IRETE-OSA

AROTETAN-ANSA, IRETE-NSAWO

1. Ifa says that in this life, you shall be blessed with honor and prestige. You
shall have the ability to open many doors that had been locked against several
people. You shall live an agreeable life. Ifa says that you shall never be disgraced
or humiliated. Ifa assures you that when you were coming into this world, that was
what you chose as part of your destiny.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with four white pigeons, palm-fronds and money.
You also need to feed Ifa with two rats, two fish and one hen. On this, Arotetan-
Ansa says:

Arotetan Ansa
Kolombo bi olu odide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Bi iku o ba p’abon
Bi iku o ba pekuro
Yoo joruko ti teyin n je lola
Dia fun Orunmila
Baba nraye ayetunye
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gbebo, o ru’bo
Bo ba ye mi o, yoo ye’Fa
Yeeye ni mariwo n ye Mole
Yeeye
Bo ba ye’Fa o, yoo ye mi
Yeeye, ni mariwo n ye ‘Mole
Yeeye

Translation

After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as the ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
These were Ifa’s messages for Orunmila
When going into the world of perpetual worthiness
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
If it befits me, it will surely befit Ifa
Grandly, that is the way palm-fronds befit all Irunmole
Majestically
If it befits Ifa, it surely will befit me
Majestically, that is the way palm-fronds befit all Irunmole
Grandly

2. Ifa says that your Ori will make you a great leader among all your colleagues
and contemporaries. You shall be elevated over all above all your mates. They
shall bow for you and respect your views. They shall obey your instructions.
Ifa advises you to offer with three pigeons, three hens, three guinea-fowls and
money. You also need to feed your Ori with one pigeon, one guinea-fowl and
one cat fish. On this, Ifa says:

Arote tan Ansa

Kolombo bi Olu Odide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Biku o ba pabon
Biku o ba pekuro
Yoo j’oruko teyin nje lola
Dia fun Ori
Ti yoo leke ara
Ebo ni won ni ko se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Ko pe, ko jinna
E wa ba ni ni wowo ire

Translation
After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as the ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
Ifa’s message for Ori
Who shall be on top of the whole body
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Before long, no too far
Join us in the midst of all Ire of life

3. Ifa says that you shall be very successful financially. You shall be so
wealthy that you will not know what line of investment to go into next. Many
people will respect you as a result of your stupendous wealth.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with two white pigeons, two guinea-fowls and
money. You also need to feed Aje with one white pigeon, honey and ekuru,
bean fritter

Owo minini
Okunkun minini
Dia fun Irete
Ti yoo lalaala
Ti yoo sa owo ile e re sagbala
Ebo ni won ni ko se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Ko pe, ko jinna
E wa ba ni ni jebutu Aje gbuurugbu

Translation

Plenty of money
And plenty of date-palms
Ifa cast for Irete
Who was so wealthy
That he spread his money in his courtyard
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Before long, not too far
Join us in the midst of stupendous wealth

4. Ifa says that your mother, dead or alive, shall be instrumental to your success
in life. There is the need for you to feed the Ori of your mother regularly and if she
is dead, you need to summon her spirit and feed her. If you can do this regularly,
all your undertaking shall be successfully in life.

Ifa advises you to procure 16 land snails: four for ebo, four for feeding Ifa, four
for the Ori or Spirit of your mother and the remaining four for the Elders of
the Night. On these aspects, Ifa says:

A kii ko’le ko ma lee doju u popo

A kii ye’na ko ma lee d’oja
A kii gb’aworan gege
Ko ma fowo o re te ibikan
Dia fun Akere
Ti yoo bo’ri iyaa re fi p’ojo
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Akere o de o, olohun apeji
Ojo akere ba pe’ji l’ojo n ro

Translation

We cannot erect a house without linking it to a road

We cannot construct a road without linking it to the market-place
We cannot carry an image gingerly
Without resting it in a place
Ifa message for Akere, the striped frog
Who would propitiate her mother’s Ori in order to summon the rain
She was advised to offer ebo
She complied
Here comes Akere, owner of the voice that summons rainfall
The day Akere summons rainfall is the day that rain will fall

5. Ifa says that whenever you travel out of your place of birth on business, you
shall always succeed wherever you go. This is because as you make your
preparation to travel, Ifa is also planning to go with you. Ifa considers you a special
breed who must not be left alone to suffer or make mistakes. Ifa promises not to
desert or abandon you at any time. That is why it is imperative for you not to desert
Ifa.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with two pigeons, two hens and money. You also
need to feed Ifa with one hen.

