ABORU ABOYE
Aboru Aboye (ah boh ruu|ah boh yay) is a traditional greeting exchanged between Ifa initiates or Babalawos. To this greeting, the second party will respond Ogbo Ato. Aboru Aboye comes from the Holy Odu Scripture of Ogunda Meji.
The full greeting is Aboru Aboye Abosise. All three words are given the general meaning of long life, prosperity, and general well wishes, but its truest meaning expands to a depth often unknown or kept secret. Each word is considered a “knock” on the secret door, to which the initiate will “open” with his response, Ogbo Ato Asure Iwori Wo Fun.
ARABA
The Araba in Yoruba Tradition is a very important chieftaincy title. He is second-in-command to Oluwo, as his title is given to him by the Oluwo.
ASE
Aṣe is uttered after prayers and incantations. It translates to: “So let it be/May it be so”.
The force and power and motivation behind any spiritual manifestation. Ase also refers to one’s spiritual “Command” or Power which assures the manifestation of utterances.
Babalawo
Baba + oni + awo = Babalawo – or- Father (Owner) of Secrets.
This person is an earthly representative of Orunmila, the Orisha of Wisdom and owner of the Ifa divination system.
The Babalawo is the keeper of secrets, knowledge, and wisdom of the Ifa tradition.
To gain this title, one must go through extensive training under the tutelage of a highly experienced and competent Babalawo.
During this process of training, the student is called an Awo. Once he has gained experience and becomes well-versed in the vast wisdom of Ifa, he becomes independent and is now called a Babalawo.
EGBE
Egbe are Astral Mates who are Heavenly spirits believed to dwell between the “Heavenly” and Earthly realms, and watches over it’s spiritual twin on Earth.
Due to contractual agreements made between the human’s spirit and his society before coming to earth not being fulfilled, some egbe will often “disturb” the lives of their mates on earth.
It is possible to become “initiated” (to contact and remain in contact with one’s Egbe, reverse the contract and have it work positively for the human in his/her life on Earth, and placate the Egbe in the realms) into Egbe in order to break or nullify these spiritual contract agreements.
Eṣu
Yoruba divinity (Orisa/Demi God/Deity) of the earth. He is considered the world police and governor. He is the closest messenger to God in the Orisa tradition.
He is also known as a trickster spirit, wise beyond belief and uses this wisdom to outsmart everyone for a greater purpose.
Ifa
Ifa is a divination system used by the Babalawo and/or Iyanifa. The oracle is owned by the Yoruba God of Wisdom, Orunmila.
Ikin
A black nut from the sacred Palm Tree used as an oracle of Ifa by a Babalawo or Ifa initiate.
Igbodu
A grove built from sacred leaves used during Ifa initiations.
Iṣeṣe
Spiritual and traditional practice of Yorubas (i.e. Orisha and Ifa worship).
Itefa
The process of being initiated into the Ifa tradition.
Odu Ifa
Odu Ifa is an Ifa Corpus. It is the poetry of the Yoruba divination system, Ifa, generally recited by the Babalawo or Iyaanifa.
Olódùmarè is the Supreme Creator.
Olókun: is the Orisa (god/goddess of the sea), who dwells at the deep bottom of the ocean.