INTRODUCTION
The name of a being is the mirror of its existence and
personality. The meaning to be given to a name is subject to the
exposure and understanding of its interpreter. The supreme force that
create existence and all that exist in nature means different things to
different people at different nations of the world.
The Jew regards
it as ‘YHWH’, which was interpreted to mean “I AM THAT I AM”-whatever
you called me I am, while Arabs refer to it as ‘ALLAH’. Yoruba race as
an important element in Africa state regard it as ‘OLODUMARE’. Hence,
what does the name ‘Olodumare’ means and what is the reality of its
being?
OLODUMARE
Though, the name ‘Olodumare’ has been generally
accepted to be making reference to God- the creator of all that exist
in existence and time. This popular opinion aligns with A Dictionary of
Yoruba Language (2010), that see’s ‘Olodumare’ as a “Almighty, the
self-existent Being, God.” But, it’s more than just a creator to a
cultural Yoruba person.
The etymology of the name has been given
diverse perceptions, some are funny, and some are discouraging while the
reality is not known to many. According to Awo Falokun, in his facebook
update, he opines that “Olodumare is from the elision Olo-Odu-Osumare.
The word Olo means owner or the source. The word Odu means womb or
portal, and Osumare is a reference to the spirit of the rainbow. We can
further analyze the word Osumare by breaking it down into the elision
Osun ma ire meaning Osun is the source of my good fortune”
The
explanation of the etymology meaning given by Awo falokun is nothing,
but absolute misconception. Olodumare is the creator of everything that
exists, including all Orisa. So, Osun cannot be the source of it
fortune, because she is also a creature of all encompassing Olodumare,
while Osumare has nothing to do with the name ‘Olodumare’. Babalawo pele
Obasa Obanifa also thread the line of Awo Falokun, but differ in the
sense that he sees Olodumare as coined from Olo-Odu-Omo-Are, suggesting
that Olodumare was given birth to, which does not capture the reality as
well.
However, based on the exposure and understanding of the
writer, Olodumare has it etymology from Olo/Oni-owner, Odu-mystery as
once explained by Kareem Yusuf Adetola on “Oduduwa; who is he and what
does the name implies?”, mo-know, Are-a stranger, which lead us to
Olodumare as the possessor of mystery that create and understand earthly
strangers (human being) more than they know themselves. This conceptual
and etymology meaning of the name align with the popular believes of
Yoruba that we are a stranger in the world. It was also corroborated by
Solagbade Popoola as quoted by Eny Tosyn when he postulated based on the
teaching of Okaran Oworin that says “Olodumare is the universal spirit
in the world. If you must fully understand it, then you must first
understand all the animals, human being, plants, trees, leaves, and
other creature he made in the world.”
THE REALITY OF A BEING
According to Babalawo pele Obasa Obanifa, “Olodumare in yoruba
spirituality is monotheistic. There is only only one God and that is
Olodumare.” Unlike Orisa, there is no temple or image through which he
can be appreciated directly for its manifestation in human life. Hence,
its favour and blessing is appreciated through the hierarchy of ranks
and division of power in thanks and praise. This is the reason Ifa says
on many occasion, after what human being desires has be fulfilled, they
will thanks the Babalawo, and the Babalawo will thank Orunmila/IFA,
while Orunmila will gives all praise to Olodumare.
The reality of
this being or forces that create existence is that it’s a mystery that
no man can comprehend in entirety and remain normal. It on this reality
that ODU OKARAN OWORIN as Solagbade Popoola put it , but quoted by Eny
Tosyn says that “---to understand Olodumare, then you must first
understand all the animals, human being, plants, trees, leaves, and
other creature he made in the world.” Then, who can understand a goat in
entirety? Talk less of human being and his entire creature at a go. We
can only know its nature based on whatever it reveals to us through its
servants.
The above ODU was corroborated by ODU OSA-OTURA that says;
Ao ki n ridi Okun
Ao ki n ridi Osa
Ao ki n ridi Olodumare.
We cannot comprehend the deepness of Sea
We cannot comprehend the deepness of ocean
We cannot comprehend the deepness of Olodumare
CONCLUSION
The wisdom of Olodumare is universal, but residents in those that do
not only love it and its wisdom alone, but search for it sincerely with
love. Having explained the etymological meaning of the name ‘Olodumare’
and the reality of its being, it’s the believe of the writer that he has
been able to educate the potential readers that Olodumare does not just
means God in Yoruba language, it’s something beyond just a creator.
Written: Kareem Yusuf Adetola.
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