Olofin
YEWANDE KELLEY-JOHNSON
In the mojuba of my ile I honor Olofi. I understand Olofi/Olofin as
meaning God, I also hear Olofi referred to as the sun. Is the name
Olofi/Olofin representing two truths that exist God and sun? Or is there
something more?
Modupe
Yewande
olo...@my-deja.com
Axe Yewande!
Glad you asked the question :-) When I came to the US 8 yrs ago, the
first thing that puzzled me about the Afro-Cuban tradition was
Olofi...so I dedicated some research on the issue. The main thing for
me, was that I had never heard it at all in Brazil (no prayer, no
thing0 and from my Nigerian friends either.
Years later, I understand that the Olofi of the Cuban Ifa tradition
is the Odu of the Nigerian Ifa. There is also a "minor"(regional)
Orisha in Ife, called Olofi (related to the sun, it seems. Since Olorun
is also related to the sun, could that have been the origin of Olofin
used as synonym of Olorun (Olodumare)?
I also found out that the Egba Nation in Brazil (Recife, Pernambuco)
do praise and have an Orisha called Olofi. But it has no similarity to
the usage that the lukumis have.
Axe,
Maria de Oxala
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YEWANDE KELLEY-JOHNSON
Modupe.
That explanation seems to fit and fill in some of the holes in my
research. In Idowu's book God in Yoruba Belief he connects one of the
names for God as (don't have the book in front of me so I think I have
the order correct) Olorun-Olofin.
I hadn't heard before of the Olofi of Ile-Ife related to the sun,
interesting.
When you say Olofi from Cuba is related to the Odu of Nigeria Ifa, do
you mean Odu the wife, and vessel received by some babalawos?
olo...@my-deja.com
YEWANDE KELLEY-JOHNSON <yew...@home.com> wrote:
> Alafia Iya Maria
>
> Modupe.
> That explanation seems to fit and fill in some of the holes in my
> research. In Idowu's book God in Yoruba Belief he connects one of the
> names for God as (don't have the book in front of me so I think I have
> the order correct) Olorun-Olofin.
>
> I hadn't heard before of the Olofi of Ile-Ife related to the sun,
> interesting.
>
> When you say Olofi from Cuba is related to the Odu of Nigeria Ifa, do
> you mean Odu the wife, and vessel received by some babalawos?
>
Axe Yewande!
I have some issues with Idowu s book, since he was a Christian and
tried to fit it in :-) I think Vergers article : The Yoruba High God,
published in Nigeria in 1966, is much better (Odu, vol. 2, Ibadan).
Remember also that Olorun is related to the sun too :-)
I was first confused when I found out that the Cuban Babalawos had
an Igba (pot-vessel) for Olofi...I kind of thought Gee, they put God
(since that is the name they use) in a pot (Igba-vessel). But most
Cuban Babalawos have explained to me (wish Eyiogbe would come in :-)
that the Babalawos Olofi is the same as the Igba Odu that the Nigerian
Babalawos have. Not every Babalawo has Olofi. It seems that only some
do.
Yes, mythically Odu is the wife of Orunmila. Also in Nigeria, is not
every babalawo that has received Odu (the Igba).
aak...@my-deja.com
There seems to be some confusion about God (Olórun) and the sun
(Ňňrůn). The Yorůbá language, like many African languages, is a tonal
language. It is highly unlikely that tonal differences, between
similarly spelled words, were retained in Spanish and Portuguese.
Therefore, it would be easy for people to confuse all the following
words:
These words begin with the Yorůbá regular “O”
Oorun = sleep
Ňórůn = scent, smell, odor
Ňňrůn = sun
These words begins with the Yorůbá dotted “O” (which has a different
sound from the regular "O")
Orún = fifth day
Ňrun = celestial sphere, spirit world, heaven [One of the names for God
is Olórun, which is olo (lord, owner) + ňrun (heaven)]
Orůn = neck
Ňrún = one hundred
Due to cultural inertia, a mistake by someone 400 years ago with these
words would still affect us today!
So much for words. Let's now use the brains that God gave us. God is
NOT the sun. God created the sun, the moon, the stars, and everything
else. The infiniteness of God cannot be contained in a finite object
like the sun.
Here's some more: Our sun is one among many stars in the universe.
Stars are born, live through certain stages, and then DIE. Our sun is
NOT Olórun, but rather one of the many magnificent divine creations.
May you receive my post here in the joyous spirit in which I share it.
+++ Ifákúnlé
Baba Eyiogbe
>
>
> Axe Yewande!
