I Will Survive the Cold Hands of Death

Philosophical Summary

The "cold hands of death" imagery is visceral and rare in Ifa liturgy — cold being associated with Oyeku, the Odu of death and night. That Eji Ogbe (total light and warmth) produces an affirmation of survival against cold death is a cosmological statement: the light of this Odu specifically repels the cold of Ikú. This affirmation is used in the Ashinima morning practice to begin each day with the declaration of survival.