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Ifa Reading of the Year 2021-2022

 
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IFA OF THE YEAR 2021/2022 FROM OKE-ITASE, ILE-IFE, STATE OF OSUN, NIGERIA.

Eriwo ya!

We greet you all in the name of Olodumare, Orunmila and all other Orisa. We also extend the greetings of Araba Agbaye (the permanent Chairman of the Council of Araba/Oluwo, the pillar of the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR)) to you all in this season of the World Ifa Festival. With combine efforts of Board of Ethics and Scripture and the Council of Elders of ICIR, we the members of Publication Committee of the Oke-Itase 2021/2022 Organising Committee set up by the International Council for Ifa Religion are hereby presenting verses of the Ifa of the year recited with inspiration by the priests on the mat in the early hour of Sunday, 6th June, 2021, which stands as the first day of the year in Ifa calendar system. The Odu Ifa that came out for this year is OSE-OKANRAN (OSE on the right, OKANRAN on the left). The Odu came with Ire Aiku (Longevity) and ebo is recommended. Ifa Priests from Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Republic of Togo, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, United States of America, Venezuela, Cuba, Argentina, Panama, Britain, Switzerland, Ghana and Sweden were all there and made their contributions. The verses of OSEO-KANRAN recited with their narratives are below:

1.

Ifa said this is a year of blessings. Many people who are planning traveling abroad will be successful in their plans this year while people who stay at home will also receive blessings. We need to make ebo to always come across fortunes as we go out every day.

There will be a lot of rain especially in the night this year. Human activities especially blocking of waterways will cause flood disaster. Ifa says we should avoid that.

People should refrain from travelling at night for various dangers. Also, when it rains during the day, it is good for us to allow the rain to touch our body, but not to get soaked. Items of ebo include 8 pigeons, honey, gin, soap, money and Ifa leaves. After making the ebo, akose will be done with soap for the person to bath. On this Ifa says:

i.

Ose dudu awo won nile Alara

Olokanran pupa awo Oke Ijero

Kiku ma pa wa diwoyi amodun, Awo Owanigbajo nile Ido

Bi arugbo ba gbo toko

Inu a bi won bi won

Ojo ogogo eyi o ro lanaa, ee si eni o mo

A fi Olodooyo

A fi Sekelewe

A difa fun Orunmila

Baba n lo ree pade Ireloye ni kutukutu awuro

Kin lope n gbe mi ko?

Eni rere! Ni Ope n gbe mi ko. Eni rere!

Igba ti mo jade mo kore aje

Eni rere! Ni Ope n gbe mi ko. Eni rere!

Igba ti mo jade mo kore gbogbo

Eni rere! Ni Ope n gbe mi ko. Eni rere!

Ose, the black man, the priest in the city of Alara

Olokanran, the light complexioned man, the priest in Ijero

Lets us live to witness next festival, the priest of Owaringbajo in Ido

When an old woman is submissive to the husband

The young co-wives become angry

The amount of rain that fell yesterday night, nobody knows

Except Olodooyo

Except sekelewe

Ifa revelation to Orunmila

When he was going to meet with Ireloye, early in the morning

What is Ope taking me to meet with?

Good people! Are those Ope taking me to meet with. Good people!

When I went out, I met with wealth

Good people! Are those Ope taking me to meet with. Good people!

When I went out, I came across all good things

Good people! Are those Ope taking me to meet with. Good people!

ii.

Ose teere awo Olukaje

Olokanran lawo Olukode

Awo to ba rin to ba jinna

Ni kode kokun ko jingbinni wale

A difa fun Orunmila

Ifa ji, Ifa ni owo oun ko ba ire

Won ni lonii lojo ire baba

Jiji ti mo ji lonii, mo ko alaje

Eni rere

Ni Ope n gbe mi ko

Eni rere

Ose teere the priest of Olukaje

Olokanran the priest of Olukode

The priests that travels far

Will bring home fortunes

Ifa revelation to Orunmila

When he was longing for fortunes

He was told it was already his time to receive blessing

As I woke up today, I came across people with wealth

Good people

Are the ones that Ope has taken me to meet

Good people

2.

