Ebo Riru

I.
II.
III.
IV.

jb

b o!
b tiwy j
! b tiw orn
! b bba
! ba yy!
Ib Olw
! b Odgbn
! b Krd Awo dta
! b Agbrk Awo l If
! b Afiknmn f fn-n fn-n Awo
lymoyin If dkun oo!
rnml db!
Amnj alsi ma tn Amngb nyn ynpn Onl ork m
wlji! r ass m t Kn-in kin-n y kun Spt b lj n
Egn Oluf t sn mnrwo pko
Translation:
Reverence Reverence to the sunrise Reverence to the sunset Reverence to
Bba! Reverence to Yy! Reverence to Olw! Reverence to Odgbn!
Reverence to Krd, the Babalawo of dta town! Reverence to Agbrk, the
Babalawo of l If! Reverence to Afiknmn f fn-n fn-n, the Babalawo of
lymoyin town If, we beg you! rnml, please listen to us! You are
the one that knows the beginning and the end of all things The one who
knows when humans choose their destiny
Onl ork, the child of wlji! The one who ornaments does not fade
away Kn-in kin-n, the bird of the ocean The Spt b lj n The
Egn Oluf that dresses in palm fronds
II

II. Adabo

 t (1)
t, w l saj b. w l s knyn b
T ni Olwo Tf ni Odgbn r Kn r Kn Eyi t Babalwo b s sl a
dgn ll al wr A d fn argb abor kokooko Nj t l
r b wn nj Ojgbrmkn Wn lrgb o l lun l Wn
lrgb o lj lun lj n gbn n lf lnu j ni t b sn
k dde gb kk dj n b sn ko dde
Translation:
t, you are the one that precedes the sacrifice; you are also the one
that ends it.
To is for the Olwo Tf is for Odgbn Any utterance Whatever
utterance Which the Babalawo makes would become an eternal curse
al wr Cast Ifa divination for the aged person with strong will
On the day he was going to trade in the market of Ojgbrmkn You, the
aged person!; you practice sorcery! they said. I dont, he replied You,
the aged person, you have witchcraft! they said again. I dont, he replied
again But I have the magical command in my mouth, he said Therefore,
anyone that is sleeping should rise As the rooster is winning the dog Those
that are sleeping should rise
2. wnrn aj (wnrn br)
tn awo b Oun lo f fn wn lde b s awo b Oun lo f
fn wn lode b ttn ts Wn k b m d A d fn
wl y t smknrin dpn Nj t won gb wn regb
gbwre Wn n k n d Wn n k n b Wn lb r n If nro n
wn p b dgn dp llb lr K le j gn iyn k md gn
iu k mb Ttls k m n gn ar run k mr ay Sawarepp
p m blp l Sawarepp wl d mo n dpn
Sawarepp p m blp l Nj twr b boj wyn n fp flp
Sawarepp p m blp l Sawarepp
wre: If dkun! rnml db! B ni t df y b l sj, j k dl
ly llf m j k
-- or -wre: K gn elgn p elp m le m lgbj y o
Translation:
tn, the Ifa priest of b town Cast Ifa divination for the people of b
town s, the Ifa priest of b town Cast Ifa divination for the people of
b town The combined efforts of tn And that of s Would not offer
sacrifice without it being accepted They cast Ifa divination for wl The

one who is the adult son of dpn On the day he was being taken to the
forest of gbwre They said he would not return They said he would not
come back They said his sacrifice would not be accepted Ifa says their ill
wishes cannot come to pass Even if you all pour curses on the man who
offered sacrifice It would not work Because the curse of pounded yam
cannot affect the mortar The curse of the yam cannot effect the knife And
that of the foot cannot affect the footpath Curses designed for Heavenly
people would not afflict the Earthly people Sawarepp The curse should
return to follow the curser Sawarepp

wl is here and I ask you to throw away the curse Sawarepp The
curse should return to follow the curser Sawarepp The curse should return
to follow the person cursing Sawarepp
Prayer: If, please. rnml, we appease you; whenever this client travels,
let him go and return well. Do not allow him to meet with untimely death or
misfortune.
-- or -Prayer: Let not the curses and misfortunes of another person affect this
person
3. tr (2)
Bl b l! Ol n sn n! tr! w b ni l s b y
Atepo Arepo wn mjj ni wn jj fkr nuw A df fn
fjrndlgn ord Nj t wn gbgb l sde run A df fn tr
y t b wn gbb l sde run gb rr b r gb r s tu
r j taa l tt gbb d bod tr tr l tt gbb d
bod w Akinos onnre Awrel j kb fn
wre: If j kb y fn j kr d
Translation:
If a strong man is leaving, another strong man should accompany him;
tr! Come and put on this sacrifice Atepo Arepo The two of them
would use kr to stain their hands Cast divination for all the Od(s)
When they were taking their sacrifice to heaven Also casted divination for
tr The one who helped them to take the sacrifice to heaven He heard
about the sacrifice and offered it He also heard about the given of free
booties and also gave it Therefore, who took the the sacrifice to heaven
first? tr tr, was the first to hasten to the heavens You are
the Akinos onnre Awrel (i.e., tr), please allow our
sacrifice to be accepted

