OgundaMeji

OgunDadameanstocreate,soOgundameansOguncreates.Ogundacreatestheremovalofobstacles,
theclearingofapath.Progresstowardsfulfillmentofdestiny.InOgundawehaveawarningofdisputes,
hostility,violence,anddeceitfulfriends.InthesacredorderofIfa,Ogundaoccupiestheninthplace.Itis
theOduthatincarnatesOgun.ChildrenofOgundaMejiareverycreative,andusuallyownbusinessesthat
createjobsforothers.Theyarepowerfulandcourageous,tirelessandoptimistic.Theyhavemanychildren.
EseOgundaMeji
AlagbaraninoskunAdewastheonewhodivinedforOgun.Hewasadvisedtosacrificeacutlass,arooster
andaroastedyam.Ifasaidthathemustalwaysgoaboutwithhiscutlassbecauseitwouldbethekeytohis
prosperity.Hewastoldtoeattheroastedyam.Hedidso.Hewasthirstyafterthisandhewenttotheriver
todrinkwater.Ashefinisheddrinkinghesawtwopeoplefightingoverafishtheycaught.Headvisedthem
tobepatientandgohomeandsharethefish.Theyignoredhim.Thefirstmantoldhimhecamefromthe
eastandthesecondfromthewest.Afterlisteningtotheirarguments,Ogunbecameagitatedand,tothe
surpriseofthetwomen,tookouthiscutlassandcutthefishintwo.Hetoldeachtotakehalf.Thefirst
thankedhimandrequestedhimtoopenafootpathfromwheretheyweretohistownandthathewould
enrichhis(Ogun's)lifeifhedid.HefurthersaidthatOgunwouldreceivevaluablethingsthatwouldgive
himconfidence.Theotheronealsothankedhimandmadethesamerequest.Ogunagreedandhehasbeen
knownas"Ogundameji"(Oguncreatestwo),sincethedayhecutthefishintotwo.
Ifasaysthisclientneedstoavoiddisputeswithfriends.IfasaysthispersonneedstodoebotoOgunand
theirOriinordertoprosper.ThedivinershalldetermineifthispersonneedstoreceiveOgun.
EseOgundaMeji
OkelegbongboasofunkilocastIfaforOgun.Hewastoldthatifhemadeebo,hewouldneverdie.The
wholeworldwouldalwaysrequestthathehelpthemsolvetheirproblems.Butnoonewouldhelphim
solvehisownproblems.Fourrams,fourgoatsandfourcoveredcalabashesweretheebo.Ogunperformed
theeboateachofthefourcornersoftheworld.
Ifasaysthispersonwillleadasolitarylife;theywillalwaysbeaskedforhelp,butseldomthanked.They
willhavetosolvetheirownproblems.Eboforlonglife.Theeboismadetotheopon(divinationtray).
EseOgundaMeji
Hesays,itispullinggently,Isay,itisverycool.Hesays,likewhat?Isay,likenewmoneyweare
goingtohave.Isay,whatstheebo?Twopigeonsandmoney.
Hesays,itispullinggently,Isay,itisverycool.Hesays,likewhat?Isay,likeanewwifeweare
goingtohave.Isay,whatstheebo?Twohensandmoney.
Hesays,itispullinggently,Isay,itisverycool.Hesays,likewhat?Isay,likeanewchildweare
goingtohave.Isay,whatstheebo?Threeroostersandmoney.Hesays,tobearchildafterchildiswhat
thesheshekiplantdoes.
Hesays,itispullinggently,Isay,itisverycool.Hesays,likewhat?Isay,likeanewhouseweare
goingtobuild.Hesays,Togrowagainstitself,togrowagainstitselfishowPereguntreegrowsitscloth
(getsnewbarkeveryyear),Pereguntreeneveruseslastyearsclothes.Oneshegoatandmoney.They
say,Thewholeworldwillbesittingdowntherewithhim.
Hesays,itispullinggently,Isay,itisverycool.Hesays,likewhat?Isay,likeanewtitlethatwe
aregoingtotake.Isay,whatstheebo?Oneewewhitecloth,acalabashofofun,andmoney.
OrimidiOriefunAdo

