King Chronicles: Masculine Leadership in the Yoruba Tradition

Masculine leadership is synonymous with provision. When a man aspires to greatness, it is because he is responding to his innate desire to provide. A man acquires wealth, power and prestige largely so that he can take care of his loved ones, especially his wife and children.

In the Yoruba tradition, strong masculine leadership is expected. Once a boy reaches about 8 years of age, he naturally serves as an apprentice to his father, who teaches him the family craft. By the time he reaches young adulthood, he should be able to fetch enough money to ask his father for land. It is absolutely normal for a Yoruba man to BUILD a house and then provide food, clothes and shelter for all who dwell within it.

These expectations inform the way men pray within Orisa Lifestyle. We do not ask for our obligations to decrease. Instead, we pray for the resources necessary to meet our obligations. We do not accept the idea that somebody else will carry the load that our ori chose in the prenatal state.

This verse of the Holy Odu EjiOgbe is illustrative:

I walked stealthily and adorned my head with a befitting crown
I walked quietly and adorned my neck
with Ejigbara and Okun beads
I know nothing and I am ignorant of all things
Nonetheless, I ascended the throne of the market leaders
The youths of Ife saw me and they put on befitting garments
The elders of Ife saw me and they put on gorgeous dresses
May evil not set me in contention with Gunnugun (the vulture)
May I live and grow as old as the vulture
May evil not set me up against Akala (the hornbill)
May I become as old as the hornbill
Elders do not make forceful sounds
like the closing of the main entrance door
Ifa, please turn me into a Babalawo
When a Babalawo becomes a full Babalawo
He will have a pony in front of his house
Ifa, please let me have a pony in front my house
Ifa, please turn me into a Babalawo
When a Babalawo becomes a full Babalawo
He will have a galloping horse in the backyard of his house
Ifa, please let me have a galloping horse
in the backyard of my house
Ifa, please turn me into a Babalawo
When a Babalawo becomes a full Babalawo
He will be blessed with 1,460 women in his house
Ifa, please let me have 1,460 women in my house
Ifa, please turn me into a Babalawo
When a Babalawo becomes a full Babalawo
He will have 1,460 children in his house
Ifa, please let me have 1,460 children in my house
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Alofoun of the farm land
You are the father of all grasses
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Torofinni is the head of all rats in the forest
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Alofoun of the farm land
You are the father of all grasses
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Oduso is the head of all Ikin
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Alofoun of the farm land
You are the father of all grasses
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Akaraba is the head of all fish in the deep
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Alofoun of the farm land
You are the father of all grasses
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
The Peacock is the head of all birds in the forest
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
Alofoun of the farm land
You are the father of all grasses
Ifa, please let me live up to their expectations as their father
- Holy Odu EjiOgbe

This verse offers many important lessons for the men of Orisa Lifestyle. In the opening lines, it speaks to quiet and inconspicuous way of maturity. It goes on to reassure you that the appropriate parties will recognize your capabilities and contribution in spite of the fact that you are humble.  

Next, the verse emphasizes the attributes of a babalawo, as a particular kind of man. A babalawo is cool, yet bold. He is prominent in his humility. As a result, he naturally ascends the throne of spiritual authority. And so, the verse becomes a prayer that the man might become a babalawo who takes the natural path of empowerment, not for self aggrandizement, but so that he might live up to their expectations as their father. 

I am looking for leaders who are committed to changing the world through positive influence and strong masculine leadership. If that is you, or you support this, find out how Obafemi Origunwa and the Orisa Lifestyle Academy can help you take your practice to the next level. 

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