Obara Ogbe

Also called Obara Bogbe, Obara Bo Ogbe

nº 107 of 256 · Edited by Ricco Ledesma

Where Olofin sat the Awó down to paint the Odù of the consecration: the great drum of Ifá is born here, and one ebbó is made on top of another.

30 patakíes 6 eewó 9 ebbós and works 16 proverbs

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Obara Ogbe is Odù number 107 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Obara family. It is also written as Obara Bogbe or Obara Bo Ogbe. This page brings together its prayer in Yoruba, 30 patakíes (3 in full in plain sight, with their teaching, ebbó and chants), its proverbs, 9 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 107 of 256
Composition: Obara over Ogbe
In the Diloggún: 6-8 · Obara tonti Eyeunle
Orishas that speak: Eshu / Elegba · Shangó · Oshún · Obatalá · Osun · Osanyin · Egun

What Ifá says in this sign

Obara Ogbe, also known as Obara Bogbe, is the sign that Olofin seated on the mat so that it would paint the odus on the atena and consecrate Ifá. Here were born the great drum of Ifá, the fan that stands for the babalawos who have died, the ebbó that closes the ceremony of the Saint, and the custom of making one ebbó on top of another. Its ruling is one of respect and power, with one condition: everything promised to you arrives if you believe in the word of Ifá and do not ignore it. Your lack of faith is what holds back your progress.

In this sign the walls listen. Watch what you say inside your house, because the neighbors hear it and repeat it, and you do not get along with them. They may also slander you by calling you adodi, as Shangó and Obatalá were slandered. Some friends smile at you and hold a grudge inside; one spies on your steps, and that is why your affairs fall apart for no clear reason. Some people come to visit and take your money or your jewelry, and your favors are repaid with wickedness. Respect the babalawos, because Eshu closes the doors on whoever criticizes them.

«The walls have ears, and over one ebbó another is made: the double caution of Obara Bogbe.»The pulse of Obara Ogbe

The law is lying in wait for you. For a fault you did not mean to commit you may be detained, but if you attend to Eshu in time, that misfortune turns into a blessing. Do not take anything that is not yours, because they will call you a thief, and if the danger of prison grows, Ifá advises moving to another land. Here the Saints watch every act and do not forgive, and Orunmila is angry because you neglect his children. You already made one ebbó; now another is needed to secure the first.

In love, think carefully before leaving a good woman for no reason: today you have her and tomorrow you may not, because what is truly valuable is discovered when it is lost. If a woman leaves your home, do not fight to bring her back. If you are a woman and your husband left after a quarrel, the ebbó can make him return. Here Shangó and Oshún fought, and since then the children of one do not crown the other.

With money, luck is coming to you and you will always have new things and gifts; part of that fortune will reach you through a woman. Even so, money slips away from you at once. If you aspire to a high position, make your sacrifice without delay, or someone younger will take it. In health, watch your belly and your blood, which carries an inherited illness, and a woman must take care of her insides in intimacy. Do not show off when you drink, and look after the spirit of your father.

The sign in one line

Believe in the word of Ifá, watch what you say at home, and double your ebbó: for Obara Bogbe even an arrest turns into a blessing.

The prayer of Obara Ogbe · Yoruba

Obara Bogbe lantosi omo Odu sheregun shere ke eboada lebo, Obara Bogbe lantosi omo Odu sheregun shere tinshomo Elegba oki lanferun, oki lanferun arun, oki lanferun ofo, oki lanferun eyo, oki lanferun ogu tinshomo Elegba Orunmila lorugbo.

Súyere
Obara Bogbe Ifá timodashe, Obara Bogbe Ifá timodashe.

Ifá says — what Obara Ogbe tells you

That the person is in trouble with a neighbor and lives among enemies: watch what is discussed inside your home, because the neighbors can get you into trouble. The walls have ears.
That you will have to travel abroad or to another land to avoid prison here, because the law is stalking you.
That you could be detained for a fault committed unintentionally; that situation becomes a blessing if you attend to Eshu with a goat, as happened to Orunmila in Udo.
That whoever aspires to a high position must sacrifice without delay, or will lose it to a younger person or a subordinate, like Tawose before Lakola.
It speaks of menopause. There is diseased blood due to heredity, and fenómenos may occur if a couple share the same blood factor.
That a woman must not get on top of the man during the sexual act.
That a woman gives the person money.
That the materials for the consecration must be bought on credit: the person will always have new things and many gifts.
That your worst enemies are the Saints: they examine each of your acts and do not forgive. Orunmila is angry with you because you fail his children.
That the man wants to leave his wife although she has done him no wrong: think it over, because today you have a good wife and tomorrow she may no longer be at your side; no one values what they have until it is lost.
That the woman's husband left after a fight: let her make ebbó so that he comes back.
That if a woman leaves your home, you should not fight to bring her back.
That money or jewelry was stolen from you, and the thieves are people who visit your own house; evil is the payment you receive for the favors you do: a cat in gloves.
That you go around with three friends who cannot stand you, because they hold a deep grudge against you.
That money does not last for you: you receive it with one hand and lose it with the other.
A cover up: you do not know what you want.