OrimidiOriefunAdo
OtekulugbogboewayofunOrimiporo
OtekulugbogboewayofunOrimiporo
Ifaniayiobaeseja
MyheadbecomeswhiteaschalkfromBenin(Igrowsooldmyhairwillbeaswhiteaschalk)
MyheadbecomeswhiteaschalkfromBenin
Everybody,comeandrejoicewithmebecauseofmyhead
Everybody,comeandrejoicewithmebecauseofmyhead
Ifasayswewillfindasolutiontoourproblem
Ifasaystheclientwillreceivetheblessingtheycametoinquireaboutifeboisdone.
EseOgundaMeji
ElukudoesnothaveOrowhileOrodoesnothaveametalbellcastIfaforthepeopleofIdenaMagbon
onthedaytheentiretownwasweepingforgoodfortune(ire).IfaadvisedthegoodpeopleofIdena
Magbontodoebosotheywouldreceivetheirethatwouldputanendtotheirweeping.Theymadeebo,
anditwasonthatdaythattheyreceivedtheblessingofire.
Ifasaysthispersonshouldmakeebotoensurethatgoodfortunecomestheirway.Ifasaysmanyblessings
arecloseathand,butthereisarisktheywillbelostifeboisnotmade.Twoagogo(metalbells),two
pigeons,twofowl,twoosunsun(thesticksusedforplayingtheagogo),andmoney.Bothbellsaretobe
markedwithiyerosun.Onebellisforthediviner,andtheotherfortheclient.

Ogunda-Meji leaves for Orun:

Just like he came to the world without passing through the female
womb, he left for Orun at a ripe old age without passing through the
grave. As already indicated, the King of Death (Iku) had contrived a
ruthless scheme for eliminating the strong Awos on earth. They were
invited to Orun one after the other to come and cure Iku, who was "Ill."
Following the end of the ljesha-Oyo war, Ogunda'Meji had a dream in
which he found himself in Orun (realm of the ancestors) but could not
return to the earth. He invited two of his most proficient awo named
Uroke mi lawo ligonrin, and Oroke milawo le eturuye, to cast Ifa to
interpret the dream. They told him that iku was sending a message to
him to come to heaven to divine for him. They told him that the task
he was going to be invited to perform was a tedious and arduous one,
but that since no task was impossible for Orunmila, he would survive it
if he made adequate preparations.
Ogunda-Meji was told to give one he-goat to Esu at home and also to
give a small he-goat including Akara, Eko, Ewo (Obobo in Bini) water
and cotton wool, to Esu in the forest. He was to perform the second
forest ebo on his way to Orun. He made the first ebo at home and got
prepared for his trip to Orun to meet the iku. The following day, he was
visited by two men dressed in the uniform of the knights of heaven. He
did not know how they got to his house. He just found them in his

