OROGBO

The importance of orogbo during initiation process , sacrifice , propitiation of head , prayer and other essential spiritual steps , before and after ifa activities cannot be quantified , but it is important to know that Orogbo during divination is equally important , if just to be at the pocket of highly revered babalawo . The presence of orogbo depicts longevity for babalawo and those around him , just like the presence of obi means, evil has no portion in the surroundings of a highly respected and honored babalawo .

Just like any other Yoruba words , the word ‘’orogbo ‘’ is coined and derived from two words – ‘’oro’’  and ‘’gbo’’ .  Oro means very small , round , minute, tiny  while , ‘’Gbo ‘’ means longevity , eternal , timeless, undying , everlasting , perpetual . when the two words are blended together , it becomes a unified and spiritually blessed word called Orogbo , which consequently means , a round fruits that attract longevity , everlasting blessing , enduring health and perpetual blessing of longevity . During , initiations or any sacrificial steps , or ritual  or propitiation , orogbo is used to pray for longevity , sound health , peace , harmony , and happiness. Indeed , a man with the blessing of long life and sound health , so also his loved ones enjoy the same degree of health and longevity  is indeed a blessed man in the jungle of life that is filled with mishap, untimely death and sorrow. The name of the fruits –orogbo – is coined to denote iwure , it is a spiritual seed  that establish the power of divinities with abundant  trait of long life  and sound health . However during  initiations , or sacrifice or ajiki , which is early morning prayer , ifa devotees or seeker of truth through the tradition of ifa , are required to pray and eat  part of this fruits , to serve as alignment  with the force and natural energies  embedded in the nature. IFA is a religion or philosophy based on the use of natural materials in the nature . 

The natural force of this blessed  fruit  aligned with the vibration  of the body transmute and trigger or induced abundant spiritual force in the whole body thereby attaining secretly the sound health the body require to attain normal health. Every spiritual consciousness is quiet and invisible , just like the function of orogbo use it as prayer and eating small part trigger secretly the power of Olodumare in our live and enjoyment of the support of His numerous divinities . The prayer using orogbo and eating a fraction part  with iwure –that is prayer , means blessing , prosperity , abundant life , success , longevity and sound health .

While obi is perceived to be a female fruit energy , or female fruits , that give brth to male and female alike , Orogbo is a male fruit energy  that fail to have lobes or part like Obi. Orogbo can be cut into pieces either by teeth or knife , it has no parts, but a hard fruit that shows natural toughness and ruggedness. While obi is easily breakable with just hand and it is used also to denote the feminine part of the universal force or energy . Orogbo represents   the dominant energy of Olodumare  with unique characteristics of solidity , strength , firmness and oneness of energy in the universe  .  Orogbo symbolizes  unilateral force of Olodumare  which means life in abundance , wisdom in abundance , strength in abundance , victory in abundance , longevity and sound health in abundance . It also means , blessing  prosperity and strength to all race , color , and religion without discrimination . Orogbo also denotes that life in any way cannot be explained or invented  except through divine  and spiritual understanding and wisdom . every understanding or  wisdom is  unique , orogbo represents the uniqueness  of spiritual wisdom and divine understanding of how unseen forces of Olodumare works in the life of earthily men .  Orogbo becomes a divine and spiritual fruits  that are connected  with life through a divine order of things , manifesting in the  natural fruits and  blended in the lives  of men through the firmness  of Olodumare and his numerous divinities  .

Orogbo when cut into two has no line that cut through its surface like obi , the reason is not far fetched , it means , life and its benefits and spiritual supports would be enjoyed for time unlimited and our generation will enjoy the unbroken chain of spiritual and divine benefits.  Like obi , that posses the female attribute of openness and easy breaking habit , Orogbo represents the power of OLODUMARE and his mysterious character with enigmatic attributes  of unified power , unilateral force and undiluted vibration . Divine attributes cannot be explained through human understanding , just like Olodumare uniqueness is absolute above human understanding , the presence of orogbo to attract healing , longevity and sound health is  beyond  human comprehension and explanation .  Orogbo represents solidity , undivided , and shrewd manner by which OLODUMARE in his infinite nature contact men in their weak state . Strength and eternity belong to divine , and weakness and finite character belong to men in nature . Hence Olodumare cannot change , transformed and divisified to any things that maintain its original state , likewise Orogbo a true representative of Olodumare , cannot be transformed or divisified or changed to anythings rather than divinities obligation to maintain its uniqueness.

