OFFERING OF OBI (KOLA NUT) IN AFRICA IFA AND ORISA SPIRITUALITY BY BABALAWO OBANIFA -Obanifa extreme documentaries
This work will
examine in plethora detail the act of offering of Obi (Kola nut) in Africa Ifa
and Orisa Spirituality. By Kola nut
within the context of this work I am referring to fruit of the kola tree (Cola acuminata
and Cola nitida), indigenous to West Africa. The trees, which reach
heights of 40 to 60 feet, produce a star-shaped fruit. Each fruit contains
between two and five kola nuts. About the size of a chestnut, this little fruit
is packed with caffeine. Wikipedia concisely
describe it as the fruit of the kola tree, a genus (Cola)
of trees that are
native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. The caffeine-containing
fruit of the tree is used as a flavoring ingredient in beverages, and is the
origin of the term "cola". In Yoruba language it is known as Obi,
The Igbo people refer to it as Oji Igbo. The Hausa refer
to it as Gworo. Traditionally here in Yoruba land Kola nuts is recognized
to be of two varieties, which are Goro/gbanja(kola nut that don’t have
more than two lobes) Obi Abata(kola nut that have more than two lobes ).
The two are spiritually useful. But in offering of Obi to any Irunmole or Orisa
or for purpose of divination Obi Abata is what is spiritually accepted in
Yoruba Ifa and Orisa Spirituality for usage. So whenever I mention Obi or refer
to Obi in this current work, I am referring to Obi Abata. Obi is one of
the important items necessary for prayers, and any form of propitiation and venerations
in African Ifa and Orisa spirituality. Below are some of the most usefulness of
Obi in African culture and spirituality:
1. Obi( Kola nuts) can be offer alone on it own without
any other items to any Irunmonle and Orisa. This can be in form of prayers,
propitiation and veneration
2. Obi(kola nut) can be offer in conjunction with other items prescribe during Ifa consultation or items
that is meant to feed the Irunmole or the Orisa
in question.
3. Obi can be use to entertain a fellow initiate
4. Obi can also be share in place where meeting is been held,
whether family meeting, or even a whole town.
5. In place of ceremony like naming, wedding etc.
6. Obi(kola nut) can be used for divination -It is called
Obi didia
In this current
work, I am majorly concern about offering of Obi to Irunmonle and orisa during personal
prayers, or venerations. In my previous work .I have written on Obi
divination itself. You can vide my work
on Obi divination via this link below:
This work will
focus specifically how to pray with Obi, or when you want use Obi (kola nut) to
pray to any Orisa or Irunmonle (divinities) and to be precise, how you can
ascertain through Obi dida(Kola nut throwing) whether your veneration has been
duly accepted or not? And at the same time decode and decipher the messages
that the divinities in question is passing to the diviner, devotee, or person
offering such obi through the symbol that show up after the throwing of the Obi.
It is instructive to note for the readers who have access to this work either
now and in future, that this work is not theoretical but practical and it can
be rely on as authoritative practicing guide for any Babalawo,Ifa or Orisa practitioners
as practical guidance in their practice. The author of this work( Babalawo
Obanifa )is a practicing diviner and an authoritative leading Ifa and Orisa
theologian. So, any explanation made can be rely upon for practice.
As a pointed out
earlier when I am trying to differentiate between Obi Gbanja and Obi Abata. I
have told you that it is through the numbers of lobes they have, that is used to
identify them. When a Kola nut have a single longitudinal axis that partition
it to two lobes alone and not more than two. That is what we call Obi Gbanja.
But when the longitudinal axis in the kola nuts divided it to more than two lobes,
it may be three, four, five even six such is known as Obi Abata. But in
offering Obi to Irunmonle and Orisa or Egungun etc. It is Obi Abata that is acceptable
for usage . That is Kola nut that start from three lobes on. It is instructive
to note that it is a taboo to feed Orunmila with Kola nut with three
lobes. It must be four and it is Obi Oloju merin (Kola nut) with four lobes
that can be used to divine whether veneration or prayers is accepted or not. So
kola nut with two lobes is not acceptable for throwing to ascertain whether prayers
have been answered or not. However, there are school of thought in Yoruba spirituality
that believe that where obi abata (kola nut) with four lobes is not available,
you can use Kola nut with two lobes which is
Gbanja to divine. With due respect
to the Babalawo and fellow spiritualists who hold this view, though it may be
valid I cannot recommend it as valid. Obi Abata should be the valid items to
use at any time, at least to my humble knowledge.