For our community, state or nation, Ebo is recommended for economic development. Ebo and akose are needed for all the markets in the town. Items of ebo include, eggs, banana, pigeons, gin, money and Ifa leaves. After the ebo, akose will be done and bury in the market. On this, Ifa says:

Ose onide la i maa peri

Okanran gude ma ni

A difa fun Orunmila

Baba n lo ree ba won na oja Ejigbomekun

Ero Ipo tofa

E wa bani ni arusegun

N la n bani lese Obarisa

Ose onide la i maa peri

Okanran gude ma ni

Cast Ifa for Orunmila

When goint to Ejigbomekun market

Travellers to Ipo and Ofa

Come and meet us in victory

In such condition we meet one at the feet of Obarisa

3.

Ifa said there is about to be war, but ebo is needed so that there won’t be war. Ifa warns us against looking for war. We should neither depend on arms nor charms but ebo. Items of ebo include eggs, chicken, wooden pegs, money and Ifa leaves. After the ebo, the akose will be buried at the four corners of the community. On this, Ifa says:

Orunmila wi ka se oran kan bole

Emi naa ni ki a se oran kan bole baba Agbonniregun

O ni ogun kan ti n ja won nile Alara

O ni ki won ru ebo ki won se oran bole

O ni ki ogun naa ma baa ja won mo

Orunmila wi ka se oran kan bole

Emi naa ni ki a se oran kan bole baba Agbonniregun

O ni ogun kan ti n ja won nile Ajero

O ni ki won ru ebo ki won se oran bole

O ni ki ogun naa ma baa ja won mo

Orunmila wi ka se oran kan bole

Emi naa ni ki a se oran kan bole baba Agbonniregun

O ni ogun kan ti n ja won nile Owarangun

O ni ki won ru ebo ki won se oran bole

O ni ki ogun naa ma baa ja won mo

Orunmila kin ni ohun ebo

O ni awa ni ki a ka ohun ebo

A mu eku wa

O ni kii se oro eku

A mu eja wa

O ni kii se oro eja

O ni ki won ni oromodie lebo

O ni ki won ni eyin adiye lebo

O ni ki won ni ekikan lebo

O ni ki a wa ewe Ifa

A ti wa a de

Eyin adiye ee ni doro

Oke-Igeti ko ju ni gigun fun ogun

Igba ekikan!

A kan yin mole, e le hu

Igba Ekikan!

Orunmila says we should bury a dangerous issue

I repeat that we should bury a dangerous issue

He said, there has been a war in the city of Ara

He said they should make ebo to bury the dangerous issue

So that they would not experience the war again

Orunmila says we should bury a dangerous issue

I repeat that we should bury a dangerous issue

He said, there has been a war in the city of Ijero

He said they should make ebo to bury the dangerous issue

So that they would not experience the war again

Orunmila says we should bury a dangerous issue

I repeat that we should bury a dangerous issue

He said, there has been a war in the city of Owarangun

He said they should make ebo to bury the dangerous issue

So that they would not experience the war again

We asked Orunmila for the items of Ebo

He said we should use our discretion

We brought rat

Ifa said it is not a matter of rat

We brought fish

Ifa said it is not a matter of fish

Orunmila said we should provide egg

We should provide chicken

We should provide wooden pegs

We should provide Ifa leaves

We have provided them

Eggs do not have rope

Oke-Igeti cannot be climbed by war

With two hundred wooden pegs!

We have pegged you down, you cannot rise up again

With two hundred wooden pegs!

4.

To win the wars against our land, ebo is recommended as well as appeasement of Ogun and Ile, the mother earth. Items of ebo include 3 roosters, kola nuts, bitter kola, alligator pepper, snail, tortoise, duck, a goat, pigeon, gin, money, roasted yam, palm wine, beans and palm oil. After the ebo, the dog will be used for Ogun and Ile, the mother earth will be appeased with snail and other necessary things. On this, Ifa says:

