WHO IS ÈṢÙ?

The character called Èṣù can be a confusionist, master trickster and a trouble maker. 

But he uses these attributes in a predictable manner. 

This was a code that Ọ̀rúnmìlà, by reason of his being present with Olódùmarè at the moment of creation (Ẹlẹ́rìí Ìpín), was able to reveal to his followers, the Babaláwos. Before Ọ̀rúnmìlà came to the scene, the children of Irunmoles and the children of men alike had trouble dealing with Èṣù who was always causing troubles for them through this aforementioned nature of his.

Olódùmarè conducted a test in the spirit realm for all the divinities before sending them to earth to know which of them will be able to solve a problem created by Èṣù. All the divinities failed save Ọ̀rúnmìlà.

Ọ̀rúnmìlà was able to use Ẹbọ as an instrument to get Èṣù to become his friend.

Ẹbọ, (sacrifices and atonement) is today a crucial part of all major religions of the world and we can say it stemmed out of this early prescription of Ọ̀rúnmìlà to the early Wisemen (spiritual, philosophical, introspective men) thousands of years ago.

When Èṣù receives Ẹbọ, he can present false information to be true to the advantage of the person who has made the Ẹbọ and he can present true information to be false to the advantage of the person who makes ẹbọ.

He can confuse the counsel of your enemy in order to get them to back off and where necessary, if your enemy has to die for you to move ahead in life, they will die - Provided you make Ẹbọ. 

Èṣù doesn't side with either the good person or the bad person, because in reality, the definition of good and bad is subjective, dependent upon your finite and transient perception which is susceptible to change. Èṣù sides with the person that makes the requisite Ẹbọ as prescribed by Ifá, the only eternal unchanging thing.

But how does Ẹbọ come into being? 

Ẹbọ came into being at the instance of Olódùmarè who taught the divinities through Ọ̀rúnmìlà how to ward off the machinations of Èṣù. 

If you come to Ọ̀rúnmìlà, Olódùmarè's own witness, Ọ̀rúnmìlà will consult Ifá (Olódùmarè's living word) for you and Ifá will reveal what you have to do in Ẹbọ and/or Ìkìlọ̀ (warning) to advance your cause.

Èṣù therefore waits for your response to the word of Olódùmarè. It is your disposition to the word of Olódùmarè that determines what side of Èṣù you will see - either the supporting side or the obstructing side. "Èṣù supports whoever makes Ẹbọ" is a principal canon in Ifá Religion.

According to Dr. Osamaro Ibie (deceased), Olódùmarè didn't create Èṣù but Èṣù existed autonomously as the ruler over the primordial darkness which was the original state of the universe before the creation of light. Upon the creation of light by Olódùmarè, an agreement was struck between Olódùmarè and Èṣù, where Èṣù said would be able to move freely within Olódùmarè's creation and do as he pleases. Olódùmarè conceded and life (creation) began (continued). 

After a while, Èṣù's notorious nature amongst the creation of Olódùmarè got Olódùmarè concerned and he* had to find a solution to the troubles Èṣù was formenting. This was why Ẹbọ (as discovered by Ọ̀rúnmìlà in the heavenly contest I mentioned earlier) was instituted. 

Ọ̀rúnmìlà was then sent to the world to be the voice of Olódùmarè concerning the issues affecting the lives of ALL creatures and to bring solutions to their troubles. 

This institution of Ẹbọ made Ọ̀rúnmìlà and Èṣù close pals where Èṣù then became a useful messenger to Ọ̀rúnmìlà and by extension Olódùmarè. In essence, the Almighty Olódùmarè found constructive use for the all radical Èṣù.

I learnt this lesson that even the 'worst' of people, who can't be wished away or shoved to one side can be befriended and used as an ally if only we have the wisdom to approach and appeal to their reasonable side. 

I remembered when I was in the university, I wasn't a totally rugged boy but I had rugged boys who would cross seven rivers and seven seas for me.

Èṣù will cross seven rivers and seven seas for anyone who heeds the words of Ifá Olódùmarè as it proceeds from the mouth of Ọ̀rúnmìlà or any of his Babaláwos.

This is the institution of Ifá Religion. 

If you have any objection, travel to meet Olódùmarè and drop your petition. 

Is Èṣù therefore good or evil? Let me hear your thoughts.

Aboru Aboye, Aboye Abosise. 

He: Olódùmarè has no definite gender, I used this just for ease of communication. 

By Ayobami Ogedengbe 

Copyright: © 2021