Òrìṣà priest

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Òrìṣà priest

bàbálórìṣà Bàbá King

Bàbálórìṣà Bàbá King, olúwo Ìyá-mí, Bàbá Ẹgbẹ́ of the society of bàbáláwo in Àbẹ́òkúta, and Bàbá Ìṣẹ̀ṣè Ẹ̀gbà within the International Council for Ifá Religion in Àbẹ́òkúta – these are just some of the honorific spiritual positions held by Bàbá King.

The characteristic of many great personalities is humility, and this is also one of Bàbá King’s main traits. All aspects of his promotion are handled by other people who find it important to reveal the jewels of humanity and their functionality to the broader public, thereby transcending locational constraints. This website was even given as a gift to Bàbá King; otherwise, it wouldn’t exist since Bàbá King never created a personal social media profile.

It is a great privilege and an immense responsibility to write something about a priest whose regalness is patently obvious, while the magnificence of his wisdom and personality are revealed only through his actions.

How can I summarize decades of Bàbá King’s total and unwavering commitment to the study of Yoruba philosophy, his work with people, and his dedication to the field of research in a short text? This is someone who utilised his knowledge and commitment not only to save countless lives but also to lay down the foundation for spiritual growth of innumerable people.

Every single one of his students may consider it a great honour to have the privilege to fulfil his or her mission under the tutelage and with support of such a person. He generously shares his knowledge with everyone who sets out on the path of priesthood and is prepared for lifelong learning. Moreover, he has so much trust in his students that he selflessly connects them with people who seek help whenever he himself is too busy. Once he is satisfied with the level of knowledge acquired by priests in a certain country, he ceases his own priestly practice while continuing to share his expertise. This is his way of showcasing trust and respect.

Although he is the founder and spiritual leader of three active òrìṣà temples on three different continents and, in addition, runs numerous projects on historically essential sites for Yoruba people and all òrìṣà worshippers throughout the world, he remains humble. He does not talk about his projects and plans. His majestic actions can be seen in people, in art, in the architecture of buildings, in books, and in a documentary film; his legacy will forever be part of human history and not just a part of the history of the òrìṣà devotees.

Bàbá King’s spiritual leadership may be immodestly yet realistically compared only to the ways of Èṣù. He is infinitely patient and tolerant; everything he does is aimed at helping people, and nothing is for his own benefit. With his unwavering trust in the underlying message of spiritual guidance and his total impartiality, he sometimes shakes us to the core, but only to help us immediately rise again on a solid foundation.

If he is challenged with regards to the philosophy he follows unconditionally, he feels no need to engage in discourse. He merely says he knows how to handle his own issues, and the one who finds no use in this wisdom should seek solutions elsewhere. Without a shred of arrogance yet totally pragmatic.

His mission comes first. There is no personal distress, family tragedy, or any other agony that could even momentarily turn Bàbá King into Mr Sàlámì.

As he often reiterates, Bàbá King makes Mr Sàlámì a better person.

Faced with the global pandemic, he was forced to go outside of his comfort zone and adapt some of his activities that could be performed remotely to the new reality. “We cannot only do the things we want and the things we feel are right for us; we must do what has to be done.” This is the wisdom Bàbá King follows unwaveringly.

He says that there is no master above all masters and that a “super priest” does not exist.

I hope not to contradict this when I say that Bàbá King is one of the greatest treasure troves of knowledge regarding Yoruba culture, theology, rituals, and symbolism, odù Ifá and Ẹ́rìndílógún, oríkì and orin, and human character in general. He is one of the greatest sages and thinkers of our time.

Jasmina Audič Awodiran

Ìyá Súùrù, Jasmina Awódìran Gbénga