Head (ori) is the religion of the Yorubas

The head (Ori) is the creator of all creations. Traditional rulers are earthly kings. Monarchs are not the real spiritual kings but they are Arole Olodumare (representatives of God on earth). There is a popular saying that ‘Oba kiipe meji laafin’ (There can’t be two kings in a palace). ‘Olodu To Mo Aare’ means the alpha and omega, the all knowing, in and out.

Orisha (Ori shaa) means the head chosen whom others bow to. He is the ori (head), their creator. The head controls the whole. Instead of the head, many subject their fate to the chosen ones created by Olodumare as a religion. Fate is in the mind controlled by the head. That is why the Yorubas will say “Ori lababo, ka fi orisha sile”. Even, Ifa,  Orunmila Baba Ifa, Obatala, Sango, Ogun, Osun and all other Yoruba deities know they were all sent as messengers with special talents and gifts but their creator is still the head (Olodumare). Obatala referred to himself as messenger.

Orisas (deities) worship ori which is the head. The head is the creator. Deities are messengers. Monarchs, being the physical representatives of Olodumare on earth, are referred to as Arole Olodumare (God’s ambassadors). They are among deities seen in the physical; they deserve a high level of respect. They are the true representatives of the real Head. Orisha (chosen ones) are the special ones that must respect Ori (king).

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Traditional rulers are transformed spiritual beings. The day you become a king, you are not human anymore but AROLE OLODUMARE on earth. You are different; you cease to belong to any secret society. Your position as representative of God is incomparable and superior to any secret association. Before appointment as a king, you can belong to any association but must cut off the day you become king. No position is greater and valuable than the royal stool.

While there are schools for doctors, professors, accountants, engineers and others, there is none for kings. Obas are spiritually made beyond physical force.  Deities should be appreciated, promoted and celebrated carnival-like. Every specially chosen ones like the Wright Brothers, Bill Gates, Sango, Ogun, Obatala, etc, are heroes. They deserve encomiums in recognition of their inventories. Nothing is more worthy to be worshipped than the head. It is impiety to treat the head as other members of the body. Deities and legends of the past are heroes; they are the inventors that must be celebrated and remembered for their achievements. If we turn orisha (chosen ones) to objects of worship, we won’t be far from walking on our heads. Monarchs are not ordinary.  Orisha means the Head Chosen.  Oduduwa stretched implies O-dudu-wa…. O= He/She, dudu=black, wa=came. He came out black.

Ogun also can be stretched to imply: Ogun=medicine;  Ogun=war which is the god of iron. Iron is the medicine of war that Oshinmole moulded as a blacksmith into cutlass and all other weapons that he used to wage war. I am black and proud of my culture but which must be upgraded and updated to make it the envy of all time.

Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi is the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State.