IRETE - IKA

IFA OF THE YEAR 2018/2019 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) to you all in this season of the World Ifa Festival. We, the members of Publication Committee of the Oke-Itase 2018/2019 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, 3rd June, 2018, which stands as the first day of the year in Ifa calendar system. The Odu Ifa that came out for this year is IRETEIKA (Irete on the right, Ika on the left). The Odu came with Ire Aya/Oko, fortunes of Spouse and ebo is recommended to make it to come to pass. 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 IRETEIKA recited with their narratives are as follows: 1. Ifa has promised us all fortunes this year. This year, people should have patience and not be in haste to acquire things. Ifa says we should make ebo to have good things. With patience after making the ebo, all fortunes will be acquired. The items of ebo are 4 pigeons, honey, gin, pap, kola nuts and money. On this, Ifa says: Eera ni gbedo ile fulefulefule A difa fun Animo Omo loroloro Omo lohunlohun Aje n wole Animo lo Ogorogoro Ire gbogbo n wole Animo lo Ogorogoro It is an ant that digs the ground patiently Ifa revelation to Animo He whose ancestors have wealth He whose ancestors have things Wealth is now going to Animo In multitude All good things are now going to Animo In multitude 2. Ifa said people will benefit greatly from travelling out of their respective towns or countries this year. Many people will find their fortunes of riches, spouses, children, works and so on outside their towns or Place of birth. Ebo should be made with 4 pigeons, gin, honey and money. On this Ifa says: Eke ile lo bale se Eke won o mohun ile A difa fun Orunmila Nijo baba n sawo lo si ode Ibadan Aje ni n oo ni o ni Ibadan lo wa Ire gbogbo ni Ibadan lo wa Aya ni n oo fe o ni Ibadan lo wa Ire gbogbo ni Ibadan lo wa The rafter lives with the house But fails to understand the house Ifa revelation to Orunmila When going to the city of Ibadan The riches that I will possess is in Ibadan All fortunes are in Ibadan The wife I will marry is in Ibadan All fortunes are in Ibadan 3. For those who are longing for children, they need to appease Obatala. To remove cases of miscarriage, it is necessary to make ebo against enemies. Also, it is better to stop shouting at pregnant women to prevent shock that might lead to miscarriage. Also that doing the ebo of this verse will make If practitioners victorious in their endeavours this year. Ebo should be made with 4 snails, kola nuts, 3 cocks, a big rat, palm oil and money. After the ebo, Obatala will be appeased with the snails. On this, Ifa says: Yangi abara palapala A difa fun Orisanla Oseeremogbo To n gunna omo Ti Ire n lo ree ba a je Nje Ire o gbodo han Ibi akata ba ba si o Ire o gbodo han Ibi awa gbe n bofa o Ota o gbodo gbin Yangi abara palapala Cast Ifa for Orisanla Oseeremogbo Who would be moulding new child Which Ire, the cricket would be destroying Behold, the Cricket dare not talk Wherever there is a fox The Cricket dare not murmur Wherever we appease Ifa The enemies dare not talk 4. Ifa says people should be hard working and stop stealing or sabotaging other people’s sweat. Also, those who steal other people’s belongings will be caught. To catch thieves, Ogun should be appeased and three gun shots made during the appeasement. To prevent shame, people should refrain from stealing. The ebo to make here include a dog or 3 roosters, yam, beans, palm oil and palm wine. After the ebo, Ogun will be appeased. On this, Ifa says: Ateka awo Onikananranjangbon A difa fun Onikanranjangbon To n roko alere lodun O doko o gbinla O doko o gbinkan Bi oloko ti n ka ila Bee ni ole n ka ila Bi oloko ti n ka ikan Bee ni ole n ka ikan Onikan yii rora Kananranjangbon! Iwo ka Emi ka Kananranjangbon! Temi se le depe? Kananranjangbon! Epe kan o pa Ahun Kananranjangbon! Owo wa ba Alabahun lonii o Owo oloko ba Alabahun Ijapa ole! Owo oloko ba Alabahun Ateka the priest of Kananranjangbon Cast Ifa for Onikananranjangbon When embarking on farming He planted ila, the okra He planted ikan, the garden egg As farmer plucked ila, the okra So the thief plucked ila, the okra As the farmer plucked ikan, the garden egg So the thief plucked ikan, the garden egg The-garden-egg-farmer, be