09/21/2025
Okanran Sode:
The Ide bead that I tie together in the way it suppose to be tied
And the Ide bead that I bought the way an Ide bead is suppose to be bought
The Ide bead that I tied round my wrist
A rat sneaked in quietly and took it away
Orunmila declare that everything is left until I return
And I chorused that everything will happen when I come back
They asked Orunmila
What do you think will happen when you come back
Orunmila declare that he will use the rat as feeding material for his Ifa
The Ide bead that I tie together in the way it suppose to be tied
And the Ide bead that I bought the way an Ide bead is suppose to be bought
The Ide bead that I tied round my wrist
A fish sneaked in quietly and took it away
Orunmila declare that everything is left until I return
And I chorused that everything will happen when I come back
They asked Orunmila
What do you think will happen when you come back
Orunmila declare that he will use the fish as feeding material for his Ifa
The Ide bead that I tie together in the way it suppose to be tied
And the Ide bead that I bought the way an Ide bead is suppose to be bought
The Ide bead that I tied round my wrist
A bed sneaked in quietly and took it away
Orunmila declare that everything is left until I return
And I chorused that everything will happen when I come back
The asked Orunmila
What do you think will happen when you come back
Orunmila declare that he will use the bird as feeding material for his Ifa
The Ide bead that I tie together in the way it suppose to be tied
And the Ide bead that I bought the way an Ide bead is suppose to be bought
The Ide bead that I tied round my wrist
A beast sneaked in quietly and took it away
Orunmila declare that everything is left until I return
And I chorused that everything will happen when I come back
They asked Orunmila
What do you think will happen when you come back
Orunmila declare that he will use the beast as feeding material for his Ifa
The Ide bead that I tie together in the way it suppose to be tied
And the Ide bead that I bought the way an Ide bead is suppose to be bought
The Ide bead that I tied round my wrist
Ones child entered ones house and understood ones language
Our children will understand our language
When my father dies
I understood his language
May our children understand our language
The Ide Beads and the Language of Our Children
My take:
Ifá teaches us through this verse that the Ide beads are more than decoration—they are symbols of protection, discipline, and spiritual order. Parents are advised to tie these beads for their children, to train them well, and to show them the path of Ifá at all times.
In the story, Orunmila ties the Ide bead properly, yet each time it is stolen by a rat, a fish, a bird, or a beast. Instead of despair, Orunmila responds with wisdom: each loss becomes nourishment for Ifá. This teaches us that even when challenges arise or things are taken from us, we can transform those losses into resources for growth.
The verse ends with a powerful reminder: “Our children will understand our language. When my father died, I understood his language. May our children understand our language.” This is the call of legacy—ensuring that the next generation understands not only our words, but our values, our culture, and our path.
Reflection Question for You:
How do you make sure that your children—or the younger generation around you—“understand your language”? What traditions, values, or lessons are you most committed to passing on?
