifice ?&anransa a!o o&o lo ifa fo&o O7anransa t"e #riest of groun ivine for far% O&anransa a!o ile 5o ifa funle O&anransa t"e #riest of groun ivine for groun O&anransa a!o aso 5o ifa faso O&anransa t"e #riest of clot" ivine for cot"es on la !on %eteeta o !a ru$o' O&o ru$o, T"e t"ree of t"e% !ere instructe to Ile ru$o, aso naa ru$o' on o &u, !o o run, offer sacrifice' e #erfor%e a !on n se9 sacrifice' T"ey neit"er ie nor fell sic&, t"ey starte saying9 A i i g$o&u o&o No one "ears t"e eat" of a "oe Ai i g$o&u aso No one "ears t"e eat" of a clot" Ai i g$o&u ile No one "ears t"e eat" of t"e groun Afi $o g$o It can only get ol' .e &i A4i$ae o g$o &ange, 4e &i o fa#a 4o, 0et A4i$ae gro! very ol, let "i% 4e o ferigi 4o$i ''' O&anran o niyo, o % $oun ance !it" "is ar%s +!"en "e can no o niyo, oun o g$onra se$o + babalawo gbon longer stan to ance, let "i% eat o,ele si ebo- o gbe ebole onibeere lowo). olanut !"en "e is toot"less -$og$o o"un to $a n fo!o g$a %u, %a 4e o O&anran "as no salt, $ut it !oul s"a&e $a4e' %Awo gbe ebo si ori ile)' To $a &an ile its $oy over t"e sacrifice +t!e Ifa ,riest tan, orun ele$o nii lo +won gbe e lo idi esu)' s!a7es o,ele on t!e sacrifice and ,laces t!e offering on t!e ,alms of t!e client) !"atever "e "anles, %ay it not $e s#oilt
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola +t!e ,riest ,laces t!e offering on t!e ground).Once it touc"es t"e groun, it goes to t"e !orl $eyon +t!e offering is ta7en to t!e s!rine of Esu outside t!e ,riest*s !ouse). ' Ai%ula9 + abalawo ni &i oni$eere a!o %e4ee4i bo o,ele o bere si wure)/ O g$o Ifa Ai%ula *i&u $a n $o, $o o' *arun $a n $o, $o o' *ese $a n $o, $o o' *e g$a $an $o, $o o' *ire a4e, ire aya, ire o%o, ire ai&u #ari i!a $a n $o, &o o si i sile +Onibeere si owo re mejeeji to da de o,ele ) Eleaa o g$aa4o o %adura ti babalawo gba ni i,ari).
Ai%ula9 +(!e babalawo as7s t!e client to co5er t!e o,ele wit! .!is ,alms- w!ile !e ,rays t!us)/ 1ou "ear, Ifa- Ai%ula "en eat" is co%ing, cover "i% u#' "en isease is co%ing, cover "i% u#' "en a %isc"ief is co%ing, cover "i% u#' If #aralysis is co%ing, cover "i% u#' *ut !"en t"e $lessings of %oney, !"en c"ilren an long life are co%ing, un) cover "i%' +(!e client remo5es t!e di5ining c!ain). (ay -o acce#t t"e offering +t!e ,rayer t!e babalawo said to end t!e di5ination).
