Oròrò Ifá; The Narrator within Ifá context

Narrator (def.)
One who tells a story. In a work of fiction the narrator determines the story's point of view. If the narrator is a full participant in the story's action, the narrative is said to be in the first person. A story told by a narrator who is not a character in the story is a third-person narrative.
Cultural Definition: Narrator
A person who tells a story; in literature, the voice that an author takes on to tell a story. This voice can have a personality quite different from the author's.

What is Oròrò within Ifá
Similarly to the dictionary definition, Ifá teaches us that the Plea (see prior post: Plea enlisting Collab...) performed by a Priest acting on behalf of a petitioner / supplicant, to the listening "Ear" of the Divinity (Orìṣà, Ẹlẹ̀dá etc).
Thus Oròrò is likened to the western defined Narrator; third party explaining a situation and delivering a clear message, avoiding ambiguity on behalf of petitioner.
In some cases, when the matter may be of a more personal nature, or may even be a specific Plea the worshipper is making on behalf of themselves. This act takes on yet another dimension of first-person narrative, however, still remains a narration in the context of the definition.

In both examples, the dictionary definition of what is a Narrator and the Ifá concept of Oròrò remain consistent.

Furthermore, in the Narrator (Cultural Definition) listed in the dictionary (above, second paragraph), similarly, the Oròrò within Ifá, during specific occasions highlights the nature of the Plea event with a voice relevant to the occasion. An example is with a poetic dirge recitation (called Ifá Sìsùn). Once again the Narrator performing the recitation, will alter tonal voice befitting the occasion, as a story teller.

An example from within Ifá
IrosùnGbèMí says;

Oròrò ( the Narrator ),
I will surely Narrate (my wishes)
these were the Ifa Priest who consulted Ifa for Ọ̀runmìlà
when going on a teaching mission to ile gbanja
he was advised to perform ritual,
he performed all the rites
Ọ̀runmìlà declared*;
now, I am in Love with Longevity
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love of Longevity, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Perfect Health
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love of Perfect Health, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Well Being
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love of Well Being, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Wealth of Knowledge
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love of Wealth of Knowledge, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Financial Success
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love of Financial Success, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Home Ownership
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love for Home Ownership, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Spouse
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love for Spouse, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Off-Spring (Children)
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love for Off-Spring (Children), Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with Peace
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love for Peace, Oròrò
Ọ̀runmìlà declared;
now, I am in Love with all Good Things
Ifá has come to Narrate
I too have come to Narrate
Oròrò (the Narrator), Ifa will surely Narrate,
Oròrò, I too have come to Narrate my Love of all Good Things, Oròrò

This is Oròrò the Narrative Declaration within Ifá.

Àború Àboyẹ

Awo Ifálojú
www.alawoye.com
twitter @alawoye

I will continue to discuss several aspects of contextualize ritual from within Ifá, using the Odù-Ifá (oral literature) as framework.
We have already discussed in IrosùnỌ̀sá; importance of heeding Ifá-Oracle advice, and more recently A Plea; enlisting Collaborative Support from Odù-Ifá OgbeAte.

I hope you find these articles informative & continue following Ifá Speaks blog (post your comments & blog topics), as we move to bring other aspects of the deeper ideas within Ifá to the foreground. I am also preparing to relaunch the popular Eko Ifa Podcast (Eko'fa - Ifa studies podcast on iTunes) after a long unplanned absence, I have heard your complaints & request to reinstate the podcast session, thank you for being patience.

Stay connected, stay blessed

Awo Ifálojú

IrosùnỌ̀sá; importance of heeding Ifá-Oracle advice...

One example from Odù-Ifá, IrosùnỌ̀sá,

Ifá teaches us the importance of heeding the advice of the Divine Oracle (Ifá). This is the story of Ọ̀runmìlà & the then 800+1 Orisa that were all seeking for prominence & entry into the Earthly realm to occupy a dignified place.

Ifá says:
...The Head (Orí) should be accorded His due
All collectives must have Olórí (A Leader)
This was the Ifá message to Ọ̀runmìlà and the 800+1 Orìṣà
Who were contesting for position on the Earth
they were told to perform ebo and render annual tribute to Olódùmarè
it was only Ọ̀runmìlà who performed the complete ẹbo


Olódùmarè was placing the necessary Àṣẹ upon those who came seeking, yet intentionally did not disclose all the attributes needed in order to prove worthy of attaining this Àṣẹ.
The intent of Olódùmarè was to see which of the Orìṣà would perform appropriate rituals and heed the advice of the Oracle, such a deity would understand the importance of undergoing divination and following the advice, prescriptions and rituals needed. This combination of advice(s) is the word of Olódùmarè and Olódùmarè true intent, failure to follow ALL the "intent" would result in one issue or the other, thus incomplete.
It was only Ọ̀runmìlà who not only sought the advice of the Oracle, but also completely ingested its advice. Including the appropriate disposition needed to truly embody the characteristics of Olódùmarè, acting as Olódùmarè representative on Earth.

This Ifá-Oracle advice as with many Odù-Ifá, tells Humans our lives need order and divine intervention (advice), in order to capture the true intent of our Purpose here on Earth.

Aboru'boye