patient No cause for harshness! You harvested I harvested as well No cause for harshness! Why are you cursing me? No cause for harshness! No curse can have effect on tortoise No cause for harshness! The Tortoise is caught today The farmer has caught the Tortoise The tortoise, the thief The farmer has caught the Tortoise 5. People should make ebo to fortify their children especially those who have three children. This is to guide against one’s children death. The ebo to make include 3 he-goats/3 roosters, 3 big rats, palm oil and money. On this, Ifa says: Ateka rigidi Babalawo Oka A difa fun Oka Ateka rigidi Babalawo Ere A difa fun Ere Ateka rigidi Babalawo Okun A difa fun Okun Nijo ti won fe joye Olowooriri Won pa Oka lapadari Won pa Ere lapalado Won te Okunrun latewo Ateka rigidi Ifa priest of Oka, the viper Cast Ifa for Oka, the viper Ateka rigidi Ifa priest of Ere, the boa constrictor Cast Ifa for Ere, the boa constrictor Ateka rigidi Ifa priest of Okunrun, the centipede Cast Ifa for Okunrun, the centipede When they were contesting for the post of Olowooriri Oka, the viper was killed and beheaded Ere, the boa constrictor was killed and cut into pieces Okunrun, the centipede was killed and trampled upon 6. Ifa has promised that those who are longing for house will achieve it this year. People who are not comfortable with where they are living or those who are pursuing having their own personal home will surely have it this year. The ebo to make to achieve this include 4 snails, 4 tortoise, 4 crabs, 4 pigeons, gin, honey, palm oil, kola nuts and money. On this, Ifa says: Orunmila wi ojo ro Ifa mi ojo ro Bara Agbonniregun Igba ti ojo ro la file ila han ila Orunmila wi ojo ro Ifa mi ojo ro Bara Agbonniregun Igba ti ojo ro la file ikan han ikan A difa fun Akapo Ti n sunkun pe oun o ni ibudo Ebo ni won ni ko wa se Ifa o to gege o je ki mi ni ibudo Alabahun kii kere ko ma le kole Ifa o to gege o je ki mi ni ibudo Alakan kii kere ko ma le kole Ifa o to gege o je ki mi ni ibudo Igbin kii kere ko ma kole tire loto Ifa o to gege o je ki mi ni ibudo Orunmila said the rain fell I said the rain surely fell, Bara Agbonniregun It was when the rain fell that we showed Ila, the okra its house Orunmila said the rain fell I said the rain surely fell, Bara Agbonniregun It was when the rain fell that we showed Ikan, the garden egg its house Ifa revelation to Akapo When longing for house Ifa, it is high time I possesses home The tortoise possess home no matter how young Ifa, it is high time I possesses home The crab possess home no matter how young Ifa, it is high time I possesses home No matter how young a snail is, it possesses its own house Ifa, it is high time I possesses home 7. People should give due respect to the taboo, law, rules and regulations of the city so that they would not incur the wrath of the ancestors or the super power. More precisely, those who will celebrate Egungun this year should not let any part of the Egungun body exposed. Those who want to travel need to appease Esu so that somebody else will not take their profit. Ifa priests/priestesses should not fight with their clients even when the clients offend, disrespect or are ungrateful. This is to prevent a situation whereby somebody else will harvest what they have worked for. The ebo to make include a he-goat, palm oil, gin and money. Esu will be appeased after the ebo. Also, for anybody who wants his/her organization, city or community greatly populated, he/she should make ebo with 200 rats, 200 fish, 200 tortoise, 200 snails, 200 yam tubers, palm oil, 200 kola nuts, 200 bitter kola, 200 aligator peppers, shear butter and 200 monies. On this, Ifa says: Ataare reni gba idi re O n fi ogburo se esin Bi ogburo ba reni gba idi re A pon ju ataare lo A difa fun Ateka To n sawo lo si ode Ibadan A difa fun won ni ode Ibadan Ni kutukutu owuro Ni ijinji ereni Won ni won o rubo ki ogun o ma le ja ilu won Osemeji nko o? Nibadan lo wa Awo rere ni Ibadan Ataare, cultivated alligator pepper which has people to clean its environment Makes jest of ogburo, a wild alligator pepper Had ogburo, the wild alligator pepper got somebody to take care of it It would have yielded better seeds than ataare, the cultivated one Cast Ifa for Ateka When going to the city of Ibadan Cast