Obara Tura

The awó who consulted for the Head, Orí, was called Awó Orí, when it was about to arrive in an existence where absolutely everyone would serve it.

It was asked to offer a she goat, a bell and a piece of white cloth. From that moment until now, divinities and human beings alike attend to the Head. When this odu comes out, the first thing is to cleanse one’s head.

The awó of Ukpe, called Ebara tua tua tua, consulted the oracle for the trumpet, which in those days wanted to be recognized. He asked it to offer a rooster and a knife, go to the countryside and wait beside a young palm. In time the palm would grow, and the trumpet would climb up it to its branches and come to have many children.

Eshu, for his part, visited Olofin to teach him how to make use of Ukpe, the trumpet, at the annual celebration. They played it in the countryside, and its sound reached those who were inside their houses. Then they played it from a house, and this time it was heard by those who were in the market, in the forest or out in the open country.

Then the Obá, greatly impressed, ordered that from then on the trumpet would serve as the horn to summon the people to worship Ogún and also to call them to arms in time of war. That is how Ukpe became famous.

The brothers Alagbara, Oloogun and Otito, who are Ogún, Osain and Orunmila, came down together from heaven to the earth. Before the trip they went to consult and received this advice: a goat for Eshu, in order to succeed in everything they did here; a female goat for their guardian angels; and, to obtain clarity from God, cascarilla, red parrot feathers, a white dove and white cloth. Ogún and Osain did none of this. Orunmila, on the other hand, offered everything. Even so, the three made the trip.

On earth, the three built their houses with success. One day they went together to Ifé to practice Ifá. Orunmila had the habit of dressing in white every morning and sitting in front of his house, and he was known for always telling the truth. Ogún was famous for his bodily strength, and Osain for his hidden powers.

At that time, Olofin's wife had been in pain for a week and could not deliver. Osain, who was a doctor, was called first. He tried all the medicines he knew, and it was useless. Then they asked Ogún for help, who tried all he could without success, and the child still was not born. At that moment Eshu moved the counselors of the palace, and they suggested to Olofin that he have the man dressed in white brought in.

They sent two messengers to fetch Orunmila. He went with them to the palace and began to divine at once. When he finished he announced that the woman could not give birth because she had committed adultery with three different men, and that she would be able to if she confessed and said who they were. When she heard this, she admitted it and gave the names. Soon afterward a boy was born, and everyone rejoiced.

In gratitude, the Obá gave great gifts to Orunmila. Then people learned what he was capable of, and clients began to arrive to consult, so that he gathered a lot of money and built a house of his own in Ifé.

Ogún and Osain, who had not been able to help, went to consult. They were told to go back to the land where they were born and offer ebbó. They complied, and from that moment they went on prospering in Ifé. Meanwhile, a message was sent to Orunmila: he had to return home to be crowned Obá. He went back to get his crown.