Today's Ifa/Orisa Affirmation - Ikini ṣe Koko (The Simple Gesture Of Greeting)

[Yeye Olomitutu]

The Odu Ifa says in part Ti ẹni o ba ji When person one (aux v.) wakes Ki ẹni o ma ki 'ni Must person one should greet person Alai ki 'ni ni odi ẹni Not-to greet one is enemy person Ifa mo ji mo ki ẹ ni oni, mo yi'boru, (ati bẹẹ bẹẹ). Ifa me wake me greet you in today, me greet aboru, etc. English As soon as one wakes up [in the morning] One should greet whoever is close to one Because, failure to greet connotes hatred, hostility or that the other person is an enemy Ifa, [with the principle that I must greet], I greet you with all sincerity, etc. The simple gesture of greeting is sometimes the simplest way to knowing the inner working of a person, more-so on a first time encounter. By greeting someone genuinely, or acknowledging someone else' simple gesture of greeting, we show that we are peaceful towards each other. Just as simple as the mutual understanding that such casual greetings evoke, so also does the lack of a greeting, or a refusal to acknowledge someone else' greeting, evoke some sense of discomfort, a discomfort that makes one wonder why one's greeting was not returned with the same good gesture. In order to radiate love, and also to promote love, which in essence means peace, Ifa enjoins his omos to be generous with their greetings. As demonstrated in the above partially quoted Odu Ifa, the first energy that Orunmila's Akapo (Babalawo) greets in the mornings is Ifa. Greeting is so important that it is the code of conduct for practicing Babalawos that Ifa must be greeted as a priority every morning. In the same vein, Babalorisas and Iyalorisas are enjoined to greet their Orisas on a daily basis. Since Baba Fabunmi (Jose), in Venezuela, is the latest Awo who has been celebrating his Odun Ifa, the height of which is today, I am hereby sending our big obi abata meji, big orogbo meji, epo pupa, oti, ataare, and omi tutu, as our mutual offering to his Ifa. May Odumare accept all the supplications, ase. In return, may we all be blessed today and everyday, ase. Today is the ose (prayer day) for Sango and Oya. So, Baba Sangomuyiwa (Eric), one of the abore Sango (Sango Priests) in the forum, should please offer plenty (mucho) orogbo on our behalf to Sango and Oya. May Sango and Oya team up with all the other Orisas to protect and to shield us from whatsoever harm might be around us. Ase. A ji ire ni oni o (we wake up with ire today—good morning). Ase. And to our friends out there, who wish to correspond with us, please, contact us at Ifaseeyen@yahoogrou ps.com or at Ileorunmila@ aol.com. Aboru aboye Chief FAMA Ileorunmila. com Ire O ! Apetebi Yeye Olomitutu