OSHUN IBU KOLE

“Oshun who gathers dust from sweeping that
takes care of the house”
by Baba Odusola Esudina Ifaseye, 8/2015

The very name describes our female ancestors and power they truly had. History states that the most powerful woman on the plantation was not the master's wife in fact it was the Mame, the true matriarch. The African woman who was mother mistress housekeeper, babysitter, counselor and steward of all that master owned except herself... for in truth at night it was she that went into the swamp with the dust gathered and the herbs of the swamp to take control of her destiny and of all the other Africans enslaved as well. Oshun Ibu kole as “the swamp witch”.

The Oshun that gave up her outward beauty to save the world.


Oshun Ibu Kole who is she... that we will never truly know and woe to any human being that thinks they understand the totality of any Orisha. However, our ancestors, my Oluwo and my own research may give some clarity on how powerful and mysterious this Oshun truly is. Oshun is an Orisha that is misunderstood and underestimated. Asking how far does her influence reach in our daily lives is like asking, how old is water. I hope the following gives you all understanding and clarity.

Oshun Ibu Kole her representation and force of nature:

She represents the fight of life. That drive, the stamina that makes us say “I will Live!!!” This is equated with the blood. As they say Blood is thicker than water, In other words saying we all may share the water as a people but the wealth is another matter for that belongs to family. Speaking of authority and rights by blood and lineage; many roads of Oshun are rich and some are not but all have a wealth that takes deeper understanding like all woman.

She is the owner of the river, the river flows underground and over like the veins in our body carrying life with it. Wherever there is a civilization there is a river supporting its growth and stability.

She was born from a beautiful shell at the border where the sea and river meet. All waters come from the sea and go back to her. From that union is born another road Oshun Akparo which is depicted as the mermaid. Ibu kole being the marshy aspects all the way up to this transition from fresh too salty. Manatees were sometimes described by fisherman as mermaids of the swamps. Her water is also the still swampy waters and sulfur water which I will explain further below.

She is the overseer of Egun. An overseer is best described as an over looker especially over workers. During slavery the overseer was an individual that kept watch making sure there was no slaking or organizing against the master. He kept the workers in line. Although he was only one man with just a few assisting him he had a psychological control over them as well . In the case of Oshun she keeps the Egun on task and working toward the goal at hand. Death being the power of Orun is apart of her power and magic.

There are many spirits in the swamps and graveyards that can be found near swamps so her power is supported by her sisters in the cemetery as well Oya and yewa. A very powerful force to be reckoned with indeed. This segues well into her being the only female to be able to go to Oro.

Only she can go to Oro

Oro is a spirit that is found in forests and swamps. Oro means fierceness, provocation, it is a dangerous spirit for it consumes life including the soul . Oro is especially dangerous to child bearing woman and because of this when Oro comes into town either called or being appeased it said Oshun Ibu kole is the only one that does not have to run, in fact she goes to Oro to placate him to her requests as apart her deep magic. This also eludes to Oshun's access to politics and male power. For Oro is evoked by the Agboni society; A society of political authority regarding the law and justice that must be carried out. It is Oro that carries out the execution. This privilege also speaks on the woman that is respected amongst men of authority because she understands their thinking as well as their weaknesses and secrets. Oshun Ibu kole appears poor however she obtains great riches discretely wealth not seen in plain sight. To live under ones means yet own the whole city block. This is effective in a society that does not favor independent woman. Children of Oshun Ibu kole prosper in these type of situations.

Daughter of Nana Buruku

She is the daughter of Nana Buruku and Olofin (Orisha Odu) . This kinship brings her in the realm of Iyaamis thus her messenger being the vulture. A bird also used by the Iyaamis as carriers between dimensions and time. The Iyaamis also shape shift into birds The vultures are said to bring her food and messages for Orun and her worshipers offerings. In reality Oshun Ibu Kole can shape shift into water creatures as well alligators, fish and yes mermaids included.

She lives with Aganju, Osain ,Orunmila, Orisha Oko,Odududuwa,Babaluaye and Inle

Oshun ibu kole's nature is the river, moving and ever resourceful .If one investigates the Orisha above they all share a kinship and relationship with Ibu Kole by virtue of the swamp habitat alone. In reality Osun Ibu lole is a resource for them for she is the swamp and all the mysteries it entails.

Osain for the herbs, Orunmila as his counsel and appetibi, Orisha Oko for wild plants that were domesticated for farming, Oduduwa the dead, Babaluaye for the multitude of diseases in the swamp as well as the multitude of cures, Inle looking for the cure. All of these Orisha personified have good reason to allow Oshun to be free to thrive as humanity needs her to thrive. Aganju however deserves further explanation beyond the ferryman on the river.

She lives with Aganju . Aganju is the fiery boat man crossing the river history shows that the boat men would drop money into the river to ensure a safe crossing. However this does not explain the relationship of Oshun living with the God of the volcano. However science does give a hint to this analogy.

The volcano in the swamp

In Wakulla Florida there is a legendary tale of a volcano that holds firm to this day. History states that native tribes up to the Seminoles gave accounts of a glow seen at night with smoke that was visible for miles. Confirmation of this phenomenon could not be confirmed because of the thick and harsh habitat of the swamp and the legend volcano being in the center. I cannot confirm this to be a pervasive occurrence in swamps elsewhere The possibility that this is pervasive is yet to be investigated . However this account could begin to explain this swamp volcano relationship. Thus the statement Oshun lives with Aganju or more accurate they exist together.

Also sulfur water which is a product of minerals produced by ancient volcanic eruptions and magma flows that seep into the water sources of course near rivers and swampy areas. This water is not harmful in fact it can be effective for the hair skin and digestive system and of course blood being high in minerals.

Attributes

Osun ibu kole's eleke 10 amber and 1 coral

An Esu is received with her .

With her goes a doll, 5 needles, a drum , champagne you never open, 2 mirrors and a bell

Herbs

Yellow Dock, Burdock, Cinnamon, Damiana, Anise, Raspberry, Yarrow, Chamomile, Lotus, Uva-Ursi, Buchu, Myrrh, Echinacea, watercress chestnut, Chinese plum, air potato

Waters
Swamp water, river water, sulfur water, rain water on the equinox of spring

This is some not all of the mysteries of this powerful and underestimated Orisha I hoped this has broadened your understanding.

May Oshun Ibu Kole give you good health and happiness. Ase