After this had been done, you need to cut short all the nails in your fingers and
toes, grind it together with epa-roro and mix the powder with soap. When this had
been done, you will imprint Irete-Osa on Iyerosun and recite this Odu; then mix the
Iyerosun with the soap. You need to use this to bath every Monday and Thursday.
On these aspects, Ifa says:

Emo ko maa re’ko o re iwele-iwele

Afeemojo ko maa Kanran-an re nirere-nirere
Torofinni ma yunko-ma-yundo
Ko ma baa fese ide gbon enini
Dia fun Orunmila
Ti nsawo lo apa okun
Toun ilameji Osa
O nlo ree Kode-Kokun
Ko jinjinni wanu ile
Ebo ni won ni ko se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Ifa n o ba o lo o
Eekanna owo won o nii y’owo
Ifa n o ba o lo o
Eekanna ese won o nii y’ese
Ifa n o ba o lo o
Awujo epa laa mo Ororo
Ifa no o ba o lo o

Translation

Let Emo, the Brown rat continue to cut the grass into pieces
Let Afeemojo, the rat, bore its hole with benevolence
Let Torofinni, the Stripped rat, go to neither the farm nor the stream
For it not to use its brass-decorated legs to brush the early-morning dew
Ifa’s messages for Orunmila
When travelling to one part of the Sea
And also going to a half or the Lagoon
He was going to gather brass and Okun beads
And going to acquire ornaments back to his home
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Ifa, I will accompany you in your trip
The fingers nails will not desert the fingers
Ifa, I will accompany you
The toes nails will not desert the toes
Ifa, I will accompany you
Among all peanuts do one recognize the Ororo nuts
Ifa, I will accompany you in your trip

6. Ifa says that whenever other people meet with misfortune or calamity, you
shall be spared and protected. When people die untimely death, you will not be
affected.
Ifa advises you to offer ebo with three roosters and money. On this, Ifa says:

Akere nii f’aso bobo seye

Konko nii faso bobo logba
Dia fun Opolo, awo Irale
Awo Oloye-moyin
Ebo aiku ni won ni ko se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Bi Iku ba pa Akere o
Bi Iku pa Konko
Ki Iku o ma pa Opolo, Awo Irale

Translation

Akere, the Stripped frog, is it that uses acacia tress as clothe of fitness
Konko, the Bull Frog, is it that uses locust tree as clothe of fashion
Ifa’s message for Opolo, the Toad, the Awo of Irale
The Awo of Oloyemoyin
He was advised to offer the ebo of longevity
He complied
If death snatches away Akere
And even Konko
Let death spare Opolo, the Awo of Irale

7. Ifa warns you never to be too adventurous with your life. You must avoid
taking undue risk with your life. It is not in your best interest. What you need is
meekness and gentility. You must hold onto Ifa in all the things that you do. You
must never be in too much of a hurry. It will not work for you. It can only lead to
pain.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with three roosters and money. You also need to feed
Ifa with one hen. On this, Ifa says:

Arotetan ansa
Kolombo bi Olu Odide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Biku o ba pabon
Biku o ba pekuro
Yoo joruko teyin nje lola
Dia fun Emi
Tii somo Olodumare
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
Atewe, atagba
E o je ka rubo
Kohun o ma s’Emi fun wa o

Translation

After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as a ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
Ifa’s messages for Emi, Life
The child of Olodumare
He was advised to offer ebo
Both Youths and Elders
Please let us offer ebo
For evil and disaster not to happen to Emi for us

8. Ifa says that the first husband you will have is your husband from heaven.
That is where your progress, success and fulfillment lie. If, per chance, you have
left the man’s house due to divorce or separation, there is the need for you to make
all efforts possible to return by reconciling with your man.
That is the home where all your happiness and self-actualization lie.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with three roosters, two hens, a lot of ropes and
money. On this, Ifa says:

Arotetan Ansa
Kolombo bi Olu dide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Biku o ba pabon
Biku o ba pekuro
Yoo joruko teyin nje lola
Dia fun Oju-Oro
Tii s’obinrin Omi
A bu fun Osibata
Tii s’obinrin Abata
Ebo ni won ni ki won waa se
Won gb’ebo, won ru’bo
Oju oro o waa de, obinrin Omi
Osibata de, obinrin Abata
Obinrin nrele oko re aaro

Translation

After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as a ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
Ifa’s message for Oju-Oro, the Pond-Weed
The wife of Omi the Water
And for Osibata, the Water-Lily
The wife of Abata, the Marshy Place
They were both advised to offer ebo
They both complied
Here comes Ojuoro, the wife of the Water
And Osibata, the wife of the Marshy Place
The women are returning to their husbands’ homes

9. Ifa says that all the good things of life that you have lost shall return to you.
Ifa assures you that you will not lack any of the great and important things of life.
Ifa says that Esu Odara will be highly instrumental to your ability to regain all the
things you have lost in your life. That is why you need to feed Esu Odara regularly.
If you do this, all Ire of life are guaranteed.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with four rats, four fish, two pigeons, two hens, two
guinea-fowls, two rooster and money. You also need to feed Ifa with two rats,
two fish and one hen. You equally need to feed Esu Odara with one rooster. On
this, Ifa says:

Mo gbo wipe o mo’Fa ni dida

Emi o fun o n’Ifa a mi da
Mo gbo wipe o mo’bo ni gbigba
Emi o fun o ni’bo o mi gba
Dia fun Orunmila
Ti yoo so’le ire re nu
Ti Esu Odara yoo si fi han-an
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Esu Odara file ire gbogbo han mi
Arere ni baba arere

Translation

I hear that you know how to cast IFa

But I will not ask you to cast Ifa for me
I hear that you know how to fold the determinants
I will not ask you to fold the determinants for me
Ifa’s message for Orunmila
Who shall lose his home of all Ire of life
Whom Esu Odara would show him the missing fortunes again
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Esu Odara, please show me how to regain all my missing fortunes
Arere is the father, Arere
10. Ifa says that if the need arises for you to beget a baby but you are having
problem with pregnancy, all what you need to do is to offer ebo and prepare the
Aseje herbal soup mentioned here.

You need to offer ebo with four rats, four fish, two hens and money. After this,
you will procure a whole cobra snake and cook it. You will eat the snake and you
will become pregnant. Alternatively, you may burn the snake into charcoal and
take it with any porridge of your choice. You will surely become pregnant. On
this, Ifa says:

Arote tan ansa

Kolombo bi Olu Odide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Biku o ba pabon
Biku o ba pekuro
Yoo joruko teyin nje lola
Dia fun won ni Ikejo
Omo ajolu oka gborogboro bimo
Ebo ni won ni ko won se
Won gb’ebo, won ru’bo
Nle o, ara Ikejo
Omo ajolu oka gborogboro bimo o

Translation

After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as a ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
Ifa’s message for them at Ikejo land
Offsprings of those who eat giant cobra in order to beget children
They were advised to offer ebo
They complied
Gently, inhabitants of Ikejo land
Offsprings of those who eat giant Cobra in order to beget children

11. Ifa advises you to offer ebo for strong health and well-being regularly. Ifa
says that if you continuously do this, you will not only have sound health, but you
will equally live long on earth.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with one black hen, one white hen, one hen with
three different colours and money. You also need to feed Ifa with two rats, two
fish and one hen. At the same time, you need to feed Egbe with all fruits
available at the time you are to feed the Egbe. On this, Ifa says:

Arote tan ansa

Kolombo bi Olu Odide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Biku o ba pabon
Biku o ba pekuro
Yoo joruko teyin nje lola o
Dia fun Onitaye
Ti nsogboogbo arun
Ti nnaju ati dide
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Nje Onitaye o o rojo
Ifa o saye-saye
O gbagbe orun o

Translation

After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as a ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
Ifa’s message for Onitaya
Who was suffering from ailments
And was contemplating the time that he would stand up and be well
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Onitaye you have no idea of time
You lived so long on earth
And you forgot that you would have to return to heaven