Proverbs of Obara Ogbe · Òwe

“The King does not tell lies.”
“Respect brings respect.”
“Walls have ears.”
“The great one should not eat out of the small one's hands.”
“If you do not want to inherit what is bad, do not breed what is bad.”
“Not listening to the Babalawos' advice brought bad consequences on me.”
“One lie in a king's mouth can kill a thousand truths.”
“Whoever plants thorns should not expect to harvest flowers.”
“A baptism with no godfather is void.”
“The one who betrays is as guilty as the one who makes another betray.”
“Whoever inherits a bad deed inherits the bruise.”
“Whoever thinks with their wishes can lose their head.”
“Trade brings towns together and drives men apart.”
“Whoever squeezes their nose ends up bleeding.”
“An eager salesman is rarely honest.”
“A hardworking woman is a precious jewel.”

13 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

Whoever follows the predictions of Ifá receives great respect and power.
A piece of luck is on its way to them and they always have new things and many gifts, if they give thanks to Orunmila, Eshu and Osain.
Money reaches them through a woman.

Osogbo · what the sign warns

Justice is watching them, and for a fault they did not mean to commit they may be arrested.
They may have to go to another land to avoid prison.
If they take what is not theirs, they are accused of theft.

38 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 Obara Ogbe · Ìbí

The apayerú, the principal drum of Ifá, together with the fan that symbolizes the deceased Awoses.
You must give a drum to Ifá.
The ebbó of the Santo and the Obateros (Oriaté).
Eshu, at the request of the people of Ambi Ikú, laid out the mat and did the ebbó with Elegba's shell.
That two ebbós be made one after the other.
Another one is made on top of an ebbó: precisely when one thinks one is better, one finds oneself worse.
The fenómeno that arises when a human being lives together with animals.
From the farmer and the ewe was born Somadendu, the six eyed spirit.
Sprinkling Osun with aguardiente.
The «fish eye» that appears on the penis.
The passing of the Blessed Sacrament at midday.
That walls have ears.
The boys heard the prayers of Olofin's ebbó through the wall, and repeated them in the street.
Painting, handling and dancing Olofin's atena.
Olofin seated Obara Bogbe on the mat: he was the owner of the mat.
The quarrel between Shangó and Oshún, and why a child of Shangó does not crown Oshún, nor the reverse.

What is forbidden · Eewó

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

A woman must not get on top of the man during the sexual act.
Their insides are harmed: menstrual disorders and illness.
You must not go after the woman who leaves you.
Do not speak badly of the Babalawos.
Eshu closes the doors on you.
Do not take possession of what belongs to others.
You will be accused of being a thief.
Do not associate with anyone who may harm you, and do not tell anyone how you achieve your successes.
Do not live with animals.
Monsters are born into the world.

Ebbós of Obara Ogbe · The sacrifices that open the road

Keeping death awayEbbó of the change of head🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesThe ebbó for lifting a curse (shepé)🔒 The Notebook MoneyEbbó of the wasps🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesEbbó of the mat🔒 The Notebook HealthEbbó of the white cloth roof🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesEbbó of the Omofá🔒 The Notebook

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

Works of Obara Ogbe · The workings of the sign

SpiritualOlofin's atena🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesThe güiro of Yemayá and Osain🔒 The Notebook MoneyBuying on credit🔒 The Notebook

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

Patakíes of Obara Ogbe · The roads of the Odù

1The Corn That Wanted Children

Before coming to earth, the corn lived in the sky and wanted to prosper below. So it consulted Obara Ogbe, and the oracle told it that, if it wanted numerous descendants, it had to make an offering. A goat had to be given to Eshu and the other materials gathered, and everything had to be acquired on credit. The corn obeyed, delivered the offering and set out.

Once on earth, one morning it arrived naked at a planted field. There its husband, who worked the land, planted it. When it ripened, it gave birth to four thousand two hundred children at once, and all of them came in luxurious clothes. That is why it is said that the corn enters the field without clothes and leaves covered in fine garments.

It returned home full of joy and thanked Orunmila for so many descendants and so many clothes.

What it teaches

Whoever does what is asked, even if it has to be obtained on credit, will see the planting yield a great deal. The corn arrives in the field with nothing and returns with a large, well dressed family. Attending to Eshu clears the way for the luck that is already on its way.

The corn's offering

A goat for Eshu and the other materials the oracle named, all bought on credit.

If it comes out at the Igbodu

A goat is offered to Eshu, together with kola nuts; both bought on credit. With this, new clothes and gifts will not be lacking.

If it comes out in an ordinary reading

It is advised to attend to Eshu to make way for the good luck that is already approaching. The person must also not tell anyone where their successes come from.

