Osa meji speaks about the duality and shared religious responsibilities of men and women, and the

constant respect between the two. Olodumare sent three powers to the earth Obarisa/Obatala, Ogun, and Odu/Iyami. Orisanla (obatala) came to earth as a cooling force of light that created and moulded life and even watched over the deconstruction and transition of life to death as well. Obatala was able to make manifest all that he said or thought. Ogun facilitated the life by providing the dna chain in which all is possible to be created as well as the iron that is the blood which sustains all life. He began the force of evolution which allowed all to do what they must, constantly cutting away with his cutlass able to fight and defend. Iyami (in some stories this is Oya part of the collective Aje body of feminine power) was sent down with amazing powers of her own to being the gateway to ancestors, to over look all that occurred and stop what she thought was unjust. Her power manifested in the form of a mighty bird, and the ability to travel back to heaven at will (This speaks on many levels including communicating with the many levels of spirit classifications that are present, as well as the birds ability to sore high in the heavens and rest comfortably on earth) Olodumare gave her a gift of a bird in a calabash, and referred to her as Odu. Olodumare gave her some what of a free reign with her power and knew this, yet tested her by asking what she would do on earth with her power? Odu/Iyami was to fight with the people who would not listen to the Orisa, Priests, their mothers (Elders), and Olodumare. She said those who asked her of wealth would get it if she deemed it fit, those who wanted children she would give it if she deemed fit, However she said if anyone became impertinent she would take it all away. Olodumare was impressed but no fool, said to Odu/Iyami That is good use your powers wisely and calmly or else I will take them away. Olodumare made it so that women have the task of birthing and looking over men, and men (mankind male and female) would respect that which is their mother. Under Iyamis powers women were excelling at too much while men became dependent, the oro forest was found (That which held secrets to the land of the ancestors) women entered freely and yet men did not. (At this time all women worshipped orisa, and had full knowledge of the mysteries and workings of orisa.) Iyami observed her women had become prideful and acted in disgrace to what Olodumare planned. She consulted Ifa, however Ifa told her it is her doing that women became too head strong and that she would need to make ebbo on their behalf, at hearing this Iyami became indignant. She argued that ebbo was already made and offered when she was called before Olodumare and given her power to as she will. She refused to do anything Ifa told her and left Ifas presence. She decided to bring Eggun cloth outside, and oro for all to see but women to work. Obarisa/Obatala saw this and knew that Olodumare told him he was to take the inner mysteries of Oro, eggun, and the shrines of orisa as rightful king and one of pure worship. However Obarisa knew he could not enter any of these places boldly. He consulted with Ifa, Orunmila himself cast for Obatala. Orunmila told Obatala You will take the world in your hands, with your guidance the world will not be spoiled. No one person will take the world in their hands. He was told to make ebbo, Ifa told him to be patient. His ebbo was to sacrifice snails, a whip like stick, and some cowries. Obatala made the ebbo, and Orunmila said Worship

will be yours, be patient. That which carries the power of woman will swell and be exaggerated , but when its over and done she will serve and assist you so that there be balance. Obatala moved in the vicinity of Iyami/Odu and they shared space. Obatala cleaned his head with the snail and the juices he drank and ingested. Iyami/Odu complained of her stomach cramping and hurting which led to her irritable mood, so Obatala decided to offer her some of the cooling snail liquid. Iyami felt instant relief and thanked obatala for showing her something new that soothed her and tasted wonderful, she then said from now on any snail that is given to you should be given to me as well. (Snails is a traditional offering to the odu pot) **This shows men and women learn from each other. As they lived together they developed a good relationship and ,ade a pact to not keep anything from the other, he showed Iyami all he possessed and she in turn showed him all she possessed. Iyami brought out the garments/cloth and things needed to worship egun into the sacred lace of eggun, she invited Obatala to follow. They entered the igbodu of Eggun and worshipepd together, however she did not show him how to speak to eggun in the voice and sounds of eggun. (Meaning how to call them into manifestation, get possessed by eggun) She kept to herself the fact that she could communicate with the many spirits in the many realms, she simply put on her garments of eggun , gave thanks for her offerings and then left back home with Obatala. Obatala went to the place of the cloth. The cloth of Egun did not have the opening in which to see, because the women made it a whole garment in which to wear but not see. Obatala added streamers in which enabled those wearing the garment to see out of it. He then put it on himself, took the whip into his hands and did not inform Odu/Iyami he was leaving with the eggun outfit on. He decided to emerge from the forest of eggun where Eggun always arrived. Odu/Iyami woke up and realized she was alone, spirit told her to go to the igbodu eggun. She went to reach instinctively for her eggun garment but it was gone. She became furious and went to the forest of eggun and saw someone wearing the garments her confusion became amusement because she knew one would have to know how to speak the language and in the voice of eggun.. Obatala did not need to be shown, he spoke in the voice of eggun and dragged the whip on the ground as was necessary and Iyami became fearful and impressed. However eggun didnt recognize him, used to Iyami. Obatala continued and explained to eggun that he came form the heavens and traveled with help form their realm. Iyami not having seen anyone else do this, wanted to know who was in the garment able to speak the language of Eggun (differently) but effectively. (eggun dance was once preformed by women but men took over at one point in history) **With insight men can take power and have great power as well. Because of the whip Odu kept her distance from the eggun, but followed it into town. Obatala wearing the eggun garment entered town and preformed for the people, Iyami/Odu noticed that was indeed her garments and who was missing form earlier that followed her home? Obatala! She went back to her house and Sent instead her bird to watch and be her eyes, the bird as instructed sat on the shoulder of eggun. So that everything Eggun says will be activated

by the power of the bird perched on the shoulder. (The power of the mens society is supported by the power of the Mothers) Obatala disappeared into the earth and back to the eggun forest where he changed his outfit and back into his regular clothes. When he got home he was greeted by Odu/Iyami. She greeted him and asked where he had been? Obarisa said he came form outside. (Its still taboo to this day to know the identity of eggun mediums) She noticed he dropped the garment back in its hanging spot. Her suspicions confirmed Obatala, had preformed well the eggun rights. She therefore conceded that Eggun be left to man, she said no other woman will dare enter eggungun cloth again and she was handing it over to man. She dragged the whip on the ground in honor of Obatala. She said she would be outside and everywhere watching over and that she need not carry on that duty anymore because the power eggun utilized was the power she harnessed. She said she will still however dance the Eggun dance and greet eggun and dance in front of it if Eggun is outside.