Ifa for the people of Ibadan They were warned to make ebo against war Where has been Osemeji? He is in Ibadan A good priest in Ibadan 8. All the Ifa priests in each town should make ebo for longevity of Araba/Oluwo of their respective towns. This is because, Ifa says the incumbent Araba/Oluwo in towns are people of positive energies whose regime are favourable to their subjects. They need to live long for such favourable period to last long. Also, all the god children should make ebo for long life for their god fathers/god mothers for the demise of a god father/god mother will create vacuum that will be difficult to fill. There is a benefactor here whose beneficiaries have to make ebo and be prayerful so that the latter would not suffer owing to the imminent demise of the former. The items of ebo here are white cloth, a big rat, a he-goat, palm oil, pap, kola nuts and money. On this, Ifa says: Ateeka aja A difa fun Onigobi Erupe O n sogboogbo arun O n nara kaka alailedide O n yi gbiiri loju ina Bonigobi erupe o ba tete ku Gbogbo wa la oo mama la Spreading without ever been removed, the case of the roof Ifa revelation to Onigobi Erupe When he was sick He was unable to stand due to debility He was always beside the fire to cure cold If Onigobi Erupe does not die untimely It is all of us that will be wealthy 9. This year, daily worship should be taken more serious. For followership, we need to appease Obatala. The items are 8 snails, shear butter, white cloth, pounded yam and money. Also, this year, people should be close to Obatala and wear more white cloths. On this, Ifa says: Ateka Atedo Ileke pinpin lese Obarisa A difa fun Orisanla Oseremogbo To n torun bo waye Ebo ko le di eleni ni won ni o wa se Taa la oo maa sin bojumo ba mo? Orisa Igbo! N la oo maa sin bojumo ba mo Taa la oo maa sin borun ba pe? Orisa Igbo! N la oo maa sin borun ba pe Taa la oo maa sin bisan ba pe? Orisa Igbo! N la oo maa sin bisan ba pe Taa la oo maa sin bi odun ba pe? Orisa Igbo! N la oo maa sin bodun ba pe Ateka Atedo Beads steadily fixed to the ankle of the king among the Orisa Ifa revelation to Orisanla Oseeremagbo When descended from Heaven He was told to make ebo to have followers Who shall we serve every morning? Orisa Igbo! Is the one we will serve every morning Who shall we serve every week? Orisa Igbo! Is the one we will serve every week Who shall we serve fortnightly? Orisa Igbo! Is the one we will serve fortnightly Who shall we serve every year? Orisa Igbo! Is the one we will serve every year 10. Siblings who are four should make ebo so that three of them would not be killed or overpowered by enemies. The items of sacrifice here include, a he-goat/3 roasters, 200 needles, palm oil, a big rat and money. On this, Ifa says: Ateka Babalawo Ila A difa fun Ila Ateka Babala Ikan A difa fun Ikan Ateka Babalawo Ata A difa fun Ata Ateka Babalawo Bobo Awodi A difa fun Bobo Awodi Ika ti e ka Ila Ika ti e ka Ikan Ika ti e ka ata Ki eni mase ka Bobo Awodi bee Ateka the Ifa priest of Ila, the okro Cast Ifa for Ila, the okro Ateka the Ifa priest of Ikan, the garden egg Cast Ifa for Ikan, the garden egg Ateka the Ifa priest of Ata, the pepper Cast Ifa for Ata, the pepper Ateka the Ifa priest of Bobo-awodi, the Spinners Cast Ifa for Bobo-awodi The way you pluck Ila, the okra The way you pluck Ikan, the garden egg The way you pluck Ata, the pepper Let no one try to pluck Bobo Awodi , the Spinners, the same way 11. Those priests/priestesses who are mischievous should turn new leave. The ancestors will destroy fraudsters in the Ifa/Orisa community. People should be ready to face the consequences of their actions. The wrath of the ancestors will descend on the fraudsters and the good priests/priestesses will be vindicated. Some people are trying to tarnish the images of the Araba/Oluwo of some towns. They are trying to paint them black before the kings of their respective towns. Generally, there are some priests/priestesses here who people have reported to the head of the community or kings. People alleged them of improper rituals. They need to make ebo and appease Egungun. If truly they are innocent of the allegations, they will be vindicated. The items of ebo are a big rat, a he-goat, olele, akara, palm oil, kola nuts, gin and money. As they were