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The right leg is the principal one and is read first; the left is the secondary (witness). — Bascom, Ifá Divination; Encyclopedic Treatise of Ifá.
Odu #247 · Omo Odu (Odu Combinado)
Ofun Obara
"Ofun and Obara: give your heart to no one, or they will destroy it."
Numerology
23 (synthesis of 16 with 7)
Elements
All elements - Integration | Fire - Courage | Synthesis — Integration of forces
Sacred Colors
Pure white (totality) and Gold (royalty) (a combination of the energies of both Odus)
Symbolic reading — interpretation, not attributed to the Treatise.
Also known as: Ofun Bara · Ofun Òbàrà · Òfún Obara · Òfún Òbàrà
What is the Odu Ofun Obara
Ofun Obara (Ofun Susu) is the Odu in which were born the medicine of the omiero and the office of oyugbona, the second person who assists in the initiation. It is an Ifá of enchantment, the road of the giraffe, in which the person will be powerful and will possess on earth everything they desire. Maferefun Obatalá, Exu and Orunmilá.
Meaning
In the Tratado, the owner of this Ifá cannot give their heart to anyone, for if they do so it is destroyed, and they will have no peace with the woman with whom they live. Here the Ossaim of Inle was consecrated, and Inle is received. The Egun are at the door of the house, hungry, and they must be fed there, because it is through the door that all that is needed comes in. The woman wants to be more than the man; she goes out to resolve things and comes back having resolved nothing.
Sacred Profile
Symbolic reading — interpretation, not attributed to the Treatise.
Numerology: 23 (synthesis of 16 with 7). This number resonates in the energy of this Odu, guiding the seeker in understanding the cycles and vibrations that govern this path.
Elements: All elements - Integration | Fire - Courage | Synthesis — Integration of forces. The sacred elements establish the bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, offering tools of balance and transformation.
Sacred Colors: Pure white (totality) and Gold (royalty) (a combination of the energies of both Odus). The colors of this Odu carry specific vibrations that can be used in rituals, clothing, and environments to harmonize with its energy.
Qualities: Wisdom, Leadership, Integration, Synthesis, Dynamic balance. These qualities represent the inner forces that the seeker can cultivate to walk in alignment with the wisdom of this Odu.
✦ Recommendations
Attend to the Egun with food at the door of the house, so that they let fortune come in. Put hot corn for Exu and watermelon for Ogum. Have more foundation in your affairs and be content with what they give you to earn. Do not answer at once, so as not to give offence, and do not bathe in the sea nor in the river. There is a woman who needs to take baths and has not yet taken them: see to this, so that her health does not come to danger.
⚠ Cautions
Give your heart to no one, for whoever receives it may destroy it. Guard yourself from being drawn into another's war. People want to know everything of your life, so make less of it known. Orunmilá is angry: steady the foundation and fulfil what you owe. Do not leave the woman of the house without the baths that Ifá asks for.
This Odu describes tendencies and possible paths to work on — not a fixed destiny or a guaranteed prediction.
Ire
The power to possess on earth all that one desires and the medicine of the omiero that is born here; the fortune that comes in through the door when the Egun are fed, and the shelter of Obatalá, Exu and Orunmilá.
Osogbo
The heart given to the one who destroys it, the lack of peace with the woman, the war of others that drags the person along, and the exposed life that everyone wants to pry into.
Context and study of the 256 Odus
Ofun Obara belongs to the full corpus of the 256 Odus of Ifá, a body of oral and written wisdom spanning centuries across the African diaspora and the Americas. Understanding this Odu means placing energies, archetypes, and sacred narratives in relation to the opele, divination, and a life practice guided by balance. The philosophical reading offered on this page does not replace initiation with a Babalawo or Iyanifa, but it deepens respect for the tradition and supports structured study for those who learn with humility.
In Ifá texts, the name Ofun Obara appears in prayers, ebo, and songs; its energy is tied to cycles of transformation and to relationship with the land, the Orishas, and community. Comparing this Odu with its root Meji and related Odus helps you recognize patterns of Irê and Osogbo that recur through life and everyday choices.
The Ifá Wisdom digital library brings together all 256 paths with epithets, essence, synthesis, and practical guidance. By exploring this page and the full library, you build a foundation for meditation, spiritual journaling, and ethical follow-up—with explicit gratitude to Yoruba culture and its guardians.
Irê, Osogbo, and reading Ofun Obara
In any Odù, Irê points to blessings and positive affinities; Osogbo highlights challenges and adjustments. Reading this Odu invites integrated reflection on relationships, work, emotional health, and purpose. Ifá asks for patience, right speech, and—when prescribed by an initiated priest—ebo and disciplines of conduct.
When you use the Ifá oracle with artificial intelligence on this platform, you receive a philosophical and educational interpretation: a learning bridge, not a priestly ritual. Keep that distinction to honour the tradition and the role of Babalawos and Iyanifas.
Ethics, respect, and continuing study
Ifá Wisdom is a multilingual educational service. We combine careful documentation of the Odus with the awareness that the living oracle belongs to the communities that preserve it. We do not promise cures, material guarantees, or a substitute for initiatory counsel.
To explore Ofun Obara in depth, browse the library of 256 Odus, the Odu of the day, and—if you wish—a contextual consultation in the oracle—always respecting your autonomy and the culture of origin.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Odu Ofun Obara mean?+
What is the central message of Ofun Obara?+
What are the Irê and Osogbo of Ofun Obara?+
Sources consulted
- Tratado Enciclopédico de Ifá, section Ofun Susu (Ofun Obara)
Written by
- Pablo de Lima (Awofakan)
- Thaiana de Lima (Ikofá)
A couple initiated in Ifá in the Cuban lineage — Regla de Ocha / Ifá.
Meet the authors →Notice: This platform is an educational and cultural tool. Consultations are intended for reflection and contemplation, drawing on ancestral Yoruba wisdom. They do not replace professional medical, psychological, legal or financial advice, nor an in-person consultation with an initiated priest.