Odù-Ifá; Ọ̀wọ́nrín Ògùndá explains; Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (Primordials / Ones Progenitors)

def. primordial
adjective
existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval : the primordial oceans.
• (esp. of a state or quality) basic and fundamental

def. progenitor
noun
a person or thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended or originates; an ancestor or parent : his sons and daughters were the progenitors of many of Scotland's leading noble families.
• a person who originates an artistic, political, or intellectual movement : the progenitor of modern jazz.



This Odù Ifá teaches us the order in which we ought to pay our reverence and to whom we owe gratitude when praying on behalf of oneself or pleading on behalf of another persons case.
More-so, when deliberating on an issue, we first need to throughly investigate the matter, meaning to look at all-angles before bringing the matter before our Ọrìṣà. The reason is, in certain cases the matter can be dealt with within the Ancestral realm, or when checking ones Ori (including Iwa-Character), or even the way someones relations are with ones parents or how they interact with their spouse.

Furthermore, Ifá teaches us here that the way one lives their life on Earth (respecting Nature Herself) needs a through investigation, as well as inspecting if one is living according to ones Destiny (namely following ones taboo, see earlier blog on taboo HERE)

The meaning of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe becomes clear once hearing this Ifá recited. It clarifies what is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, and what also constitute as ones Ìṣẹ̀ṣe. The verse also states that Ilẹ̀ Aiyé (Mother Earth) is ones Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, Ikin-Ifá (sacred palm) is ones Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, along with ones parents and elders. These individuals have knowledge and ought to have the vested interest & maturity to advise one or lead them on the rightful path.

With this understanding we come to see the correlation between the Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (Primordial supportive Progenitors ) and the Ọrìṣà, had it not been for these collective Ìṣẹ̀ṣe the essence of the Ọrìṣà would not derive the same foundational understanding, meaning the knowledge of the Ọrìṣà came from another source, lack of that other source we would have never known of the Ọrìṣà or be able to appease them appropriately.

It is our Ìṣẹ̀ṣe that has gifted us that knowledge and ability to honour our Ọrìṣà. In Brazil they say, "if we have no ancestors we could not have Ọrìṣà", meaning it was those that came before us that made us to know of the Ọrìṣà, had they not done this, none of us would know of there existence.

So in response to the many questions people have asked for clarity of what is Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, and the purpose of last weekends Ìṣẹ̀ṣe day (Aug 20th, 2011) activities in Yoruba land, I hope this sheds some light….


Ifá in Odù Ọ̀wọ́nrín Ògùndá says;
....
díá fún Ìṣẹ̀ṣe
tíí ṣe olórí Orò n'Ífẹ
njẹ́ kínni Ìṣẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Ọ̀lódùmarè ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Orí ẹni ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Ikin Ifá ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Ilẹ̀ Aiyé ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Ìyà ẹni ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Bàbá ẹni ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Okó ni ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Òbò ni ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Olúwo ẹni ni Ìsẹ̀ṣe ẹni
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe

Ẹ jẹ́ ká bọ Ìsẹ̀ṣe ò Olówó
Iṣẹ̀ṣe là bá bọ
kàí tèní b'Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe
Ìsẹ̀ṣe ni Bàbá ètùtù......




Divined for Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Progenitors)
The leader of the Orò society of ancient Ífẹ
They asked, what is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe?
Ọ̀lódùmarè is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

Ones Orí (Destiny) is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

Ones Ikin Ifá (ones personal Odù) is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

Ilẹ̀ Aiyé (Mother Earth/Nature) is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

Ones own Mother is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

ones own Father is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

Vagina (likely referring to ones marital relations within home or ones mother genital) is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

Penis (likely referring to ones marital relations within home or ones father genital) is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

ones Olúwo ("Elder Priest") is ones Ìsẹ̀ṣe
It is Ìsẹ̀ṣe we ought to appease
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà, Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)

Please let us appease Ìsẹ̀ṣe (Primordials)
Before appeasing any Ọrìṣà
Ìsẹ̀ṣe is the Progenitor of all ètùtù (appeasements)

This Ifá stanza not only explains the root of Ìsẹ̀ṣe, as taught in Odù Ọ̀wọ́nrín Ògùndá, but also teaches us we ought to not over-burden the Ọrìṣà when often times the matter can be dealt with or resolved by approaching it in a different way, or making personal lifestyle adjustments.
Furthermore not overemphasizing the importance of ritual sacrifice but introspection and self-examination.


Àbọrú Àbọyè
Awo Ifálojú
www.Ifaspeaks.alawoye.com