We must note that the concept of trading, doing business, or selling in
the local market is the province of Aje. The average individual consults
the Babalawo who in turn consults the Ifa oracle on behalf of the
individual. The individual’s ‘ori’ literally head, but really spiritual
entity, is also consulted to see if the person is suited for business as
opposed to say working in a government office.The appropriate Ifa verse
will evolve to tell the person if he or she could proceed with the
business plan. For example, a person may be suited for selling clothes
and not food stuffs in the open air market. This is how specific Ifa
could get in its conversation with Aje- the goddess of wealth, profit,
and wealth sustenance. The goddess Aje is propitiated and the individual
offers sacrifice as directed by Orunmila. At this point sacrifice will
also be offered to Aje for a successful venture in business and trade.
The emphasis here is that of destiny. The belief in the principle of
pre-ordination among the Yoruba is intrinsically related to ‘Ori’-
(head).
That is, one’s fate or destiny. Are some individuals
destined to be wealthy and others destined to be poor? It is the Yoruba
religious and philosophical idea that whatever one would be in life has
everything to do with what kind of ‘Ori’ or head the person has
selected prior to appearance here on earth valid? Is this why some
people are referred to as “Oloriburuku” literally meaning “one with a
bad head,” that is, a person with bad luck or bad fate? Essentially,
that person has picked a bad head prior to coming to this earth. Within
the concept of Aje, could this goddess reverse bad luck? For example, a
person with a bad ‘Ori’ might find favour with Aje and perhaps bad luck
would be turned into good luck. Technically, when a Yoruba god or
goddess like Aje is propitiated things should go well in the arena of
business and trade. Some individuals are referred to as ‘Omo Alaje’
these are people who seem to have Aje as their patron goddess. Any
business venture or trade they engage in automatically brings profit and
wealth. I remember when I was only a young boy that a woman, who was my
father’s tenant and who sold clothing materials at Gbagi, in Ibadan,
would not touch any money early in the morning unless I take the money
and give it to her. She would want me to hand the money to herso that
Aje would follow her throughout the day in her clothing business at
Gbagi. Any day I perform this act for her first thing in the morning
before she departs for her shop at Gbagi, she would make a profit in her
clothing trade.
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