sitting room. They told him that he was required by the iku to come
and cure him in heaven. He offered to entertain them but they refused
because they were under orders not to eat or drink from anyone they
visited. He asked them how he was going to travel to Orun and they
told him that he was supposed to know what to do. With that, they
disappeared out of sight.
To travel to Orun, he had to wear his mystical garment with which he
could disappear. As soon as he got fully prepared, he went into his
mystery room and instantly, he found himself at the crossroads. Before
entering Orun, he went into the forest to make the second ebo. As he
settled down at a spot in the forest to make the ebo, he saw an old
woman with her limbs stuck to the ground, and her eyes oozing out
offensive liquid as if at the point of death. Other people used to see her
and pass her by, but he stopped to help her. He got her hands and feet
released from the bolt with which they were fastened to the ground,
and brought out the cotton wool for his sacrifice to clean her eyes.
Seeing that the woman was obviously hungry, he gave her the Eko and
Akara to eat and the water to drink. The woman asked him for the hegoat and he gave it to her.
He then continued on his journey satisfied that he had served the Esu
of the forest. Before getting to the house of the iku, he met a beautiful
girl who asked him whether he recognized her. She asked him whether
he did not see an old woman in the forest. The girl lied that the woman
was her mother, but it was in fact herself, now transfigured into a
beautiful young woman. She asked him where he was going and he
replied that he was going to answer an invitation from iku. She
disclosed that she was the Mother of Iku and he was startled. She told
him that the iku was not ill at all and that he merely wanted to destroy
all the proficient Awos on earth, because they were draining his source
of food supply by saving human beings from dying. She added that she
was going to help him on account of the good turn he did to people
including herself.
She disclosed that every morning, iku was in the habit of putting on his
wife's garment, that is, the sickness dress (Sickness being the iku's
wife) which would make him look as if he was about to die. The
garment was usually tied to the back of his leg. Several doctors had
previously been invited to cure him but they had all failed. None of
them was able to survive the preliminary trial by which Death tested
their capabilities. They were required to stick a spear (Okpaorere in
Yoruba and Osogan in Bini) on the floor of the inner chamber of iku.
Unknown to them, the floor was lined with stones. When the spear
could not stick to the ground the Awos were tied up for execution. She
disclosed that thirty Awos from earth had already been tied up that

way.
She advised him that to be able to stick the spear to the floor, he had
to strike it at the mouth of the water drain of the inner chamber, which
was the only soft spot in the room. He would recognize the place by
the presence of a giant frog on that spot. He should not be afraid of
hitting the frog, because it would disappear as soon as he aimed to
strike. If he did not see the frog, he would meet one old woman sitting
and spinning cotton wool, with her foot covering the soft spot. He
should not be afraid of hitting her foot, because she would remove it as
he took aim.
Finally, she gave him the following warnings:
(I) He was not to split the evil kolanut to be presented to him before
seeing iku;
(ii) He was to insist on seeing iku unaccompanied;
(iii) He was to demand the release of the 30 Awos in chains before
accepting any reward; and
(iv) He was not to accept any physical gifts because the heavenly
police would not allow him to take them away. She then gave him a
small calabash from her head which he could knock on the ground to
take whatever was given to him. He should use the calabash to
disappear back to his house.
He thus realized the manifestation of the ebo he had made, otherwise
there was no way he could have come by this vital information. Before
the girl disappeared, she promised that she would always come to his
rescue at critical moments during his exploit.
Without much apprehension therefore, he proceeded to the house of
Iku where he was welcomed by the knights of the Death. As soon as he
introduced himself, they told him that the tradition was for him to stick
a spear to the ground before taking his seat. He was directed to the
inner chamber where drums were beating and he began to dance to
the tune of the music with the spear in hand. He danced round the
room and without any warning, he startled the old woman sitting near
the water drain and by reflex action she removed her foot from the
mouth of the drain and he stuck the spear right on that spot and it held
on to the floor. He won the applause and praise of all those who were
present.
He was then given a kolanut to welcome him. He remembered the

