Otrupon Bara

Also called Otrupon Baraife

nº 188 of 256 · Edited by Ricco Ledesma

Where cement was born: do not do favors that cost your life (the male goat lost his head for one), and your luck is brought to you by your wife.

11 patakíes 6 eewó 6 ebbós and works 13 proverbs

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Otrupon Bara is Odù number 188 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Otrupon family. It is also written as Otrupon Baraife. This page brings together its prayer in Yoruba, 11 patakíes (3 in full in plain sight, with their teaching, ebbó and chants), its proverbs, 6 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 188 of 256
Composition: Otrupon over Obara
Orishas that speak: Orunmila · Shangó · Orishaoko · Obatalá · Eshu / Elegba · Ogún · Oyá · Oshún · Osain · Obá · Egun

What Ifá says in this sign

Otrupon Bara, also known as Otrupon Baraife, is the sign where cement and the custom of placing grass in the mouth of the four footed animal offered to the oshas were born. That custom comes from the goat that carried Orunmila when his feet swelled on the way to Ife and that, upon arriving, had to give its life at the door of the council. That is why the ruling of this sign is firm: do not go around doing favors, because here whoever helps loses his head. Do not carry other people's loads or lift anything from the ground for someone else, least of all for a sick person: your misfortune lies there.

You have a great deal of luck, and that is why some people cannot stand you. What you say turns out true and earns you envious people, but no one takes your life except Olofin. You may win the lottery, you will be called from another place to be offered something good, and a letter or a visit from the countryside will bring you good fortune. With Elegba of Olokun you reach what you wish for, and if you receive Elegba and tend to Eshu you are freed from trouble and tragedy.

«For doing a favor, the goat lost its head: Otrupon Baraife does not carry the weight of others.»The pulse of Otrupon Bara

Your danger lies in your character. You are proud and combative, and when something bothers you, you settle everything the wrong way; that is why there is war in your home. Change your character if you want to be happy. You have hidden enemies who follow your trail and blow powders at you to keep you uneasy, and you may lose money or family. Do not give opinions on what is not your business, and for a week stay at home. This sign warns that you could make an attempt on your own life: if that thought appears, talk about it with someone you trust, see a doctor or a professional, do not stay alone, and do what Ifá marks for you.

In love, here a man is lost because of a woman and a woman because of a man. There is a woman who will push you to steal, as Oyá pushed Orunmila, who ended up in prison and only escaped hidden in the jail's garbage. Thank your wife, because she is the one who brings you luck. If the daughter is already of age, jealousy can break the bond between mother and daughter. You owe a hen to Oshún, your mother has not looked at you for years, and a dead brother accompanies you and pleads for you if you light a lamp up high for him. In work and in deals, do not seek to earn too much: greed harms you.

In health, your feet hurt; take great care of your legs and your heart, and watch out for embolisms and hernias. The sign also speaks of disorders of the mind. Eat slowly and do not get angry over food. Beware of accidents, whether working, at home or on the public road. At times you do not believe what you are told until you find yourself in trouble: listen in time to the advice of the saint, for with patience, like Orunmila before the proud king, you will come out of every trial stronger.

The sign in one line

Change your character, do not do favors that cost your life and thank your wife for the luck she brings you. The fortune of Otrupon Baraife arrives when arrogance leaves.

The prayer of Otrupon Bara · Yoruba

Otrupon Obara Ife Eyuquele Kañua Eku Eñi Lodafun Orunmila Luba Onle Ile Onife Eye Eya Ludenben Okara Ingara Okayi Aun Barin Aye Obe Loda Kaferefún Orishaoko, Shango, Orunmila Ati Oggun.

Súyere
Oloweweo eran orisha owaweo.

Ifá says — what Otrupon Bara tells you

This is an arrogant, warlike and extremely violent person; to reach happiness, the character needs to change.
There is a tendency to suffer pain in the feet, heart conditions, embolisms and hernias; the legs need great care.
You must be careful of blown powders.
It indicates persecution: they try to follow his trail in order to harm him and want to see him without peace.
The woman is not a maiden, and there are brain disorders.
If you are a Babalawo and you drink liquor or smoke, safeguard the butt of your cigar: if someone takes hold of it, your situation turns fatal.
The walls are whitewashed, and the ebbós of this Ifá include scrapings from the wall of the room.
The herbs of the sign: calmada, doncella, tábano and peanut.
That you should not do favors for anyone, because you will end up harmed; nor help carry heavy loads, since that is where misfortune awaits you.
That your enemies remain hidden and are fighting against you: be careful of a loss of money or of family members, and do not attempt to take your own life; if you ever think about it, talk to someone you trust, seek help and do not stay alone.
That you have a lot of luck and are envied for it, and you are going to win the lottery.
That you will be summoned from a certain place for something favorable: before going, make a rogation.
That a woman will force you to commit a theft.
That you should not speak about what is none of your business, because you may be in danger.
That your wife will ask you, on a whim, to take her out for a walk.
That you will receive a visit from someone from the countryside, or a letter bringing good fortune.
That you should stay at home for seven days, since going out could be harmful to you.
That you will make a deal: try not to gain too much and beware of greed.
That your mother has gone years without looking at her; and if the daughter is already of age, jealousy can bring a break between mother and daughter.
That everything you say is true, and for that reason many people envy you, but no one can take your life except Olofin.

