Orunmila- The force of Wisdom, Knowledge, Intellect, Understanding, Prophecy and Salvation as understood by the Yoruba people.
In Yoruba Spirituality, This force has been personified to fit a structure that would be well understood.
An Orisha of Great devotion throughout Ile-Oodua, Custodian of the Ifa oracle and all it's literature.
Witness of creation, witness of destiny, witness of existence. One who's beginning is unknown.
Orunmila(Orun mo eni la = Heaven knows who to save) is one of the most honored Spirits, His importance even greater. He was present throughout all creation and present when all men pick their destiny. His knowledge transcends all time(past, present, future) and space. That is why all men seek him.
Various stories concerning this force are told in Ifa literature:
An active agent in the creation of the physical plain.
It was Orunmila who gave Orisha Nla the advise on wat tools to in The Expansion of the universe.
It was Orunmila who granted Animals their shelter and food.
It was Orunmila who granted humans higher intellect than other creations
It is Orunmila that Helps a man through the right path
It was Orunmila who brought Ifa to the world(The Yoruba world and most parts of West Africa)
It is Orunmila that proceeds over the Ifa divination, and the Odu-Ifa knowledge.
Ifa ni oro Olodumare, Ifa ni akojopo oro Olodumare to fi ran Orunmila si awon eda aye
Ifa is the word of Olodumare, The totality of the matters concerning The Great force of the universe as Orunmila was sent to mankind.
Oriki Orunmila:
Orunmila Eleri-Ipin
Ibikeji Olodumare
Aje-ju Oogun
Obiriti, Apijo-iku da
Oluwa mi, Atoba jaye
Oro aba iku jigbo
Oluwa mi ajiki yin
Ogege agbaye gun
Odudu to n du ori emere
Atun Ori ti ko sunwon se
A'mo kii ku
Oluwa aiyire
Agiri Ile-Ologbon
Oluwa amo kii tan, amo imo tan
A'ko mo yin tan kose
A'ba mo yin tan iba se ke
Personal Praise of Orunmila:
Orunmila witness to destiny/selection(natural selection)
2nd of Olodumare
Taking more than Juju
The Great Ball that is capable of averting death
My Lord! Taking u seriously serves a good life
Circle of Mystery that wrestles with death
My Lord! We greet you early in the morning as soon as we are awake
The Balance of The forces of the universe
The Store of energy which stores good luck into consciousness of the bad luck
The repairer of weak consciousness
Knowledge of you is to be immortal
Lord, holder of an unchangeable position
Strong/Perfect Foundation of the house of the wise
Lord! Infinite in knowledge, you know all.
Not knowing you fully is our folly,
We should have known you fully and all would be well.
___________________________________________
Historically Orunmila was a Philosopher, A Babalawo- considered the first Babalawo, He initiated many but we don't know who initiated him.
First known in the town Oke-Igeti, within the City of Ile-Ife. He moved to Ado(A town in Ekiti known as "Ulesun" during that time) through the lands now known as Usi. it was at Ado He began his works with the Ifa oracle (hence the saying "Ado ni ile Ifa" Ado is the home of Ifa). He went back to Oke-Igeti but the people rejected his works, he left and traveled throughout Ile-Ife suffering rejection until he got to Oketase. when He arrived in the town, the people welcomed him with music and many more entertainment. Orunmila decided to settle permanently in Oketase, and eventually became the chief of Oketase.
Orunmila had 8 children who were town leaders of their own. An issue occured with his youngest son who disrespected Orunmila saying he was a chief like him and were equals. Orunmila feeling insulted left the city, Because of this The nation had many problems and disasters which they didn't know how to handle without Orunmila. They decided to go find Orunmila begging for his forgiveness and guidance, They found him shaded by a palm tree but he refused to return he instead gave them his 16palm nuts to cast divination.
Some people consider His parents to be Oroko and Alajeru, He had many wives whom he called Apetebi.
One incident which gained him a wife was at Iwo(a town now extinct). The king of Iwo, offered his daughter out in marriage to any man who could handle her bad behavior, Orunmila Suffered much disrespect and humiliation from her, she broke his divination tools, insulted him but he didn't give up.
After some time she began to threat Orunmila like her husband and revealed it was all a test. When Orunmila got back to his town, his disciples asked about his sojourn he replied "Iya Iwo lo se mi" meaning "I suffered in Iwo" later shortened to "Iyawo" now a common word for "wife". Orunmila could understand Animals and loved nature.
Other names connected with Orunmila are: Ela(savior), Edu(black one), Agbonmiregun(Agbon mi ni ire gun= my coconut has long lasting blessings: Agbon/Ogbon also meaning wise/wisdom)
Bara Ipetu(elder of ipetu), Ara Ado(citizen of Ado), Ara Ibini(citizen of Bini), Ara Owo(Citizen of Owo), Opitan Olufe(historian/culture guide of The king of Ife= Oduduwa most probably)
Agbonmiregun is believed to be the reincarnation of Orunmila, as well as a descendant.
