Irete Yeku

Also called Irete Oyeku, Irete Makeleku

nº 213 of 256 · Edited by Ricco Ledesma

Where the Santos, moved by envy, rose up against Orunmila; he showed Olofin that he does not kill, for he saves with the animals of the ebbó.

27 patakíes 7 eewó 8 ebbós and works 18 proverbs

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Irete Yeku is Odù number 213 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Irete family. It is also written as Irete Oyeku or Irete Makeleku. This page brings together its prayer in Yoruba, 27 patakíes (3 in full in plain sight, with their teaching, ebbó and chants), its proverbs, 8 ebbós and works and the signs it shows in the consultation — with the full eewó in plain sight; the rest of the iré and osogbo and the full recipes open with The Notebook, in English.

The sign at a glance

Order in Ifá: Odù 213 of 256
Composition: Irete over Oyekun
Orishas that speak: Orunmila · Olofin · Obatalá · Shangó · Elegbá · Eshu Odara · Azojuano (San Lázaro) · Oyá · Egun

What Ifá says in this sign

Irete Yeku, also known as Irete Makeleku, is the sign where the orishas out of envy accused Orunmila before Olofin, and where he proved his innocence: in every sacrifice he marked animals so that no person would be taken in their place. Here are born the truth that Orunmila takes no one's life, the awó's own ituto, and the gesture of sweeping what is bad off the head with the hands, from front to back. Its ruling is one of honor: you have a seat beside Olofin and Orunmila, and they are the ones who place you there. Here the ebbó is handled with great care, and whatever the awó does must be put in writing.

It is a sign of luck, though a hunted one. If you keep your calm, three strokes of fortune come to you, and by going on pilgrimage to sacred places you find what you seek. But Arun, illness, follows you closely, and death wanders at your door. Just as with Orunmila, you may be accused out of envy before your elders or be the target of false testimony; if you live uprightly, the truth ends up being seen and your accuser is exposed.

«In Irete Yeku no ebbó is done: adimú is set out, and everything good is kept in writing.»The pulse of Irete Yeku

This sign speaks to someone with few true friends. Those who go with you at work or in society pull away just when danger arrives, as happened to the general who disobeyed Orunmila. If the place where you live is hostile to you, find another, and try to be home before nightfall. Disbelief can cost you your life: consult Ifá often and, if the mounted saints order you to do something, ask Orunmila first, who never comes down onto anyone's head.

In love, parties and drum ceremonies are your weak point: there, drink and desire for the same woman come together, and a romance born at a drum can end in tragedy. With young girls, avoid being put to shame. At work you cannot be lazy: live with upright and strict conduct, work, do not take what belongs to others and do good even to those who do not wish you well, because that keeps poverty, lawsuits and losses away from your home.

In health, your delicate point is the spine. Do not carry weight on your head or make sudden efforts: herniated discs and sciatica come with this sign. Avoid high places and take care of wounds on your hands and of what you wear on your fingers, since they can become infected. Respect Azojuano and pay him your debts. With that discipline, the child of this sign keeps illness away and holds on to their place of honor.

The sign in one line

Live with strict morals, return home before sunset and look for your luck at pilgrimages; because Orunmila proved in Irete Yeku that he does not kill: he saves.

The prayer of Irete Yeku · Yoruba

ADIFAFUN AWERE ORUNMILA, AKUKO, ADIE LEBO, OFA META LEBO, AGBADO LEBO. ABADA BI ABADA, ABADA BI ABADA ADIFAFUN WENWELE ALETISHO MA AYA LORUBO KORU OKA ABENU BABA ADIFAFUN OLOSOSHE UMBATI OWO WERE AGUTO BIELE.

Súyere
DARABIÑO UNLOYO KORU EBO.