Proverbs of Otrupon Bara · Òwe

“The male goat lost his head for doing favors.”
“The garbage saved him.”
“Doing favors is one thing, sacrificing yourself is another.”
“Whoever pretends to be secure is hiding his restlessness.”
“A man married to a sensible woman will always be fortunate.”
“When the enemy is hidden, you never know when he will attack.”
“Blows teach.”
“Prudence is the shield of tears.”
“To know a man, put his words on one scale and his deeds on the other.”
“With danger before their eyes, anyone reflects.”
“There are no roses without thorns.”
“Preparation is intelligence, success is a gift of Olorun.”
“Even among relatives there is rivalry.”

10 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

They have great luck, and for that reason some people cannot bear the sight of them.
A lottery prize comes to them.
They call him from another place to offer him something good.

Osogbo · what the sign warns

Doing favors harms them and may even cost them their life, like the goat who gave his head for helping.
Helping to lift a weight from the ground brings their misfortune.
They are haughty and quarrelsome, and when something annoys them they react with violence.

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 Otrupon Bara · Ìbí

Cement.
Placing grass in the mouth of the quadruped that is offered to the oshas.
That is why, when sacrificing, herb is placed for him while saying «Oloweweo eran orisha owaweo», in memory of the male goat that carried Orunmila and asked him for its life.

What is forbidden · Eewó

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

Avoid doing favors for anyone, and even less for the sick or people with disabilities.
You can lose your life, as the he-goat lost his head.
Do not help others lift objects from the ground or carry heavy loads.
There is your misfortune.
Do not eat peanuts or sesame.
Do not speak about what does not concern you, nor give opinions on matters that are not yours.
You could be in danger.
Do not eat in a hurry, and do not get angry over food.
Do not go out into the street for seven days.
It can turn out badly for you.

Ebbós of Otrupon Bara · The sacrifices that open the road

MoneyThe ebbós of this Odù🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesThe ebbó of the goat and the peanut field🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesThe ebbó to get a prisoner out (the rubbish)🔒 The Notebook

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

Works of Otrupon Bara · The workings of the sign

HealthObori with Shangó for the nerves🔒 The Notebook Overcoming enemiesInshé to calm an enemy🔒 The Notebook SpiritualThe ceremony of the sand and the two goats🔒 The Notebook

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

Patakíes of Otrupon Bara · The roads of the Odù

1Orunmila's goat

The saints decided to meet in a council that would benefit humanity, and sent for Orunmila. The place chosen was Ife, very far from where he lived.

On the road, Orunmila's feet swelled from so much walking and he sat down, unable to go on. The goat, seeing him, offered to carry him. Orunmila climbed on its back and so the two reached Ife.

It turned out that, to enter that assembly, the door had to receive blood, and Orunmila carried no animal. He remembered the goat that had carried him, which suited that purpose, and he seized it. The goat protested: it had done a favor and was being repaid with death. Orunmila answered that he saw no other way out, because his presence at the council was indispensable to set the affairs of humanity in order, but that he would be grateful to it forever. And he sacrificed it without delay.

From this event comes the custom of placing grass in the mouth of animals with four legs that are offered to the oshas, while a phrase in the old language is spoken.

What it teaches

A favor is not always returned with good, and sometimes the one who helps pays with his life. Whoever receives the benefit stays in debt and must honor what was given.

Custom that comes from this story

Grass is put in the mouth of the animal with four legs that is offered to an osha, and this is said: “Oloweweo eran orisha owaweo”.

What is said when grass is put in the mouth of an animal offered to an orisha

Oloweweo eran orisha owaweo

2The goat, the peanuts and Olofin's daughter

Orunmila was walking through the countryside with his wife, who was expecting a child. They came to a place with a peanut field, and she had a craving for peanuts, so she bent down among the plants and began to pull up peanuts. The field was guarded by the goat, who on discovering Orunmila demanded to know what he was doing. Orunmila told him that those lands were his.

