The Story Finding Your Story in God’s Story “The Trials of a King”
Story of Oluwo
Transcript of Story of Oluwo
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
1/9
Story of Oluwo13 de dezembro de 2013 s 15:14
STORY ONE:
THE STORY OF OLUWO - FROM SURE DEATH TO BOUNDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
This story was taken from Oturu-gban-tete (Oturupon - Irete. Odu 194. This stanza states
thus:
Ikun ab'inu gbento Agbe nii f'ibere soro Dia fun Okanmbi Tii somoye Olofin Eyi to nsunkun
oun o romo bi Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
Translation Ikun , the squirrel with its massive belly A farmer is he who prospers while
bending down They were the Awo who cast Ifa for Okanmbi The heir apparent to the stool
of the Olofin When he was lamenting his inability to beget a child He was advised to offer
ebo
Okanmbi had just been installed as the Olofin, the Oba of Ile-Ife. He was very popular
among his subjects. He was kind, generous, benevolent and sympathetic to the plights of
his subjects. He had the fear of Olodumare in his heart. He had several wives, those who
he chose to marry on his own and those who were presented to him as royal gifts.
Unfortunately however, none of these wives was able to conceive and beget a baby for
him. This was Okanmbis major source of sorrow.
Consequent upon this, Okanmbi summoned Ikun abinu-gbento and Agbe-n-fi-ibere-soro,
his two favorite Ifa priests, for consultation: Eriwo ya, my exhalted Babalawo Okanmbistarted, you all know my problem in this town. I assumed the throne of my ancestors
principally because my father gave birth to me. I do not have any child to this day. The
implication of this is that my own ancestral line will come to an end if I do not have a son
who will succeed me whenever I die. I do not believe that this is the wish of the deities for
me, since I never think, speak or do any evil in my life. The fact that all my wives are unable
to give me the fruit of the womb up till this time underscores the fact that there is a serious
problem. I am convinced that this problem can be solved. I call you today to come and
solve this problem for me. Olodumare, the Orisa and my ancestors shall judge and reward
me according to my character towards my fellow human beings Okannibi concluded.
The Babalawo assured him that they would do their best to ensure that the problem was
solved without delay. They brought out the ancestral Ifa of the Olofin, the Oba of Ile-Ife and
Ifa was consulted. During consultation, Oturupon-Tete (Oturupon -Irete) was revealed. After
much deliberation, the Awo declared: Kabiyesi, Ifa foresees the ire of child-bearing for you.
Ifa says that you shall not die without leaving several children behind you who will continue
your ancestral lineage. Ifa however advises you to offer ebo and to offer a human being to
serve your ancestral spirits.
Okanmbi offered all the ebo. He called for the Aworo (officiating priest) of his ancestral
shrine and asked them to look for a suitable person who would be serving in the shrine.Kabiyesi, there appears to be a misinterpretation somewhere, said the head of the Aworo.
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
2/9
What we need to do is to slaughter the person so picked for the ancestors so as to enable
them to bring forth the fruit of the womb for your wives. No!, shouted Okanmbi, that I shall
never do! How could you expect me to kill one human being in order to get another? The
spirits will not be happy with such an act, he declared. The Aworo told him, that what they
(the awos) had said was the wish of the spirits and it could not be changed by anyone,
least of all the custodian of the very tradition which they wished to uphold.
After many arguments back and forth, it was concluded that a slave would be used and
offered as sacrifice for the ancestral spirits. Olofin Okanmbi was advised to pick any one of
the numerous slaves living in the palace so that the ritual could be performed that very day.
Okanmbi refused to use any of his slaves. He said, They are all very familiar to me. They
are all a part of my subjects. I cannot bear the loss of any of them. They are simply part of
my household. He concluded that another slave needed to be purchased so that the ritual
would be performed that day. The Aworo sent two Abese (palace domestic staff members),
to Ejigbomekun market to go and purchase a slave forthwith.
