Bàbáláwo Institute – Iká Ìwòrì Ifá Temple Chicago
Introduction (English & Yorùbá)
English:
Welcome to the Ifá Temple Chicago blog, where we explore the profound wisdom of the Odù Ifá. Today, we delve into Ògúndá–Òwónrín, a sacred verse that underscores the foundational importance of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe—the very root and essence of Yoruba spirituality. In this post, we will present the carefully transcribed Yorùbá verses, offer their English translations, and provide insightful commentary through the lens of Yoruba philosophy, Orisha cosmology, and systems thinking.
Yorùbá:
Ẹ kú àbọ̀ sí ojú-ìwé Ifá Temple Chicago, níbi tí a ti ń ṣàgbékalẹ̀ ọgbọ́n tí ó jinlẹ̀ nínú Odù Ifá. Lónìí, a ó ṣírò nípa Ògúndá–Òwónrín, ẹsẹ mímọ́ kan tó tẹnu mọ́ ìjẹ́pàtàkì Ìṣẹ̀ṣe—ìpìlẹ̀ tí ó jẹ́ gbòngbò ẹ̀sìn Yorùbá. Nínú àkọsílẹ̀ yìí, a ó gbé àwọn ẹsẹ Yorùbá tí a tún ṣe sí ojú-ìwé, a ó sì pèsè ìtumọ̀ wọn sí èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì, a ó sì pèsè ìfọ́sí tí ó nítumọ̀ nípasẹ̀ ìmọ̀ ọgbọ́n orí Yorùbá, ìṣẹ̀dá Oríṣà, àti ìmọ̀ nípa àwọn ètò.
Yorùbá Verses of Ògúndá–Òwónrín
Òkun ti kún pérépéré.
Lágùn náà kún dé èkún.
Alásan ń lọ sí Asàn.
Alásan ń lọ sí Asàn, Awo orí àpáta.
Àwọn àgbà ṣe àgbéyẹ̀wò ọ̀rọ̀ yìí.
Wọ́n sì rí i pé kò bójú mu mọ́.
Wọ́n fi irùngbọ̀n wọn bo ẹnu wọn.
Wọ́n fi irùngbọ̀n àgbà wọn ṣe ọ̀ṣọ́ àyà.
Èyí ni àṣẹ Ifá fún Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
Fún gbogbo àwọn olórí Ọ̀rọ̀ ní Ilé-Ifẹ̀.
Kí ni Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni?
Olódùmarè ni Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Orí ẹni ni Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Ìyá ẹni ni Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Bàbá ẹni ni Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Ọ̀kọ̀ ọkùnrin ni Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Obò àbímọ ní Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Ẹ jọ̀, ẹ jẹ́ ká ṣe etùtù fún Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ni baba etùtù gbogbo.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe àgbàlagbà ìyá rẹ.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe àgbàlagbà bàbá rẹ.
Kí wọ́n tẹ́wọ́ gba ẹbọ yìí.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe là ń bọ̀
Kí á tó bọ̀ oríṣà kankan.
English Translation
The ocean is overflowing.
The lagoon, too, is filled to its limit.
Alásan journeys to Asàn.
Alásan goes to Asàn, the Awo atop the rock.
The elders deliberated on this matter.
And they saw that it was no longer favorable.
They used their mustaches to cover their mouths.
They adorned their chests with their long beards.
This was the decree of Ifá concerning Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (Tradition).
For all the heads of the Ọ̀rọ̀ cult in Ilé-Ifẹ̀.
What is one’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (Traditional Foundation)?
Olódùmarè is one’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
One’s Orí is one’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
One’s mother is one’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
One’s father is one’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
The male genital organ is one’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
The childbearing female organ is one’s Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
Please, let us offer sacrifice for Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the father of all etùtù (offerings/appeasements).
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
The ancient Ìṣẹ̀ṣe of your mother’s lineage.
The ancient Ìṣẹ̀ṣe of your father’s lineage.
May they stretch out their hands in acceptance of this offering.
It is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that we must worship
Before worshiping any Oríṣà.
Deeper Commentary: Yoruba Cosmology & Systems Thinking
Ocean and Lagoon Overflowing:
In Ifá, bodies of water symbolize the flow of blessings and challenges. When both the ocean and lagoon are full to the brim, it indicates systemic fullness—a pivotal moment. From a systems perspective, this signifies the need for recalibration. Every aspect of our spiritual and physical ecosystem must be examined for alignment.