Osekanran jikanjikan

Olokanran naa kanran jikanjikan

A difa fun Ogun Onire

Nigba ti n be lagbatemo omo araye

Ogun tintin niwaju

Ogun bababa leyin

Ogun wininwinin legbe otun

Ogunwarawara legbe osi

Ogun yin-inyin-in laarin ilu

Won ni ko rara nile ebo ni ko se

Eyin la a wo

Orita meta la a duro si

A difa fun Ile atepe

Ti yoo joye agbani lowo ogun

N je ogun yoda ogun n wa

Atepe o kare o lanu

O wa lanu o gbe won mi

O wa lanu o gbe won je

Ogun to yo lapa mi otun n ko

Atepe o kare o lanu

O wa lanu o gbe won mi

O wa lanu o gbe won je

Ogun to yo lapa mi osi n ko

Atepe o kare o lanu

O wa lanu o gbe won mi

O wa lanu o gbe won je

Osekanran jikanjikan

Olokanran naa kanran jikanjikan

Cast Ifa for Ogun Onire

When he was amidst wars

War in front

Greater war at the back

Many wars on the right side

Sudden war at the left side

Many wars in the city

He was advised to make ebo

One needs to look back

One needs to stay at the crossroad

Ifa revelation to Ile atepe, the Mother Earth

Who will be rescuing one from war

War is coming with swords

The mother earth I hail, you open your mouth

You open your mouth, you swallow them

You open your mouth you consume them

The war from my right side

The mother earth I hail, you open your mouth

You open your mouth, you swallow them

You open your mouth you consume them

The war from my left side

The mother earth I hail, you open your mouth

You open your mouth, you swallow them

You open your mouth you consume them

5.

We should be careful of strangers. People should not accommodate unknown persons. Landlords/Indigenes are warned to be very vigilant before accepting tenants so that tenants would not bring hardships and dangers to the hosts. They will come with hidden agenda. Ifa says tenants with bad intentions will be exposed and expelled. The landlords must however be security conscious. Items of ebo include, a cutlass, giant rat, palm oil, money and corn meal. On this Ifa says:

Agba orogun la n ri

A kii ri agba iyako

A difa fun Alaka

To n lo ree digba mo Iroko

People do mention senior co-wife

Nobody mentions senior mother-in-law

Ifa revelation to Alaka

Who was going to live with Iroko

6.

We should be our brother’s keeper. When there is problem with anybody, the whole community must be fast at aiding the person or combating the problem so that the problem will not degenerate into affecting the whole community.

Ifa says we should not look away from sickness, death or problem of a single person or community lest it degenerate into mass death. Items of ebo include 3 rosters, palm oil, money and corn meal. On this Ifa says:

Seranseran leni ti n jewo fun

A difa fun Etu belenje

Ti se omoye Olu-Igbo

Lojo to n sogboogbo arun

To n nara kaka alailedide

To n yi gbiiri loju ina

Oro kanle kan baale

Bi oro ba di agadangba tan, yoo kan jeje ni mo jokoo mi

A difa fun Erinlojo eranko

Won ni ki won rubo fun etu ki iju eleranko ma baa se tu

Won ko, won ko ru

Ofa a ni “tie kan o gbon-on”

Person who denies committing a crime have at least a confidant he/she confesses to

Cast Ifa for Etu beleje, the slender antelope

Who was a prince of Olu-Igbo

When he was sick

It was unable to stand up

It was always feeling cold and warming itself beside fire

When issues erupt, it affects the family head most

When an issue turns abnormal, it will affect even the person who knows nothing about it

Ifa revelation to 164 animals

They were advised to make ebo to avert death for Etu, the antelope so that they would not all die

They refused to make ebo

The arrow then said “Your own has caught you”

Note: The verse above tells story of Etu, the antelope, who was sick. All animals were told to take care of him and made ebo for him. They all refused. When hunters came to kill them, they all ran away except Etu, the antelope, who was too weak to run. It was killed. Then, the hunter flayed it and later used its hide to make arrow which the hunter later used to kill the other animals

7.

People, especially kings, religious leaders and politicians should refrain from fraudulent activities; Ifa said scammers are too many among religious leaders (Ifa/Orisa priests inclusive), Kings and politicians. Many people are too greedy that they want treasures that are meant for the whole community or nation to be theirs alone, many people after receiving their own shares still go extra mile to claim what belong to others while many in the spiritual/religious vocation claim to be what they are not. Ifa is warning people concerned to refrain from this act to escape the wrath of Olodumare and for the community or nation to be better for it. On this, Ifa says:

Ti ose nijo

Ti olokanran layo

A difa fun Olufidan Okoko

Ti won bi loje

To n jeun oloro kiri

Ose’s lot is dance

Okanran’s lot is joy

Cast Ifa for Olufidan okoko

Who was a priest of Egungun by birth

But was greedily eating through Oro deity

8.