At Ejigbomekun market, there was only one slave in the market that day. The name of the
slave was Oluwo, Agbamonu - ile, eru Ikole Oluwo was captured at Ikole-Ekiti. This slave,
a female, was in her twenties. She was of average beauty. Can we use a female as ritual
material for Olofins ancestors?", one of the Ilari who came to the market asked his
colleague. Why not?, blood is blood - whether from the veins of a male or a female. As
long as it is a human being, the wishes of the ancestors and the Aworo will be satisfied. In
any case, the young woman will be offered to the ancestors today before sunset, so why
must we give ourselves undue worry over that?, The second Ilari responded. All these
conversations occurred right in the presence of Oluwo. When they eventually bought her inthe market, she knew that she was going to the palace to be offered as sacrifice. In this
wise, she was aware of the fact that she would not live beyond that very day on earth. This
realization made her to resign herself to her fate. The three of them, Oluwo and the two
Ilari, left for the palace soon after the payment.
At the junction of a three crossroads on the way to the palace, they met four prominent
Babalawo who were traveling from town to town and from one village to the other. They
had never stayed in one town or village for more than three months at a time. So at this
junction, they were confused as to which direction to take. They therefore decided to
consult Ifa for guidance. The names of the four Babalawo were: Agirigiri Awo ori ikun Onagbo kanyin-kan ma we Apankoko pankoko pankoko pa
Kii fee mu t'owo o re wa
Afi ko gba towo eni
Translation:
Agirigiri, the hard part of the skull of a squirrel The road may make a sponge old and
feeble, but it will never take a bath with it Apankoko pankoko pankoko pa (the pet name of
the third Babalawo)
He who is reluctant to release his own things but enjoys taking from others (the pet name of
the fourth Babalawo)
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
3/9
When Ifa was consulted, (Oturupon-Irete) was also revealed. As they were analyzing this
Odu, Oluwo and the two Ilari passed them by.
Young woman, one of the four Babalawo called, You are going to become pregnant and
you shall give birth to a baby boy. Seventeen lunar years after, the boy shall become an
Oba. Right now, you have only six pieces of cowries with you. Ifa says that you need to
offer them as ebo so that what you have been told will come to pass he concluded.
Oluwo stopped short in her tracks, she was convinced that the message was certainly not
for her. She knew that she would not be around the next day, not to mention the next year.
Exalted Ifa Priests, I am sure a mistake has occurred in your message as that message
cannot be for me. Truly, I have only six cowries left with me here and I am prepared to give
them to you as my refusal to do so will not make the money useful to me anyway. I am
going to meet my death today as all preparations have been made for me to be offered to
Olofin's ancestors this evening, Oluwo responded. She then handed over the six cowries
to the Babalawo.
Young woman, we have just told you what Ifa asked us to tell you, the Babalawo said.
They asked for her name and she told them. The two Ilari were laughing and rolling on the
ground, making jest of Oluwo and the four Ifa priests who they considered to be very stupid
people for engaging in an exercise of futility. Cant these stupid Babalawo realize that this
woman will soon die today? How will she become pregnant, within the short period
remaining for her to live on earth?, they probed. They then resumed their journey back to
the palace. They soon reached the palace.
As soon as they arrived at the palace, Olofin Okanmbi asked another Ilari to go and call the
Aworo so that the ritual could be performed without delay. When the Aworo arrived, they
forgot to bring along with them the Teetu, the executioner. By the time they got the Teetu it
was very late and nothing could be done that day. The head of the Aworo said, Kabiyesi
this ritual cannot be done in a hurry. We therefore need to postpone it until the next day so
as to be able to do a thorough job for His Royal Highness. It was agreed that the
assignment would be performed the next morning.
When it was clear that everything would have to wait until the next morning, Olofin
Okanmbi called one of his wives who happened to pass around the palace at that materialpoint in time. Olori, please help me take care of this young woman until tomorrow
morning. He pleaded.
