13 ODU STUDY
OwonrinObara
GUIDE
School of Orisa Studies
IFA VERSES & STORIES
YORUBA VOCABULARY
ARTISTIC & CREATIVE ACTIVITES
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
FOLLOW UP EXERCISES
ALABAHUN
ES C APES DEBT
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
Alabahun, the Tortoise was in serious
debt to Elede, the Pig. Elede was
constantly coming to Alabahun's
h o u s e t o d e m a n d p a y m e n t. O n e d a y ,
A l a b a h u n a n d h i s w i f e p r e te n d e d to
use Alabahun's shell as a grinding
stone. When Elede demanded his
m o n e y , o n l y t o b e i g n o r e d , h e to s s e d
to grinding stone into the bushes, only
t o b e t o l d t h a t i t w a s p r e c io u s a n d th e
o n l y w a y A l a b a h u n w o u l d b e a b l e to
pay his debt. And so, Elede went
d i g g i n i n t h e m u d i n s e a r c h o f th e
grinding stone.
MAIN THEMES
Debt Cunning
Something you owe Accomplishment through evasion
Litigation Ruse
Legal attempt to resolve matters Use of deception
Poverty Inversion
Lack of access to wealth Reversal of normal order
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
C U N N I N G time when you were cunning.
What was the scenario and who
DEFINITION: What does cunning mean to was involved? Maybe it was at
you? What comes to mind when you think of school or in a professional
being cunning? Is it noble or honorable to be environment How did the
cunning? experience shape your values or
perception?
List everything in your Odu Studies Journal.
TIP: Think about the reasons you
were cunning.
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?
What is the name of Alabahun's wife?
How did Alabahun know to pretend to be a grinding stone?
Do you agree with the outcomes received by Elede?
VOCABULARY
Gbese - Debt Elede - Pig
Ejo - Litigation Okuta lilo - Grinding stone
Alabahun - Tortoise Hu ile - Dig the earth
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
School of Orisa Studies Odu Study Guide
EXERCISE 3
QUESTION:
Record responses in your Odu Studies Journal
1. Divide the story into four parts as follows:
a. Setting: Where does the story start?
b. Development: What happened to create uncertainty?
c. Culmination: What happened to shift the dynamics?
d. Solution: How did the story resolve?
2. List the major symbols in each part of the story (e.g., Tortoise, Wife, Pig, etc)
3. What does each symbol represent to you, personally?
4. Tell the story from the various perspectives of other characters. For example,
how do you think Elede would tell the story? How might the story be told from
the perspective of Yarinbo?
TIPS
Do not use outside resources when assigning meaning to the symbols
Try mapping the story on paper to show relationships in each part
School of Orisa Studies Odu Study Guide
EXERCISE 4
QUESTION:
Make notes in your Odu Studies Journal
One major theme of this verse is ingratitude.
1. Examine your average day, from the time you awaken until you go to sleep.
2. Imagine each symbol as a potential resource.
3. How are you minimizing debt?
4. How would you like to get rid of debt?
5. Choose ONE way you could eliminate debt.
6. How would this activity have a positive impact on your finances?
7. How would this activity have a positive impact on the people you serve?
8. How would this activity have a positive impact on your spiritual devotion?
9. How will others know you're upholding this practice?
PROCLAIM YOUR COMMITMENT
In the next Odu Study Group proclaim, "My name is __________ and my Orisa
Lifestyle Agreement is to _________________.
FOLLOW UP
OPENING THE STOMACH
INSTRUCTIONS
The sacred text of Ifa is filled with Make a 3-5 minute video response to
wisdom that facilitates mental, the following questions:
emotional and spiritual healing.
Complete the exercise for your
Traditionally, once the babalawo has class
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