People should refrain from adultery for it will be leading to fights and untimely death. We should also refrain from making jest of people. One needs to control one’s tongue lest he/she brings misfortunes to him/herself through utterances. Ifa says some men are so adulterous and bold that they are having secret affairs with the wives of the fellow landlords in the community, even women in the opposite houses. On this, Ifa says:

i.

Seranseran leni ti jewo fun

A difa fun Okere

To n lo ree gba Sesere obirin Oka

Person who denies committing a crime have at least a confidant he/she confesses to

Ifa revelation to Okere, the Squirrel

When going to snatch Sesere, the wife of Oka, the Cobra

Note:

According to the verse, Okere, the Squirrel snatched a wife of Oka, the Cobra. It did not stop at that; it was making jest of Oka, the Cobra, any where the wife snatcher saw the ex-husband. Oka, the Cobra later killed Okere, the squirrel.

ii.

Seranseran leni ti won jewo fun

A difa fun onile ikoko

Eyi ti yoo maa yo obinrin okankan fe

Person who denies committing a crime have at least a confidant he/she confesses to

Ifa revelation for the hidden landlord

Who was secretly dating a woman in the opposite house

9.

Married women should also refrain from unnecessary familiarity or play with people so that their husbands will not be suspicious of them. Men should also give necessary respect to married women so that their unhealthy play with them will not send them out of their matrimonial home. Adultery issues will be rampant this year. Both men and women should refrain from any kind of immoral sexual activities to guide against diseases and disgrace. All godchildren must be faithful to their godfathers or godmothers. On this, Ifa says:

Odooro lebe Akuo

Adifa fun Ide ti n se obinrin Orisa

Asin awo oludoro

Ikamudu awo oluseka

Eta abiru gbagia awo abe ogan

Awon meteeta ni won petepero

Ni won ko ohun rirun ba Ide

A le Ide nifon

A lede lojo

A ko mo ohun Ide ma fi se Orisa.

Odooro lebe Akuo

Cast Ifa for Ide, the Brass, who was a wife of Orisa

Asin, a bad person

Ikamudu, a wicked one

Eta, one with big tail who lived near termite hill

They were the ones who conspired together

And inflicted Ide, the Brass, with unpleasant odour

Ide, the Brass was sent parking from Ifon

Ide, the Brass was expelled from Ojo

Nobody knows what Ide, the Brass did to Orisa

Note:

The verse above is about Ide, the Brass who was a wife of Obatala. One day, Obatala perceived the odour of Asin, Ikamudu and Eta on Ide, his wife’s body. The wife claimed she was just playing with them while Obatala claimed she has committed adultery with them. He sent Ide (the brass) ,the wife away and Osun later accommodated her.

10.

Polygyny is encouraged against going for divorce or having extra marital affairs. Also, any monogamous man who is experiencing blockage of fortunes should marry more wife(s) and this will destroy the blockage. Also, for the couples who are barren, marrying another wife will lead to fertility for the first wife. In other words, the senior wife will also have child once the junior wife has child. Items of ebo include 8 pigeons, gin, banana, egg and money. On this, Ifa says:

Ti Ose nijo

Ti Olokanran layo

A difa fun oniyawo agbele

Won ni ko fe aya le aya ko le baa ni ire

Igba ti a gbe oge lori oge ni ire wa n de

To dance is the lot of Ose

To rejoice is the lot of Okanran

If revelation to a man who would marry many wives

He was advised to marry many wives for him to be successful

It is when we married more wives that we received blessings of all nature

11.