This Olori was not aware of the development taking place in the palace in regards to the
ritual or even the Ifa consultation which was done earlier that day. She was incidentally the
wife in whose room Olofin Okanmbi was supposed to sleep in that night. She retorted to
herself:this is the peak of insult that Kabiyesi is passing on to me. Why is it that when it is
my own turn to receive the Olofin in my room that he asks me to go and take care of
another woman for him?! Why must he be insulting me like this? Why is he so insensitive to
my emotional requirements? As if this is not bad enough, he has ordered me to do this inthe presence of his chiefs and office staff. I am sure they are laughing at me by now, she
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
4/9
complained bitterly to herself. Anyway, I know what to do to him. I will surely make him pay
for this. He has asked me to take care of a dirty, stinking, ragged, hungry looking woman
when I had just gone to plait my special hair-do which he enjoys seeing on my head. I shall
make him pay for this!" She continued on and on until it dawned on her that if she refused
to comply with the directive of the Olofin, she would be severely dealt with.
Consequently, she fetched water for the woman. She asked her to go and take her bath.
She gave her food and let her (the slave) go and sleep in her own room until the next day.
The Olori then went to sleep in another room.
Meanwhile, the instruction that Olofin Okanmbi gave her was for her to take care of the
young woman by ensuring that she was kept among the female slaves and to make her
comfortable until the next day. He asked this Olori to do it because she was one of his
favorite wives.
In the dead of the night, and as is the custom in all Yoruba palaces, Olofin Okanmbi felt his
way into his favorite Oloris room. As soon as he entered the room, even though the room
was in pitch darkness, he knew that something was amiss. He could not perceive the
fragrance he used to feel whenever he normally entered his Oloris room. When he entered
her bed, he discovered that her favorite hair-do, which she had made and which he saw in
the evening of that day, was no longer there. She also did not utter one word or sound
while he was in her room. This is the peak of Oloris insolence towards me Olofin thought
within himself. I shall no longer tolerate this, I am going to deal with her. I will teach her
one or two lessons which she will remember for the rest of her life!! Why must she remove
the Aaso hair-do which she is supposed to have on when I come into her room? And why isshe not uttering any words? By the time I finish dealing with her, those who do not know
her will weep for her, he swore. Olofin Okanmbi toyed with the idea of refusing to make
love to her, but decided not to do this. He reasoned that doing so would have no positive
impact at all. It would only make the woman think that he had gone into another room to
make love to another woman. He therefore made love to the woman on the bed without
much interest or enthusiasm and then left for his own room immediately.
Unknown to Olofin Okanmbi, he had just made love to Oluwo, the slave he was expected to
offer to his ancestors as sacrifice the next morning.
While in his room, anger did not allow Olofin Okanmbi to sleep. He was contemplating the
most appropriate punishment for his recalcitrant wife. He concluded that the punishment
must be made public as a deterrent to other wives. The Olori was equally contemplating
the most appropriate response to Olofins blatant cheating on her because she knew he
had slept with Oluwo. She concluded that she would make it difficult for him to appeal to
her. She vowed not to accept him in her room and on her bed for at least three lunar
months.
Very early the next morning, Olofin was in the palace waiting for his Aworo. The first person
he saw was his favorite wife. She was full of anger. But alas, the Aaso hair-do was still onher head! Out of anger and frustration, she shouted Kabiyesi, why did you do that to me
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
5/9
yesterday? Instead of you sleeping in my room, you chose to have another woman instead
of me. To add insult to injury, you asked me to make her comfortable for you."
That was when everything that had happened the night before became very clear to Olofin
Okanmbi. He then understood why the odor of her fragrance was not perceived; why the
hair-do suddenly disappeared at night; why she had not uttered one word or sound; and
why his wife was now very angry and upset. Olofin Okanmbi explained to her that I did not
ask you to keep this woman in your room for me. Instead, I asked you to take care of her
and to find her a space in the female slaves quarter and make her comfortable there
Olofin Okanmbi went further that immediately I reached your room at night, I noticed that
something was amiss. However, I did not wait to find out what it was before I returned to
my own room. You need not worry, because of my keen senses, I did not make love to
Oluwo. I would never have made love to someone else instead of my favorite Olori." He
concluded.