4. Pray the odu that was casted during divination; and pray the transpose of
the odu that was casted during divination.
5. j Ogb
j Ogb dkun db fiy dn ko fiy dkn
A k gbj k flj jri j If l m flj jri j Sgbn ir la
gbd pa m n gnmna Awo b n un l df fn Seboss y
t slgb ni w sb, w ss, If w r argb ni
wre: rnml w s lmnrn di lplp ni lde slay, k wn
ma rn-n lw

Translation:
j Ogb, please be appeased
One cannot be bold and call a king to attest a case Ifa says one can call the
king to attest a case One must not lie against him gnmna, the road
side priest He is the one that divined for Seboss, The one that saves
one We offered sacrifice We also are devoted to our rs Ifa, come and be
our savior
Prayer: rnml, come and make this client mighty on earth; let him get
helpers from everywhere
6. knrn Mj
knrn Mj, b y ti di b r ko bni se dandan ko sgun wn
ta r
knrn kan nhn knrn kan lhn knrn mjj a bd jgd A
df fn ya t sunkn m rel Onr b l e k t l yin m
ya d? wa r hh
wre: If dkun db fiy dn ps m rere fn-un lde slay
Translation:
knrn Mj, this sacrifice has now become yours; come and favor this
client so that he can conquer all his foes
One knrn here
Another knrn there knrn becomes a pair with drooping base Cast
divination for ya, when she was crying for the children of r town She
offered sacrifice before leaving Where are you children of ya? Here we are
Prayer: If, please be appeased; and bless this client with good children

7. wnrn Sogb
wnrn Sogb! k gb! Kb d flb
pr jgd! gb pr jgd! A df fn Olgs y t kor
lj tmtm b ary ni wn n k w e j w kor wa k m
A dewe jogbo j w mm kor
wre: If j k j lgbja kor lnu o lnu j lnu lblgn
Translation:
wnrn Sogb! Let accept it for the sacrifice to be accepted for the
client

pr jgd! gb pr jgd! Cast divination for Olgs Whose

blood would be bitter including his children He was asked to offer sacrifice of
earthly enemies Our blood is now bitter, we cannot die again We have
become the leaves of Jogbo Our blood is very bitter
Prayer: If, please let the blood of this client be bitter in the mouths of
witches, wizards and all evil medicine men
8. br Bogb
br Bogb! b y di tr, ko j kb fn k r d k dde run k
s tolore
Itan g se slej A df fn jkoorodgb y t sawo rel lw w
rb b d n o A mm sb jkoorodgb If wa
wre: If j k b y fn ko j k d k dde run k s tolore
-- or -wrn lj kn A d fn Lte m rl gd yrn pad A d
fn Siinrinksin m sn p lj abim gdgd A d fn Srw
m ymi j Oj wn ib jk A d fn krb k d m
lgbra j ba b feku rb j k m fn Siinrinksin If jb d
flb Siinrinksin Ba b fja rb j k m fn Siinrinksin If jb
d flb Siinrinksin Ba b fran rb j k m fn Siinrinksin If
jb d flb Siinrinksin
Translation:
The thigh of the g bird is not enough to entertain a visitor Cast divination
for jkoorodgb Who was venturing as a priest in the house of lw We
offered sacrifice And it has been accepted We have offered sacrifice of
jkoorodgb Our If has proved proficient

-- or -A picture has no eye to shed tears Cast divination for Lte, the child of
rl Wood icon cannot turn her neck Cast divination for Siinrinksin, the
child of sn The magnanimous p tree with flamboyant fronds Cast
divination for Srw, the child of the ymi j Oj wn ib jk Cast
divination for Krb k d, the child of lgbra Therefore, if we use rats
for sacrifice, let it be accepted Siinrinksin If, let the sacrifice be accepted
Siinrinksin If we use fish for sacrifice, let it be accepted Siinrinksin If, let
the sacrifice be accepted Siinrinksin If we use meat for sacrifice, let it be
accepted Siinrinksin If, let the sacrifice be accepted Siinrinksin
9. wr Wfn (1)
wr Wfn gbgijn m Iburu; If j kb y fn ktt y gb:
wr twfn twfn! wr tsfn tsfn! wr tagbede mjj fn
seruseru A df fn gbdo t roko ler ldn hh dodo lgbd roko
B b dgb b A dongba a hh dodo lgbd roko B b dgb b
A dongba m
wre: If dkun m j k lgbj w ow t ngb kkan, m j k w
aya t, m j k w k t ti ire gbogbo t k
-- or -wr Wfn (2)
gbrn n foj ran wap A d fn Erel Erel t e yy wn flnu
kla A d fn wn y t y toko b Y pabi y d kll t l j
ibi laa fwn wn s dire Ibi t a fwn
Translation:
wr Wfn gbgijn m Iburu; If let this sacrifice be accepted.
wr twfn twfn! wr tsfn tsfn!
wr tagbede mjj fn seruseru Cast divination for the maize (corn) that
was going

