Must Read: Classes of Egbe (Heavenly Mate of Every Human)

Also known as Alaragbo in some areas of Yoruba land, Egbe is generally more associated with children than with adults according to Eji-Ogbe.

Based on the character traits of human on Earth, the Yoruba have classified Egbe into different categories.

Ìyálóde

Ìyálóde is regarded as the leader of Egbe on Earth. Leadership quality is most evident characteristic of this class of Egbe. Going by the name, it may appear that only females can belong to Egbe Ìyálóde. But this is not so; both men and women can belong, and be called Ìyálóde.

The leadership of Ìyálóde may however be limited to the earth as IFA clarifies under a verse of Irosun meji. The verse(irosun-meji) talks about Janjasa (name) as the name of the head of Egbe in Heaven while Ìyálóde is the head of Egbe on Earth or Janjasa is another name by which Ìyálóde is known.

Let's us also appreciate that there are uncountable Ìyálódes on earth.

Ìyálóde are usually neat, motivational, and well-dressed. One of the praise names is 'A dado bi eku eegun' ( the one that dresses in colorful robes like a masquerade'. They love to party, show off and make their presence known wherever they are.

Usually mentally aloof and charitable, Ìyálóde takes good care of their children and works for their safety, protection and success. It is very dangerous to offend Ìyálóde. As benevolent as she is, she can also be mean. Every known form of Ajogun (evils) will be sent to the offender(s).

Eléékò

Eléékò also known as Elérikò is one Egbe that confers multiple personalities. At different times, the subject under its influence can be patient or impatient; ruthless or merciful. His mood depends on his immediate  desires.

Eléékò has behavioral patterns very similar to Esu and some people refer to link him as Esu inside the Egbe. Eléékò is very mischievous, crafty and intelligent; these are some of the traits of Esu also.

Apart from sharing these similarities with Esu, Eléékò is known to be treacherous, sneaky and a thief. But Eléékò steals only from those who have in abundance for those who have none. There are times when it seems that a spirit is stealing from someone.

Unexplained disappearance of money and valuable items inside the house and in transit. Such I'd usually a direct result of Eléékò's activities. It is possible that the person had wronged Egbe in general or Eléékò in particular and is being punished. Also known as Olumomi, Eléékò will compel or haunt such person.


So when a child steals, talkative, overambitious, stubborn or sneaky, it is likely he belongs to the Eléékò; and if the rites and ritual pertaining to this area are not done, the waywardness may not depart from him. One of his chants describes him as Alaseju belojo lomo ( the immoderate entity that births a talkative child).

Asípa

Humans in the Asípa group are vocal, pompous, enigmatic and treacherous. The spiritual influence of Asipa can cause forgetfulness.

It's also common with these people to meet someone for the very first time and feel strongly that they have known the person before. Its influence can also cause humans to become lost; making Asípa related to another deity in Oyo called Idaako.

Temporary or prolonged memory loss most likely occurs (especially to the humans in this Egbe) when a devotee of Asípa repudiates his/her faith or is found wanting in devotion. It may also happen to someone who ought to be initiated into Egbe but is proving stubborn. Asípa is said to have the capacity to "sell the destiny of a man and buy another".

Jagun (Jagunjagun)

Jagun means warrior. It shares with Eléékò the attributes restlessness, and benevolence. Jagunjagun is very accommodating and does not play with his leisure time.

Identification of a child as jagun can be done at the birth or shortly after birth; but to fully experience the power and characteristics of children of jagunjagun, one may have to wait till the the child has grown to a certain age.

It is very difficult finding a child of jagun telling lies or stealing. They are always very strict and meticulous. They may also be very promiscuous.

Like Ìyálóde and others, contact with or sacrifices to jagunjagun is through the Egbe pot, Aawe.

Baálè

Baálè shares leadership qualities with Ìyálóde and it is another Egbe class displaying multiple-personality.

Baálè are usually multi talented domineering but honest. Baálè in the nominal sense, means the ruler of a village and not in any way related to the baálè in Egbe even though there are certain virtues that cuts across the two.

Just like every class of Egbe, Baálè has its own negative sides, punishment of erring children is very severe and in some cases, extreme.

Olúgbógeró

Also known as Paaka inu abiku, Olúgbógeró is one Egbe associated with free-flowing rivers. As one of the aliases suggest, it is also closely related to Abiku (Still birth) children. Olúgbógeró or Gbogero, is also called Gegelose (it fit appropriately).

Members of this Egbe display multiple personalities and also, no matter how elegantly dressed, they will have a piece of rag somewhere on their bodies. It may be hand or wrapped round the cloth he/she has on or even inside a purse.

Adétayànyá

Adétayànyá or Adeta has a mystical association with refuse dumps. No matter how dark, far or isolated a dumpsite may be, Adeta children would locate such places and play there. It is believed that pass without Adétayànyá saying hello to a refuse dump site.

Adétayànyá is related to Oro, the brother of Egungun. Though similar in nature and presentation to Adétanya, Alukulaka is said to be tongue-tied and very stubborn. These days, both are categorized as Adetanya.

Móohún

Móohún children are always very reluctant to run errands; they are sluggish and very hesitant in making clear-cut decisions. Either because of hardheadedness or forgetfulness, they tend to leave duties given to them undone.

However, they are usually very immaculate and put extra effort into making themselves look good.

Culled from: Egbe (The Heavenly Mates of Every Human) : Late Ayo Salami

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