Orunmila — Wisdom, Witness of Destiny, the Prophet

Orunmila (also called Agbonniregun, 'the one whose greatness transcends calculation') is the Orisha of ogbón (wisdom) and the patron of Ifá divination itself. According to the oral traditions recorded by Bascom in 'Ifá Divination,' Orunmila was present at the creation when Olodumare assigned each soul its ori (personal destiny), making him Elérìí Ìpín — the Witness of Fate. The babalawo does not possess Orunmila's knowledge personally but accesses it through the ikin (sacred palm nuts) and the opele (divination chain), which serve as the communication protocol between the human and the divine. Orunmila's ashé is the ashé of ìmọ̀ (knowledge) — inexhaustible, available to all who approach through proper initiation and ìtẹ́nùmọ́ (perseverance).