ÈṢÙ IN IFÁ.

Èṣù is the ruler over the forces of darkness/evil. They are called Ajogúns in Yoruba mythology. 

Ajogúns are eight in number, they are Ikú, Àrùn, òfò, Ẹ̀wọ̀n, ọ̀ràn, èpè, Ẹ̀ṣe, Ẹ̀gbà. (Prof. Wande Abimbola).

From the above, it is convenient to say that Èṣù is Satan, because in the western idea, Satan is the Supreme evil force that is against the order of God almighty who is infinitely good.

But one major difference between the Yoruba worldview and the western worldview is that while the Western worldview posits Satan as an infinitely evil creature worthy of nothing but scorn, curse and perhaps a future annihilation, Yoruba worldview sees the constructive role that Èṣù plays in Olódùmarè's order. Èṣù is not considered as infinitely evil. He is seen as the enforcer of Olódùmarè's order. One whose disposition to you is based on your disposition to the order of Olódùmarè. 

For this, the Yoruba has found a way to coexist with this very powerful divinity that Olódùmarè has given the freedom to exist with the light that he created. Olódùmarè created light to coexist with darkness, in his wisdom, that they should together govern planetary affairs and that has been the case from the day the world was created.

Considering that Èṣù superintends over darkness being his own region, it is important to note that Olódùmarè did not create Èṣù. Èṣù is self-existing. The first very creation of Olódùmarè has to be Ọ̀rúnmìlà and then Ẹ̀là (Light). Olódùmarè did not create darkness but upon his creation of light, there was an arrangement for the co-existence of both phenomena. (Osamaro Ibie).

The position of the Yoruba culture to the existence of evil is different from that of the western culture. (Prof. Sophie Oluwole)

In philosophical paradigms, the Yoruba culture believes in the Binary Complimentary Framework, that is, the existence of Two opposite forces (realities) that are not opposing each other but compliment each other. This philosophical framework was set up by the wisdom of Olódùmarè - Ọ̀rúnmìlà for the benefit of the human race. It is the foundation upon which the yoruba spirituality is built. 

The Western Culture Philosophical Framework is known as Binary Opposition. This is what forms the basis of the western religion of Christianity. They believe in absolute good and absolute evil. They believe that the forces of good must completely destroy the force of evil. 

They believe nothing good comes from evil and nothing evil comes from good. This is what explains the stand that they take against those who do not share the same religious views as them. To them, Satan will be completely wiped out by God someday.

But this is not the knowledge we have of Èṣù in Ifá. 

Èṣù, though a very complex entity, one which can upset the best laid plans and also known as the king of mischief, was "defeated" by Ọ̀rúnmìlà from the beginning of time.

Olódùmarè realized that Èṣù would be a problem to the Irunmoles he has created and thus set up a test for them to know if they would be able to still achieve their goals even with the existence of Èṣù. Ọ̀rúnmìlà, through divination was able to know how to get by even with the unlimited power of Èṣù and his determination to upset whatever Olódùmarè creates. 

Upon the victory of Ọ̀rúnmìlà, Olódùmarè dubbed him the divinity of wisdom and thus Ọ̀rúnmìlà was he who brought the word of Olódùmarè (Ifá) from Ọ̀run to Ayé to teach both Irunmoles and Ènìyàn alike how to navigate the world without being hindered by Èṣù or any of the Evil forces.

Olódùmarè taught the Irunmoles a very big lesson in the test that he gave to them. The lesson that they took from there was that it is important to make sacrifices. It was the contest that instituted the wisdom of Ẹbọ in Ifá. Olódùmarè said that to get something, you must be willing to part with something.

In Ifá, only sacrifice can save. 

Rírú Ẹbọ ní ń gbe ni. 

This is why Ifá practitioners don't engage in fall down and down prayers against enemies. Ifá teaches us that all the Ajogúns are under Èṣù's command and once a person makes sacrifice, Èṣù tells the Ajogúns to back off.

Note this:

Olódùmarè instituted sacrifice, not Èṣù. 

Èṣù is to ensure that those who obey Olódùmarè's injunction to make sacrifices will get that which they have desired. 

Èṣù will also ensure that those who do not make sacrifice will suffer for not making the sacrifice. 

Olódùmarè instituted sacrifice not because he needs the sacrifice but because of Èṣù. 

Èṣù vowed to frustrate the creatures of Olódùmarè right from the very beginning of creation and it is in the wisdom of Olódùmarè that Èṣù keeps existing with his creatures, hence his intelligence made a way out in Ẹbọ.

This is the summary of the Yoruba spirituality.

So, is this Èṣù the same as Satan of the Bible? If he is, then the followers of the Bible will treat him differently from the way the followers of Ifá will treat him. 

The followers of the Bible believe that he is a temporal entity and that his time will soon come to an end. The followers of Ifá believe that he is a permanent entity and through Ẹbọ, humans and Irunmoles are going to learn to coexist with him from generation to generation, forever. 

He exists to punish the disobedient. 

He exists to reward the obedient. 

To Ifá practitioners, he is a law enforcement agent and as such, his role is very crucial to the sustainance of order in the universe structured upon the principle of sowing and reaping.

*If you have any questions you can ask*

*References: Àwọn Ojú Odù Merindinlogun by Wande Abimbola; Complete Works of Ọ̀rúnmìlà by Osamaro Ibie; Socrates and Ọ̀rúnmìlà: Two Patron Saints of Classical Philosophy by Sophie Oluwole.

Happy Èṣù Day!!!