After being assured that no harm was meant and that nothing was done to slight her, the
Olori apologized to her husband and everything returned to normal.
Meanwhile, Olofin Okanmbi was full of confusion. He was thinking within himself. So many
thoughts crossed his mind at the same time. So I have made love to this slave woman. If
this has been done, then what difference is there between her and my other wives? After
making love to her, do I have any moral justification to ask people to offer her as sacrifice to
my ancestors? Do I have any reason to discriminate against her based on the fact that she
was a slave? What was the difference in the birth of slaves and free born?
After much debate within himself, he concluded there and then that he could not justify the
death of this woman and therefore could not order her death. If it was true that his
ancestors needed a human being to be sacrificed to them, surely it was not this young
woman, he reasoned. In conclusion he decided to spare this woman.
After this, the Aworo and Teetu came. Olofin Okanmbi discussed the situation with them
and told them that he had just discovered something which made the young woman
unsuitable for sacrifice to his ancestors.
Olofin Okannibi ordered that Oluwo should instead become the personal staff, servant andaide of his favorite wife. This was very pleasing to the Olori and Oluwo, the slave turned
domestic servant. Oluwo soon became Oloris companion. Olori would treat her as a
younger sister.
One month after, Oluwo reported to Olori that she had missed her period. Olori asked her
how she managed to become pregnant. She asked, Were you sleeping with the slaves or
any of the other male domestic servants in the palace? She responded that Kabiyesi was
responsible for her pregnancy!! Olori nearly fainted.
When she recovered, she inquired, How did this happen?" Oluwo explained everythingthat had transpired to her that one night. Oluwo said that when the Olofin entered her bed
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
6/9
she decided not to say a word during the whole ordeal because who would dare say
anything to the Olofin? And also, what did it matter anyway since she would be executed
the next day? Let us go and meet this cheating double - crossing and shameless man!"
Olori screamed.
Sheepishly, Oluwo followed Olori to confront Olofin Okanmbi. You are a liar, a cheat and
an irresponsible man! Imagine an Oba controlling the whole world making love to an
ordinary slave! How many free born women have you talked to that have refused your
overtures that made you to condescend so low to the extent of making love to a slave! Your
entire subjects will hear of this! The person who all mortals on earth tremble at the mere
mention of his name! I will ensure that your name is dragged in the mud! I will .."
Quiet woman! And mind your utterances before you incur royal wrath on yourself. I shall
not sit passively and allow anyone, which includes you, to insult me right in my presence. If
you have any problem, explain it quietly and with due respect or keep your mouth shut,
Olofin Okanmbi thundered back at her.
Did I hear you say if I have a problem? Of course I have no problem. You are the one who
has a problem and your problem is that you condescended so low as to make love to a
mere slave! You made yourself cheap. You personally decided to throw your self-respect
into the wind. You are the one who needs to explain to the world why you have chosen to
make love to an ordinary slave! Shameless man!" She was crying at the top of her voice
now.
If you dont keep quiet now, I shall order the guards to not only bundle you out of my royalpresence but to equally throw you out of the Palace. If there is any problem, let me know
and stop ranting. If you must know, I have never tampered with my dignity and self-respect.
Both are still and will continue to remain intact as long as I live."
"Maybe you do not know this yet, said Olori. "The breeze has blown and the anus of the
fowl has been revealed. Your illicit love affair with Oluwo has been exposed. There is no
secret in this world. Remember, this girl here was supposed to have been offered as
sacrifice to your ancestors the next day after she was brought into the Palace. If you had
done just that, maybe your little but cheap secret would have remained a secret forever.
But no, the ancestors have a way of exposing people like you. You ordered that she mustnot be used for that purpose again. Others may think that this is as a result of your
kindness; but no, it was because you had already commenced an illicit love relationship,
which you wanted to continue with her. Let me tell you this; there is no denial as Oluwo is
already pregnant for you!