12. Ifa says that many people will plan to rush you out of this world but they
will all fail.
Ifa advises you to offer ebo with one matured he-goat and money. On this fact,
Ifa says:

Arote tan ansa

Kolombo bi Olu Odide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Biku o ba pabon
Biku o ba pekuro
Yoo joruko teyin nje lola o
Dia fun Okiti-Babaaba
Ti won ni ko kuro laye
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Ifa ma le mi kuro laaye e baba mi
Okiti-Babaaba kii se oju ona

Translation

After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as a ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
Ifa’s message for Okiti Babaaba the Big Heap
Whom people wished to push out of the world
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
Ifa, please do not chase me away from my father’s place
The Big Heap cannot miss the roadside

13. Ifa assures you of victory over your enemies. Ifa says that you shall
overcome them all. They are very many, and they curse you daily. They also use
their mouths to spread negative things against you all the time.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with three roosters and money. You also need to look
for seven parrot feathers, seven agbe feathers, seven aluko feathers, seven
abooro-iya and pound them together. You need to mix this with soap. You will
imprint Arotetan-ansa on iyerosun and recite the stanza. You will then mix the
Iyerosun with the soap. The soap is for bathing on Tuesdays, Fridays and
Sundays. On this, Ifa says:

Odu yi gbirigbiri jana pa poo

Dia fun Eleree-maare
Nijo ti won ji
Ti won nfi’ra won-on re tantantan
Ebo ni won ni ki won se
Won gb’ebo, won ru’bo
A kii f’agbe e re
Ki ma lee p’aso re laro
Obooro-Iya
Ifa menu ibi won kuro lara a mi o
A kii faluko re
Ko ma lee paso re losun
Obooro-iya
Ifa menu ibi won kuro laraa mi
A kii fodidere re
Ko ma lee fire idi re bopo
Obooro-iya
Ifa menu ibi won kuro lara a mi

Translation

The pot rolled across the road and broke suddenly

Ifa cast for Eleree-maare those who know how to curse
When they woke up
And began to cast spell on each other
They were advised to offer ebo
They complied
We cannot cast any spell on Agbe
For him not o dip his plume in dye
Obooro-iya
Ifa please remove their evil mouths from my body
We cannot place any curse on Aluko
For him no to dip his plume in camwood
Obooro-iya
Ifa please cast out their evil mouths from my body
We cannot heap imprecations of Odidere
For him not to dip this tail plume in palm-oil
Obooro-iya
Ifa please direct their evil mouths away from my body

14. Ifa says that besides the fact that people are wishing you dead. Iku, Death
himself is also looking for you everywhere. Ifa assures you that no matter how
hard death tries to locate you, he will not find you.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo so as to survive and live up to your old age.
Ifa says that you need to offer ebo with three roosters and money. After this, you
need to get a large bucket, and fetch water into it. You also need to squeeze
alupaida leaves into the water. You are also to slaughter a matured rooster and
drain all the blood into the water in the bucket. You will mix everything together.
You will now dip a broom into the mixture and use it to clean the whole house
where you live in and out. If you do this, Death will not be able to enter your house
to snatch you away.

Awo ile nii fona fun eeru

Dia fun Akinsowon
Omo asunnini eyin ajuba
Eyi ti yoo fi tile-tode re ru Iku loju
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gb’ebo, o ru’bo
Nje Iku, Arun, Ejo, Ofo ri mi
O wo mi sun
Awonu lekun n weye ori igi

Translation

A resident Awo is he who fetches live ember together with ashes

Ifa cast for Akinsowon
Offspring of those who sleep behind the farm tent
Who would make her home and surrounding confusing for Death
She was advised to offer ebo
She complied
When Death, Affliction, Contention and Loss saw me
They looked at me without interest
It is without interest that a Leopard looked at the bird on top of a tree

15. Ifa warns you to offer ebo against contagious disease. Ifa also warns you
never to eat eggs in you life. Ifa then advises you to feed Obaluwaye.
Ifa says that before you go on any distant journey, you need to make enquiries and
to feed Ogun.
Ifa advises you to offer ebo with three matured he-goats and plenty of palm-oil
with money. You also need to get a clay basin to use in feeding Obaluwaye. You
must put all the internal organs of the goats into the basin and pour plenty of
palm-oil into it and use it to feed Obaluwaye. You also need to feed Ogun with
one dog.