girl's warning and insisted that before enjoying any entertainment, he

had first to see who invited him to perform the task for which he was
invited. He demanded to see the iku alone. He was then allowed to see
the iku alone. Death recognized him as the man who seduced his wife
several years before, and praised him for getting away with it. He
prayed him also to cure him of his seemingly incurable ailment.
Ogunda meji laughed hilariously and greeted iku. He told him that he
was aware that he had to pay the debt he owed to death in the end,
but that he was not going to do so on the iku's terms. He settled down
to serious business and told iku that he was only feigning illness by
wearing his wife's garment and that nothing was wrong with him.
Ogunda meji then knelt down to unfasten the garment from the heels
of the King of Death and with that, he removed the sickness garment
and iku looked hail and hearty. Ogundameji threatened to burn the
garment, but iku refused on the ground that it truly belonged to his
wife. But iku warned him not to give his secret away to anyone in
heaven. Thereafter, Ogundameji came to the outer-chamber with the
iku having apparently cured him. He was again praised and applauded
by the heavenly host as the iku took his seat on the throne.
Before taking his seat, Ogunda meji knocked his head and there was a
loud roar which shook the grounds of heaven and everybody begged
him to soften up. He then demanded the immediate release of all the
30 Awos who were put in chains before him. Knowing what Ogunda
meji was capable of doing, iku quickly ordered the release of the 30
Awos from earth, but since they refused to make ebobefore leaving
earth, they could not longer return to earth.
Iku gave him several gifts knowing that it was impossible for him to
take them away from Orun. After completing arrangements for his
return home, he surrounded himself with the gifts he was given and
brought out the calabash the girl gave to him. He sprinkled its content
on all the gifts and he told them, including the 30 Awos to prepare for
home. With that incantation they all disappeared and were instantly at
the sitting room of Ogunda meji's house on earth. All the Awos thanked
him and promised always to remember him in whatever they did.
Some accounts have it that Ogunda meji did not return from Orun
because he preferred to remain there. The account which was given to
the writer is that he returned to earth but died a normal death soon
afterwards.
Before finally leaving the earth, he told his children that they should
always do favors, although they would always be repaid with
ingratitude. He advised them not to allow that problem to deter them
from humanitarian behavior, because as long as they could operate as

loyal disciples of Orunmila, benevolence would always bring them

salvation and prosperity. He added that the ingratitude done to them
by their beneficiaries would bring them multiple rewards from the
Almighty Olodumare.
His last words on his death bed are contained in the following poem:
Oroo (a plant without leaves) was so benevolent;
That it was left with no leaves;
But it is the only plant that survives all climatic conditions.
Igeregere or Afuma (a plant that grows on other trees) was so
benevolent;
That it has no roots on the ground;
But it was crowned the King of all plants.
The ground does so much favor to the world,
That his significance is not even appreciated;
But he is the final inheritor of the universe,
The sun is so benevolent;
That he is cursed and praised by his beneficiaries;
But he lives forever.
His children would always be more prosperous;
Than those who show them ingratitude.
Just as a thief can never prosper;
As much as the victim of his theft.
Finally, he told his children not to take to hunting of any kind
as a
profession, be it for animals, birds and reptiles in the forest, or
for fishes

in the water. With those words of advice, he lapsed into the

great beyond.
ase
Ogunda requires great patience and close attention to ethics, protocol
and decorum.
Here, Ifa teaches "when we get to the home of a respected elder, we
bow down." Orunmila posed a riddle to the divinities to teach them the
significance of patience and orderly conduct. It reached the point of an
enigma when even Orunmila himself seemed incapable of solving the
riddle. It was then that he revealed the primacy of ORI in all things.
Therefore, balance everything you do by :
1. praying - ask ORI to open the way for you - and then
2. meditating - listen to the answers you get and finally
3. complying - go what you have been told to do, period.
Odu Ogunda is very much related to humans, Ori and cause and effect,
as illustrated in the following excerpt from a verse:
...ORI, I salute you!
The one that is wise,
Was made wise by his own ORI.
The one that is fool,
Was made fooler than a piece of yam,
By his own ORI...
Orunmila's wisdom speaks in Ogunda Meji
Orunmila says that on entering
a room with a low door,
we automatically bow.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers
on every journey, without
ever turning back?"
Shango replied that he accompanies
his followers on every journey, without
ever 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 soup