The goat did not believe him and said that stealing was going on there. Orunmila asked him to say nothing and offered him a good amount in exchange. The goat accepted, left him in peace and all went well.

Soon afterward Eshu arrived and asked what was happening. Orunmila told him what had happened, cast a divination and said that Olofin's daughter was sick. The doctors who attended her could not find the cure. Eshu took the chance to tell Olofin that an old man had recently arrived who was able to cure her.

Olofin ordered him to be sought. When Orunmila arrived, he prepared the ebbó; during the rite he asked for ekó and ate it. Then he wanted to know whether everything was correct, and the answer was no. He then had Olofin come and asked him whether he owned a piece of land. He added that, to save his daughter, they had to bring the goat's man, another with a red cap and another who shouted like Santa Bárbara; into the mouth of this last one they would put bread so that no one would speak.

From this event comes the custom of offering the saints animals such as goats and roosters.

What it teaches

Paying for someone's silence does not undo what was done wrong. The wisdom of Ifá, on the other hand, finds a solution where the doctors cannot, and this story explains the custom of offering animals to the saints.

Ebbó of this path

A rooster (akuko), an owunko, peanuts, sesame seeds, three kinds of pepper and salt from three different stores. This ebbó also includes a powder with other elements, which are in the complete treatise.

Origin of the sacrifice

This story explains why animals such as the goat and the rooster are offered to the saints.

Prayer that opens the passage of the goat and the peanuts

Fakuya Esa Fakuye Guere Ba Eshu Ere Limo Timo Isa Lueye Aramete Orishaoko Selu Eru Baba Lade Ogue Silufu Aye.

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

3Orunmila escapes from prison in the garbage

Orunmila lived with Oyá and did not carry out what Ifá had told him. While the two were traveling to another land, they ran out of food. Oyá felt hungry, sat on the ground and refused to continue. Orunmila tried to persuade her: “Come, Oyá, let us follow the road; farther on we will find something to eat.”

A little farther on, Oyá spotted a yam field and asked Orunmila to go and steal some. He went into the land; the owners saw him, called him a thief and took him to jail.

In prison he lamented his fate: everything was Oyá’s fault and he did not intend to live with her anymore. He consulted osode; this Ifá came out and with it an ebbó, but he had nothing to prepare it with.

When the food was brought, a piece of bone came in the plate of soup. Orunmila took it, scraped lime from a wall and put it on the plate. With the bone in place of an irofá he prepared the ebbó and threw it into the container where the prison put its garbage.

The one who swept was Eshu. Seeing that, he thought: “This is Orunmila’s work; he must be in prison.” He kept walking, found Elegba and told him the news. Elegba visited Orunmila, who told him that he could not stand it there any longer. Elegba advised him: that night he should get into the container and cover himself with the waste.

At dawn the container was taken to the street, where Elegbara was waiting. He took Orunmila out, and the two left that land and its surroundings. The jailers looked for Orunmila, realized what had happened, and since then they drive a pointed rod into the container before taking it out, so that no other prisoner escapes. Orunmila, free, never joined Oyá again.

What it teaches

Pleasing another person at the cost of Ifá’s warning can end in prison. Even without resources, an ebbó made with whatever is at hand, and with faith, opens the way to freedom.

Improvised ebbó in prison

A bone from the soup, which served as irofá, and lime scraped from the wall, put on the plate. The ebbó was thrown into the prison’s garbage container.

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

4Orunmila and the proud king🔒 The Notebook 5The deadly truth🔒 The Notebook 6The dog and the lion🔒 The Notebook 7Agbani faces the tiger alone🔒 The Notebook 8The resurrection of the king's son🔒 The Notebook 9Ikú and the mountain goat🔒 The Notebook 10The fruit of greed🔒 The Notebook 11The idler works twice🔒 The Notebook

8 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 Otrupon Bara in Spanish →

Frequently asked questions about Otrupon Bara

What does the Odù Otrupon Bara mean in Ifá?

Where cement was born: do not do favors that cost your life (the male goat lost his head for one), and your luck is brought to you by your wife.

What number is Otrupon Bara among the 256 Odù of Ifá?

Otrupon Bara is Odù number 188 of the 256 in Ifá, part of the Otrupon family.

Which orishas speak in Otrupon Bara?

In the Odù Otrupon Bara these orishas speak: Orunmila, Shangó, Orishaoko, Obatalá, Eshu / Elegba, Ogún, Oyá, Oshún, Osain, Obá, Egun.

What is a proverb of the Odù Otrupon Bara?

One of the proverbs of Otrupon Bara says: «The male goat lost his head for doing favors.».

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