Olofin sat quietly for what appeared like an eternity. Afterward, in the most solemn voice
she had ever heard him use in all the time they had been together, he said Oluwo, is it true
that you are pregnant from me?
Instead of answering, Oluwo was just crying quietly. "Is it true?" Olofin Okanmbi persistedwith his question. After some time, Oluwo nodded her head in confirmation.
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
7/9
"What do you have to say to this? Everyone will hear about what you have just done, I can
assure you of that. I will personally let the world know that you have polluted your royal
blood, and the whole royal household by impregnating a mere slave! She screamed.
Instead of responding, Olofin Okanmbi stood up very slowly and quietly walked into the
ancestral shrine. He was there for quite some time. When he finally came out, Olori and
Oluwo were still where he had left them.
"Do you know why I went into the shrine of my ancestors? he asked Olori. Without waiting
for an answer, he continued with his statement; I went to the shrine to give praises and
thanks to my ancestors. Although what happened that one night was most unfortunate, it
was through this woman that I was supposed to use as sacrifice that I have now become a
potential father. I feel that my ancestors knew that this was how Id be able to beget a child.
The ways of the deities are mysterious. I thank my ancestors for answering my prayers".
He paused for his message to sink in properly.
"As for you Olori, you do not need to worry yourself about telling the whole world for me. I
shall do that by myself, starting from this very moment". After this, he turned to Oluwo and
said; "You have made me a potential father and for this I am forever grateful. As from
today, you are now one of my wives. All the necessary formalities shall be concluded within
one week. I shall invite the people and the Oba of Ikole - Ekiti to attend the ceremony. As
from today henceforth, you are free. You are no longer a slave but a free born and an Olori.
All rights and privileges of Olori are hereby yours. No one shall address you as a slave
anymore"!!
That same day, Olofin Okanmbi announced the new status of Oluwo to everyone in the
palace. All the other wives and slaves reluctantly accepted her new status. Soon after this,
all the other wives became pregnant as well and about nine months later Oluwo gave birth
to a baby boy. Soon after this birth, the other Olori gave birth to their own babies. Okanmbi
was a very happy man.
Sixteen years after this, Olofin Okanmbi joined his ancestors. Immediately after this, the
process of choosing a successor began. Ifa was consulted. After exhaustive investigation,
the son of Oluwo was picked to succeed his father. Thus Oluwo became the Obas mother.It was at this moment that Oluwo remembered the predictions of Ifa from several years
back and began to give praises and thanks to Olodumare, Ifa and her ancestors. She then
insisted fervently that she must be initiated into Ifa! Her wish was granted. She therefore
became the first woman in the history record of Ifa to be initiated into Ifa.
Soon after the installation ceremony of her son as the next Olofin of Ile-Ife, the four
Babalawo who predicted that Oluwo would become pregnant and give birth to a baby boy
and that 16 lunar years after, the boy would become the next Oba of Ile-Ife returned from
their wanderings. They asked for Oluwo. They were told that Oluwo had become the
mother of their new Oba. They sent a message to the Palace that they would like to comeand visit Oluwo.
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
8/9
When Oluwo heard of the message, she was overwhelmed with joy. She quickly sent a
message back to them, saying that she was eagerly expecting them. She spread a new
mat, put her Ifa and that of her sons on the mat. She put kola nuts, water and gin on the
mat and waited for the Babalawo to arrive.
