Four Reasons Why Ẹbọ is Always Given to Esu
For those new to the Ifá tradition, one question often arises: Why is every ẹbọ (ritual offering) directed to Èṣù? Among the 401 Irunmọlẹ̀ (divinities), why not direct it to more popular figures like Ṣàngó, Ògún, or Ọ̀ṣun? To understand this, we must explore Èṣù’s divinely ordained roles, his unique relationship with Ọ̀rúnmìlà, and the spiritual structure that governs the effectiveness of rituals in Yorùbá cosmology. 1. Èṣù: The Divine Messenger Between Realms One of Èṣù’s core responsibilities is serving as the intermediary between mankind and the divine . He bridges communication between the earthly realm and the spiritual world—especially with Olódùmarè and other Irunmọlẹ̀. Because of this role, Èṣù is tasked with monitoring and verifying the sincerity and accuracy of all acts of worship, including ẹbọ rírú (ritual sacrifices). When properly performed, Èṣù carries the offering to the appropriate spiritual entity for approval. The Odù Ọ̀ṣẹ́-Òtúrá reveals Èṣù (a...