Practical steps
to Follow in Offering Obi(kola nuts) to Any Divinities
I have said earlier
that Obi (kola nuts) can be offer alone and it can also be offer in conjunction
with other items. Whichever is the case
out of the two. Obi (kola nut) that will be offer must always be inside Omi
tutu (cold water). As result you will need a bowl of water that the Obi will be
put inside. In many instances for hygienics purpose. If you don’t want to throw the Obi on bare
ground /floor after splitting it in the course of prayers or veneration , you
may get a clean flat board or plate that is flat, mat or thick card board will
also surface.
You will then put
the Kola nut out the water. You will sprinkle the water on the icon of the deity/divinities
in question. If it is Ifa for example ,you will say Ifa Irin se o ( Ifa
dew is drizzling on you ). You will insert the obi inside water again and
sprinkle it on yourself. If you are praying for others or clients same process
is applicable. Same thing is applicable to others divinities. However, it is
instructive to note the following:
1. One Obi (kola nut ) cannot be used to pray for two different
person unless they are doing joint
prayers or veneration. But if they are praying differently each person must
have his/her own Obi
2. One Obi (kola nut ) can not be used to feed or venerate
different Orisa even though you have them in one location or room or temple.
For Example A Babalawo can have Ifa ,Osun ,Obatala, Sango,Yemonja etc. In One temple and even place them beside
each other . In such instance he can not use One kola nut (Obi) to pray to them
all at once. What he will need to do is to be praying and venerating them one
after the other and use new Kola nut whenever he approach each Orisa.
3. The two position above apply when you are praying for
family or clients.
4. It is also important that Any Obi (kola nuts) that you
want use for veneration must always be inside bowl that contain cold or cool
water. the water must always sprinkle on ground or the Icon of divinities in
question. You will open the Icon if it is cover, You will used the Kola nut to
touch it in as necessary.
When I got to
stage where I will give sample prayers on this topic under discussion on how you can
pray with Obi to each orisa you will comprehend this work better.
How to throw
Obi (kola nut ) and Interprets It symbols
After you have venerated
or offer Obi (Kola nut) for prayers in fronts of any divinities. You would have
splits it in the course of the prayers. The next things are to throw it to
ascertain whether the prayers are accepted or not, or wether there are further
message be released to you by the Orisa/Irunmonle or the divinities in question.
The position you need to be at the time of the throwing of the Kola nut will be determine by the type of orisa you are
praying to, for example if you are praying to Ogun ,Osun ,Esu,Osoosi,Ona, Kori,Ija
-You will throw your Obi while you are
in Standing position, If you are praying to or venerating, Osun, Aje,Olokun,Ifa/Orunmila,Egungun,Odu,Oya,Oke
You will throw your Obi when you are in kneeling position, When your are venerating
Obatala ,Osun You will thrown your Obi when you are in Crouching position. The style of throwing is
simple , You will carry all the four lobes in your hand and hold it together
and use it to touch your fore head, the exception
to this is when you are venerating Esu Odara ,in case of Esu Odara you will use
it to touch back of the head. You will chants some prayers for acceptance and
use it to touch the Icon of divinities been venerated , The Awo will again pray
to Ile (mother earth) for the acceptance of the prayers. Then he will throw. After
the throwing depending on which number of lobes open their faces or turn their faces up and which number
of it turn their faces down. That is what you will use to decipher the symbol
and message.
Symbol that can
appear during throwing Of Obi
There are five
major symbols that can appear during throwing
of Obi. They are Okaran sode,Eta Iwa,Eji Ife/Ire,Alaafia/Ilera, Oyeku /Isegun Ita. I will explain each in turn. But one
thing you must have in mind is this it
only when Eji Ife/Ire appear that you
will not need to throw the Obi further. Because in such instance the Obi
message there simply means all the prayers has been answer in affirmative and
it come with blessings. On the other hands all other four remaining pattern or
symbols if they come up during throwing of Obi. It must compulsorily require further
throwing. Because there is message been pass across. Now let me explain them in
seriatim:
Eji Ife/Ire
When two lobes out
of the four lobes of the kola nut thrown face up and rest of the two faces down;
that will be regards as Ejife/Ire. The Obi message there simply mean
that the prayers is accepted and it come out with Ire. And that the divinities
in question have accepted the prayers of that person in question. In such
instance no further enquires is needed. the only thing that can be sake is whether
the divinities that the Obi is offer to allow that they can share with him out
(that is if people can eat out of it or is talking it all)
Alaafia/Ilera
When all the four
lobes of the kola nut thrown faces up . That is Alaafia. I have explain that
the actual words for this is Ilera (sound heath) .The Alaafia been use to
represent it is not even indigenous Yoruba diction. But that is truth most
Elderly Babalawo are also guilty of this With due respect to those concern some of our fathers
err in practice when they substitute Ilera with Alaafia.Alafia is not a Yoruba
word at all, it is a borrow word from the Hausa people to Yoruba language to
mean sounds health. The origin of the word is traceable to Arabic origin.