Orogbo represents through foundation , it represents  through divine forces  and spiritual vibration of the  omni-potent , mere having this fruits at home represent eternal force of Olodumare to enrich our lives with longevity , sound health and victory against all evils and evil  manipulation of AJOGUN ORUN , that is the punitive knight of heaven , that is the reason  for a song praise  and the below popular sayings

Mo ti je orogbo , ki ohun mi le gbo kekeke ni isalu aye

Orogbo lo wa mu ni gbo saye

Sebi odundun lari orogbo

Odundun lari obi Lori ate

Odundun bayi ni ki a ma wa titi

Mo ti jorogbo lode isalaye

E jeki gbo gbo gbo

E jeki dagba , dagba

E jeki ferigi jobi

Ki fopa tile gereje-gereje

Ki to ló si iwala orisa

Ase

Translation of above verse

I have tasted and eaten orogbo in the physical state of existence

Let my voice and my life attract longevity and sound health in the universe

The force behind Orogbo gives us  the power to enjoy longevity in the universe

Yearly , we set our eyes on orogbo

Yearly , we set our eyes on obi at the market place

 I have eaten orogbo in the physical existence

Let me live long , live old and live well in the world

 Let me live a life dignifies of an ifa devotees

Before joining my ancestors

Ase

The above song praise is supported with the below verse of ifa . It indeed reinforces the existence and the power of orogbo  as an embodiment  of longevity  and sound health  which the ancient  ifa priest  and priestess and their various devotees had been used to prolong lives in the physical plain of existence . according to the holy verse  of  irosun owonrin

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Okun sun are nare

Osa su legbe legbe

Onibu nrebu

Alas an ni rasan

Asan naa paapaa

Awo ori ota

Awon agbaagba imole lo wo gbeyin

Won rip e ko suwon

Won subu yege

Won fi rungbo diya

Won firun dinu peepee pee

Won mu ogun orogbo

Won mu ogun obi

Won fi difa fun isese

Eyi tii se olori oro ni ife

Won tun um otalenigba din lerin

A difa fun isese

Eyi ti se olori oro ni isalu orun

A difa fun sango arabambi

Orisa ti bologbo leru

Ajisaye gbege loko iya olorogbo

Sango  ooo , orisa to loju orogbo

Ma ba mi já , da eko iya mi nu

Jeki PE laye , bi orogbo se npe

Jeki ferigi jobi

Ki wa fi opa tile gejegeje

Ifa o gbo o

Orunmila  o gbo

Ela osin o gbo

Edumare  tire lemi o ma se

Ase

Translation  of the above verse

The ocean is expansive  and extensive with infinite characteristics

The sea is mysterious and nebulous

The deep ocean is unclear , inexplorable and fill with mystery

The deep sea share the same character

Inexplicable belongs to the realm of divinities

Thus divine ifa oracle  for the mysterious head stone of ages

The elder  look aback

They discovered the mystery  embedded in life were inexplicable

They  bowed their head in prayer and respect

Shave their beads as an obeisance  to the divinity

Open their mouth in awe , calling the mysterious name of the Almighty

Using first twenty sets of orogbo

Gathering twenty sets of obi

Using them to cast  ifa oracle  for custodian of tradition

The mysterious head chief of ifa oracle  at the anciety city of Ife

The elder also gather another set of two hundred  fifty six orogbo

To cast ifa oracle for custodian of tradition

The chief priest of tradition at the spiritual place of existence

Thus divine ifa oracle  for sango arabambi

The divinity that intimidate death and her conhort

The lord strong in battle , blessed with long life

The formidable husband  of orogbo seller

Oh yee sango

The divinity that have the unique  eyes of orogbo

Never attack me and never destroy the wares of my mother

Let me live long , like orogbo , in the physical state of existence

Let me use my molar teeth to eat kolanuts

Let me reach old age with sound health  and walk with stick

Ifa , let your blessing radiate my life

Ela let your success be my lot

Oh God , bless my path , I shall serve you and adore you forever

Ase

The above verse shows the importance of orogbo , not just a special fruits of life , but an embodiment  of longevity , prosperity , sound health and success are given by OLODUMARE and his numerous divinity  from the beginning of creation .

IFA also states in various verses that Orunmila went back to search  for the fruits of orogbo , in an attempt to ensure eternal life in the physical state of existence . But Esu disturbed Orunmila saying , people will feel like God , if they do not ripe , grow and wither away like other fruits, seeds, plants . Death according to esu is one of the way , men look up to God for salvation and delivery from fear of death.  Indeed , life of every man should follow  the natural law of birth , growth , old age and crossing to the land of ancestors . The explanation of Esu was established on the premise of one facts, that growth entails replacement . 

