AWO ELEGAN

Awo Elegan is an initiated Ifa priest who does not see Odu
or is not exposed to the secret of Odu.Such Awo is initiated
but will never set eyes on Odu nor partake from anything
used in Odu rituals. The Odu we are talking about is not
odu Ifa (Ifa chapters/signs) but a powerful female Orisa.
There are two ancient, divine origins of Awo Elagan, i.e.
why some people can not see Odu. These reasons are
acceptable excusses in Ifa initiation but the third reason is
not tenable and should be discouraged.
Firstly, Orunmila had many wives already before he came
across Odu in a riverine forest when she decended. They
agreed to marry each other as seen in Odu Ifa Ofunmeji
based on rules which include no woman should ever set
eyes on her. Orunmila agreed and did not allow the
senior wives to see this new wife. Even, those he married
after her did not set eyes on her. Also, all the sixteen
children of Odu could see their mother but their half
brothers and sisters were forbidden to see her. Therefore,
after her ascension and inclusion of her rituals into Ifa
initiation, only her descendants/offsprings are allowed to set
eyes on her. This is the first reason why some Awo are
called Awo Elegan, i.e. those who can not see Odu. Those
Awo Elegan are the children of the other wives of Orunmila.
They may continue doing their initiation in line with that, i.e.
without Orisa Odu.
Secondly, in odu Ifa Otuasaa, Awodi was sent by Alapansiki
to go and make rituals for Olokun. Though Awodi was not
initiated, because, he was then still under training, he did
the assignment because, Alapansiki, the child of
Ajagunmole had blessed and given power to him.He was
then honoured and enriched by Olokun.Olokun, who did not

know that Awodi was not initiated asked him to initiate his
children for him. Awodi carried out the initiation successfully
the way of Elegan because, he himself had not be initiated
let alone set eyes on Odu. The initiation without Orisa Odu
was successful because, Alapansiki, had blessed him
before he left for Olokuns place. In the crisis that ensued
between Awodi and his initiated senior ones (Agbe and
Aluko), who wanted to disgrace Awodi, he punished them.
But, one of them (Odidere) gave Awodi due respect with
this statement: Telegan tolodu la jo n sawo Both Elegan
and Olodu, we are all one He was able to return home to
inform their father, Alapansiki, all that happened. Instead of
cursing Awodi, Alapansiki blamed the priests killed by Awdi
for making attempt to disgrace him. He told Odidere that he
had blessed Awodi before he left and whatever he did in the
household of Olokun will be efficacious. And that those who
are initiated by Awodi should continue as Awo Elegan and
nobody should ever deride them. With that, he has given
approval to Odideres statement that Both Elegan and
Olodu are all one
The third reason why some Awo are Elegan today is
modern and pathetic. Some Ifa priests are not initiated and
they have opportunity of initiating godchildren. Because
they are not initiated, they do not see Odu and will just do
the initiation in line with Elegan, i.e. without Odu. The want
to liken themselves with that of Awodi. They have forgotten
that it is Awodi and only Awodi that Alapansiki blessed with
such right. May be, they have also been blessed by
Ajagunmale, Alapansiki or even Orunmila to carry out
initiation without been initiated themselves, who knows?
Also, some initiated Ifa priests initiate their godchildren
abroad in line with Awo Elegan. The reason is that the
concerned Ifa priests go to countries abroad without this

powerful Orisa that must be present whenever Ifa initiation

is to take place and they can not come home for the
initiation or send for the Orisa, they will just do the initiation
without Orisa Odu. Those that they initiate like that will
become Awo Elegan, i.e. they can neither partake from any
thing used in appeasing/doing Odu rituals nor set eyes on
the Orisa. This is the third reason for Awo Elegan. Hence,
today, especially abroad, we have millions of Awo Elegan.