This Odu, Ose Otura, is one of several Odus known as Adabo, frequently used by Babalawos during rituals. It plays a key role in offerings and blessings within ceremonies.
Osetura is believed to have the power to carry our prayers to Olodumare, who then commands their manifestation.
The same Ase (spiritual power) was granted to the Elders. After completing their offerings, the Babalawo invokes Osetura with these words:
Osetura te te te wa ko wa gbure ru (3x)
Ase ale ati Ase aaro difa fun arugbo
Arugbo a bi ori ko ko ko lona oja ojugbomekun
Arugbo ko ta arugbo ko ra
O gba iwo Ase re mu giri giri
Arugbo ni ohun Awo ni oso ohun Awo ni oro ohun Awo lase
Gbogbo ohun ti arugbo ba nwi sise ni oun se.
Awo ni iwo arugbo kini idi ti gbogbo nkan ti arugbo ba wi sise ni o nse
Arugbo ni Ase Orisa enu mi (2x)
Eyi tawo ba wi ni Irunmale gba
Eyi ti mo ba wi ni ki Irunmale ko gba
Ase Orisa lenu mi
Owo Orisa lara mi
Eniyan na Oyeku arija Ogbe
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In the Odu Osetura, it is revealed that Osun was sent to maintain order in the world. However, she was not properly invited to participate in the work, and after they made sacrifices, they sent her the animals to cook.
Osun prepared the meal but was denied any share of the food. This neglect angered Osun greatly. She then called upon the power of Iya-Mi-Aje, the ancestral mothers, to disrupt everything.
The deities could not understand why their efforts were failing, as they had never before been dismissed by Olodumare. Their sacrifices and petitions were all in vain.
They gathered to consult Orunmila, who suggested they consult Ifa. Orunmila then performed divination. Orunmila went to Olodumare to seek guidance.
There he met Esu-Odara, who explained that the deities had excluded Osun, who represented seven-tenths of their power. Because of this exclusion, all their work was being undone.
Olodumare, after hearing their grievances, instructed them to apologize to Osun and include her in their sacrifices. Once they did, peace was restored, and Osun was given full access to all their meetings and secrets.
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Osun set one condition: she would bear a male child, and this child would participate in their work as her representative. They used their Ase to ensure the child would be male, and they prayed over Osun each day until she gave birth.
On the ninth day, the child was revealed, and it was indeed a boy. They celebrated and named him Asetuwa, meaning "Power brought him to us."
Orunmila consulted Ifa to learn the child's destiny, and it was determined that the child was born under the Odu of Ose and Otura. Then they named the child Osetura, after the Odu that brought him into being.
Osun also gave the child a special name: Akin Oso, meaning "a powerful male born of magical power," as he was a son of the Aje, the mystical force of Iya-Mi.
Osetura's importance was so great that the deities declared that no decisions could be made without his presence. He became an essential part of their gatherings.
One day, the earth experienced a terrible drought that lasted for three years, and the world began to fall into ruin. The deities again consulted Ifa, and Ifa advised them to make an offering to Olodumare.
They gathered animals, fish, fowl, palm oil, eggs, and white cloth, preparing the offering with Ifa leaves as instructed. Each of the 16 Odu tried to take the offering to Orun, the heavens, but the doors remained closed to them.
Finally, they turned to Osetura, the 17th Odu. Before embarking on his mission, he consulted diviners, who advised him to fast before making the journey.
On his way, he met an ancient one who reminded him not to eat before delivering the offering. The next day, Osetura, accompanied by Esu, carried the offering to Orun. This time, the doors of heaven opened wide.
Osetura presented the offering to Olodumare, who asked if the earth had not already been destroyed. Osetura could say nothing in response.
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Olodumare gave Osetura bundles of rain and essential items needed for the survival of the world. As Osetura returned, he lost one of the bundles, and rain began to fall on the earth, bringing life back to the land. Crops grew, rivers overflowed, and people rejoiced.
Osetura was hailed as a hero, and they asked him to take their offerings to heaven as well. In gratitude for his success, Osetura gave all the gifts he received to Esu-Odara, acknowledging that all sacrifices made on earth passed through him before reaching Esu.
Through Osun's child, Osetura, harmony was restored between the Iya-Mi and the 16 Orisa-Agba. Osetura was the only one who could open the doors of heaven and deliver the offerings to Olodumare, saving the earth from chaos and destruction.