making the sacrifice and appeasement, they will be beating the ground. On this, Ifa says: Pete n bole Ebole n pete Olukirikiri n biti Ka su olele disa eku Ka su oleke disa eja Ka su olele disa eera keekeeke A difa fun Olaminu ni Ipapo Omo a-gun-poroporo foso ile mu Nijo won ni n boogun oba lekee Nijo won ni n boosa odi f`Ooni O ni bi mo ba boogun oba leekee O ni bi mo ba boosa odi fooni Ase dowo ile dandan Omode o loogun Alale! La oo maa sa. Alale! Gbogbo alaworo isope E sare wa ke wa wobi ti mo so. To dress the floor smoothly For it to shine attractively Let us use olele to cover the rat hole Let us use olele to cover the fish hole Let us use olele to cover the ant hole Ifa revelation to Olaminu in the city of Ipapo He who pound things for the household wizards to drink When he was accused of appeasing King’s Egungun with deceit When they accused him of wrongly appeasing Orisa for Ooni He said if he is appeasing King’s Egungun with deceit He said if he is wrongly appeasing Orisa for Ooni Let the mother earth be my judge Young ones have no medicinal power The ancestors! They are to call upon. The ancestors! All priests of Ope Come and see the kola nuts I throw 12. This year, Ifa says all our lost followers and honours will return or be regained. Most of the run-away followers will be here next year. Also, those who are longing for children here will become parents. The names of the children that they will bring next year should be named Olaside. Ifa however advises us against immoral sexual act this year. This is because, many families will be destroyed through this. On this, Ifa says: Pepeye o sago Aatan ni boji agan to ni ikanra Esu ooro ti mudi batan je A difa fun Olanulo Omo onire igba iwase Ola to ti nu lo Ola si de Olaside lomo Ireteka n je The duck does not fornicate Dumping ground is the grave for a peevish barren Sex in standing position has destroyed families Ifa revelation to Olanulo, the honour has got lost The child of the ancient wealthy people The honour that has got lost The honour has returned back Olaside, the-honour-has-returned-back is the name of the child of Ireteika 13. Ifa advises that people should not fight over position or chieftaincy title within the family or town. People should see position or title as part of destiny. Therefore, there should not be envy when someone younger is made chief over the people who are older than him. Siblings or half-brothers should bear in mind that whoever will be chosen as the king, chief or title holder among them has been predestined and cannot be changed. In the community, politics should not be seen as a do or die affair. People should learn to accept political fate and stop fighting over position. Also, the elderly ones should not look down on the younger ones. On this, Ifa says: Ateka abisawo jingbinni A difa fun Orunmila Baba oo bi Erin lomo Baba oo bi Efon lomo Baba oo bi Ojola rogbodo ti somo ikeyin won lenjelenje Osumare ego, iwo ma lomo Osumare ego, iwo ma leniyan Bi a ko ba ri Ojola rogbodo Ta la oo fi ledu ile baba Ateka abisawo jingbinni Cast Ifa for Orunmila He gave birth to Erin, the elephant He gave birth to Efon, the buffalo He gave birth to the boa constrictor, the youngest of them all You Rainbow, you are the best child You Rainbow, you are the most useful child If we do not see you the boa constrictor Who shall we install as the chief in the household 14. Ifa says people whose children die young should look elsewhere for the causes. Their thought about the causes of the deaths is wrong. Therefore, they need to make ebo for them to know the cause of the death. On this, Ifa says: Ateka awo Olubadan A difa fun Olubadan Nijo ti ko mo ohun to n pa a lomo je Nje Ibadan o go mo Ibadan ti mesi Ibadan ti mes i ti n pa won lomo je Ibadan o go mo Ateka the priest of Olubadan Cast Ifa for Olubadan When he did not know what was killing his children Behold, Ibadan people are no more stupid Ibadan people have known the Boar Ibadan people have known the Boar killing their children Ibadan people are no more stupid 15. Ifa warns against any act of wickedness. People should not prepare poison or any other wicked charm to kill or destroy lives. The secret of anybody who plan to take life of his/her fellow human being will be revealed and he/she will be