>
> I have some issues with Idowu s book, since he was a Christian and
> tried to fit it in :-) I think Vergers article : The Yoruba High God,
> published in Nigeria in 1966, is much better (Odu, vol. 2, Ibadan).
>
> Remember also that Olorun is related to the sun too :-)
>
> I was first confused when I found out that the Cuban Babalawos had
> an Igba (pot-vessel) for Olofi...I kind of thought Gee, they put God
> (since that is the name they use) in a pot (Igba-vessel). But most
> Cuban Babalawos have explained to me (wish Eyiogbe would come in :-)
> that the Babalawos Olofi is the same as the Igba Odu that the Nigerian
> Babalawos have. Not every Babalawo has Olofi. It seems that only some
> do.
>
> Yes, mythically Odu is the wife of Orunmila. Also in Nigeria, is not
> every babalawo that has received Odu (the Igba).
You're absolutely right Maria. The Olofi of the Babalawo is indeed Odu (Igba
Iwa Odu or Calabash of Existence). This term is also known in Nigeria
somewhat, although it's usage is not common. Most Babalawos do not have
Olofi/Odu (myself included - that's my next step, but don't rush me :), but
Olofi/Odu must be present at the initaiation of the new Babalawo. Olorun and
Olofi are indeed associated with the Sun. Olorun literally translates as
"Owner of Heaven", but with the 'word play' commonly used among the Yorubas
it is easily altered to "Owner of the Sun" with a change of tones. That is
not to say that the High God is the sun, but that the Sun is representative
as it is the greatest source of power in our corner of the universe. That is
why we Babalawos salute the Sun every morning as Olofi/Olorun.
I hope this helps somewhat...
Iboru, Iboya, Ibochiche,
Baba Eyiogbe
- The Baba in Baba Eyiogbe is an honorific for the Odu, not myself - I'm not
that swell headed :)
YEWANDE KELLEY-JOHNSON
Yes, I've noticed that Idowu has some strong Christian
misunderstandings. It really stands out for me with what he says about
Esu.
How can I get a copy of Odu (or any volume)with Vergers article : The
Yoruba High God, published in Nigeria in 1966, (Odu, vol. 2, Ibadan)?
Baba Eyiogbe's response was very helpful too. As I'm reading various
postings on various topics I'm coming to realize that its very important
for me to have a clear understanding of this African Cuban side of
Lucumi. I'm drawn to learning about the African practices of Orisa/Ifa
because of my African American ancestry.
I'm realizing from some conversations that I believe you, Denise, and
Idowu have had on "kinkamache" that the spirit, knowledge, and ase of
what's understood, taught, and spoken from initiates of Lucumi
(Candomble-which I know just a smidgen about) is what has brought me to
Ocha, has given me a path to Olofi that speaks to my Ori, and is
blessing me with a passion to grow in spirit, Orisa, and
understanding/respecting Ifa.
I use to think if it was African that meant it was better or purer, and
over time I see that there is something more here that's important.
Don't know how clear I was but thank you for sharing what it is I wanted
clarification on.
May the Orisa bless you in all your daily affairs
Yewande
olo...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
> In article <3A59C596...@home.com>,
> YEWANDE KELLEY-JOHNSON <yew...@home.com> wrote:
> > Alafia Iya Maria
> >
> > Modupe.
> >
> > I hadn't heard before of the Olofi of Ile-Ife related to the sun,
> > interesting.
> >
> >
olo...@my-deja.com
"Baba Eyiogbe" <eyi...@orishanet.com> wrote:
Axé Eyiogbe !
LOL, if you guys want to have an old-timer Brazilian, you have to put
with our idiosyncrasies too !!
I am from the time that the names of the Odus could not be said
loud...except in divination. These things get ingrained on you...so to
this day I will not say them, but the funny thing is that as I write,
it keeps coming to my mouth :-).
So if I write Eyiogbe, it does not bother me, because I
pronounce "Spanish way", using the "y" instead of the "j" sound ( which
is how I say it). But if I write Baba....and the odu name, in
my "archaic" mind...I am calling on this Odu.
This was one of the first (of numerous) adaptations or acceptance I
had to go thru as I relate personally to priest/esses of the lukumi
tradition. In the beginning , it would hurt my ears, now, I can hear
them, but still will not say them.
Don't worry, I understand your usage of Baba, and the priority of
this Odu :-). It is just my way of respecting it.
Axe,
Maria de Oxalá
PS. Interesting this sun, moon thing...As iyawos, the day we leave the
ronkó (igbodu) we are presented to the moon, which we will salute from
then on. On our seventh-year obligation, we are presented to the sun,
which we also salute every morning with a special prayer :-)