ORULA: Who is it? history, its signs and much more

Orula, who is also usually known by the name Orunmila, is an important deity of the Yoruba pantheon, which represents wisdom, intelligence, mischief and cunning. All this leads him to be the African god of divination and witness to all the acts carried out by Olodumare, his main god, especially regarding the creation of the universe. We invite you to know it properly in this article.

Introduction

The greatest representation of Yoruba mythology is made up of their religion, which is based on a series of beliefs, traditions, myths or as many know them, the Patakíes; which are spiritual stories that have originated within the entire Yoruba people, as a fundamental part of their cultural contribution to the entire world.

The Yorubas are an ethnolinguistic group, which is native to West Africa, especially in countries like Nigeria or Benin, but whose roots have spread around the world, because many of its inhabitants were taken from there to the American continent. with the purpose of being used as slaves.

They refused to let them lose many of their religious beliefs, which is why they began to carry out what has been known as syncretization, where using the religious images of Christianity as a facade, they could continue worshiping their own African gods, and in this way way, keep their ancestral cult alive.

This is how the syncretic forms known as Santería or Candomblé were born. Logically, religion is only one part of this complex culture, since it is made up of a series of myths, stories, songs and, in a special way, by its gods or deities considered as Orishas.

Which are considered a direct manifestation of Olodumare, who is their only God, creator of everything that exists, that is, the maximum representation of everything present in the universe; both on the material and spiritual levels. Today we have the opportunity to talk to you about a deity, especially linked to this Supreme God, and who is precisely Orula.

Considered the great benefactor of all men, as he is endowed with wisdom and intelligence, with which he can reveal the possible future of all of them, thus being an influence in all the decisions they make in their lives.

A god who is syncretized with the Catholic image of San Francisco de Asisand who has the responsibility of making known the destiny of each person, especially within their Yoruba religious cult, and that is why we invite you to stay with us, so that you can discover interesting aspects of this wise fortune teller.

Who is it?

As we have mentioned, he is a wise fortune teller, who is part of the main deities of the Yoruba Pantheon, being in charge of knowing the destiny of all beings on earth, for this he has the power to know what can happen to anyone, how situations will arise and how they should be handled, so that each person’s future is fulfilled.

He is an important Orisha, within the Yoruba religious cult, because devotees turn to him to consult all their needs, both physical and spiritual, since it is precisely Orula who will determine which path they should follow, to the time of initiation into the cult, what threats will be presented to them and the way in which they will be freed from them.

This occurs depending on the fact that Orula is the one who tells them the sacrifices to make or the rites they must follow, in order to know their true religious inclination and the meaning they have to give to their life in the world. (We recommend reading about Aggayú Solá)

Well, simply, it is considered that Orula has been present since the birth of each person, and at that precise moment she has already chosen the life that would correspond to each one, and with this she has given rise to many devotees within Ifa, or what It is the same, the religious system of African origin.

Orula is the one who is summary, she knows the past, present and future of all people; who is also considered the one who has made a pact with death itself, to earn the respect of all his children, who are generally identified with the colors yellow and green, which they use in all their clothing, altar or representative symbols such as necklaces. or bracelets, tureen and its divination table.

The influence of this Yoruba deity is so impressive that it is said that many people even rely on its influence when choosing a romantic relationship, or having to make any relevant decision in their life, since it is a deity of great power in this sense. (You may be interested in reading the articles about Elegua)

But also known for having the virtue of curing or curing all the sick; For this reason, it is important to always follow his recommendations; Because if they do not do so, they expose themselves to suffering his wrath, something that is as well known as his wisdom.

The wrath of this Yoruba god is known by the name of Osogbos, and is known as self-punishments, which people suffer due to their negative behaviors and which are said to be sent by Eshu, who is in charge of ruling. all manifestations of evil.

To avoid Osogbos, all commitments acquired after being initiated into the cult must be fulfilled, it being important that the subordination of each person’s attributions is always observed, since both each of the devotees and their godparents have obligations to which They should not be refused, as they are part of their responsibilities.

History

We are going to learn a little about the life and history of this Orisha known by the name Orula or Orunmila, being considered the most important of the Yoruba deities, in the practice of divination and the management of the oracle.