and make yam pudding,
and give you kola and a rooster?"
Shango said: "After such satisfaction
I return home."
Then Shango was told
that he could not accompany followers
on a far journey without turning back.
Orunmila says that on entering
a room with a low door,
we automatically bow.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers
on every journey, without
ever turning back?
Oya replied that she accompanies
her followers on every journey, without
ever 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 pudding
in front of you?"
Oya said: "After such satisfaction
I return home."
Then Oya was told
that she could not accompany followers
on a far journey without turning back.
Orunmila says that on entering
a room with a low door,
we automatically bow.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers
on every journey, without
ever turning back?"
Obatala replied that he accompanies
his followers on every journey, without
ever 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 satisfaction
I return home."
Then Obatala was told
that he could not accompany followers
on a far journey without turning back.
Orunmila says that on entering
a room with a low door,
we automatically bow.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers
on every journey, without
ever turning back?"
Eshu replied that he accompanies
his followers on every journey, without
ever 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 satisfaction
I turn and go home."
Then Eshu was told
that he could not accompany followers
on a far journey without turning back.
Orunmila says that on entering
a room with a low door,
we automatically bow.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers
on every journey, without
ever turning back?"
Ogun replied that he accompanies
his 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 satisfaction
I sing my Ijala chants,
loud and joyfully, all the way home."

Then Ogun was told

that he could not accompany followers
on a far journey without turning back.
Orunmila says that on entering
a room with a low door,
we automatically bow.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers
on every journey, without
ever turning back?"
Oshun replied that she accompanies
her followers on every journey, without
ever 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 satisfaction
I return home."
Then Oshun was told
that she could not accompany followers
on a far journey without turning back.
Orunmila says that on entering
a room with a low door,
we automatically bow.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers
on every journey, without
ever turning back?"
Orunmila replied that he accompanies
his followers on every journey, without
ever turning back.
They asked him: "But what if,
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 satisfaction
I return home."
The they said to Orunmila
that he could not accompany his followers
on a far journey without turning back.
The Awo's were astonished.
They could not utter a word, for they did not
understand 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 teaches
wise things like one's father.
Ifa, the question is:
"Who among the deities
accompanies their followers on every journey,
without ever turning back?"
Ifa said: "It is Ori, Ori alone,
who accompanies his follower
on every journey, without
ever turning back."
When I have money it is my Ori
whom 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 quicker
than any other deity.
No deity blesses a human being
without the consent of his Ori.
Ori, I salute you.
You who allows children to be born alive.
One whose offers are accepted by his Ori
has reason to dance and rejoice.
Ifa says that this person should offer
to his Ori. The offer is
8 pigeons and 16 times 4000 cowries.
And Ifa says that if this one

sacrifices to his Ori regularly,

his life will be good.
ase
OGUNDA MEJI
That-which-made-for-the-success-of-those-who-went-beforemust-be-noted-by-those-who-come-afterward cast the
shells for Yemoja Atalamagba, Moashogbogbogbayo. She asked
what she could do to have a good life. Make ebo of 26,000
cowries, 1 rooster, 1 pigeon, mashed corn, and boiled corn to
divination set. The ebo was done, Yemoja had a good life.
Oriki ire;
Yemoja b'o r'agbo a yo Yemoja.
Yemoja if she sees a ram, she will rejoice, Yemoja.
Ogunda read for Yemoja who wanted to have children.
She was advised to sacrifice 26,000 cowries, a piece of white
cloth, cold water, and 13 snails. The sacrifice was made.
Orisha says a blessing of children.
Famous-heads-are-not-usless-they-are-acclaimed-athomethey-are-acclaimed-in-battle cast shells for Titlebecomestwo who asked what is to be done to receive blessings
on earth? Sacrifice 26,000 cowries, 3 pigeons, boiled corn,
corn porridge, and fritters to Shango and Oya. Title made the
sacrifice and became chief. If a couple is in dispute both
parties should make an offering to Shango and Oya.
Ogunda says that where there are problems in the
bedroom both parties should sacrifice 26,000 cowries, a knife,
a rope, 3 chickens, 3 pigeons, and a piece of meat. One pigeon
is to be released in the woods. The sacrifice was made. Orisha
says there will be a blessing in the relationship.
Panther-gallops-through-the-farm-civet-cat-softly-climbs-thepath-up-the-hill cast the shells for Crocodile Waaka who
asked how to overcome enemies. Sacrifice 26,000 cowries, 3
rats, 3 pigeons, palm nutshells, snail shells and 3 iron pegs to
Ogun and Esu. The sacrifice was made. The enemies were
defeated.
Oriki ire:
Oni ma ma de omo omibu
Tani o gb'odo l'owo Oni?
Tani gba'le baba omo l'owo omo?