Although the Hausa who have inter-ethnic relationship with Yoruba that bring
the word to Yoruba language as a borrow language ,The Hausas adopt the word 'Lafia' which mean health or
sound health from Arab 'the original origin is from Arabic language
; Andalusian Arabic al afya ultimately from “Classical” Arabic afiyah (عافية) “health”
So the original meanings of Alafia tabi Alaafia in Yoruba, Lafia in Hausa, al afya in Arabic actually mean health In Yoruba language we have our own indigenous. word for Alafia (health),such word are 'Ara lile tabi ilera' (sounds health '). Notwithstanding Alaafia has been adopted in our language ,I am just pointing it out that , that is not the actual word abin.itio.
; Andalusian Arabic al afya ultimately from “Classical” Arabic afiyah (عافية) “health”
So the original meanings of Alafia tabi Alaafia in Yoruba, Lafia in Hausa, al afya in Arabic actually mean health In Yoruba language we have our own indigenous. word for Alafia (health),such word are 'Ara lile tabi ilera' (sounds health '). Notwithstanding Alaafia has been adopted in our language ,I am just pointing it out that , that is not the actual word abin.itio.
The message from
this also connote sound health.
Oyeku/Isegun
ota /Opotaku
When all the lobes
of the Kolanut thrown faces down. That is call Oyeku. The obi message in such
instances is talking about victory over the enemies. The practitioners will throw
the Obi further to ascertain what is require of him to do to attain the desire
victory in question.
You will re-thrown
the kola nut to ascertain whether it is Iku (death) that it sees, whether it Arun
(sickness) ,Ija (fight) Ofo etc.
Eta Iwa
When three lobes
out of the four lobes of the kola nut thrown face up and the one lobe faces
downs that is known as Eta Iwa. In most cases this do connote conflicts and jealousy.
He will need to throw the Obi again to known what he needs to do to ascertain
conflicts.
Okanran sode
When one of the four
lobes of kola nut thrown face up and the rest of the three lobes faces down. that
symbol is known as Okanaran sode.
However it is
instructive for you to note the following:
1. Out of the five symbols or pattern that can appear during Kola
nut throwing .it is only Eji Ife/Ire. All other four symbol require further
to ascertain messages and what to do.
You should also
know that you must continue to throw tho seek answer until you arrive at Eji
Ife/Ire or Ilera/Alaafia
SAMPLES CHANTS/PRAYERS
ON HOW TO OFFER OBI(KOLA NUTS) TO DIFFERENTS DIVINITIES
Everyday sample
prayers for Obi that can be use in any settings
Obi ni bi iku
Obi ni bi arun
Obi ni bi ofo
Obi ni bi gbogbo
ajogun ibi
Ki o ba wa bi Iku
danu
Ki o bi ofo danu
Ki o bi gbogbo
ajogun ibid anu
Translation
It kola nut that
pushes away death
It is kola nut
that pushes away diseases
It is kola njut
that pushes away loss
It is kola nut
that pushes away all the malevolence forces
Pushes away death
from us
Pushes away loss
from us
Pushes away all
the malevolence force.
Ifa Chants/prayer
to send Obi (kola nut on errands)
The first chants I
will document here is a sample chant/prayer that you can use to send Obi on
errand whenever you want to pray with Obi or offer Obi to any Orisa or divinities
.