He is considered in this sense as a benefactor of all humanity, due to his great contributions as a counselor, since through his revelations about the future in order to make known the secrets of Ifá, he can adequately guide the path of all followers. of the Yoruba religious cult.

Being on the other hand considered with a healer, to whom one must go, to have a spiritual guide and to properly comply with all his advice, otherwise, one is exposed to suffering a series of consequences that can be produced by the intervention of Eshu, the cause of most manifestations of malevolent origin. (See also article about Lucero Mundo)

He is part of the story of Olodumare’s creation of the universe, witnessing it; and for this reason he is endowed with wisdom and intelligence; without ceasing to show characteristics of mischief and cunning.

He widely knows the destiny of everything that exists in the world, which causes him to be called eleri-ipin ibikeji Olodumare, this as a witness of creation; but on the other hand he is considered the right hand of Olodumare himself.

It is said that Orula was born after Oggún’s incest with his mother Yemú, and at that time it was a known fact that Obbatala, who was his father, out of revenge ordered the killing of all the male children that Yemaya had after that moment. (We recommend reading the article about Centella Ndoki)

But when Orula was born, he was saved by his brother Elegua, being buried at the foot of a ceiba tree, and there he took care of him daily, to prevent him from dying. Obatalá was ill for a few years, and was later cured by his son Shangó. Once encouraged, he remembered the existence of Orula and decided to look for him, so that he could go to his house again.

In this way Orula is unearthed and presented to Obatalá, then he receives from Shangó, the Ifá board and the gift of knowing all the secrets of divination, associated with this board. Beginning to be known as Orula, Orunmila, Orunla, Ifa, or simply as, Eleri Ikpin Ode.

It is a deity that has historically been greeted with Orula Iboru, Orula Iboyá, Orula Ibosheshe! With whom the number four and 16 are used, the colors green and yellow; celebrating on Sunday of each week, and with a special celebration on October 4, syncretized with the Catholic image of Saint Francis of Assisi. And who also has important functions in the initiation of all new devotees of his Yoruba cult.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3E3xuiHCAY

He is then known for being Obatalá’s son with Yemú; and who has been the husband of both Oshún and Yemayá. He is identified by having a receptacle formed by two halves of a güiro, with which he represents both heaven and earth, which can be placed inside a wooden tray.

It is important to know its attributes, which are part of both its cult and its history, which are the following.

Two hands of Ikines, which are representative stones of Orula. An Otá, which is also a representative stone. Cedar tablet and an Opón Ifá or Até Ifá board. Carved horn called Irofá. An Iruke, which is the ponytail. An Ifá rosary, which is known as Okpele. Orula Powder, or Yefá. A brush, used to clean the board. Representative necklace of Orula, and one of a mallet. An Iddé, which are bead bracelets.

All of these elements are important, and one consideration regarding necklaces or bracelets is the fact that if they break they must be notified to the godparents. Well, they are in danger of death, and this should not be allowed, since Orula is the one who will dictate the moment in which this happens, since he has made a pact with death in defense of all his children.

Among these elements of Orula, the Ifá board is considered one of its objects of power, which is even used as a percussion tool in some acts, and in the case of the Iruke, which is made from horsetail, it is used to ward off evil at all times. (You may be interested in visiting our article regarding Eshú)

What are its signs?

Ifa is a religious system from West Africa, based on the teachings of Orunmila, and which is the spirit of the Yoruba religion, as part of the creation of destiny and an element that is used by the Babalawos to invoke Orunmila and Esu. , in order to know the future and have the guidance and protection of the gods.

Basically, the Babalawos use a chain called Opele, or with sacred palm seeds, known as Ikines. They make combinations of the 16 main mejis with which they can reach up to 256 different signs, which is known as the results.

This allows them to know many teachings, advice and the type of ebó or sacrifice that must be made, to achieve the solution of a certain problem, counting on the help and protection of all their Yoruba deities.

In summary, it can be said that Ifá is practically the spirit of Olodumare, or Orunmila, its supreme god, creator of the entire universe. He always witnesses everything that happens regarding the destiny of people.

These signs are used by all Babalawos with the purpose of invoking Orula, since it is the…