Orunmila is the Orisha of wisdom and the deity of Ifá divination. He was present at the moment of creation and witnessed the destiny given to every soul, so he holds complete knowledge of human fate. His priests, the Babalawo, reach that knowledge through the Ifá corpus.
Orunmila is also called Ọ̀rúnmìlà Àgbọnnìrègún, a name that points to his witnessing of the whole span of existence. He is among the most important of all Orishas, because without the wisdom he carries, no other spiritual work can be done well.
His bond with Eshu is essential. Before any Ifá consultation, Eshu is honoured first, for Eshu opens the paths and keeps the channels between the realms clear.
Orunmila does not ask for blood sacrifice like the warrior Orishas. He is honoured through the honest pursuit of wisdom, through truthful divination, and through faithful ebo, the ritual prescriptions that rise from the Odù.