Crocodile is coming, a child of the chief of deep waters,

Who can take the river away from the Crocodile?
Who can take his father's house away from a child?
Things-are-difficult-at-Morgun-there-are-many-innocent-peoplethere cast the shells for Ogunda who was concerned for
the people who were being treated unfairly by the chief.
Ebo of 26,000, cloths to the poor, 3 chickens, 3 pigeons, and
a pot of beans to Ogun. Orisha says a blessing of fair
treatment, fair trial, and the speaking of truth so that no one
will be accused of something that they did not do.
Ogunda says there will be a blessing of good fortune and
abundance.
Ogunda says there will be a blessing of good fortune,
children and a long life for those who embrace patience.
Ogunda says there is a taboo against anger, and a taboo
against harsh judgments.
Ogunda says that the successful child will be praised by
the mother. Orisha says that patience brings a blessing of
appreciation.
Ogunda says that the mother will have successful
children. Ebo should be made to the head (Ori) of the
children. Orisha says that the three children took the position
of the elders and became chiefs.
Ogunda says that this person must maintain all of their
taboos and honor the taboos of others. Doing so will bring
good fortune.
OGUNDA - ORIKI IRE
Ogunda, Ogunda, Ogunda,
The Creator, the Creator, the Creator,
Mo be yin,
I beg you,
kiedai ni'de arun iku ejo,
release me from the tie of death,
egbese ati beebee,
release me from misfortune,
ki e da're ire owo,
direct the benefits of money to me,
ise oro omo ola ola emigigin,
direct the benefits of responsible children to me,
aralile ati beebee sodo mi,
direct honor, prosperity, long life and health to me,
ki e da mi ni abiyamo tiyoo bimo rere ti won.
let me be known as a parent who produces good
children.

Yoo gb'ehin si-sinu aye ati beebee?

Who will be behind me, follow me and bury me?
Ogunda.
The Creator.
mo dupe, mo dupe,
Ase, ase, ase o!
Ogunda, Ori and Orunmila
Ogunda - Ogun creates. There is a trong connection between Ogunda
and Ori; our Ori (consciousness), when in alignment with our iponri
(higher self) allows our iponri to create in the invisible realm so that it
may manifest in the visible realm. Hence the connection. Orunmila, Elri
- ipin, witness to creation and destiny, then is linked here in that he
assures that what we create is in alignment with our wishes made
before reincarnation. The main purpose of Ifa is to connect our Ori with
our Iponri. This concept comes together in the Ifa Osun (babalawo's
staff), spoken of in Ogunda Meji:
Iku, arun, ofo egba, ese
Gbogbo won ni nyo Orunmila wo
Won nwi pe ojo kan
Ni awon o pa a
Ni Orunmila ba gbe oke Iporii re kale
Death, disease, loss, paralysis and wickedness (ibi)
were all staring at Orunmila
they said that one day
they would kill him
Orunmila then planted his staff in order to consult his Ori
The bird at the top of an Ifa Osun is referred to as the "bird of Ifa." and
is said to invoke the power of the hawk (asa), symbolizing the diviner's
ability to "see," to address problems expediently and effectively, to
understand the wishes of a devotee's Ori.
ase