caught and brought to book. On this, Ifa says: Ateka babalawo Igun A difa fun Igun Ateka babalawo Tentere A difa fun Tentere Ateka babalawo Awoko A difa fun Awoko Nijo won n sawo rele Olofin Igunnugun! Awo ni ooo Tentere! Awo ni ooo Igba ti eyin n sewo Emi mo o Ateka the Ifa priest of Igun, the vulture Cast Ifa for Igun, the culture Ateka the Ifa priest of Tentere Cast Ifa for Tentere Ateka the Ifa priest of Awoko Cast Ifa for Awoko When they were going to the house of Olofin, the king Igunnugun (the vulture)! You are a priest Tentere! You are a priest When you were preparing the poison I was aware 16. Ifa advises Ifa/Orisa devotees this year to always repair or amend things. They should not get involved in destruction of relationship. They should always redeem, repair or amend things. On this, Ifa says: Ateka awo Abere A difa fun Abere Lojo to n torun bo waye Bi Abere ba wokun Abere a si tun aso se Ateka the priest of Abere, the needle Cast Ifa for Abere, the needle When he was coming from heaven Whenever the needle put on thread The needle will repair cloth 17. Ifa warns all priests/priestesses from directly or indirectly forcing their clients to pledge gift of money or material after efficacy of their work. This year, priests/priestesses who impose any act of vow or pledge on their clients will not be favoured by Olodumare. This does not mean that we cannot take heartedly given gift from the client. We can do, if he/she does it willingly as an act of appreciation. In fact, it is good if priests/priestesses can treat sick clients free of charge this year. On this, Ifa says: Ateka feregede Babalawo Ina A difa fun Ina Omo awokunrun ma gbeje Iworo isope E wa bani larinrin ire Ateka feeregede the Ifa priest of Ina Cast Ifa for Ina He who heals the sick without demanding honorarium All followers of Ope Come and meet us amidst fortunes 18. There are people who are unable to achieve anything in life owing to evil forces. This year, Ifa has promised them victory. And for those whose arch enemies are using the power of the Iyami to hunt, they have to make ebo with a big rat, a he-goat, palm oil, pap and money. On this, Ifa says: Yeye rugbo aboju wosowoso O loun o ni jela o niwo Yeye rugbo aboju wosowoso O loun o ni jekan o wewu eje Okansoorokan awo Ila lo difa funla Okansoorokan awo Ikan difa funkan Ila niwo Ikan wewu eje Okansoorokan Babalawo ni. An old woman with ugly face She said she would prevent Ila, the okro, from having children An old woman with ugly face She said she would prevent Ikan, the garden egg, from living to the ripe age Okansoorokan the priest of Ila, the okro, cast Ifa for Ila, the okro Okansoorokan the priest of Ikan, the garden egg, cast Ifa for Ikan, the garden egg Ila, the okro has children Ikan, the garden egg lived long Okansoorokan is a competent Babalawo 19. This year, for multiple fortunes, the following ebo is recommended. The items of ebo are 2 rats, 2 fish, 2 pigeons, 2 hens, 2 cocks, 2 snails, 2 goats, 2 cola nuts, 2 bottles of gin, 2 paps, 2 bottles of palm oil and two highest denomination of money. On this, Ifa says: Ateka awo Olubadan A difa fun Onigobi Erupe Won ni o rubo odunni-in lodun ola ire re pe Ateka de Awo olubadan Onigobi nikan lo sebo ola meji Ateka the priest of Olubadan Cast Ifa for Onigobi Erupe He was advised to make ebo for his fortune was near in the year Here comes Ateka, the priest of Olubadan It was only Onigobi who made ebo for two fortunes 20. There are 3 people here who enemies are pursuing. The three people can be siblings, half-brothers/half-sisters or friends. They need to make ebo to overcome the enemies. The items of ebo for each person are a big rat, a he-goat/3 cocks, many needles, palm oil, pap and money. On this, Ifa says: Ateka awo Ila A difa funla Ateka awo Ikan A difa funkan Ateka awo Bobo-awodi A difa fun Bobo-awodi Ti somo ikanyin won Won lebo aye ni won o se Bobo-awodi nikan ni n be leyin ti sebo Won n bela lori Won n lakan laya Bobo nikan lo sebo ejoore Bobo nikan lo sebo ejoore, e je o maa lo Ika ti e kai la Ika ti e ka ikan Ki enikeni mase ka Bobo Awodi bee Eni ti ba n peri awa ni ibi Opinpin! Abere Ifa o bo won lara. Ateka the Ifa priest of Ila, the okro Cast Ifa for Ila, the okro Ateka the Ifa priest o f Ikan, the garden egg Cast Ifa for