Jimson Jaat: Culture

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.

"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.

Jimson Jaat Taofik

Facebook: Jimoh Taofik Adekunle

Twitter: @jimsonjaat01

Gmail: deskofinsanity96@gmail.com

Phone: 08144510532

For Art class students, do forget poppycock taught in secondary school about this ancient Brotherhood. Because we were taught what Ogboni Fraternity has never been about.

As it was all over the globe in the early times, creation of secret cult was a norm. These cults were created as deemed fit of society. Italian scientists, led by Galileo, created Illuminati. Americans till date has Masons. Yorùbá were not left out, they had Ogboni, the longest, most enduring and apex of ancient Brotherhood recognised all over Yorùbá lands. Time of creation remains unknown, due to its longetivity and the fact that Africans had no written documents.

Futhermore, no one can authoritatively beat chest and he knows all that's happening there, without being a member. Yet, all that's known of them is faithfully present thus:

In the olden days, Ogboni members were collections of elderly people in the Community. In fact, anyone less than 50 years old were not considered eligible members. And there seem to be little or no difference among the Cult chiefs and the chiefs in the Community. These chiefs held jurisdictional powers over the king. They advised, mediated, sanctioned king. Not only these, they had the power to dethrone king. Or, at worst, tell him to go "open the calabash."

The secret behind this "open of calabash" was: whenever the Community felt itself uder pressures and or duress due to the reign of a king, they simply put 'oodẹ' bird's eggs inside calabash as aroko (symbological message) to the reigning king. Once the later saw this, he knew what it meant: death.

Second mode of was, they asked the king to go "open and look inside the ancestrial crown."

Remember, the legendary tussle between Bashọrun Gaa and Àlàáfín Abiọdun Adegorolu? It's Gaa who incited other Ọ̀yọ́mesi against Àlàáfín Labisi, Awonbioju, Agboluaje and Majeogbe. They all commited suicide.

Ogboni was so powerful that, the Yorùbá people turned it to an axiom: "ọ fẹ́ jẹ ọba, ọọ ṣe Ogboni, olúwa rẹ yí o se ẹ̀mí ara rẹ lofo (You simply want to waste your life if you want to be king and not initiated into Ogboni Fraternity).

Even till date, powerful chieftainship titles in Ọ̀yọ́ lands, Ẹgbà, Ìjẹ̀bú, etc (such as Olúwo, Asipa, Apena) had Ogboni background.

However, the Cult has been bowed to the revolution of time in recency. For instance:

1. It's now open to both the young and old.

2. All forms of anarchism had been rectified in their laws.

3. It's being populated by politicians, musicians, business mogul.

4. it's now an inter-religious Cult.

The 3rd point above reminds one case of one famous, old-day Yorùbá on whose 8th day Prayer the Ogboni came to claim the corpse. They simply told the Alfas that the cadaver belonged to them. Same was the case of a popular young gospeler whose corpse was being fought over by his family on one part and secret society on the other.

The 4th point brings to mind inter alia words one Ogboni bigwig who said there are people of heirachy in the Fraternity, regardless of (facade) religions they represent to the outside world.

THE CULT MEETING

Ogboni meetings hold every 17 days (ọjọ́ mẹ́tadínlógún). Though days of meeting in every community (may) differ; it's tradition meetings hold has 16 days interval. Except for emergencies.

On the morning of the meeting, Chief Asipa (someone already designated with the chieftainship) would go and beat the sacred drum (àgbá) in Ilédi (the initiated coven. the full appelation being, Ilédi [àwọn ọmọ] àwo). By thus doing, all the members will be notified that they have meeting on that day.

Responsibilities of the meeting session is rotational among members of the cult. Someone who paid all the expenses for today's meeting may not be responsible for another for years; depending on numbers of the members.

Chief of these responsibilities being, organization of what the members will feast on (being financial implication). Such as ekuru (beans pudding), oolẹ/moin-moin and ẹ̀kọ (corn meal). Sometimes, they may pound yam, with lots of meat and fish. Kola and bitter nuts are inclusive. But, Palm wine is the only accepted drink.

'MOTHER BATH' - ANNUAL RITUALS

This takes place yearly. It starts with making spiritual enquiry from Ọrunmila about which date to choose on which 'Mother' would have her bath.

This is merely bathing of woodeen effigy of Ìyá Abẹni l'Óòtu Ìfẹ́. Aji má jẹ́ nkan tó leègun. Ìyá mi Abẹni tí jagun tí ẹ tíì m'òkè. Afinju Ìyá tíì so kujikuji mon ọwọ.

To bath 'Mother', they use leaves such as ọgbọ́, òtítọ́, ọdúndun, tẹ̀tẹ̀, ṣẹfunfun, shea butter and omi ìgbín. They sqeeze these leaves together, add shea butter and palm oil.

They now bring 'Mother' out and bath her with all these. Afterward, they ask 'Her' whatever they want for the coming year: health, wealth, children, etc.

When the Ritual bath is done, they start the Annual Celebration. They eat the food mentioned above. This celebration continue for 3 days after which they return 'Mother' to Òkè. Till next year. This, however, doesn’t stop the meetings.

I must admit I removed and obstruct

some details here, for secrecy and not very sure about them. Better remove than tell what's not.

THE DRESS CODE

Whenever they are going to the Meeting or some important social meeting, Ogboni members' dress code is always distinct.

While going to Meeting, they would wear white trousers, have another piece wrapped on their chest and wear one large hat. After this, they would have another piece put on shoulders. This last cloth is like the one priests put on shoulders. Then they would complement it with their staff. This staff is very noticeable and prominent. Reason being it has different statues engraved on its head.

These statues, however, make people have misconception that Ogboni members worship these statues. What difference it make to outsiders, who know them as idolaters; i.e worship of Abẹni statue?

If it's some important social gathering, they would neither wear the white trousers, wrap the cloth piece on chest nor wear the large hat, but after they have dressed up they mustn't forget the 'topper' cloth mentioned earlier, like the priests. This topper piece is the symbol of identity.

Also, it is a must that Ogboni members put red bead on the left hand. This is very, very essential. I repeat, very essential.

HOW THEY GREET ONE ANOTHER

By greeting they are known. If Mr. A sees Mr. B but Mr. B doesn’t see him, Mr. A would shout "ọmọ ìyá (my sibling)". Once Mr. B hears that he would naturally look Mr. A's direction and shout same greeting. And when they meet, they shake the left hands. There are some other words of greeting in this ancient brotherhood.

"What is known about Ogboni hands is their famous handshake. When they handshake, they use their left hand to do this. You should also say the following words: Ta ba fẹ bá ọwọ Ogboni, ọwọ osi la na, a na kan siwaju, a na kan saarin. Why do they use left hand? It’s simple! According to their belief – the left hand is for gods, and the right hand is for humans."

"Ọmọ Ìyá", bastardized "child of (same) mother (as me)" obviously refers to goddess Abẹni whose wodden effigy they worship.

AT MEETING

When a newcomer wants to come into the Iledi Awo before or during meeting he would knock the door thrice. Those inside would answer:

Question: Taní nkan'lẹ̀kùn (who is knocking?)

Answer: Emi olùkan ni (it is I the knocker)

Question: Kíni o fi ń kan (with what are you knocking)?

Answer: Eku méjì oluwere (two rats of swift rapidity)