IRETEIKA
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.