Adegunju ni Awo
Alaaran
Itamuje ni Awo
Itamupo
Oko lo ko obi wa
sile aye
Gbagi lo ko obi
lona
Dia fun
Okamleleriwo Irunmole
Nijo to won darijo
Tow on ni Awon yo
ran Obi nise
Adegunju fo soke o
beju merin
Obi na fosoke o
beju merin
Alaraan fo soke o
beju merin
Sungbon obi nikan
lo mon ise jije
Nje bob a ribe
Ise a ba ran obi
Ki obi je reeo
Ise aje ni mo ran
Obi je re o
Ise aya ni mo ran
Obi je re o
Ise Ile ni mo ran o
Obi je re o
Ise omo ni mo ran
Obi je re o
Ise ilosiwaju ni
mo ran
Obi je re o
Ise aiku ni mo ran
Obi je re o
Translation
Adegunju is Awo
Alaaran
Itamuje is the Awo
of Itamupo
Oko(the cart) is
the one that convey Obi to the world
It is Gbagi that
met Obi on the road
This was Ifa’s
message for all the 401 divinities
The day they want
to jointly send Obi on errands
Adegunju jump up
and splits to four folds
Obi jumps up and
splits to four folds
Alaaran jumps and
splits to four folds
But it is only Obi
that was able to relay the message effectively
Any message we
send Obi
Let it deliver it
well
The message we
sent Obi
Obi must deliver
it well
It messages if
having wealth I sent Obi
Obi should deliver
it well
It is the message
of spouse I sent Obi
Obi should deliver
it well
It is the message
of house I sent Obi
Obi should deliver
it well
It is the message of
accomplishment I sent Obi
Obi should deliver
it well
It is the message
of longevity I sent Obi
Obi should deliver
it well
Offering of Obi
for Ancestral veneration
You can offer Obi
to your ancestors and ancestral spirits. When an individual is finding life
difficult and most of the things he /she is experiencing is traceable to negligence
of his/her ancestral spirits . And it may also be that he/she want to cleanse
himself from the misdeed and misdemeanor of his ancestors. Offering Obi (kola
nut ) alone to Egungun -The ancestral spirit will suffice to make him achieve the desire purpose . in such instances. What he or she will need at that period in
time will just be Obi ojumerin idi kan
(one bunch of Kola nut with four lobes -this usually contain Kola nut with fours
lobes that are two. The tiny rope is usually use to tight them together.) and A
bowl of water. You can will put the Kola
nut Inside the water. You will pay homage to Olodumare and your ancestors and mother earth. You will sprinkle the water on ground and offer your prayer. Most
Importantly Odu Ifa Ose Irete also known as Osebile must be chant. on this you
will chants:
Aja gbo-gboo-gbo
Aja ko ri obi ko fi
se ohunje
Iponri Aja o jobi
ri laye
Ki ni aja yoo fi
obi se?
Iro le pa mon aja
Won sebi sile aja
n roju
Awo won lode
Isebinrin
Dia fun won lode
Isebinrin
Omo Afisebi soro
surusuru fun Olofin
If ani O di Esebi
Iweere- Iweere
Emi n ani o di Esebi
Iweere
If ani ti a ba ti
ji
Ki a ma mu obi ki a fi se orun eni
Orunmila afedefeyo
ni ti a ba ji
Ki a ma fi Obi se
Orun Ajija
Nitori eseele Obi ni
dorun
Eseele obi bi o ba
dona a dawe
Eseele Obi bob a dorun
a dato
Dia fun Abitula
Ti n se omo bibi
inu Agboniregun
Eyi to meyin ti
To n fi omi oju surahun
ire gbogbo
Ebo ni won ni ko
se
O si gbo ebon be ,
o rubo
Nje Abitula
de omo ikin
Igba to sebi tan la
di alaaje
Abitula de omo
ikin
Igba to sebi tan
la di alaaya
Abitula de omo ikin
Igba to sebi tan
la di olomo
Abitula de omo
ikin
Igba to sebi tan
la di onile
Abitula de omo
ikin
Igba to sebi tan
la di alaaje
Abitula de omo
ikin
Igba to sebi tan
la di Elesin
Abitula de omo
ikin
Igba to sebi tan
la di Oniregbogbo
Abitula de omo ikin
Translations:
Dog bark and bark
He did not see
kola nut and make it its food
The ancestors of
dog have never eat Kola nut before in life
What would dog use
Kola nut for?