Those who fail to grow either in stature , knowledge  and understanding and wisdom remain like immovable object in the universe, such as mountain and hills . Esu says , those who faithfully follow Olodumare and His numerous divinity with sound discipline during their life time  will be guided and blessed with long life and good health. They will be called the disciples of Olodumare , Eni Orisa , the follower of wisdom – onimo ifa . While those who fail to recognize their own existence  and lack discipline  attract the early penalty of death , suffering , losses, and generation curse. The beginning of life  starts from ENITOLODUN and the end is with Him , hence start your day and end your day with OLODUMARE  , that is God , start your life and end your life with God . Esu says , just like earthly life is filled with happiness and joy , remember that destruction and woos are present and surplus . 

Ignorance brings self destruction , knowledge of universal order of things through the tradition of ifa brings longevity , sound health and victory . Just like the weeds and the plant are available for the foolish and the wise , likewise the way to self destruction and victory are available to Ogbeeri – the fool , and The wise –awo .  The physical level and the spiritual level need a constant maintenance , that is , there must be flow of energy , lives and soul between the two level of existence . When this things , we see it as birth and death at these two levels.  Orunmila agreed but advised  that to minimize suffering , people must  live to old age , to be able  to take care of their loved ones , to be able to serve others, serve Irunmole and serve the Omni-Potent OLODUMARE , hence How then can we achieve this , through , initiations, propitiation , sacrifices, rituals , prayer , discipline , effort , spiritual and physical educations , and sustenance of tradition of IFA , all these combined are well articulated  and analysed through the use of Orogbo , the fruits of life and longevity .

According to IFA verse  under ogbe ofun

Ifa jebo naa o fin

Ela jebo naa o rode orun gbure gbure

Isu dape jale

O npo apa

Akere dapa tele

O pojo

Omo kekeke ni soro fun  agbalagba

Ki won o le baa rohun muje

Owo ni siwaju ijo

Opolopo oro ibanuje ni siwaju  ija

Orogbo asiwaju ebo

Orogbo a siwaju ebo emi gigun

Mo ti wa jorogbo , ko hun mi legbo

Egbe mi lorun , e wa gborogbo jê

Ki egbe aye , ki o le pe  lori ilê  isalaye

Mo ti forogbo Fe gbe , ki le pe laye

Ifa , mo ti se etutu , forisa , ki le fowo pawun

Ela oba bami tamori se

Ela o pitan

Bi oko ba da , alegbede ni ntun se

Ela o pitan ,o ba ba mi tamori se ,

Ela opita

Bi Ada ba da , alegbede ni ntun se

Ela o pitan , o ba ba mi tamori se

Ela o pitan

Translation of the above verse

Ifa let my sacrifice be accepted

Ela let my ritual goes up to the heaven above

The yam grows into tuber during planting

The toad  toil and stand on  the ground

And call for heavy rain to moist the ground

The little children after propitiation and sound spiritual and physical education grow

And offer ritual and gratitude to the elders

Such that the elders would not suffer with old age

The young supports  the leder and fend for them at old age

Stretching forward of the hand precede dancing

Evil utterance  and nagging precede dispute and chaos

The fruits of orogbo precedes all sacrifice

Eating of orogbo precedes longevity

I have eaten orogbo , let me have a strong voice , sound health and long life

The heavenly mates have accepted my sacrifice of orogbo

Let the earthily companion be blessed with longevity and sound health

I have given sacrifice to my heavenly or spiritual mates

Let me live long in the plain of existence

I have given orogbo to divinity

Let all divinities support my cause

Ela the greatest historian and the sage

Repair and remould my destiny

Whenever the hoe breaks , we give it to blacksmith for repairing

Oh ye , Ela , the illuminated ones, attract  greatness , success and blessing to me

Whenever the cutlass breaks

We give it to the blacksmith to repair

Oh , ye Ela , the historian of humanity , bless me with abundant success , progress and wealth

Ela opitan repair and remould my destiny

Let my destiny fulfill his mission at all level  of existence

Ase

Orogbo according to above explanation is an object that represents the uniqueness and unified energy and vibration  of Olodumare in our lives . If all necessary spiritual , physical , mental , moral and emotional obligation are followed , happy lot  , success ,  longevity and sound health will be out lot , that is the meaning of Orogbo .