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(!e acrifice Offering of sacrifice is a very i%#ortant as#ect in Ifa ivination #ractice' "et"er t"e %essage of Ifa is goo or sa, t"e inuirer %ust "ave to offer a sacrifice, for t"e 1oru$a $elieve t"at a sacrifice !ill "el# t"e inuirer to %aintain t"e gooness an is#el t"e evil' In %ost cases, t"e clients #erfor% any #rescri$e sacrifice so t"at t"ey %ay "ave t"e su##ort an a##roval of t"e eities in t"eir unerta&ings' "en ivining for a client, t"e babalawo- in t"e course of narration co%%ents on t"e client3s co%#liance as 'follo!sJ O g$o riru e$o e !as as&e to #erfor% a sacrifice O ru e #erfor%e it O g$o eru atu&esu e !as as&e to %a&e a sacrifice to Esu O tu e i so O g$o i&arara e$o "a fun un is sacrifice !as reaily acce#te +A$i%$ola 56>:985';6' T"e a$ove e2cer#t is t"e s#ecific register e2#ressing t"e "o#e t"at t"e #resent client !oul learn fro% t"e #ast occurrence an t"us #erfor% t"e #rescri$e sacrifice' T"e $lessings an t"e goo re!ar receive $y t"e #ast client after offering t"e #rescri$e sacrifice !ill surely encourage t"e #resent client, to offer si%ilar sacrifice' T"e offering 'of sacrifice "as to $e e%#"asise $ecause it is on it t"e babalawo e#ens for "is living, an #arts3 of t"e ite%s of sacrifice !oul $e given to ot"er ivinities suc" as Ogun +t"e go of iron, Esu +t"e $ailiff an obatala +t"e go of creation, an if nee $e, t"e #eo#le in t"e co%%unity' "en, on t"e ot"er "an, t"e client refuse to #erfor% t"e #rescri$e sacrifice, t"e a##ro#riate e2#ression on "is +inuirer attitue is often at t"e finger ti#s of t"e babalawo. O #a!o le&ee e too& "is Ifa #riest to'$e liars O #esu lole e too& Esu for a t"ief O !orun yan yan yan e loo&s scornfully to!ars "eaven *i eni ti o nii &u %o laye As if "e !oul never ie O !a &oti og$on)in se$o e turne a eaf ear to "is Ifa #riest instruction a$out sacrifice' +A co%%on c"ant As %entione $efore, Ifa t ivination is t"e %ost #o#ular an %ost relia$le syste% of fining facts a$out t"e un&no!n Peo#le !it" s"a&y $elief in t"is res#ect "ave t"e%selves to $la%e' T"is is !"y
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola t"e babalawo &ee#s on !arning t"e clients, e%#"asising t"e %oral of "is story an t"e great i%#ortance of sacrifice' Riru e$o nii g$e ni Sacrificing $rings $lessings Airu &ii g$eeyan' T"e neglect of it #ays no %an' E !a $a ni ni !o!o o%o Co%e an 4oin %e !"ere t"ere are #lenty of c"ilren' To!ars t"e en of a co%#lete Ifa story, t"e babalawo escri$es t"e reaction of t"e client' ere, t"e client is often re#orte to "ave e2#resse "is 4oy for success after t"e #erfor%ance of sacrifice' I4o ni n 4o e starte to ance Ayo ni n yo e starte to re4oice O n yin a!on a!o o re e starte to #raise "is Ifa #riests A!on a!o re n yin GFa "ile "is lfa #riests #raise Ifa O yanu &oto As "e o#ene "is %out" Orin a!o 5o $o si i lenu T"e song of Ifa #riests !as !"at "e uttere fort" Ese ti o na As "e stretc"e "is legs I4o faa Dance caug"t t"e% Agogo ni I#oro -ongs !ere $eaten in i#oro to!n Aran ni l&i4a Aran ru% !as $eaten at I&i4a to!n O#a &ugu&ugu lo4ue Iseri%og$e '' Dru%stic&s !ere use %a&ing %eloy at Iseri%og$e to!n' T"e e2#ression of 4oy an 4u$ilation %ay "ot $e as full as given a$ove' T"e usual #attern %ay si%#ly $e lines)l)8, ; )< or 7)> for%ing ifferent ty#e of t"e sa%e as#ect' T"e instruction of t"e babalawo to "is client for sacrifice can, "o!ever, $e sai to $e %e%ori/a$le' It %ay $e structure' on ni o ru$o nitori a4eo%oaya T"ey as&e "i% to #erfor% sacrifice $ecause of %oneyc"ilren!ife or on ni o &aa&i %ole e$o ni o se T"ey as&e "i% to #re#are to #erfor% a sacrifice' At ti%es, t"e ite%s of a sacrifice %ay $e liste, as in9 on ni o re&u %e4i olu!ere, e !as as&e to offer t!o fast)%oving rats, o re4a %e4i a$i!eg$aa, T!o fis" t"at s!i% !it" grace, O$i ie %e4i a$eo lu&elu&e, T!o "ens !it" $ig livers, E!ure %e4i a$a%u reeree' T!o goats "eavy !it" foetus' +A$i%$ola 56>:988)8;' T"e #atterns of instructing for sacrifice %ay vary9 t"e variations are e2#ressing t"e sa%e iea' T"ese latter e2a%#les su##ort t"e clai% of Parry +56;@ in t"e e2istence of series of for%ula t"at e2#ress si%ilar iea' To t"e 1oru$a, certain t"ings are greatly value' T"ese are %oney, c"ilren, !ife an all ot"er $lessings of life' A client %ay $e as&e to offer a sacrifice for any one or all of t"ese essential t"ings' on ni o ru$o nitori a4e T"ey instructe "i% to offer sacrifice $ecause of %oney on ni o ru$o nitori o%o T"ey instructe "i% to offer sacrifice $ecause of c"ilren on ni o ni$o nitori aya T"ey instructe "i% to offer sacrifice $ecause of !ives on ni o ru$o nitori ire T"ey instructe "i% to offer sacrifice $ecause of all g$og$o' $lessings' it is Ifa t"at reco%%ens t"e sacrifices an #ass t"e% to t"e gos or s#irits t"at reuire t"e% %ost often t"roug" Esu, t"e 1oru$a tric&ster go +of A$i%$ola 56=>' T"e offering of sacrifices is intene to "ave %agical effect or t"e client an t"e outco%e of t"is is #syc"ological "ealing ac"ieve via t"e sacrificial o$4ects' .ust as it occurs in all s#"eres of 1oru$a life, #rayer %ay $e offere to gos to grant goo "ealt" an $lessings to a client' Su##lications %ay $e %ae to Ifa, Esu or so%e ot"er ivinities as s#irits in acco%#ani%ent of sacrifice offere $y an on $e"alf of a client' ibliogra,!y
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Essays in Honour of Professor Wande Abimbola A$i%$ola, ane +56>:, Ijinle O!un Enu Ifa A,a 7inni. -lasgo!9 Collins' A$i%$ola, ane +56=>, Ifa/ An E8,osition of+Ifa #iterary or,us. I$aan9 O2f or University Press' A$i%$ola, ane +56==, Awon QjuQdu.
<' A4ayi, *ae +5665, T"e Structure of Ifa Divination Process, E#IBIO?+/ A ournal of ?igerian Association for t!e tudy of eligion 58,595;)85' A4ayi, *ae +766>, Ifa 4i5inision- Its ,ractice among t!e "oruba of ?igeria- Ilorin, NigeriaJ Unilorin Press' ) ' A4u!on,*ae +56=8, Aditu Ijinle Q!un Enu Ifa- - A,a 7iini. Ibadan-t Nigeria9 Oni$on)o4e Press' A&innaso, F Niyi +56:;, T"e Structure of Divinatory S#eec"9 A Sociological Analysis of 1oru$a Si2teen Co!ry Divination'3, P"D Dissertation, University of California, *er&eley' *asco%, +56>6, lfa 4i5ination@ ommunication between gods and 8, Olodumare@Bod in "oruba elief. Ibadan- Nigerian 0ong%an' Ogun$iyi, T"o%as A . +5678, Iwe ltan Ifa- Agbigba- "anrin (itee ati Owo Eerindinlogun 0agos9 Ile) Olu Printing or&' Oyesanya, Ae$oye9 +56:>, Ifa9 Do)it) 1ourself for *eginners3, Orun%ila 89<)5@' Olatun4i, O O +56:<, Ceatures of "oruba Oral Poetry. Ibaan, Nigeria9 University Press' ?#eola, (ou#e S +56:7, T"e (at"e%atical *asis of Ifa Ou, t"e Sacre 0iterature of t"e 1oru$a of Nigeria3, e#art%ental Se%inar, University of Ife, Nigeria' Parry, (il%an +56;@, 3Stuies in t"e E#ic Tec"niue of Oral Verse (a&ing 5, o%er an o%eric Style, arvar tudies in lassical P!yloso,!y <59 =7)5<='
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