In this work I will examine the spiritual significance of Ebo(sacrifice) and Oogun(medicine )In Yoruba Ifa spirituality. From physical perspective ebo is simply referring to ritual and prayer made with either animate object such as animal or inanimate objective such as food item or plant or other item ,base on the prescription of Ifa during Ifa consultation to solve some problems for certain purpose. While Oogun(medicine) is referring to any combination of plant or animal make together to preform certain function such as healing or magic. Spiritually in Yoruba spirituality Ebo(sacrifice) is deem to be child of Orunmila why Oogun(medicine) is child of Osanyin.Osanyin self is deem to be slave of Orunmila. It is firm believe in Yoruba spirituality that ebo is supreme above Oogun. That is Yoruba will say Oogun loni ojo kan Iponju,Ebo lo ni ojo gbogbo(Medicine safe one on trouble days, while it is sacrifice that safe one very day). It is firm believe that Babalawo must not rely on medicine above ebo. It is believe that ebo have supremacy over Oogun.Whenever Oogun fail, It is ebo that will be used to remedy such situation. Odu Ifa Owonrin Ose is the Odu Ifa that make that authorities affirmation of the supremacy of ebo Over Oogun. When there is conflict Between Ebo( sacrifice ) and Oogun(medicine ) at The dawn of creation.It is ebo that gain supremacy and Victory over Oogun. On this Odu Ifa Owonrin Ose says
Elubo omo aku maku
Alagemon ko se ki bo apo
O soyin kokoko
Dia fun ebo ti n se omo Orunmila
A bun fun Oogun ti se omo Osanyin
Won jo jija agba lo safin Olodumare
Won ki won rubo
Ebo ni kan loru
Translation
Elubo omo aku maku
It is very hard to pocket a chameleon
This was Ifa for Ebo who was child of orunmila
And Oogun who was the child of Osanyin
When there is conflict of supremacy between them at the palace of Olodumare
The were both advise to offer sacrifice
It is only Ebo that complied
At the dawn of creation, Ebo(sacrifice) was the child of Orunmila while Oogunwas the son of Osanyin. At this period in time whenever anybody is sick have problem both Ebo and Oogun are usually employ to remedy such situation. But in term of Character Oogun was Extremely proud while Ebo is milk and humble. As a result, People really want to know who is more powerful among the two of them. The conflict of supremacy between two of them was so much that they refer their case to the Kink Ajaalaye. The king in turn give them a fix date to come to his palace to contest to ascertain who have supremacy over another. When the date matured. The king and his chief in council decided to send them to Palace of Olodumare in heaven to ascertain their supremacy. Another date was fix for them to embark on the mission.They were both advised to go home and prepared.
When ebo got home ,he informed Orunmila(his father) . Orunmila make Ifa consultation for ebo, Ifa advised Ebo to carry a lot of well fried Akara(beans cake),Esau Agbado (roasted corn) eko (wrap corn meal)Oge pupa (ripe banana) Isu susun(roasted ) yam,Agbe omi(gourd of water).Orunmila prepare all this .They pray on it and sprinkle Ifa consultation powder on it. Ebo was advise to put all this preparation inside his bag and carry it along with him on his mission
Oogun on other hand when he got home, He informed his father(Osanyin) about the imminent supremacy competition between him and Osanyin. Osanyin only gave his child Ogun plenty of alligator pepper to carry with him during the mission. He said proudly that Oogun will overcome ebo
When the date fix mature. Both of them begin to journey to the palace of Olodumare. For days they go without food. Bo was eating the food inside his bag while Ogun was only eating Ataare(alligator ) pepper. When the reach the river that separate the heaven from earth Oogun was too weak to swim across because of lack of food. It is Ebo that learn him hand to swim across.
When they arrive at the palace of Olodumare .Oludumare order that the two of them should be keep I two separate room that he will attend to them in nine day’s time. During this period. Ebo is eating food stuff in his bag while Oogun only depend on Ataare. At the end of the nine days Oogun have become weak and emaciated. When Olodumare called them to Appear for competition and judgement.Only ebo was able to appear. Ogun does not even have strength to stand up. It from that date that Ebo is declare superior to Oogun. Hence ebo is deem as supreme to Oogun In Yoruba spirituality.