Setilu is another personality with close connection to Orunmila, A nupe man born blind but a Great Ifa priest.
In Yoruba Spirituality, This force has been personified to fit a structure that would be well understood.
An Orisha of Great devotion throughout Ile-Oodua, Custodian of the Ifa oracle and all it's literature.
Witness of creation, witness of destiny, witness of existence. One who's beginning is unknown.
Orunmila(Orun mo eni la = Heaven knows who to save) is one of the most honored Spirits, His importance even greater. He was present throughout all creation and present when all men pick their destiny. His knowledge transcends all time(past, present, future) and space. That is why all men seek him.
Various stories concerning this force are told in Ifa literature:
An active agent in the creation of the physical plain.
It was Orunmila who gave Orisha Nla the advise on wat tools to in The Expansion of the universe.
It was Orunmila who granted Animals their shelter and food.
It was Orunmila who granted humans higher intellect than other creations
It is Orunmila that Helps a man through the right path
It was Orunmila who brought Ifa to the world(The Yoruba world and most parts of West Africa)
It is Orunmila that proceeds over the Ifa divination, and the Odu-Ifa knowledge.
Ifa ni oro Olodumare, Ifa ni akojopo oro Olodumare to fi ran Orunmila si awon eda aye
Ifa is the word of Olodumare, The totality of the matters concerning The Great force of the universe as Orunmila was sent to mankind.
Oriki Orunmila:
Orunmila Eleri-Ipin
Ibikeji Olodumare
Aje-ju Oogun
Obiriti, Apijo-iku da
Oluwa mi, Atoba jaye
Oro aba iku jigbo
Oluwa mi ajiki yin
Ogege agbaye gun
Odudu to n du ori emere
Atun Ori ti ko sunwon se
A'mo kii ku
Oluwa aiyire
Agiri Ile-Ologbon
Oluwa amo kii tan, amo imo tan
A'ko mo yin tan kose
A'ba mo yin tan iba se ke
Personal Praise of Orunmila:
Orunmila witness to destiny/selection(natural selection)
2nd of Olodumare
Taking more than Juju
The Great Ball that is capable of averting death
My Lord! Taking u seriously serves a good life
Circle of Mystery that wrestles with death
My Lord! We greet you early in the morning as soon as we are awake
The Balance of The forces of the universe
The Store of energy which stores good luck into consciousness of the bad luck
The repairer of weak consciousness
Knowledge of you is to be immortal
Lord, holder of an unchangeable position
Strong/Perfect Foundation of the house of the wise
Lord! Infinite in knowledge, you know all.
Not knowing you fully is our folly,
We should have known you fully and all would be well.
___________________________________________
Historically Orunmila was a Philosopher, A Babalawo- considered the first Babalawo, He initiated many but we don't know who initiated him.
First known in the town Oke-Igeti, within the City of Ile-Ife. He moved to Ado(A town in Ekiti known as "Ulesun" during that time) through the lands now known as Usi. it was at Ado He began his works with the Ifa oracle (hence the saying "Ado ni ile Ifa" Ado is the home of Ifa). He went back to Oke-Igeti but the people rejected his works, he left and traveled throughout Ile-Ife suffering rejection until he got to Oketase. when He arrived in the town, the people welcomed him with music and many more entertainment. Orunmila decided to settle permanently in Oketase, and eventually became the chief of Oketase.
Orunmila had 8 children who were town leaders of their own. An issue occured with his youngest son who disrespected Orunmila saying he was a chief like him and were equals. Orunmila feeling insulted left the city, Because of this The nation had many problems and disasters which they didn't know how to handle without Orunmila. They decided to go find Orunmila begging for his forgiveness and guidance, They found him shaded by a palm tree but he refused to return he instead gave them his 16palm nuts to cast divination.
Some people consider His parents to be Oroko and Alajeru, He had many wives whom he called Apetebi.
One incident which gained him a wife was at Iwo(a town now extinct). The king of Iwo, offered his daughter out in marriage to any man who could handle her bad behavior, Orunmila Suffered much disrespect and humiliation from her, she broke his divination tools, insulted him but he didn't give up.
After some time she began to threat Orunmila like her husband and revealed it was all a test. When Orunmila got back to his town, his disciples asked about his sojourn he replied "Iya Iwo lo se mi" meaning "I suffered in Iwo" later shortened to "Iyawo" now a common word for "wife". Orunmila could understand Animals and loved nature.
Other names connected with Orunmila are: Ela(savior), Edu(black one), Agbonmiregun(Agbon mi ni ire gun= my coconut has long lasting blessings: Agbon/Ogbon also meaning wise/wisdom)
Bara Ipetu(elder of ipetu), Ara Ado(citizen of Ado), Ara Ibini(citizen of Bini), Ara Owo(Citizen of Owo), Opitan Olufe(historian/culture guide of The king of Ife= Oduduwa most probably)
Agbonmiregun is believed to be the reincarnation of Orunmila, as well as a descendant.
Setilu is another personality with close connection to Orunmila, A nupe man born blind but a Great Ifa priest.
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