You lie against
the dog
This was Ifa ‘s
message for them in Isebirun(name of ancient city)
The offspring of
the city that uses plenty of kola nut as offering to Olofin
Ifa says ,it is
now a matter of cutting kola nuts in bit by bit
Ifa says whenever
we wake up
We should offer
kola nuts to our ancestors
Orunmila Afedefeyo
said whenever we wake up
We should use kola
nut to refresh our self
Because a bit of kola
nut offer do get to heaven
A bit by bit of
kola nut on the parth do become a whole
A bit by bit of kola
nut that get to heaven do become unique
This was Ifa message
for Abitula
Abitual is the
child of Agboniregun
When he was in
deep reflection about his life
Ad start to lament
for lack of all good things of life
He was advised to
ofer ebo
He heard of the
ebo
And complied
Abitula you are
the child of Ikin
It is when you
offer kola nut that we become wealthy
Abitula you are
the child of Ikin
It is when you
offer kola nut that we have wife
Abitula you are
the child of Ikin
It is when you offer
kola nut that we have children
Abitula you are
the child of Ikin
It is when you
offer kola nut that we build house
Abitula you are
the child of Ikin
It is when you
offer kola nut that we have horses
Abitula you are
the child of Ikin
It is when you offer
kola nut that we all the Ire of life
Abitula you are
the child of Ikin
Offering Obi to
Ifa
As in the case Of
Egungun explain above, You can offer Obi to Ifa alone . All need ne is Obi and
a bowl of Water. You will Open your Ifa and
kneel in front of it and hold the Obi in
your hand while you use your hand to ditch the Obi inside the water in the bowl
and sprinkle it on the ikin Ikin. You will say :
Ifa Olokun irin se
oo
Translation
Ifa Olokun it is
the drizzling of dew
Or you can simply say Orunmila Irinse( Orunmila the
dwe is fallen.
You will repeated
the process three times .
In that kneeling position you will use same Kola nut to sprinkle water on
yourself or if you praying for clients on such clients say:
Ko se irin ogbo
Ko se Irin ato
Ko se Irin aje
Ko se irin Isegun ota
Ko se Irin Ire gbogbo
Si emi Akapo re
lara
Translation
Let the dew of long life
The dew of
longevity
The dew of wealth
The dew of victory
over enemies
The due of all the
blessing of life
Fall on me your devotes.
.
You will pour little
of the water on ground and say :
Tutu tutu ni a n
ba Ile Oluweri
Ki ile ma gbona wa
Ki ona ma gbona mo
Translation
Oluweri abode is always
I state of coolness
Don’t let us experience
hotness and discomfort in our house
Don’t let us experience
hotness and discomfort in our paths
You can then
proceed and use to sen the Obi on errand
Ororo ma ro
Dia fun Obi
Ti n sawo re Ile Gbanja
Obi o de loni o
Awo Ile Gbanja
Aje ni n koni ni mow
a ro fun o
Ororo maro
Awo lobi
Awo ni gbanja
Aya ni n koni ni mow a ro fun o
Ororo maro
Awo lobi
Awo ni gbanja
Omo ni n koni ni mow
a ro fun o
Ororo maro
Awo lobi
Awo ni gbanja
Ile ni n koni ni mow
a ro fun o
Ororo maro
Awo lobi
Awo ni gbanja
Esin ni n koni ni mow a ro fun o
Ororo maro
Awo lobi
Awo ni gbanja
Ire gbogbo ni n koni ni mow a ro fun o
Ororo maro
Awo lobi
Awo ni gbanja
Translation
Ororomaro ( It has
become a matter of explaining one’s plight)
This was Ifa’s
message for Obi
Who is going on
spiritual mission to city of Gbanja
Obi is astute Awo
Gbanja is an astute
Awo
It my lack of
wealth that I come to complain to you
Obi is astute Awo
Gbanja is an
astute Awo
It my lack of spouse that I come to complain to you
Obi is astute Awo
Gbanja is an
astute Awo
It my lack of child that I come to complain to you
Obi is astute Awo
Gbanja is an
astute Awo
It my lack of house
that I come to complain to you
Obi is astute Awo
Gbanja is an
astute Awo
It my lack of horse that I come to complain to you
Obi is astute Awo
Gbanja is an
astute Awo
It my lack of all
Ire that I come to complain to you
Obi is astute Awo
Gbanja is an
astute Awo
NB this sample
prayers for sending Obi on errand can be use to when offering obi to any Orisa
and Irunmonle including Ori. Even during Ebo.
Offering obi to
Ori
You will need
the Obi and cool water. Insert the Obi inside the water and sprinkle it over
your head and say Ori Aperee Irinse _same modalities I explain in case of Egungun and Ifa above
should be follow . You will need to invoke ori through ori Prayer. If you don’t
know how to invoke Ori ,read my prayer on it via this link https://www.babalawoobanifa.com/2017/12/ori-prayer-ifa-prayer-to-invoke.html.
Copyright
:Babalawo Pele Obasa Obanifa, phone and whatsapp contact :+2348166343145,
location Ile Ife osun state Nigeria.
IMPORTANT NOTICE :
As regards the article above, all rights reserved, no part of this article may
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