Ifá says — what Irete Yeku tells you

A false testimony is raised against you; out of envy they may accuse you before your elders.
Death is looking for you and is already at the door of your house.
Avoid staying in the place where you are, for there they destroy you. You live in darkness; seek the light that the religion offers.
Stay at home from before sunset, to win the wars that arise.
Take care that attending festivals, parties and drum ceremonies does not end fatally: beware of being mounted at a drum and attacking someone, or of someone attacking you; beware also of falling in love at a drum, which can bring you tragedy.
Do not trust those who surround you in the social or productive sphere: when danger comes, they abandon you, as happened with the general who disobeyed Orunmila.
The mayomberos succumb here: Orunmila defeated the mayomberos.
By making pilgrimages (romerías) you will find your luck.
Disbelief may cost you your life, like Darabiño, the invincible dancer.
The two sons of Oluó Popó speak: the kind Sori Bokun and the wicked Tinshomo Awó Ifá; and the twins Osisu, of good heart, and Ajuagan, a sorcerer of evil arts.
The hollow sword of the peregún (bayonet) and the three sorcerer spirits speak.
A layer of dust covered the world: in the place where you are, living becomes impossible.
If osobo intorí obiní comes out in the osode, it refers to intimate habits of the couple, which Ifá points out with discretion.
Of how you are a Babalawo and hold a seat beside Olofin and Orunmila, since they so arrange it.
That you must bathe with 4 different herbs so that your luck improves.
Of how one should not carry loads on the head or make intense efforts that harm the spine: neuralgia, sciatica and irritation of the peripheral nerves.
That you must avoid climbing to high places, since you may fall and suffer accidents.
Of how one should be careful with rings and other objects worn on the hands, since they can cause infections (sepsis), as happened to the woman with the ring.
That you must raise and feed the animals before sacrificing them, to save your family.
That you must be noble and considerate toward others, without getting into mischief, so that neither death nor illness harasses you, nor lawsuits, nor poverty, nor losses.
That the man has to make Ifá.
Of how you cannot be lazy: whoever eats eggs does not consider the effort it cost the hen to lay them.
Herbs of the Odù: sarsaparilla and bayonet (peregún); with the bayonet and the sarsaparilla, works are done with pins.

Proverbs of Irete Yeku · Òwe

“Disbelief costs you your life.”
“Death was looking for a head.”
“You will have luck, but Arun is after you.”
“Nobody can cut Ajuagan down: I defend him.”
“The man who has no friends.”
“Nobody hands you the arrows without your going to the battlefield.”
“The one who eats the egg does not think of the work it cost the hen to lay it.”
“You can trust a friend who wounds you more than an enemy who kisses you.”
“Only Olorun allows death to act.”
“Whoever does not want to die should not cause anyone's death.”
“A sound mind in a sound body.”
“Whoever walks far from his ancestors is a bird far from the nest.”
“Only the stubborn man loses his luck.”
“When death is hungry, she swallows anyone.”
“One button is sample enough.”
“Give me neither wealth nor poverty; give me work to earn my bread.”
“By asking, you get to Rome.”
“Whoever walks a bad road wastes his fortune and grieves his father.”

15 proverb interpretations in this Odù, locked.Every proverb explained: which road it comes from and how it applies.Unlock →

Iré and Osogbo

Three iré and three osogbo of this sign, open to everyone.

Iré · what the sign brings

It is a sign of luck: three strokes of good fortune come close to them if their character is not upset.
A place awaits them beside Olofin and Orunmila, because they themselves send them to sit there.
When the powerful accuse them out of envy before Olofin, they prove their innocence and are cleared.

Osogbo · what the sign warns

Death is looking for them and reaches their doorway.
Illness always follows them, even if they have luck.
It is a sign of unhappiness.

39 more iré and osogbo readings in this Odù, locked.The rest of the iré and osogbo of the sign, sorted by subject — health, money, love, death, loss…Unlock →

What is born in Irete Yeku · Ìbí

That in this Odù no ebbó is made.
Orunmila set out only adimú at Olofin's summons: here the ebbó brings problems and commitments.
Running the hands over the head, going from the forehead to the back of the neck, to drive away what is harmful.
The herniated disc, fractures of the spine and deformities of the vertebral column.
About the disobedient man who carried the basket on his head against the advice of Orunmila.
That Eshu Odara does not eat pepper or almond oil.
The true Ituto of the Awó.
If something unfavorable appears, Ifá is brought to the head and omiero is scattered through the house with the iruke of Orunmila, while singing: TETERA MOGUN MOYOKO NIFA.
That Orunmila kills nobody.
The Oshas are the ones who kill; Orunmila sends animals in the ebbós so that they do not eat people.
That the Awó receives Azojuano and consecrates Ajuagan in the yard.
That the most important figures were buried inside the temples.
With all their attributes, such as bishops, priests and others; the rest were buried in the trees.
Mounting an Osain in the head of an agborán (a figure).
That the Arará carry the Awán in baskets.