This path keeps 1 awó secret in the complete treatise.🔒 The Notebook

2The Chronic Debtor of Ifá

Before leaving heaven, Obara Ogbe received a divination. They told him that on earth he would be a chronic debtor, even though he would be a practicing priest of Ifá, and that he had to serve Eshu with a goat and Ifá with a hen, a fish and kola nuts. That is how he was born: a well known debtor who almost always raised objections when it was time to pay for what he obtained in the name of Ifá.

One day he went to the market to buy yams. When the seller asked for payment, he answered that he would not pay, because he had bought them in the name of Ifá. Instead of money he offered to perform a divination for the seller whenever he wished, and as he said it he sang a phrase in the ritual language. The next day he bought a hen in the same way, and so he gathered many things without paying for them.

But when he arrived home he shared all of it with Eshu, and in that process he prospered.

A custom comes from this story: when this odu appears in the Igbodu, the materials for the initiation ceremony are bought on credit.

What it teaches

Sharing what one has with Eshu sustains prosperity, even in someone who lives among debts. A person's destiny does not prevent growth as long as that person stays loyal to Ifá.

Ebbó marked before birth

A goat for Eshu. For Ifá, a hen, a fish and kola nuts.

When this odu appears

In the Igbodu, the materials for the initiation ceremony are bought on credit. In an ordinary consultation, the person buys a hen and a yam on credit and offers them to Ifá, in order to prosper.

What Obara Ogbe sang to the yam seller at the market

Ola Ifá monje odogbo ni kere Eyi nipe kinra isu loja ki maa sanwo odogbo ni kere Ola Ifá monje odogbo ni kere

3The Epidemic in the Town of Iya Orangun

The town of Iya Orangun received a consultation from Ifá in the middle of an epidemic that caused great pain. The awó who did it bore a name that was a whole sentence: Obara took food and drink on behalf of the son of Ogbe, so that he would never come to an end nor death reach him.

Ifá’s answer was clear: the people had to attend to Eshu by offering him a goat. They did so, and with that the illness stopped.

What it teaches

When a misfortune strikes an entire community, Ifá points the way: to attend to Eshu with the sacrifice that was asked for. Obeying in time and with faith frees everyone, not only the one who consulted.

Goat for Eshu

Ifá asked for a goat to be handed to Eshu in order to halt the epidemic. The town handed it over and the illness disappeared.

What Obara's awó said when he consulted for the people of Iya Orangun

EBARA BOGBE JIJE. EBARA BOGBE MIMU. EBARA BO OMO OGBE MOLE, KI OMO OGBE MA BA KU LAI LAI. ADIFA FUN WON ARA ORANGUN ILA TORI ORAN AGO. (OBARA comió y bebió para proteger al hijo de OGBE de la muerte.)

4The hunter who could not shoot straight🔒 The Notebook 5The wounded princess and Eshu's rain🔒 The Notebook 6Ekolo, the sorcerer friend🔒 The Notebook 7The tree of the Alafín of Oyó🔒 The Notebook 8The drought in Benin🔒 The Notebook 9Lakola and Tawose, the sons of the Ewi of Ado🔒 The Notebook 10Ekó, the son of Ajalorun🔒 The Notebook 11Osin, who tied up the diviner🔒 The Notebook 12The two ebbós🔒 The Notebook 13The birth of the ebbó of the Santo🔒 The Notebook 14Olofin separates Oshún and Shangó at the consecration🔒 The Notebook 15Elegba brings Obatalá out of the besieged town🔒 The Notebook 16The strange offspring: the farmer and the ewe🔒 The Notebook 17Walls have ears🔒 The Notebook 18The ungrateful one: the tiger and the hunter🔒 The Notebook 19Where they tried to kill the Omofá🔒 The Notebook 20When Obara was running from the law🔒 The Notebook 21The scattered skeleton🔒 The Notebook 22The king and the ewe🔒 The Notebook 23The bees and the wasps🔒 The Notebook 24Over one ebbó another is made🔒 The Notebook 25The boys who saved Orunmila's ebbó🔒 The Notebook 26When Shangó traded the obini for the food🔒 The Notebook 27The eagle and the crow🔒 The Notebook 28The bald man and the fly🔒 The Notebook 29The seeds and the triplets🔒 The Notebook 30The purslane and the lettuce🔒 The Notebook

27 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 Obara Ogbe in Spanish →

Frequently asked questions about Obara Ogbe

What does the Odù Obara Ogbe mean in Ifá?

Where Olofin sat the Awó down to paint the Odù of the consecration: the great drum of Ifá is born here, and one ebbó is made on top of another.

What number is Obara Ogbe among the 256 Odù of Ifá?

Obara Ogbe is Odù number 107 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Obara family.

Which orishas speak in Obara Ogbe?

In the Odù Obara Ogbe these orishas speak: Eshu / Elegba, Shangó, Oshún, Obatalá, Osun, Osanyin, Egun.

What is a proverb of the Odù Obara Ogbe?

One of the proverbs of Obara Ogbe says: «The King does not tell lies.».

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