Ponripon Shigidi (Orunmila Befriends Eshu)
A verse in which three diviners cast Ifa for Orunmila when he set out to befriend Eshu, and the rewards of that friendship are enumerated.
Philosophical Summary
In Bascom's collection, this verse functions as a liturgical endorsement of Eshu-Elegba as the most essential ally in practical life. The three diviner-names at the opening are themselves encoded meanings and proverbs. "Ponripon shigidi" (thick/dangerous image) represents power; "Ogogoro" represents clarity; and "a dear friend is like one's own mother" is the ethical frame for the entire verse. The triple refrain structure was likely sung responsively during divination.
Liturgical Verses
English: "Ponripon shigidi," the diviner inside the forest, "Ogogoro," the diviner of Ijamo, and "If a friend is exceedingly dear, he is like the child of one's own mother" were the ones who cast Ifa for Orunmila when he was going to befriend Eshu. Those who befriend Eshu are not troubled by want of money; Eshu, you are the one I am going to befriend. Those who befriend Eshu are not troubled by want of wives; Eshu, you are the one I am going to befriend. Those who befriend Eshu are not troubled by want of children; Eshu, you are the one I am going to befriend.
Yoruba: Ponripon şigidi ni işe awo inu igbo, Ogogoro l(i)-awo Ijamo, b(i)-grę ba dun l(i)-a-dun-ju a dabi iye-kan a da fun Qrunmila t(i)-0 nlo ba Eşu d(i)-oluku. Akiba Eşu d(i)-oluku k(i)-oju OWO pon-(e)ni Eşu şe ni mo wa ba d(i)-oluku. Akiba Eşu d(i)-oluku k(i)-oju aya pon-(e)ni Eşu şe ni mo wa ba d(i)-oluku. Akiba Eşu d(i)-oluku k(i)-oju omo pon-(e)ni Eşu şe ni mo wa ba d(i)-oluku.
Sacred Verses
Yorùbá
Ponripon şigidi ni işe awo inu igbo, Ogogoro l(i)-awo Ijamo, b(i)-grę ba dun l(i)-a-dun-ju a dabi iye-kan a da fun Qrunmila t(i)-0 nlo ba Eşu d(i)-oluku. Akiba Eşu d(i)-oluku k(i)-oju OWO pon-(e)ni Eşu şe ni mo wa ba d(i)-oluku. Akiba Eşu d(i)-oluku k(i)-oju aya pon-(e)ni Eşu şe ni mo wa ba d(i)-oluku. Akiba Eşu d(i)-oluku k(i)-oju omo pon-(e)ni Eşu şe ni mo wa ba d(i)-oluku.
English
"Ponripon shigidi," the diviner inside the forest, "Ogogoro," the diviner of Ijamo, and "If a friend is exceedingly dear, he is like the child of one's own mother" were the ones who cast Ifa for Orunmila when he was going to befriend Eshu. Those who befriend Eshu are not troubled by want of money; Eshu, you are the one I am going to befriend. Those who befriend Eshu are not troubled by want of wives; Eshu, you are the one I am going to befriend. Those who befriend Eshu are not troubled by want of children; Eshu, you are the one I am going to befriend.