What is forbidden · Eewó

The full eewó of this Odù, open to everyone — with the road each ban came out of.

You cannot steal.
«I will never steal»: losses will not ruin the house of the one who does no mischief and no harm.
Do not wear rings that have not been washed and prepared.
From the road of septicemia: the ring with a harm worked into it cost the woman her life.
Do not carry weights on your head or make heavy efforts.
The disobedient man broke his backbone and died.
Do not get upset.
Shangó is very close to you and it will turn out badly for you.
Do not argue any more, and do not be careless with your enemies.
Do not be a loafer.
Whoever eats eggs does not consider the effort it cost the hen to lay them.
Be careful with young girls: always keep the proper distance.
So that you do not suffer shame from a false testimony, like the one they raised against Orunmila.

Ebbós of Irete Yeku · The sacrifices that open the road

MoneyAdimú for luck🔒 The Notebook Keeping death awayTo avoid the misfortune🔒 The Notebook Keeping death awayTo avoid Ikú (the rag head)🔒 The Notebook HealthEbbó for the house🔒 The Notebook

4 ebbós in this Odù, locked.Each full recipe: ingredients, preparation and where it goes.Unlock →

Works of Irete Yeku · The workings of the sign

SpiritualThe Ituto of the Awó (scattering omiero)🔒 The Notebook HealthBath of the four herbs🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesTo Shangó🔒 The Notebook SpiritualConsecration of Ajuagan (the secret of this Odù)🔒 The Notebook

4 works in this Odù, locked.Each full recipe: ingredients, preparation and where it goes.Unlock →

Patakíes of Irete Yeku · The roads of the Odù

1Orunmila, Accused by the Saints, Proves His Innocence

The envy the Saints felt toward Orunmila was led by Oshún and Ogún. The two took their complaint to Obatalá, who sent Elegba to fetch Orunmila.

That very day Orunmila had consulted his fortune, and the Ifá that came out for him was this one. So when Elegba appeared, he took his ekuele and followed him. At Olofin's house he found the Saints gathered around him, and each one laid on Orunmila the blame for how badly humanity was doing. When the charges ran out, Olofin gave him the floor to defend himself.

Orunmila said that all of it was false, and he called Olofin his Father. He explained that every ebbó he marks with the ekuele or with Ifá includes an animal, whether a goat, a rooster, a ram or any other. He eats none of them, but the Saints do. That was why he included them whenever he marked an ebbó: in this way the Saints stopped feeding on people and began to eat animals.

The Eternal Father saw it proved that Orunmila was the one who kept the world from falling into ruin. Impressed by that intelligence, Olofin acquitted him of everything the Saints charged him with.

What it teaches

Envy can lead people to accuse someone in front of their elders, but the truth of that person's deeds ends up defending them. What is done so that people do not die weighs more than any accusation. Whoever works with integrity can answer calmly when blamed without reason.

When this path comes out

This Odu does not call for an ebbó. The awoses must carefully write down everything they do. It is also warned that, out of envy, someone may be accused before their superiors.

Prayer of this path

Okan Asenu Baba Adifafun Ologaba Umbati Nawo Kereguto Ile Adifafun Orunmila.

2The false testimony before Olofin

Out of envy, the Saints brought a complaint against Orunmila before Olofin. They accused him of having relations with very young girls, which, according to them, was corrupting minors. They wanted to leave him in a bad light and take over his authority.

Olofin ordered Orunmila to be brought. Before appearing, Orunmila consulted osode. Once before Olofin, after hearing the questions, he called the complaint an infamy. And he struck back: he stated that the Saints took the lives of those who robbed them or were in debt to them, and that in this way they fed on people. In his ebbós, he assured, he sent animals precisely so that they would have something to eat without touching people.

The slander was proven. Orunmila was declared innocent and came out with greater honor.

What it teaches

A false accusation loses its strength when the accused consults in time and answers clearly. Whoever raises slander out of envy risks having his own deeds examined.

Warning of this path

When this path comes up, caution is needed: someone will try to raise a false testimony against the person.

3Orunmila Does Not Kill Anyone

This story shows that Orunmila does not kill anyone: the deaths are caused by the Oshas.