Men should be responsible at home. They should be responsible financially and in other ways. Women are also advised to refrain from working against or starving their husbands. Also, in the polygamous house, co-wives should not gang up or conspire against the husband. Women should be submissive to their husbands. Any woman who has conspired against her husband needs to appease Ifa with a goat. The breast of the goat will be put on the Ikin. On this, Ifa says:

Amure ji o wewo iteni iteni

Amure ji o wese kasikasi awuro

Para aboju ganhun

A difa fun Ose

To ni oun ko nina oko da

Ariro abaya koto

A difa fun Olokanran

To ni oun ko ni se ase owuro

Orita meta abaya gbaa

A difa fun Esenidewure, ti se omo Onilawo

Iku pa Ose

Iku pa Olokanran

Alade gba amu eran je

Ki o ma pa Esenideure

Amure ji o wewo iteni iteni

Amure ji o wese kasikasi awuro

Para aboju ganhun

Cast Ifa for Ose

Who said she would not cook for her husband

Ariro abaya koto

Cast Ifa for Olokanran

Who said she would not make breakfast for the husband

Orita meta abaya gbaa

Cast Ifa for Esenideure, the daughter of Onilaawo

Death killed Ose

Death killed Olokanran

Alade, take goat’s breast and eat

So that death will not kill Esenideure

Note:

The verse above tells the story of three women of the same husband,who ganged up to punish their husband. They left all their responsibilities. Later, two of them died one after the other, when the third one fell sick, he immediately confessed. She made ebo and appeased Ifa with a goat. They put the breast of the goat on Ifa. She started taking care of her husband and she recovered in a moment.

12.

We should not play with fire. Ebo is needed so that there will not be any kind of inferno. Also, individuals should be careful at home or in the place of work to guide against outbreak of fire. On this, Ifa says:

Ile raninrain Babalawo Oyin

Oun lo difa fun Oyin

Ero ipo tofa

E ko rifa awo ki bo ti n se?

Ile raninrain the Ifa priest of Oyin

Cast Ifa for Oyin, the Bee

All and sundry

Don’t you see how Ifa pronouncement is coming to pass?

13.

There are three leaders of Yoruba race who are fighting with each other. They should make ebo so that the fight would not consume them. If the ebo is not made, two of them will be consumed; only one of them will survive the storm. Items of ebo include giant rats and snails with palm oil, money and cutlass. On this, Ifa says:

Ose onide la i maa peri

Okanran gude ma ni

A difa fun Asin to n se awo ilu Idoro

A bu fun Ikamudu ti se awo Ilu Isika

A difa fun Eta ti n se awo Ijegben

Ebo ni won ni ki won se

Eta nikan lo n be leyin to n sebo

Ose onide la i maa peri

Okanran gude ma ni

Cast Ifa for Asin, the priest in the city of Idoro

Cast Ifa for Ikamudu, the priest in the city of Isika

Cast Ifa for eta, the priest in the city of Ijegbon

They were advised to make ebo

Eta was the only one who made the recommended ebo

14.

Appeasement of Ifa with a goat is recommended for economic development of individuals. On this, Ifa says:

Ose ni ose onide

Olokanran ni olokanran ajero

A difa fun Ka-roju-ka-sinfa

A difa fun Ka-gbiyanju-ka-sinfa

A difa fun O-koni-kola-dede-Ire-ku-Omo-Agbonniregun

E je ka roju ka sinfa ooo

Orisa to le gbeni ni

E je ka gbiyanju ka sinfa ooo

Orisa to le gbeni ni

Bi a ba roju bi a ba sinfa

Oro itan nib o dola

Bi a ba gbiyanju bi a ba sinfa

Oro itan ni bo dola

Ose ni ose onide

Olokanran ni olokanran ajero

Cast Ifa for Ka-roju-ka-sinfa

Cast Ifa for Ka-gbiyanju-ka-sinfa

Cast Ifa for O-koni-kola-dede-Ire-ku-Omo-Agbonniregun

Let us persevere to serve Ifa

Ifa is an Orisa that can support one

Let us try to serve Ifa

Ifa is an Orisa that can bless one

If we persevere to serve Ifa

It will not be forgotten by posterity

If we try to serve Ifa

It will never be forgotten by posterity

15.

The barrens should make ebo and appease Ifa. With recommended ebo, Ifa said many barrens will become parents this year. Items of ebo include 4 rats, 4 fish, 4 hens, 4 bats, 4 kola nuts and money. On this, Ifa says:

Orunmila wi ase kan

Ifa mi ase kan baba Agbonniregun

O ni ase kan wa ni idi omo eku

O ni oyun lo maa fi ni

Omo lo maa fi bi

……….

