07 ODU STUDY
IreteOkanran
GUIDE
School of Orisa Studies
IFA VERSES & STORIES
YORUBA VOCABULARY
ARTISTIC & CREATIVE ACTIVITES
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
FOLLOW UP EXERCISES
ORUNMILA SAVES
THE PRIN C E
School of Orisa Studies
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
orisalifestyle.com
JOURNALS
The Odu Study Guide is designed to help you follow up on
your interest in learning the sacred texts of Ifa. You don't
have to be a babalawo to enjoy Orunmila's wisdom. All you
Having a special Odu
need is to get familiar with some of the stories and their
Studies Journal is a
symbolism.
perfect place for you
ALWAYS refer to the Odu Study Guide and complete the
to accumulate
activities before you listen to the story. It is filled with
drawings, ideas and
activities and best practices for planning your study.
questions. I suggest
The activities are not done until you complete the FOLLOW
you start an exclusive
UP exercises. This is where you will make the connections
Odu Studies journal
with others and the study becomes meaningful.
and fill it with your
SIX LEVELS OF TRAINING learnings.
School of Orisa Studies
For each main lesson, there is a particular set of educational
exercises. These exercises correspond to the various
CLASSES within the School of Orisa Studies:
FOLLOW
Salt of the Earth: Reflection & vocabulary building UP
Copper: Visual & creative expression Once you have
Brass: Psychological, social & cultural implementation completed the
Silver: Prayers & spiritual exercises exercises and
Gold: Affiliated orisa, rituals & offerings activities, share your
Amethyst: Medicines, charms and preparations experiences with the
community. See the
Get trained before back page for
sharing instructions.
you get initiated...
Obafemi Origunwa, MA
ORISALIFESTYLE.COM
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
There are six classes within the School of Orisa Studies, each with its own
focus. When you enroll in the Amethyst Class, you have access to ALL
educational resources within the School of Orisa Studies. As you move from
Amethyst to Salt of the Earth, you have less access.
All participants will be able to complete at least FOUR learning objectives
associated with the Odu Study Guide:
.
1. Pre Activities
2. Odu Main Lesson
3. Class-Specific Exercises
Salt of the Earth
Copper
Brass
Silver
Gold
Amethyst
4. Follow up Activities
BEFORE YOU START
Read the Story Summary and Main Themes for an overview of the
m o s t i m p o r t a n t i d e a s . Y o u m a y d i s c o v e r o th e r s a s w e l l .
story summary
The Olofin called all the babalawos of
t h e k i n g d o m t o c o n s u l t I f a f o r th e
prince, who had become ill. Before
going, Orunmila cast Ifa for himself
and was advised to fast that day and
not to eat outside of his home. Upon
a r r i v a l , O r u n m i l a l e a r n e d th a t th e
O l o f i n h a d c o n s p i r e d w i t h th e a w o s to
p o i s o n h i m . W h e n t h e y d i v i n e d f o r th e
prince, all the awos said he would not
d i e . O n l y O r u n m i l a d e c l a r e d th a t
s a c r i f i c e m u s t b e m a d e t o p r e v e n t th e
p r i n c e ' s d e a t h . T h e s a c r i f i c e th a t I f a
named killed his enemies and saved
the prince.
MAIN THEMES
Fasting Integrity
Practicing restraint Being faithful to what is right
Conspiracy Divine intervention
Secret plans to destroy another Support from unexpected sources
Poison
Death caused by consumption
02
S C H O O L O F O R I S A S T U D I E S
ORISALIFESTYLE.COM
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Complete this activity
before listening to the
Main Lesson.
This activity is designed
to build curiosity and
familiarize you with the
symbols and characters
in the story. It will also
enable you to use what
you already know in order
to learn more about the
wisdom of this particular
verse of Ifa.
EXPERIENCE: Recall a specific
F A S T I N G time when you were required to
fast. How did you feel about the
DEFINITION: What does fasting mean to you? situation and the reason for being
What comes to mind when you think of asked to do so? Maybe it was
fasting? Do you know the value of fasting? related to a health concern, an
athletic activity or a spiritual
List everything in your Odu Studies Journal. practice. How did the experience
shape your values or perception?
TIP: Include all forms of deliberate
fasting or deprivation or
abstinance.
S C H O O L O F O R I S A S T U D I E S
ORISALIFESTYLE.COM
L I S T E N T O
T H E S T O R Y
School of Orisa Studies
EXERCISES
Odu Study Guide
orisalifestyle.com
School of Orisa Studies Odu Study Guide
EXERCISE 1
QUESTION:
Record your responses in your Odu Studies Journal
If you had to pick out one message to be learned from this verse,
what would it be?
Why did Orunmila refuse to spend more time with his family?
Why did Orunmila's family allow him to be beaten?
Do you think that Orunmila was treated fairly?
VOCABULARY
Olofin - King Asho - Cloth
Omo oba - Prince/Princess Ate - Mat
Kabiesi - Your royal majesty Eyele - Bird
School of Orisa Studies Odu Study Guide
EXERCISE 2
QUESTION:
Make entries in your Odu Studies Journal
1. Recall the way the story unfolded. If it were a movie or a play, how
many major parts or scenes were there? Now, recall the most
memorable portion of the story. What happened? Who were the
characters?
2. Draw a detailed picture of the most memorable scene.
TIPS
Use pencil first
Take your time
Focus on visualizing the scene, not on realism
FOLLOW UP
OPENING THE STOMACH
The sacred text of Ifa is filled with INSTRUCTIONS
wisdom that facilitates mental,
emotional and spiritual healing. Make a 3-5 minute video response to
the following questions:
Traditionally, once the babalawo has
shared the messages of Ifa, he will What does this story mean to you?
say, "Ifa has opened his stomach for Why do you believe this story
you. Now, it is time for you to open revealed itself to you at this
your stomach to Ifa. particular time?
If there was one lesson you
"Opening one's stomach" is what learned from this story, what
African American Christians call would it be?
testifying. It is when you share how What is one thing you can do
the message resonates with you and immediately in response to this
speaks to your condition. lesson?
Opening your stomach is an integral Share the responses at:
part of the healing process.
facebook.com/groups/OrisaStudies