wr tagbede mjj fn seruseru Cast divination for the maize (corn) that
was going to the annual farm festival The maize got to the farm stark naked
But when coming back He would become wrapped in hundreds of cloths The
maize got to the farm stark naked But when returning He would become
hundreds
Prayer: If, please do not starve this man of money; do not starve him of
wife; and do not let him sweat before having children

gbrn n foj ran wap Cast divination for Erel Erel, the mother of
wn flnu kla Cast divination for wn The one that would return
from the farm He would change the misfortune of this mother before dusk
Therefore, we gave evil to wn wn, please change it to good luck The
misfortune we gave to wn
10. k Mj
k Mj dkun o! b y ti di b r, kb fn kr d k dde run k
s tolore
kn gb nb kn gb nr A df fn s gbgb Nj t rogun
lurin b ni wn n k e k t l gbgb sb gbr tu r
j b s b gbirin tn araa r ma le
wre: If j k jde ara ma j fn-un.
Translation:
k Mj, we appease you! This sacrifice is now turning to you. Let it be
accepted.
kn gb nb kn gb nr Cast divination for s gbgb On the
day when he was going to the war of lurin He was asked to offer sacrifice
before leaving He heard about the sacrifice and offered it He heard about
the free booties He gave it Therefore, when s assumes its potentials, it
would become energetic
Prayer: If, let this man have longevity in life.
11. rt Mj (1)
rt Mj ko w ko b ni ls sb n
w t mi t t di mj ddodo wn l df fn Alrire m ls
ire Ibi Or gbe mi r s m m si ib Dkun db
-- or -rt Mj (2)
Pa Ignnugn bf Awo wn l Alr Pa wd b Os Awo k jer Pa
tro Bgn Awo ark n md
Agbnmi n wl ja Apjb n bile par w lgbgb tl Ni wn f
gun gltu A d fn lygb gg Ti wn ml ik tn ly Wn
pil trun If l dmm mi gg l b ni wl run Barapetu b wa tn
tay m A b wn lrun wa w m wrwr run t a bor pgd Il
ik m w lrun grr il ik m w lrun K n b lygb Arundu
k n b lygb Arundu
wre: Ibi reere ni ko gb e d, s e r, dab m si ibi rere, mama sn

Translation:
rt Mj come and place your s on this sacrifice
w t mi t t di mj ddodo They are the ones that divined for
Alrire m ls

Where my Or is taking me Let my legs not miss the way Please we beg you
-- or -rt Mj (2)
Pa Ignnugn bf
The priests in the household of Alr Pa wd b Os The priests of the
household of jer Pa tro Bgn The Babalawo Ark in the house of
Md Those who drain the lake, destroy the fish house Those who build
forest huts, destroy the house of the guinea fowl The heavy club Is the one
employed to win Laterite mold Cast divination for Lygb gg Who house
of death was completed on earth They wanted to lay foundation for the one
in heaven If says it is time to handle delicate issues l come and demolish
the house of death in heaven Barapetu, come and rebuild the one on earth
We have abused them in heaven; we are not coming again wrwr run
t a bor pgd The house of death is being destroyed In a steady rate,
it is being destroyed K n b lygb Arundu k n b lygb Arundu
Prayer: Take me to a good place, my good legs. Please do not miss the way
12. Ogunda Masa (1)
Ogunda Masa, ebo yii mama di ti re, koo ba ni se dandan, Saa reere ti
lamonrin nda, je ko was si imuse
gnd s s A d fn Als A b fn Onkhn Nj wn braa wn
sr tilw ll Wn a n knhn m ti dbk as j tip
-- or -Ogunda Masa (2)
byn gb n mr pjg Babalwo ge l ef fn ge ge tkl run
b wy j md k mta pg yn g lt t ya bl Ib e mi Ib
e mi lg k
wre: If dkun db fiy dn ko dkun, oolre r, If m j k jnn s
Translation:

