ORISA QUIZ - Olodumare, Oduduwa, Odu · Contents T A B L E O F 8jPU L& P ? 2& 01 ?2? Z8L ö U$...
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Transcript of ORISA QUIZ - Olodumare, Oduduwa, Odu · Contents T A B L E O F 8jPU L& P ? 2& 01 ?2? Z8L ö U$...
OrisaLifestyle.com
ORISA LIFESTYLE ACADEMY
Orisa
Lifestyle
Academy
| School of Orisa
Studies
| OrisaLifestyle.com
orisaO L O D U M A R E , O D U D U W A & O D U
QuizT E S T Y O U R " O Q "
ContentsT A B L E O F
MYSTERIES OF LIFE01
OLODUMARE: THE ULTIMATE REALITY02
MAKING MEANING03
ODUDUWA: THE SELF EXISTENT04
ODU: THE SUPERLATIVE06
Orisa Lifestyle Academy
OR I S A L I F E S T Y L E . C OM
Orisa Lifestyle Academy 1
This informative little pamphlet is written
by an adept who has devoted over twenty
years to the study and practice of OrisaLifestyle in Africa and the Diaspora as
well.
The objective is to make a meaningful
contribution to the ongoing conversation
on Yoruba spirituality. As you read these
lines, do your own research. Complement
what you read with sincere meditation
and introspection. Pray that Olodumare
and the ancestors will reveal to you the
mysteries of life, particularly your own.
The elders say, If you know the beginning
well, the end will not trouble you as much.
So, in this edition of the Orisa Quiz, weintroduce three principles of Creation,
according to Yoruba theology:
Olodumare, Oduduwa and Odu.
As you deepen your understanding of
these principles, you will also gain
important insights into who you are, how
you came to be and the reason for your
existence.
Mysteries of Life
By Obafemi Origunwa, MA
Live the Medicine
OR I S A L I F E S T Y L E . C OM
PAGE 2
OlodumareTHE ULTIMATE REALITY
ORISA LIFESTYLE ACADEMY
Olodumare is a description of the Ultimate Reality. Firstly, Olodu can be
understood as "Owner of Odu" or the "Embodiment of Odu". Either way, the
operative word is Odu, which can mean chief, as in Odugbede; chief of the
blacksmiths. Odu can also refer to a deep pot or container, as in Odu re kun,
which means, Her pot is full. In addition, odu can also mean, "the ultimate", or
"full to the brim", as in odu asho (the best quality fabric), odu ayo (the full cell of
ayo/mancala).
Secondly, Mare can mean "proceed" or, the opposite, "do not proceed",
depending upon the intonation of the word, ma. Likewise, mare can be the
elision of omo ere, "Child of the boa." This derives from the belief that the universe
is conceived to be two halves of a calabash, held together by a rainbow serpent.
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Making MeaningHOW MANY MEANINGS CAN YOU MAKE?
PAGE 3ORISA LIFESTYLE ACADEMY
OloduTHE SUPREME CHIEF
OloduOWNER OF THE POT
OloduOWNER OF THE ULTIMATE
mareCHILD OF THE BOA
mareDOES NOT PROCEED/UNMOVED
marePROCEED/CONTINUOUS
OloduTHE SUPREME CHIEF
mareDOES NOT PROCEED
OlodumareTHE UNMOVABLE SUPREME CHIEF
AS YOU TRY DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS, YOU WILL GIVE MORE THOUGHT TO THE
NATURE OF OLODUMARE. DO ALL OF YOUR COMBINATIONS ALIGN WITH THE
GREATNESS OF THE SUPREME? DO ALL THE POSSIBILITIES BESPEAK THE
QUALITIES OF THE ULTIMATE REALITY?
ORISALIFESTYLE.COM
PAGE 4
OduduwaTHE SELF EXISTENT
ORISA LIFESTYLE ACADEMY
Oduduwa is the self existent being who created existence. Sometimes male and
other times, female, Oduduwa is universally recognized as an agent of Creation.
Oduduwa is praised as Ajalorun, which means, "The influencer of Heaven."
Oduduwa can be derived from Odu ti o da gbogbo iwa. It means, "Odu, that
created all that exists." Among the babalawo of Ijebu, Oduduwa is synonymous
with Igba Iwa, the calabash of existence.
Today, the principle Oduduwa shrine is in Ile Ife, located at Idio (Enuwa palace).
In fact, Oduduwa is the one who established palace culture in Yoruba land.
Consequently, all legitimate Yoruba kings must trace their lineage back to
Oduduwa.
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PAGE 6
OduTHE SUPERLATIVE
ORISA LIFESTYLE ACADEMY
Odu is a spirit of superlative qualities. Everything about Odu is expansive and
great. In the Holy Odu Iretengbe, Ifa teaches us that Olodumare gave Odu a bird,
called Aragamago. Any mission Aragamago undertook would surely be
successful. Odu kept Aragamago in a special calabash.
Odu sent Aragamago into Orunmila's house and the bird consumed his sacrifice.
Thus, Odu became the wife of Orunmila and showed him the mysteries of birth.
In exchange, Orunmila promised to always respect Odu and never allow his other
wives to enter her room or see her. In time, Odu gave Orunmila his 16 children,
the Olodu. These are the principle divination signatures, which give birth to 240
more, totalling 256 Odu Ifa.
Finally, Odu promised Orunmila total protection from all forms of witchcraft.
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"SHE SAID,ALL HISWORKWOULDBE GOOD."She said, she would not fight against Orunmila
She said, she would not fight against his people
She said that Orunmila knew what he wanted to send her to do
She said, if he sent a message that someone should suffer
If he wished it, she would deliver it
The power of the bird...
- Holy Odu Iretengbe
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