Some people reported him to Olofin and described him as a wicked man, so he was summoned to a meeting. Before leaving, Orunmila did an osode, the consultation of Ifá, and this same sign appeared and pronounced “arayé.” Ifá told him to offer only an adimú, because an ebbó would bring him too many problems and obligations. He then set out accompanied by his secretary, who carried the book.

Olofin had said beforehand that, if the report proved true, Orunmila would lose the government of the Earth. Orunmila arrived, greeted him and placed himself at Olofin's orders, and Olofin explained the reason for the meeting.

“Let us see the proofs,” Orunmila asked. His secretary opened the book, and Orunmila said it recorded the good he had done that year for humanity. They read the first proof. Olofin remarked that he already knew all that and, full of admiration, asked him to stop. Orunmila did not agree and ordered the second to be read. Olofin was more amazed and said that it was enough, but Orunmila ordered that the third also be read.

Olofin was so surprised that he declared he needed no more, and he gave Orunmila the title confirming him in command. Then Orunmila called the Oshas to account for their acts. Yemayá had drowned a person because a fish was taken from her sea. Shangó burned someone who owed him a ram. With Ogún something similar happened. In this way, to each one, Orunmila demonstrated what he had done.

When the meeting was over and Orunmila was leaving, Olofin told him he regretted having called him and having caused him the trouble of meeting with the Oshas. Orunmila answered that he was proud to have gone, that he had come out ahead and that he forgave everyone.

What it teaches

Whoever has acted well does not need to defend himself with much ritual: his deeds speak for him. Arriving with the truth in front and forgiving at the end brings respect and leaves each one facing what he did.

Ebbó of this path

Rooster, 2 doves, 2 candles, iño, a lot of money and the other ingredients.

Warning of this path

One must beware of a false testimony that someone will raise against the person.

Prayer that opens the path

Okan Abenu Baba Adifafun Ologoshe Umbati Awo Gere Ogu Tobiele Adifafun Orunmila.

4Orunmila saved the brother who wanted to die🔒 The Notebook 5Darabiño, the unbeatable dancer🔒 The Notebook 6The disobedient man broke his backbone🔒 The Notebook 7The ring that cost a woman her life🔒 The Notebook 8The disobedient general🔒 The Notebook 9The rag head that fooled Ikú🔒 The Notebook 10The world covered in dust🔒 The Notebook 11Oyá did not want the ram🔒 The Notebook 12The fight at the drum🔒 The Notebook 13The son who cursed Oluó Popó🔒 The Notebook 14The pilgrimage of the santero brother🔒 The Notebook 15The three sorcerer spirits (Ajuagan)🔒 The Notebook 16Peregún makes sacrifice and does good🔒 The Notebook 17I do no mischief and no harm🔒 The Notebook 18The birds and the bat🔒 The Notebook 19The snake and the snail🔒 The Notebook 20The ox of Oricha Oko🔒 The Notebook 21Show and wisdom🔒 The Notebook 22The savanna bird🔒 The Notebook 23Beauty and leprosy🔒 The Notebook 24The servant turned into a dog🔒 The Notebook 25From one fool to another🔒 The Notebook 26The devil's needle🔒 The Notebook 27The flesh and the stone🔒 The Notebook

24 more patakíes in this Odù, locked.Read every road in full with The Notebook.Unlock →

The full treatise is in English. With The Notebook, the whole sign opens on this page in English: the full text of every patakí, the recipes for the ebbós and works, and the iré and osogbo readings. · This page is also available in Spanish: See Irete Yeku in Spanish →

Frequently asked questions about Irete Yeku

What does the Odù Irete Yeku mean in Ifá?

Where the Santos, moved by envy, rose up against Orunmila; he showed Olofin that he does not kill, for he saves with the animals of the ebbó.

What number is Irete Yeku among the 256 Odù of Ifá?

Irete Yeku is Odù number 213 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Irete family.

Which orishas speak in Irete Yeku?

In the Odù Irete Yeku these orishas speak: Orunmila, Olofin, Obatalá, Shangó, Elegbá · Eshu Odara, Azojuano (San Lázaro), Oyá, Egun.

What is a proverb of the Odù Irete Yeku?

One of the proverbs of Irete Yeku says: «Disbelief costs you your life.».

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