Eji Ogbe est-il un dieu ?

Non. C'est le premier et le plus élevé des Odu Ifa, les signes de la divination yoruba. On l'appelle roi des Odu et père des autres signes, mais il désigne une figure divinatoire, pas une divinité.

Pourquoi est-il le premier des Odu ?

Un récit d'Ifa raconte qu'Ogbe se contenta de recevoir la tête lors d'un partage. Olodumare décréta que celui qui détient la tête serait roi, car la tête gouverne le corps, ce qui fit d'Eji Ogbe le chef des signes.

Que signifie Eji Ogbe lors d'une consultation ?

Il est lié à la lumière du jour, aux commencements et à la clarté, et il est réputé très favorable. Rattaché à l'Ori, la tête intérieure qui porte la destinée, il annonce généralement des bénédictions pour le consultant.

Back to the Codex

EJI OGBE

ally

God

☥ SpiritYoruba →Yoruba — YorubaElder

Gender: MasculineSign: roi des divinités

Eji Ogbe, also noted Ogbe Meji or Ejiogbe, is not a deity but the first and most important of the Odu Ifa, the figures or signs of the Yoruba divination system called Ifa. The Ifa corpus counts 256 Odu, of which sixteen are principal, and Eji Ogbe holds the first place. He is nicknamed the king of the Odu as well as the father of the other signs. His name refers to the figure formed by two identical imprints of Ogbe, placed side by side. One narrative explains his primacy. Charged with receiving a share at a division, Ogbe contented himself with an animal's head while the others took the best pieces. Olodumare then decreed that the one who holds the head would be king, for the head is the king of the body. Eji Ogbe is associated with the light of day, with beginnings, order and clarity, and he is closely bound to the Ori, the inner head that bears destiny. He generally announces blessings for the person consulted.

Powers & Attributes

king of the deities

Role in the ROHO universe

Voice of its pantheon. EJI carries the memory of its tradition and weaves a thread into the Mabioni. Bound to the Yoruba pantheon.

Sacred Mask

An ancient ritual mask of sacred wood, old metal and black stone, engraved with symbols of king of the deities, embodiment of the power of Eji Ogbe

Era

Ancient cycle

Frequently asked questions

Is Eji Ogbe a god?

No. He is the first and highest of the Odu Ifa, the signs of Yoruba divination. He is called king of the Odu and father of the other signs, but he designates a divinatory figure, not a deity.

Why is he the first of the Odu?

An Ifa narrative tells that Ogbe contented himself with receiving the head at a division. Olodumare decreed that the one who holds the head would be king, for the head governs the body — which made Eji Ogbe the chief of the signs.

What does Eji Ogbe mean in a consultation?

He is bound to the light of day, to beginnings and to clarity, and he is reputed very favourable. Attached to the Ori, the inner head that bears destiny, he generally announces blessings for the consultant.

Related spirits

BAYANNI ELEDA ERE

Sources and references

William Bascom, Ifa Divination: Communication Between Gods and Men in West Africa, 1969
Wande Abimbola, Ifá: An Exposition of Ifá Literary Corpus, 1976