Obara Meji As Documented by Baba Ayo Salami (ibae), with Interpretations by Awo Falokun Fatunmbi

Osolo the priest of Awòn
Casts divination for Awòn
On the day he was going to wash his Orí of wealth in
the river

Commentary:  Obara is the Odu that incarnates humility in the struggle with arrogance.  For those who are struggling to find abundance cleaning away the negative effects of arrogance is the first step towards accessing your ability to create abundance.

Would it be easier for me? He asked
They told him that it would be easy for him
But he was advised to perform sacrifice to Òsun

Commentary:  Osun as the wife of Sango creates a balance between the strong leadership skills of Sango that can lead to arrogance and the generosity of Osun which is rooted in a genuine concern for others.

He offered the sacrifice
Life then pleased him
He started having children
He afterwards took all his children to Òsun
‘Death must not kill the child of Awòn’, they
Instructed.

Commentary: The word Awon means them, it is a reference to being a part of a community.  Taking your children to Osun implies teaching your children the value of generosity and concern for others.  This is a fundamental step in the process of building healthy community.

Life pleased them so much
Òsun took good care of him and his children
And also petted them all

Commentary:  The word petted is not the best translation the inference here is that Osun loved and nurtured her children which again is the foundation for creating community.

He was dancing and rejoicing
He was praising his Babaláwo
His Babaláwo was praising Ifá
He said it was as his Babaláwo had said
Osolo; the priest of Awòn
Casts divination for Awon
On the day he was going to wash his Orí of wealth in
the river
Osolo; is here really
He is the priest of Awòn
Don’t you all know that good Orí is what Awòn washes in the river

Commentary:  This is the oriki ire and it asks for the ori to be cleaned so it can return to its original state of being blessed by Creation.

Obara as a topographical metaphor is the ability of the world around us to transform itself based on evolving conditions.  It is the idea that the universe is a living thing constantly creating new dynamics and new information.  The blessing of Ifa is that it teaches how to communicate with the Universe in a language we understand.

Ire,
Awo Falokun Fatunmbi