What Is Ifa?
One way we can understand the mysteries of Orisa is through their respective praise names. In the case of Orunmila, the prophet and custodian of the Ifa Oracle, there are several praise names. Below is a list of some of the ones we have been taught by our elders:
Ifá Olókun, A – sorò – dayò, Elérìn-ìpin, Ibìkejì Èdùmàrè.
The Diviner of the Sea, the one who makes affairs prosper, Witness to Creation, Second to the Creator.
Òrúnmìla ni Baba wa o e, àwa kò ni Oba méjì, Ifá to Oba o, Òrúnmìlà ni Baba wa, Ifá to Oba o.
Spirit of Destiny is our Father, we have no other King, Ifa is sufficient to be our king. Spirit of Destiny is our Father. Ifa is competent enough to be king.
Ká mò ó ka là, Ká mò ó ká má tètè kú, Amòlà Ifè owòdáyé.
Whom to know is to be saved, Whom to know is to live a long life The Savior of Ife from the early days.
Okùnrin dúdú òkè Ìgètí, Olúwà mi àmò – imò – tán, Olúmmaàmi Òkítíbìrí.
The Black Man of Igeti Hill, the Chief who cannot be fully comprehended, The Chief Averter.
Tí npojó ikú dà, a kò mò ó tán iba se, a bá mò ó tán Iba se.
The charger of the determined day of death, not to have full knowledge of you is to fail, to have full knowledge of you is to be successful.
Onílégangan – ajíkí, Àáyán – awo – inú – ibgó, Amáiyégén.
The first of the many houses that we praise, Chief diviner of the inner forest, powerful medicine of the earth.
Bara Petu, Baba kékeré Òké Ìgètí, Òrìsà tí ó fi gbogbo ayé fi ojú orórì sí pátápátá.
Father of Ipetu, the small man of Igeti, Spirit who has influence all over the World.
A bi ara ílu bí ajere, Òrìsà tí ngbé nkan òle gún, ‘Fágúnwà, oko Òyèkú.
He, whose body can be shifted into many forms, the Spirit who gives strength to the weak, the husband of Oyeku.
Olómú nlá, a bó’ni má rù, Baba Èsù Òdàrà, Òrì sà tí ngba’ni l’ówó eni tí ó ní ìkà nínú.
The big breasted man who feeds all people without loosing weight, the Father of the Divine Messenger of Transformation, the Spirit who saves us from destruction.
Baba akéré – fi – inú – se – ogbón, Òpìtàn Ifè, a fún’ni dá.
Father of small stature who is filled with wisdom, the Great Historian of Ife, he who makes recreation possible.
Òdùdù tíí du orí ìl émèrè kí orí ìl émèrè má bà áfó.
Savior of the child of Emere.
A tún orí eni tí kò sunwòn se, fónrón òwú kan soso, ajé ju oògùn.
He who changes bad luck into good luck, the Great Mystical Thread of Creation, he who manifests more effectively than charms.
Ará Ìworàn ní ibi tí ojú rere ti ímó wá, Baba elépo púpò má je àdín.
The original man from the place where dawn breaks, Father and owner of the palm oil that has no need to eat black oil.
A yó tééré gb’ára sán’lè má fi ara pa, a s’òrò d’ayò.
The young one who falls without injury, he who transforms worry into happiness.
Kí a mò ó kí a là, Oba Aládé Olódù Mérìndínlógún.
To know Him is to find salvation, King of the Sixteen Principles of Creation.
Òrun ló mo eni ti yíó là.
Only Heaven know who will be saved.
Onílé orí òkè tí nrí àfòpin eye, s’ayé s’Orun Ìbíní.
Owner of a large house that is high enough to see the limit of the flight of the birds, dweller of earth and Heaven.
A jí pa ojo ikú dà, Baba mi Àgonnìrègún, a tó í fi ara tì bí òkè.
He who wards off imminent death, my Father who we can lean on forever because He is as strong as a rock, He is the best person to spend time with.
