Feeding
Feeding is very different from doing Ebo. When you feed any of the Irunmole or Orisa you should eat
with them and allow others to do the same. These types of offerings are usually given as a sign of thanks or for good things
to happen and the Ire should be shared by all. The more of the offering that is eaten the better. No waste.
Ebo
When Ebo is given it is to remove one or many types of negativity that may be surrounding the person
or persons. When Ebo is done the person or people receiving the Ebo may not eat the Ebo material. It is also taboo for any
of their blood relatives to eat the Ebo material. But... anyone else outside of the family may eat the Ebo material. No waste.
There are certain times however when Ifa says the whole animal and/or materials used should be offered and not eaten by anyone
but this does not exclude animals. I was told that in these types of cases where the whole animal needs to be offered, these
Ebos should be left somewhere where the animals in your community could partake in the offering. Once again, no waste.
In my time in Nigeria, I was told a story of a goat that was used for Ebo and this
goat had to be given entirely to the witches. This Ebo was left outside and by the end of the 5th day after the Ebo, the goat
was left completely untouched. I was told that in these types of cases, if the Ebo is not atleast eaten a little by the 5th
day after the Ebo, the priest that did the Ebo had performed something wrong and would have to investigate with Ifa to see
what was performed incorrectly. Chief Popoola who told me this story said that all offerings are not accepted by
the Irunmole or Orisa until atleast part of it has been eaten. (Be it by man or beast)
Also, in Nigeria I saw many a time when the animals were not sacrificed because Ifa said there was
no need to spill blood. In these cases a few feathers or hairs depending on the animal were removed from various areas of
the creatures body and then put in the Ebo dish. The animal was then sent out of the room and sold or given away to someone
in the neighborhood to eat at a later time. I was told that killing of animals is never automatic and that you should always
ask the Irunmole or Orisa first if they should be killed or not.
I also witnessed one little goat that was used several times throughout the day for Ebo. By the end
of the day, this little goat had bald spots all over his body and became someones dinner later on during that same week. No
waste once again.
Here is another interesting bit of information as well. While in Nigeria the Babalawo that I stayed
with (Chief Popoola) also told me that anyone can come into your shrine room and if they are hungry, they can open up
one of your Irunmole or Orisa containers and remove any of the offerings left inside and eat them. Chief Popoola also
told me that the person eating the offering will receive blessings of health. Just something to think about and of course
make sure you ask for permission to do so before simply opening someones container and taking things. Be respectful and well-mannered
always.
Ire, Ayodele
