Just like any other tribe of mankind the Yorùbá had fomulated their philosophies based on observations and experiences with natural (physical) and metalphysical phenomena.
What is notably lacked is merely documentation because Yorùbá didn't know the art of writing.
There are no hiccups about God's Divinity and monotheism. In face the Yorùbá believes they are monotheistic in belief.
However, HE is too grand to approach so they formed gods as 'staircase' to reach HIS Holiness. And do they form gods? Apotheosis.
What's apotheosis? Dan Brown gives an extensive explaination of the phenomenon thus:
"The largest painting in US Capitol building is called 'The Apotheosis of Washington'. And it clearly depicts George Washington being transformed into a god.
"This transformation of man into God is called apotheosis. Whether or not aware of it, this theme—transforming man into god—is the core element in this Rotunda’s symbolism. Apotheosis. Yes. He knows. “The word apotheosis literally means ‘divine transformation’—that of man becoming God. It’s from the ancient Greek: apo—‘to become,’ theos—‘god.’
"The Apotheosis of Washington—a 4,664-square-foot fresco that covers the canopy of the Capitol Rotunda—was completed in 1865 by Constantino Brumidi. Known as “The Michelangelo of the Capitol,” Brumidi had laid claim to the Capitol Rotunda in the same way Michelangelo had laid claim to the Sistine Chapel, by painting a fresco on the room’s most lofty canvas—the ceiling. Like Michelangelo, Brumidi had done some of his finest work inside the Vatican. Brumidi, however, immigrated to America in 1852, abandoning God’s largest shrine in favor of a new shrine, the U.S. Capitol, which now glistened with examples of his mastery—from the trompe l’oeil of the Brumidi Corridors to the frieze ceiling of the Vice President’s Room. And yet it was the enormous image hovering above the Capitol Rotunda that most historians considered to be Brumidi’s masterwork.
"This transformation of man into God is called apotheosis. Whether or not aware of it, this theme—transforming man into god—is the core element in this Rotunda’s symbolism. Apotheosis. Yes. He knows. “The word apotheosis literally means ‘divine transformation’—that of man becoming God. It’s from the ancient Greek: apo—‘to become,’ theos—‘god.’
"Nearby, you can see a strange, anachronistic series of figures: ancient gods presenting forefathers with advanced knowledge. There’s Minerva giving technological inspiration to our nation’s great inventors—Ben Franklin, Robert Fulton, Samuel Morse. And over there is Vulcan helping us build a steam engine. Beside them is Neptune demonstrating how to lay the transatlantic cable. Beside that is Ceres, goddess of grain and root of our word cereal; she’s sitting on the McCormick reaper, the farming breakthrough that enabled this country to become a world leader in food production. The painting quite overtly portrays American forefathers receiving great wisdom from the gods."
Take some time off to read stories of Ogun, Ọṣùn, Ọba, Ọya, Sango, Sanponna, Ọ̀runmìlà, etc. You will realise they were humans. Flesh, blood and bones. They lived normal human lives before they were deified. (Check my writeup, IRE-ÈKÌTÌ: FULL STORY OF ÒGÚN, YORÙBÁ GOD OF WAR for the full story of Ogun and that of Ọ̀yọ́ for excerpts on lives of Ogun, Sango and Ọya).
On the same vein, Yorùbá made notes of some phenomenal; acts, creations, manners. For examples:
- Lẹyin lẹ́yìn ni èwe Olóbe ń so - Olóbe bears fruits behind leaves.
- Atọlẹdọlẹ ni ti Àdán - Bats are mysterously in folds. This means, when a bat is cut another bat would be found in its belly and if that one is cut another one would be found.
Also worth of note is the Rule of Firsts. In Yorùbá mythology, there are mention of the firsts; first persons to do some things. Olubikin was the first to use pluck leaves (for medication), Ọsanyinbikin was the first to use roots for same purpose, Arọnimaja (praised as 'Arọni gbọnra jìgì dẹrú oògùn nu') was the first to thrust an herbalist in dare, Abikú ọmọ Olóṣèerena was the first person to slap a mosquerade in the face..... (Ọsanyinbikin and Olubikin are said to be among the 16 elders that stand 4-4 at the four cardinal corners of the World).
These are woven together to make incantations, idioms, proverbs, etc. You just need to listen well whenever the aforementioned are being recited. And you will find that they were genuinely formed courtesy of genius observations.
However, when the conflicting personae are These are used as occultic questions when incantations are exhausted. These questions are used in three (3) ways: to seek and or grant permission, to test knowledge in cultism and conquer opposition. For the example of the first two, please read my submission, 'OGBONI FRATERNITY, ALL THAT IS IN SECRECY'.
Amongst related questions are:
- Q: Olubikin was the first to use pluck leaves (for medication), Ọsanyinbikin was the first to use roots for same purpose, Arọnimaja (praised as 'Arọni gbọnra jìgì dẹrú oògùn nu') was the first to thrust an herbalist in dare, which grounding stone was used?
A: The grounding stone was brought by Arọnimaja. He picked it from God's backyard and returned it there. He himself died at God's backyard and was buried there. He was buried where he died.
- Q: Tááni onílé (who is the owner of the House)?
A: (It’s Ọ̀runmila. He swallowed House from Heavens and vomited the house when he got to the earth. Ifá the Oracle is the owner of the house) . Alapo ìjà. Ó gbé ilé mi láti ọrùn, ó pọ nígbà tí ó dé àiyè. Ifá ni onílé.
- Q: Who owns the outside?
A: It’s Ògún, Yorùbá God of War and Iron. Làákàyè to bá ọkọ sì ojú iná to pá ìyàwó ẹ sì ẹyin ààrò (he killed the husband on the burning embers and the wife on beside the traditional three-stone kitchen)
- Q: Who is the owner of children?
A: It’s the witches. Àwọn ìyá mi ni Ọlọ́mọ. The earthly mothers that used bands to hold children so they shouldnt fall. They used bands to back children without letting the child touch the ground.
Q: Tááni ọlọja (who are the owners of market?)
A: It’s Ajé, Yorùbá goddess of Wealth. Obìnrin kẹ́tẹ́pẹ́ to rídì jókòó ọjà. Iṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀de obìnrin Inajá. Ajé ni Ọlọja.
Q: How many are warlords in Earth and Heaven?
A: Five. Their names Ọmọlaárọ, Ẹ̀ka Orosun, Ajákúnna, Ọlánùurẹ wọlẹ and Idàkọ tíì gùn ọmọ lẹsẹ.
Q: How many are World holders?
A: They are 16. And they stand 4-4 in the 4 Cardinal Corners of the world.
Q: Who are blacksmiths of the world and heaven?
A: Kọbawo, also known as Láàni is the heavenly blacksmith and Ogun is the worldly blacksmith.
(c) Jimoh Taofik Adekunle
Jimson Jaat Taofik
Facebook: Jimoh Taofik Adekunle
Twitter: @jimsonjaat01
Gmail: deskofinsanity96@gmail.com
Phone: 08144510532
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