Obatalá Makes Ebó

The years passed, and Ochanlá, who was once young and vibrant, became an aged woman. Age brought weakness and frailty, and even in Heaven, she suffered. No one paid any attention to her.

In desperation, Ochanlá went to the heavenly diviners. She asked them, “Is this all there is for me? All my life I have served Olófin on Earth, and I have followed the will of Olódumare for my life. And now that I am in Heaven, still I age, and I am too old to even walk without stooping or exhaustion. I would rather cease to exist than spend all eternity frail and weak.”

The diviner looked at her sadly. “Let us divine and see what the will of Olódumare is for you in your old age.” Ofún opened on the mat. “No, Ochanlá, this isn't the end for you, and you don't have to suffer. Ofún tells us that you must make ebó, and once you've made your ebó, all things will become clear again.”

Ochanlá had faith; she was an orisha, and had seen miracles worked in the lives of others when they made ebó on Earth. There, in Heaven with Ofún as a witness, she made ebó herself. And then, exhausted, she went to sleep.

Ochanlá awoke the next morning, and she felt different. She looked down at her hands; the skin was still creased and wrinkled, her joints still swollen. She stood up, but felt strength, and went to the mirror. Nothing had changed. Her face was wrinkled, and her eyes creased, but they held a certain youthfulness that betrayed her age. “Curious.” She thought.

And then she went outside, and felt ashé coursing through her veins. No more was her body filled with pain; no more did she walk hunched over; no more did standing tire her. She felt powerful, as if she could fly.

And fly she did.

When Ochanlá opened her arms to greet the new day, she felt the sun's rays caressing her, and she was floating, down from Heaven and to Earth. Her white garments, which were once yellow with age, were again blazing and brilliant with the rays of the sun, and as she floated down from the skies, the entire world paid homage to her with the brilliance of a new day.

She was worshipped forever on Earth, thanks to the ashé of Ofún.