Ose Iyaami Àjẹ́

Àwọn Ìyàmi are different from the white man’s definition of witches. 

The publication of “Malleus Maleficarum”—written by two well-respected German Dominicans in 1486, was essentially a guide on how to identify, hunt, and interrogate witches. 

In essence, Oyinbo witches were hunted down and killed. 

But in Yorubaland in those days, Àwọn Ìyàmi proudly identified themselves by tying three cowry shells on their left ankle.

Early witches were people who practiced “witchcraft”, using magic spells and calling upon spirits for help or to bring about change. 

The advent of Christianity made people think witches to be pagans doing the Devil’s work. Whereas many were simply natural healers or so-called “wise women” whose choice of profession was misunderstood.

In the bible, in the book of 1 Samuel, King Saul sought out the Witch of Endor to summon the dead prophet Samuel’s spirit to help him defeat the Philistine army. The witch roused Samuel, who then prophesied the death of Saul and his sons. The next day, according to the bible, Saul’s sons died in battle, and Saul committed suicide.

Àwọn Ìyàmi, according to the Yoruba belief system,  Àjẹ́ represents the mystic powers of womanhood. 

Àwọn Ìyàmi like all mothers can show a tough side and a loving side.

We never want to offend the physical or spiritual Ori (head) of our mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters!  We must always strive to show respect and good character.

Àjẹ́ is pure raw spiritual energy, possessed mostly by women, say about 95 percent of women. 

When this energy resides with men, such men are called Oṣó.

According to Ifá, Àwọn Ìyàmi did not start out to be wicked, it was humans that betrayed and broke the pact. 

The Àjẹ̀ Funfun, for example, possess knowledge, power, blessings, and protection. They can reprimand as well if you offend, but they will always give you the opportunity to apologize/appease them. Unfortunately, they are not that many.

Ìbà Ẹyẹ ṣóró-mọga ṣío-ṣío

Ìbà Ẹyẹ mọ̀gà-ṣorò hiò-hiò

Bìrìpé ojú àlá

Abiyamọ ẹmọ́lóló abẹ́ òpó

Abiyamọ eégún abojú kedere

Ẹyẹ abapá-winni

Ẹyẹ abẹsẹ̀-winni

Ẹyẹ abìrìn àrà l’ẹ́sẹ̀ méjèèjì!!

Ìbà  Ẹyẹ ìṣẹ̀ǹbáyé, Ọlọ́wọ́gbọgbọrọ tíí y’ọmọ rẹ̀ l’ọ́fìn!

We remember the Iyaami Aje today.....

By Adekunle Adeite