Long long time ago, in ilé Ifẹ̀, Ifá is the known as word of Olódùmarè. Ọ̀rúnmìlà was the revealer of this word, while Èṣù is Ọ̀rúnmìlà messenger.
Èṣù can be syncretized or compared to the Hermes of the Greek mythology, the messenger of the Gods.
Èṣù is a very swift Irunmole that is in every place attending to the errands of Ọ̀rúnmìlà.
Èṣù is not a creation of Olódùmarè, Èṣù is independent of Olódùmarè.
Just like everything in creation however, Èṣù has its own Àṣẹ. And the Àṣẹ is in his swiftness and ability to make anything happen that he wants happened, and that, independently.
Olódùmarè and Èṣù began existence almost at the same time. They are the first two things to exist.
Olódùmarè can create, for he dwells in the abode of light.
Esu cannot create, for he dwells in the abode of darkness.
As light began its expansion, darkness challenged that he would be taking his own fair share in the creation that is encroaching into its territory, and there is nothing Olódùmarè can, could, would do about it. A consensus was reached. Creation began/continued.
All Èṣù wants from all the creatures is acknowledgement, more like an "you met me here" kind of stand.
Most of them didn't know who he is and what he is capable of because he's usually a master of disguise, so they make light of his requests, they fail his test, they make light of his threats. They said "since they were created by Olódùmarè, Olódùmarè is greater than Èṣù án only Olódùmarè's Àṣẹ will move them." Ifá makes us understand that Èṣù does discipline them, ALWAYS for their folly, regardless of who is involved be it man, divinity or king. Èṣù ìs a respecter of no one.
Olódùmarè then gave Ọ̀rúnmìlà the thread of wisdom that will be needed by his creation - both man, Irunmole and Olódùmarè himself to live with Èṣù.
Ọ̀rúnmìlà became who to go to escape from the hands of all Ajogúns, which are under the command of Èṣù.
Ọ̀rúnmìlà got Èṣù's unflinching loyalty through his generosity. Ọ̀rúnmìlà will not eat without setting a portion to Èṣù.
This is why Èṣù in creation made himself stay with Ọ̀rúnmìlà since food was guaranteed for him with Ọ̀rúnmìlà.
How Ọ̀rúnmìlà knew that generosity can earn him the friendship of Èṣù is a function of Ọ̀rúnmìlà's own inner wisdom. This was demonstrated in a competition that Olódùmarè organized for all the Irunmole, winning this competition earned Ọ̀rúnmìlà the thread of wisdom I mentioned above.
Èṣù submits his Àṣẹ to the service of Ọ̀rúnmìlà.
Ọ̀rúnmìlà recognizes Èṣù as his most trusted friend among the Irunmoles.
The Odù Ifá is resplendent of several times that Èṣù helped Ọ̀rúnmìlà and several other people whom Ọ̀rúnmìlà prays for. Be it Man, King or Divinity.
Whatever offerings those who Ọ̀rúnmìlà helps come with, Ọ̀rúnmìlà shares with Èṣù.
Odù Owonrin-ṣogbè makes us understand that without making offering to Èṣù, we can do nothing.
Èṣù is an opposing force that demands and offering from us in order to enlist his support through our journey on this earth.
The earth is created in Èṣù's territory, he is to be respected for this. This is what Ọmọlúwàbí teaches us. We honor those who are older than us. This is a Yoruba culture.
Today, Yorùbá celebrates Èṣù, a primordial divinity, a helper of the humble who makes offering, the one who rebukes the arrogant who feels confident in himself or his own ability to navigate through life.
Happy Èṣù day.
By Ayobami Ogedengbe
Copyrights: © 2021
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