Meaning of Obara Yekun in the Diloggún
- This is where Obatalá sent for the monkeys to thank them, and they did not come because of faults of their own.
- This is where the servant imposes himself upon the master.
- This is the Ifá of the gallinuelas (marsh hens).
- It points to trouble at work; the person seeks position, security and money.
- Kaferefun Yemayá ati Obatalá.
- Here Olofin would go to gather herbs in the garden of aromatic plants, and he would become entranced by the scent, living in mental fantasies.
- Here the smoking of opium and marijuana was born.
- Here Olofin condemned woman to live forever dragged along behind man.
- Brown stockings are not to be worn.
- This science or religion has not quite convinced the person.
- It marks loss of memory.
- The person must kofibori three times in a row.
- Whoever tries to shame this person will suffer the same disgrace.
- The person must not get involved in matters of Palo.
- One should keep pati yaga (San Lázaro in Palo).
- His Ifá must hold a hand, a dagger and a ruler, all made of wood.
- To bring about iré (good fortune), three jío jío are taken, passed over the board, one is given to each street corner and another to shilekun ilé with Elegbara, and it is cast into the street.
- The awo bathes with efun and orí.
- You have many arayes (strife) and evil eyes upon you.
- They are going to send for you to offer you owo or a job; before going, perform ebbó so that things work out.
- You are crafty and given to trickery.
- You are not well; you have no memory.
- You are never content with what you have.
- Money draws your attention far too much. Because of money, death could reach you before your time.
- There is an Eggun pursuing you.
- In this Ifá is where the ayapa (the turtle) is cursed.
- In the end the person must come dragging themselves to the foot of Osha.
- Under this Ifá, however much one advances, one never reaches the top.
- Under this Ifá an ayapa is given at the door at twelve midnight, singing: Baraniyeto Olofin akano. Baramiyeto Olofin akano. With this the letter is destroyed.
- Receive San Francisco and do not covet so much money.
- You have many arayes and evil eyes upon you.
- This Ifá forbids climbing stairs and carrying heavy loads, because the person may slip.
- You dreamed of a dead person and it troubles you; you owe them something — have a mass said for them and attend to them, and do not be stubborn, so that nothing is lost.
- Beware of slips and falls.
Born in this sign
The smoking of opium and marijuana.
What this sign indicates
- That you must respect the daughters of Oshún, and the favor you do will be your grace for the rest of your life.
- You love money more than your own life, and that is why you want to leave the place where you work, because they pay you little.
- Where you live there is a person with sores on their feet; that person is the one who will save you, or has saved you already.
- You dreamed of a dead person, and that spirit follows you because of something you owe them; have a mass said for them.
- You do not treat your mother well, nor anyone in your family.
- Change the water you have kept standing in a vessel for days.
- You are locked in a dispute with someone, and to prevail you must perform ebbó.
Advice and warnings
- Do not climb stairs or help anyone lift a heavy weight.
- You are never content and always want more.
- Do not argue with anyone, and do not stand in high places, because you could fall and break an arm.
- Be careful with Oshún; take care that money does not end up killing you.
- Do not go out into the street until seven days have passed, because someone is waiting for you at the four or five street corners with a knife.
- Do not drink; you have offended someone.
The traditional reading of this sign also warns about the following:
- To be careful with an ailment in a finger.
Proverbs
- El criado se le quiere imponer al amo. The servant tries to impose himself upon his master.
- No se puede almorzar sin desayunar. One cannot eat lunch without first eating breakfast.
- Zapatero a tus zapatos. Shoemaker, keep to your shoes: attend to your own trade.
Patakíes of Obara Yekun
This is where the servant imposed himself upon the master
Prayer: Que Que Ere Oma Aye Nibo Aye Okuparade Akupe Ge Ge Isupa Shere Lorobo Ida Agetan Ebegua Ayapa Akuko Lebo.
Ebbó: Freidera, escalerita, akuko, adie meyi, cazuela de caldo, ñame, epo y se pone en la loma.
Ebbó: Eure, ishu, emefa, akoide.
On this path there was a shoemaker whose situation was very bad — so bad, in fact, that he decided to pass himself off as a doctor to solve his household’s troubles, since many people came to his house for consultations, as he had gained a reputation as a physician. But one day the king fell gravely ill, and to be treated he summoned the shoemaker who was posing as a doctor.
When the king realized the shoemaker was not a real doctor, he asked him directly whether he was one, and the man, nervous, confessed that he was not and that he had lied out of need. The king told him that if he managed to cure him he would receive a great reward, but if he failed, he would pay for the deception with his life.
The impostor was frightened and confessed the truth. The king then told him to return to his town, where a great surprise awaited him. When the man arrived in his town, he discovered a great shoe factory fitted with every modern advance — and it was for him. From that day on, the shoemaker became the finest in his town and lived happily with his family, all thanks to the king, Obatalá.
This is where Obatalá gave thanks to the monkeys, and they did not come to thank him because of faults of their own.
Obatalá sent for the monkeys
Prayer: Obara Yeku Oma Ere Oma Aye, Oma Aye Apuparade Apupe Gege Ihu Apashare, Orunla Lorobo Ida Agutan Ebema Ayada, Akuko Lebo.
This is where Obatalá sent for the monkeys to give them thanks, and they did not come, because of faults of their own.
Works and ebbó of Obara Yekun
Works of Obara Yeku
- Work for iré
- Three jío jío are taken and passed over the atepon of Ifá; one is given to each street corner and the other at shilekun ilé with Elegbá, and it is cast into the street. The awo bathes with efun and orí.
- Work
- An ayapa is given to Shangó; it is ground to powder and mixed with yefa to anoint the face. Ebbó is performed with 2 adie, two akuko, earth from worms, building materials and 4 stakes.
- Ebbó
- A frying pan, a small ladder, akuko, two adie, a pot of broth, yam, epó (palm oil), and it is placed on a hill.
- Ebbó
- Eure, ishu, ewefa, aikordie, $12.90.
- Remedy to heal sores
- Cooking oil with plenty of cundinamor and itamorreal leaves. It is crushed well, the juice is extracted and blended with the oil; the skin is washed with almacigo, and then the poultice is applied until the sores heal.
Prayers and suyeres of Obara Yekun
Liturgical material transcribed from the source manuscripts; it is preserved verbatim.
Prayer
Quequeere Oma Ere Oma Alle Oibo Oma Alle Akuparare Acupe Ge Ge Ibupa Chere Lorubo Ida Agatan Ebegua Ayapa Akuko Lebo.
Orishas in this sign
The orishas that the letter itself links to this sign, according to what the source records:
- Elegbá — To bring about iré, three jío jío are taken, passed over the board, one is given to each street corner and another to shilekun ilé with Elegbara, and it is cast into the street.
- Obatalá — This is where Obatalá sent for the monkeys to thank them, and they did not come because of faults of their own.
- Oshún — Respect the daughters of Oshún and the favor you do.
Other aspects
Ewé of this sign
Embeleso, almacigo, itamorreal, cundiamor, mangle prieto.
Obara Yeku Kekere Oma Aye Eri Omi Aye Aibo Oma Aye Apuparere Apupe Gogo Ikú Opawewe Iku Apashere Orunla Lorugbo Ida Agutan Ebewa Ayapa, Akuko Lebo.