Oke owo bale, o ro see

Apo omo okun bale ro wojowojo
Apo esuro n lo bale lo ro tamutamu
Dia fun Jawiri
Nijo to nlo oko loo jaku
Dia fun Majawiri
Ti nlo oko loo jarun
Dia fun Omode-Ode
Ti nlo oko loo keyin Kohokoho wanu ile
Ebo ni won ni ki won se
Gbogbo isowo Ope
Eni gb’ebo nibe ko waa sebo o

Translation

A bag of money hit the ground and made a sharp sound

And a bag of Okun-beads hit the ground and made a dull sound
But a bag of Esuru bead hit the ground and bounced many times
Ifa’s messages for Jawiri
Who was going to the farm to pull on death
And for Majawiri
When going to the farm to attract Afflictions
And also for the youthful hunter
Who was going to the farm to collect the eggs of trouble and Ailments into the
house
They were advised to offer ebo
All devotees of Ifa
Let those advised to offer ebo heed the advice

16. Ifa warns you never to use a red cap, head-tie or scarf in your life. You will
also be invited to take an honor or chieftaincy title. Please investigate properly
before you take it. If possible, please reject the honor do so in order to prolong
your life and prevent your being exposed to danger.

Ifa advises you to offer ebo with a matured he-goat and money. You also need to
feed Esu with a matured rooster. On this, Ifa says:

Arote tan ansa

Kolombo bi Olu Odide
Abon ni o se rigidi deyin
Biku o ba pabon
Biku o ba pekuro
Yoo joruko teyin nje lola o
Dia fun Alaamu
Ti nloo joye egbe ogiri
Won ni ko ma lo
O koti ogbonyin sebo
Won fi oogun si ade oye re
Won fi si apere re
O ba di Alawo meji
Ero Ipo, ero Ofa
Eni gbebo nibe ko waa sebo o

Translation

After witnessing the manifestation of conspiracy, we became scared and ran away
As tiny as the head parrot
The unripe palm fruit cannot be as big as a ripe one
If death spares the unripe fruit
And spares the palm kernel
It will surely become a palm fruit in future
Ifa’s message for Alaamu the Lizard
When going to be honoured with the title of the Wall Side
He was advised not to go
He refused to heed the advice
They laced the crown with charms
They also put charms on his seat
He became someone with two colours
Travelers to Ipo and Ofa towns
Let those warned to offer ebo heed the warning

Aboru Aboye

B. AFFILIATED ORISA/IRUNMOLE OF IRETE OSA

1. Ifa – For overall success and well being

2. Esu – For success, victory and protection
3. Oke – for protection and longevity
4. Obaluwaye – For protection against contagious air-borne disease
5. Obatala – For sound health, general well-being and success
6. Ogun – For victory over enemies
7. Ori – For elevation and success
8. Egbe – For overall success
9. Ibeji – For success, victory and well-being

C. TABOOS OF IRETE-OSA

1. Must not wear red cap, head-gear scarf etc – to prevent damage to your
complexion and untimely death
2. Must never eat eggs – to prevent incessant trouble in your life
3. Must never be too much in a hurry - to prevent untimely death
4. Must never eat a toad, frog, bull frog, striped frog etc – to prevent
unconsummated fortune
5. Must never show garrulousness whenever you have not achieved your
objective – to avoid unconsummated fortune and bodily harm
6. Must never accuse others wrongly – to avoid public disgrace and humiliation
7. Must never eat peanuts – to prevent threat to life
8. Must never use any part of an elephant – to prevent threat to life
9. Must never leave your husband’s house. either through separation or divorce
– to prevent emotional pain and grief
10. Must never engage in road construction – to prevent disaster and untimely
death

D. POSSIBLE PROFESSIONS
1. IFA/ORISA PRIESTESS
2. Counseling Officer
3. Nursing/Paramedical Officer
4. Astronomer/Weather forecaster, Meteorologist
5. Musician/Hospitality Officer

E. POSSIBLE NAMES OF IRETE OSA

1. Ifakemi – Ifa takes care of me
2. Ifasaanu – Ifa is compassionate with me
3. Ifafunmilola – Ifa gives me honor

ABORU-ABOYE