Alásan’s Journey to Asàn:
Alásan seeks higher ground (the rock’s summit) to gain spiritual insight from the Awo(diviner or custodian of truth). In Yoruba thought, mountains/rocks are seats of stability and revelation. This suggests that when difficulties arise, we must elevate ourselves to a broader vantage point—seeking wise counsel and a holistic view.
The Elders’ Deliberation:
The elders, àwọn àgbà, embody a repository of cultural memory and wisdom. Their realization that a situation "no longer proves favorable" reflects how leadership must recognize the changing dynamics in communal or personal life and respond with a well-considered strategy.
Central Theme: Appeasing Ìṣẹ̀ṣe First:
Each stanza emphasizes that Olódùmarè, Orí, mothers, fathers, and even our procreative capacity are all interwoven into the fabric of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe. Before petitioning any specific Oríṣà, Ifá teaches that we must align with our fundamental tradition, which encompasses our destiny (Orí), ancestors, and the Supreme Source (Olódùmarè).
Male and Female Organs as Ìṣẹ̀ṣe:
Acknowledging Ọ̀kọ̀ ọkùnrin (male organ) and Obò àbímọ (female reproductive organ) as Ìṣẹ̀ṣe highlights the procreative powers inherent in humanity. In Yoruba philosophy, creation is continuous—from cosmic births to human births. This affirmation signifies that our very ability to create and sustain life is sacred and must be honored.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe: The Father of All Etùtù:
Ifá states that Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the "baba etùtù gbogbo," the foundation of all sacrifice and appeasement. From a systems thinking perspective, if the root node (Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) is not acknowledged, no offering to the Oríṣà can be fully effective. In contemporary terms, if the "core system" is off-balance, any downstream intervention will lack efficacy.
Honoring Maternal and Paternal Lineages:
Appealing to the "Ìṣẹ̀ṣe àgbàlagbà ìyá rẹ" (the ancient maternal tradition) and "Ìṣẹ̀ṣe àgbàlagbà bàbá rẹ" (the ancient paternal tradition) represents the continuum of ancestral wisdom that each of us inherits. This synergy of maternal and paternal lines ensures we remain anchored in the collective wisdom of our bloodlines.
Key Yoruba Vocabulary
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (ee-SHEH-sheh): The foundational essence of Yoruba tradition and spirituality.
Olódùmarè: The Supreme Being or Creator in Yoruba cosmology.
Orí (oh-REE): A person’s spiritual head/destiny.
Awo (AH-woh): A custodian of sacred knowledge (also means “mystery”).
Etùtù (eh-TOO-too): Appeasement or ritual offering to restore balance.
Alásan / Asàn: Symbolic figures in this verse, representing the pursuit of higher wisdom.
Conclusion (English & Yorùbá)
English:
Ògúndá–Òwónrín serves as a powerful reminder that all spiritual endeavors must commence at the source: Ìṣẹ̀ṣe. When we honor our roots—Olódùmarè, Orí, and our ancestral lineages—we harmonize our entire system, ensuring that all subsequent prayers and offerings find fertile ground. As you navigate your path within Ifá and Orisha cosmology, remember to begin at the foundation and expand outward in perfect harmony.
Yorùbá:
Ògúndá–Òwónrín jẹ́ ìránnilétí alágbára pé gbogbo ìsapá tẹ̀mí gbọ́dọ̀ bẹ̀rẹ̀ ní orísun: Ìṣẹ̀ṣe. Nígbà tí a bá bu ọlá fún gbòngbò wa—Olódùmarè, Orí, àti àwọn ìlà ìdílé wa—a máa mú gbogbo ètò wa ṣiṣẹ́ ní ìṣọ̀kan, ní rírí i dájú pé gbogbo àdúrà àti ẹbọ wa tí ó tẹ̀lé e rí ilẹ̀ ọlọ́ràá. Bí o ṣe ń la ọ̀nà rẹ já ní Ifá àti ìṣẹ̀dá Oríṣà, rántí láti bẹ̀rẹ̀ ní ìpìlẹ̀ kí o sì gbòòrò síwájú ní ìṣọ̀kan pípé.
Thank you for reading!
For more insights and updates, visit us at Ifá Temple Chicago. May the wisdom of Ifá continue to guide and uplift us all.
Ẹ kú ọ̀nà àbáyọ! (May your path lead to the best outcome!)
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