Ògègé a gbé ayé gún, agírí Ilé Ìl ógbón, àmòì – mò tán.
Light that stabilizes life, Chief of the town of Wisdom, He cannot be fully defined.
Omo àdó baba tí í w’èwù oògùn, Àjànà età tí í mú orí ekùn nsè’bo suuru suuru.
Father that wears a garment filled with charms, Ajana who sacrificed a lion’s head.
Òrìsà oko àjé, Olójombán a rí apá eran sé ogun, ase èyí tí ó sòro íse.
Husband of the Mothers, the Chief who conquers with the medicine of a goat, He who can perform the most difficult task.
Èdú Olójà orìbojo, Oba a tun omo dá bí èwu, Òkunrin a tó eyín erin ní fifon.
Most respected Black King, King who creates without effort, the powerful man who creates music on the tusk of an elephant.
Ikò Ajàláiyé ikò Ajàl òrun.
Chief Messenger, the link between the King of the Earth and the King of the Realm of the Ancestors.
Òkítíbìrí, a – pa – ojó – iku – dà.
The Great Changer who alters the time of death.
Iríjú Olodumare.
The prime minister of the Creator.
Alátunse aiyé.
The one who whose function it is to set the world right.
Ikuforiji.
The Being whom Death honours.
Oba Olofa asùn l’Ola.
The ruler who draws blessings and prosperity after him and who sleeps in the midst of honours.
Erintunde.
Laughing comes back to the world from the Realm of the Ancestors.
Owá.
Being who fills humanity with joy.
Olubesan Olu – li – ibi – esan.
The Chief Avenger of Wrongs.
Elà omo Oyígíyìgí Ota Omi Ela.
Child of a very hard Stone that is not affected by a cold stream of water.
Èlà omo Oyígíyìgí Ota aiku Ela.
Child of a mighty immovable rock that shall never die.
Ototo – Ènìyàn.
The Perfect One.
Olúwa mi agírí – ilógbón.
The Chief of Perfect Wisdom.
Omo ti abi lòkè’tase.
The child born on the hill of Itase.
Omo ejo méjì.
Child of two serpents.
Akéré f’inú Sogbón.
Small person with a mind full of wisdom.
Akóni – lóràn – bí ìyekan – eni.
He who gives one wise and brotherly counsel like ones relatives.
Okukuru Ókè Ìgètí.
The small man of Igeti Hill.
Bara Àgbonnìrègún.
Chief of the sacred coconut palm.
Afedefeyo.
Speaker of all languages.
Gbólájókó.
He who sits in honour.
Olúwa mi àmòimòtán.
King who knows all.
Ikú dúdú àtéwó, Òrò je’po má pon, Òro a bá ikú j’ìgbò.
Black death of the palm, the Mystic who eats lots of palm oil and does not turn red, the Mystic who wrestles with death.
Òrun ló mo eni tí yíó là.
Only Heaven knows who will be saved.
A – seayé – seòrun.
One who lives on earth and lives in heaven.
Dùndúnké, obinrin o – fidi – han – ni – káso.
The robust, virile one who does not refuse a woman’s advances.
Eléèí ìpín, ajé – ju – ògùn.
One who is the witness of all destiny, one who is more effective than medicine.
Òrúnmilà! Ifá Olokun, Asorandayo.
Spirit of Destiny, the owner of the sea, who turns misfortune into joy.
Olóòrérè – àikú, jè – joògùn.
One who saves people from death, one more effective than medicine.
Iwo laláwòyè o.
It’s you who can give life to people.
Bá mi wo omo tèmi yè o.
Spirit who gives life to my children.
Aji – pa – ojó – iku – dà.
One who wakes up and changes the day of death.
MAY ORUNMILA PROTECT AND PROVIDE FOR US. ASE ASE ASE!--
Awo Fagbemijo Amosun Fakayode
Oyeku Ofun Temple in Santa Rosa, CA
707-583-9432
[email protected]
www.OyekuOfun.com