Ikan, the garden egg Ateka the Ifa priest of Bobo-awodi, the Spinners Cast Ifa for Bobo-awodi Who was the youngest of them They were told to make ebo against enemies It was only Bobo-awodi who made the ebo The way you pluck Ila, the okra The way you pluck Ikan, the garden egg Let no one try to pluck Bobo Awodi , the Spinners, the same way Whoever is sending evil to us Painfully! The needle of Ifa will be pricking them 21. Ifa says friends will do wonderful things in the lives of one another this year. Friends should not hide their problems, challenges or ailments from each other. Ifa says those who keep secret of their ailment from their friends will die while those who let their friends know their ailments will get healed. Ebo to make here include a big rat, a cock/a he-goat, a knife, palm oil, a snail, a pigeon and money. On this, Ifa says: Asanwewe awo Olubadan A difa fun Olubadan To n sogboogbo arun To n nara kaka alailedide To n yi gbiiri loju ina Asanwewe de! Awo Olubadan Arun ti ba n se ore E je ka fi lo ore wo Asanwewe the priest of Olubadan Cast Ifa for Olubadan When he was sick He was unable to stand He was always beside the fire as a result of cold Here comes Asanwewe! The priest of Olubadan Any ailment suffering by a person Let him/her never hid it from his/her friend 22. Ifa says that people should respect their superiors. Subjects should not be arrogant to the king, god children should not be arrogant to their god parents and servant should not be arrogant to the boss. This is necessary so that the former will not get destroyed. On this, Ifa says: Ateka winniwinni awo Onire A difa fun Onire ni perepere odo To n lo ree ra ila leru Ila ki i ga ko ju Onire lo Bila ba ga ju Onire lo Onire a te e ka Ateka winniwinni the priest of Onire Cast Ifa for Onire at the riverine area When going to buy Okra as a slave No Okra can ever be taller than the Onire If okra is taller than Onire Onire will bend the okra down and cut it 23. Ifa says couples should not make divorce the solution to their challenges. This year, many divorced couples will remarry. It will happen when either of them has challenges and the only way out will be for him/her to beg the wife/husband. Also, people should not run away from their home or organization lest they have challenges. If it is already committed, the best solution is to go back to the home or to the organization. On this, Ifa says: Ifa said we should make ebo Ate kakaka Babalawo Ile A difa fun Ile Eke Ile to loun o bale se Digbadigba! Ni won o maa ru won wa o Digbadigba! Opo Ile to loun o bale se Digbadigba! Ni won o maa ru won wa o Digbadigba! Okun Ile to loun o bale se Digbadigba Ni won o maa ru won wa o Digbadigba! Ata Ile to loun o bale se Digbadigba! Ni won o maa ru won wa o Digbadigba! Ateka the Babalawo of Ile, the house Cast Ifa for Ile, the House The rafter that said he would not stay with the house again While experiencing difficulties! They will carry him back to the house The pole that said he would not stay with the house again While experiencing difficulties! They will carry him back to the house The rope that said he would not stay with the house again While experiencing difficulties! They will carry him back to the house The ridge that said he would not stay with the house again While experiencing difficulties! They will carry him back to the house 24. The children of the rich need to work harder so that they will not become wretched after the death of the parents. Ifa says people should not depend on inheritance, instead, they should work to acquire their own wealth. This will make it easy to maintain the inherited property. The ebo to make here are 8 pigeons, gin, honey and money. On this, Ifa says: A mura kaka a begi A begi tan igi wo Osan ja orun dopa Akatanpo jakun leyin o dogo Ohun to ba baje laye Eni lasan kan o le tun un se mo A difa fun Agbojulogun Ti yoo fira re fosi ta Won ni ko kara nile ebo ni ko se O koti ogbonhin sebo Iworo isope Eniyan to gbebo nibe ko rubo We struggled to cut the tree After cutting the tree, the tree fell down When the string cuts, the bow becomes an ordinary stick When the catapult string cuts, it becomes a club Whatever is desrtyoyed in the world No ordinary person can repair it Ifa revelation to Agbojulogun, he who depends on