Ogunda Masa, it is now your turn to have input in this sacrifice; please let it
be accepted. All his efforts, let ti come to good fruition.
gnd s s Cast divination for Als Also divined for Onkhn When
they have been friends for long They said Knhn and As will have a long
standing friendship
-- or -Ogunda Masa (2)
byn gb n mr pjg The Babalwo of ge, cast divination for ge
When ge was coming from heaven to earth Therefore, children cannot use
stones to kill g It is at the back of of g that stones (or bullets) would
land I have escaped evil I have escaped evil is what g is singing
wre: If, please be appeased both body and soul; let this sacrifice bring
good tidings for this person.
13. tr Tk (tr k):
t rka rn rka rg lawo gbas A df fn wn n Ss-gr Nbi
wn ti j t wn ti w ohun b kiri Wn tn k ohun b sl tn Wn tn
w alwoo kiri Ow t b nl y Ohun b n e rg lawo gbas, If
a rhun b gbdo t b nl y ohun b n e rg lawo gbas, If
a rhun b
wre: If gbogbo ohun b t tj kale y j k drun, a fw md
r u, k wn fw gblagb
Translation:
t rka rn rka rg is the priest of gbas Cast divination for them in
Is-gr When they were looking for the articles of sacrifice After finding
the articles, they were still looking for a Babalawo The money on the ground
Is meant for sacrifice rg is the priest of gbas; If, we have the articles of
sacrifice The maize on the ground is an article of sacrifice rg is the priest
of gbas; If, we have the articles of sacrifice All the articles on the ground
rg is the priest of gbas; If, we have the articles of sacrifice

wre: If, please let all these articles that we have on the ground make a
case for this client by allowing this sacrifice to enter heaven and bring back
his desires

14. rosn pnm (1)

If dkun rnml db, If j kb y dlde run, ko j k fn k d
k dlde run:

knn wn wn Awo m l df fn m m t slj nn ara b ni

wn n k w e gbb b sb gb r tu r Khun Khun
m e m lj ara Ohun gbd sm lj ara
wre: If m j k mi r b n kker
-- or -rosn pnm (2)
b s tn yn A d fn j j t sk gbdo nu t wn fi b wo Wn
s tn fi yn-n lynw j b s tn yn j lk gbdo b s tn
yn
wre: If m j k mi r b n kker
Translation:
rosn pnm (1)
If dkun rnml db, If j kb y dlde run, ko j k fn k d
k dlde run:
knn wn wn The Babalawo of Life divined for Life Life is the most
important constituent of the body He was warned to offer sacrifice He heard
about the sacrifice He offered it He learnt of the free booties He also gave it
Let no harm affect the life of lj ara Nothing should harm the life of lj
ara
wre: If, do not let this client to die young
rosn pnm (2)
You cursed me but later praised me They are the ones that cast divination
for the Rain The soul mate of the Maize The mouth that was used to abuse
Awo Is the same that would be used to praise him Therefore, though abuse
me now, you will praise me later The Rain is the soul mate of the Maize
Though you abuse me now, you will praise me later
15. gndbd (1)
gndbd, w l d b n gr t o k j k b fn w l d
tt n gr t k f gb, Wn n ir b wn n? O n b t wn b ti
p s ni, a p s b (Name of odu casted in divination) ni Ko db k o
b ni gb b y l s de run, K fn k d, a fw m kkere ru, k
o w fw gblagb gb
nyn t k lw lw Wn a dnyn lsn A df fn Alk Il gb Ngb
t b lrin pnj b ni wn n k w e gbb rb gb r
rnml gbl msr r If aw k t s lr gangan
-- or --

gndbd (2)
Bd Awoo wn lde po Aw Awo de j mnrnmnrn ar rmr Igi
ganganran me gn mi lj lrun dbt rn kal A k rlwo s rjerje
won l d fn lfin Nj t wn kb kd ti un lfin n k wn
m kb kd ti un Orgb kan ds kan Bmd b kkin ggg
A fds sl sn pelsn
r plr gd gn N jn lr araa r Araa wn ni wn o m jn
Araa wn ni wn m k gbnrangandan Gbogbo wn t b lgbj
st Gbogbo wn n k wn m k gbnrangandan
wre: Let all the enemies of this person fall down and die
Translation:
gndbd, you are the one that causes sacrificial articles to be stolen
that does not allow sacrifice to be full. You are also the one that causes
setbacks to rituals that disallow its being accepted. They said which type of
sacrifice gets stolen? You said it is all sacrifice that you are not invited to
partake; we now call on you to witness the sacrifice of (name of odu that
was casted during divination) that we are offering. Please take the sacrifice
to heaven. We are using our novice hands, please accept it with your
magnanimity.
The man who has no money They would become a useless person Cast
divination for Alk Il gb When he was in the middle of poverty He was
warned to offer sacrifice He heard about the sacrifice He offered it He also
heard about the free booties He gave it out also rnml the gbl
msr come and see the ifa chanted coming true