Orunmila wi ase kan

Ifa mi ase kan baba Agbonniregun

O ni ase kan wa ni idi omo eran

O ni oyun lo maa fi ni

Omo lo maa fi bi

Nje Orunmila, bob a wa se ti omo eni nko?

O ni afi ki a ni agbebo adiye

Ki a ni eku eda

Ki a ni eye adan

A ti wa a

A ti ri i

Bi oyele ba ti n se koko

Omo ni oyele n sunkun pe

Abimolemo ni teku eda

Atoletole ni ti adan

Orunmila said menstruation

Ifa, I repeat by saying menstruation, bara Agbonniregun

He said “a rat is menstruating at present”

He said it will become pregnant

It will give birth to child

……….

Orunmila said menstruation

Ifa, I repeat by saying menstruation, bara Agbonniregun

He said “an animal is menstruating at present”

He said it will become pregnant

It will give birth to child

Orunmila, what of if it is a human?

He said we should provide a hen

We should provide eda rat

We should provide a bat

We have looked for it

We have provided it

Whenever a hen is sounding “kooko”

It is the chicks that the hen is calling

Eda rat always have children after children

Adan, the bat, is always with foetus

16.

Some leaders and kings are agents of foreigners who are working towards destruction of Yoruba tradition and culture. Ifa said such kings will be destroyed instead. Ifa said practitioners of Yoruba Indigenous Religion should not be afraid for nobody can destroy the religion. Ifa said this religion will continue to survive and grow and those agents of destruction will surely be put to shame. Those leaders and kings are advised to turn a new leaf for them not to witness the wrath of Olodumare. On this, Ifa says:

Ti Ose nijo

Ayo ni ti Okanran

A difa fun Orunmila

Lojo ti won ni aye Ifa yoo parun

Iro ni won n pa

Ifa o le parun

Eke ni won n se

Ifa o le parun

Atelewo la ba ila

A ko mo eni to ko o

Iro ni won n pa

Ifa o le parun

To Ose belongs dance

To Olokanran belongs joy

Ifa revelation to Orunmila

When enemies said they would annihilate his life

Haters are just lying

Ifa cannot be destroyed

Enemies are just deceiving themselves

Ifa can never be destroyed

We met the marks on the palm

Nobody knows who made it

Despisers are only lying

Ifa can never be destroyed

17.

We should see everybody as our friends and not enemies. Ifa said, when we are generous to everybody in the community, the enemies will be overpowered. There are enemies who are seriously against Ifa/Orisa priests in our communities. Ifa said all Ifa and Orisa priests and priestesses should be nice and generous in their various communities. They must be generous to everybody. Ifa said, by being generous to people, the enemies will harm themselves. Ifa advises that we should always have kola nuts, wine and other edible items at home for entertainment of visitors. On this, Ifa says:

Odidere bale

O fese bale tegetegetege

A difa fun Onaaledi

Lojo to n ba Orunmila sota

E je a kobi fun Osika

Ko wa fenu ara re wure

Osika wa rele ree ku more


The parrot perched on the ground

He walked gently

Cast Ifa for Onailedi

When he was fighting with Orunmila

Let us be generous to the enemy

So that he/she uses his/her mouth to pray

The wicked has gone home to die


ORISA/ADIMU

Ogun

Obatala

Ile/Edan

Ifa

Osun

Aje

TABOOS

We should not make jest of people

Both men and women should refrain from adultery

Spiritual leaders should not be stingy

We should refrain from travelling at night

We should not play with fire

Wives should not leave their responsibility out of anger against the husbands

Verses recorded, transcribed and translated by:

Oluwo (Dr.) Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode (Chairman, Publication Committee)

Chief (Dr.) Abiodun Fafolarin Agboola (Secretary, International Council for Ifa Religion, ICIR)

Chief Fakayode Olanipekun

Òtúnba Ifá Kéhìndé Ìdòwú-Fágbohùn

Chief Fatunbi Adeniji

Oluwo Fasola Faniyi Babatunde

Mrs. Ifakemi Onifade-Owolabi

Awogbile Kehinde Aloyinlohun

Aboru, Aboye, Abosise.