Èjì Ọ̀gbè
/ɛ̀.d͡ʒì ɔ̀.ɡ͡bè/noun
Èjì Ọ̀gbè is the first and traditionally senior odù, or divinatory sign, in the Ifá system of Yoruba religion.
Did you know?In Ifá divination, Èjì Ọ̀gbè is traditionally associated with the highest-ranking position among the 256 odù, although interpretations and ritual details vary among lineages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Yoruba
Yoruba
èjì
“Two; the numeral two.”
Precolonial Yoruba tradition
Yoruba
ọ̀gbè
“The proper name of one of the foundational Ifá divination signs; its deeper lexical etymology is not securely established.”
Precolonial Yoruba tradition
Yoruba
Èjì Ọ̀gbè
“The paired or doubled form of Ọ̀gbè; the senior sign in the Ifá corpus.”
19th Century
Yoruba
Eji Ogbe
“A romanized form used in early European and missionary-era writing, often without Yoruba tone and underdot marks.”
Modern English
English/Yoruba
Èjì Ọ̀gbè
“A Yoruba religious and divinatory term used in English-language scholarship and discussions of Ifá.”