As soon as the four Babalawo appeared, she began to sing the following:
E g'oore o , e p'abi o Awo rere o E g'oore o, e pa'bi Awo rere Agirigiri, Awo ori ikun
Babalawo ni won nse o E g'oore o, e pa'bi o Awo rere o E g'oore o, e pa'bi Awo rere Awon
Ona-gbo-kanyin-kan-ma-we Babalawo ni won nse o E g'oore o, e pa'bi o Awo rere o E
g'oore o, e pa'bi Awo rere Awon Apankoko pankoko pankoko pa Babalawo ni won nse o
E g'oore o, e pa'bi o Awo rere o E g'oore o, e pa'bi Awo rere Awon Kii fe mu t'owo re wa Afi
ko gba t'owo eni Babalawo ni won nse o E g'oore o, e pa'bi o Awo rere E g'oore o, e pa'bi
Awo rere
Translation: Please step on the mat and break the kola nuts Good Awo Please sit on the
mat and break the kola nuts Competent Ifa Priests Agirigiri Awo ori ikun is truly a wonderful
Awo Please step on the mat and break the kola nuts Good Awo Please sit on the mat and
break the kola nuts Competent Ifa Priests Apankoko pankoko pankoko pa is equally a true
Babalawo Please step on the mat and break the kola nuts Good Awo Please sit on the mat
and break the kola nuts Competent Ifa Priests Kii fee mu tie wa Afi ko gba t'owo eni is
equally a true Babalawo Please step on the mat and break the kola nuts Good Awo Please
sit on the mat and break kola nuts Competent Ifa Priests
After all the pleasantries, Oluwo narrated her whole story to them. They listened attentively.
After this they asked Do you now agree that the whole world may change, but what Ifa
says will never change? she responded that it was definitely true.
OBSERVATIONS This story is that of hope lost, and hope regained. The hope was not only
regained but it opened the door to boundless opportunities. It highlights the plight of two
people who were in desperate need of different things and who were able to realize their
hearts' desires - Okanmbi was in dire need of at least a son to succeed him when he died.
Oluwo needed divine intervention to at least save her from sure but painful death. Both of
them received their miracles with bonuses. Okanmbi was able to have not only a son, butalso several children. In the process, he changed the lives of all his wives from those of
barren women to those of proud mothers. In the case of Oluwo however, the sure death,
which hung over her head, was removed. She had her status changed from that of a slave
to a free born. She became a mother of several children. Her first child became the Oba of
Ile-Ife, the cradle of human existence.
How did all these happen?
i. They both offered the ebo and complied with the directives of their respective Babalawo.
-
8/13/2019 Story of Oluwo
9/9
ii. They sought divine intervention with clean hands and pure hearts. They never deceived
themselves, deceived others, or did evil secretly.
iii. When these two conditions had been satisfied, Esu Odara stepped in to ensure that their
hearts desires were realized: First, it was Esu Odara who created the confusion that made
the Aworo insist that the person to be brought for Okanmbis ancestors must be offered as
sacrifice instead of being the one to serve the ancestors in the shrine; Second, she was
found at Ejigbomekun market. When there was doubt as to whether to purchase a female
for sacrifice, it was Esu Odara who tilted the balance in favor of buying her; Third, Esu
Odara was he who ensured that the sacrifice would not be offered the day it was scheduled
for. The postponement of that one day changed everything; Forth, it was also Esu Odara
who created the confusion into the mind of Olori which made her to misinterpret the
directives of Okanmbi; Fifth, it was Esu Odara that caused the confusion in the pitch dark
which led Okanmbi to make love to Oluwo, thinking that she was his Olori; Sixth, Esu
Odara also ensured that the mind of Okanmbi was changed against using Oluwo as
sacrificial material - it was when all these ingredients were present that it became possible
for Oluwo to become pregnant; Eighth, Esu Odara was he who eventually ensured that
Oluwos son would be chosen to succeed his father.
All these were assisted by the good character of the two principal people involved.
Certainty, those who offer ebo and keep to the directives of Ifa are sure candidates of
miracles as Esu Odara will continue to be their best friend.
This story equally makes it clear to us that a client need not be around when an ebo is to
be offered. As a matter of fact, the moment a client either pays for all the ebo materials orsupplies them directly or through proxy, Esu odara will consider that the ebo has been
offered. Whether the ebo is actually offered or not is left to the Babalawo and he will be the
one to answer for it when Esu Odara comes calling.