inheritance Who would expose himself/herself to wretchedness He was advised to make ebo He refused to comply All and sundary Let anybody advised to make ebo heed to it 25. This year, many men will marry princesses or daughters of the rich. Ifa advises that man should not feel inferior to any woman he loves no matter how affluent or influential the woman is. The ebo to make here include 4 pigeons, 4 hens, gin, honey, banana, egg, and money. On this, Ifa says: Asara igi Asara igi Asarasara orun ope A difa fun Orunmila To n lo ree gbe Abigele-etu-heherihe omo Oba lode Oyo wole Mo gbe de o O ri henhe Mo gbomo Oba lalede Oyo wole Asara igi Asara igi Asarasara orun ope Cast Ifa for Orunmila When going to marry Abigele-etu-heherihe, the daughter of the king of Oyo I have brought her She is very pretty I have brought in the daughter of the king of Oyo 26. All Ifa priests/priestesses are advised to learn more this year. Ifa says Orunmila is not happy for people are not pursuing more knowledge, instead, they depend on little knowledge they have to make money. Therefore, all Ifa/Orisa practitioners are advised to learn more Ifa and other disciplines relevant to their religion and carrier. On this, Ifa says: Ateeka eni Atoopin ona Rinnarinna o debi ile gbe pekun A difa fun Orunmila Baba ni ki Awo o kapo o kalo Iworo isope E wa bani ni wowo ire The mat spread without removal The road trodden without end No traveler can get to the end of the earth Ifa revelation to Orunmila When he enjoined his followers to continue learning All followers of Ope Come and meet us amidst fortunes 27. Ifa confirms that population of unmarried women out numbers that of the unmarried men. Esu is the one presiding over marriage from the spiritual realm. Any concern women should appease Esu to get husband. Also, Ifa advises that men who believe in polygamy and are capable should feel free to marry more than a wife. Also, women who believe in polygamy and can cope should not hesitate to do so. Additionally, women who are in polygamous home should live with understanding. This is necessary so that many women will not remain unmarried. The ebo to make here include, a he-goat, 4 pigeons, gin, honey, kola nuts and money. On this, Ifa says: A mura kaka a begi A begi tan igi wo Osan ja orun dopa Akatanpo jakun leyin o dogo Ohun to ba baje laye Eniyan lasan kan o le tun un se mo A difa fun Esu Odara To n lo ree wose Aye Esu Odara maa wose won Obo ree! Oloko da? Esu Odara maa wose won We struggled to cut the tree After cutting the tree, the tree fell down When the string cuts, the bow becomes an ordinary stick When the catapult string cuts, it becomes a club Whatever is destroyed in the world No ordinary person can repair it Ifa revelation to Esu Odara Who would be observing the people of the earth Esu Odara, continue observing them Here are women! Where are men! Esu Odara, continue observing them AFFILIATED ORISA Obatala Orunmila Egbe Orun Ogun Esu Iyami Aje TABOOS Stealing Exposing body while inside the costume/mantle of Egungun Any form of immoral sexual acts Arrogance to one’s superior Wearing of torn cloth Verses recorded, transcribed and translated by: Oluwo Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode (Chairman, Publication Committee) Onifade Ifakemi (Secretary) Windare Falabi Ajedunni Ojoawo Babaawo Fayemi Abidemi Oloye Fatunbi Adeniji Awogbile Kehinde Alóyinlohùn Araba Otan Ayegbaju, Adebisi Ajala Ojebode Falola Chief (Dr) Fafolarin Abiodun Agboola (President, International Council for Ifa Religion, ICIR). Aboru! Aboye! Abosise! Note: We are aware that some people have published some verses of the odu on the internet. We are not saying the verses they published are incorrect, the ones presented here are the ones recited on the festival day when divination process was going on with inspiration from Olodumare. What we mean is that there can be one thousand verses of Ireteika, but inspiration is what is needed to recite the useful ones at the time of divination; it is inspiration that directs a priest towards the verse(s) he recites on the mat. Therefore, the verses recited on the mat when the divination is going on are spiritually most important. We hereby present to you the most spiritually potent verses of Ireteika for the year 2018/2019.