Who Is APETEBI ?

An Apetebi is the name given to wife of
Orunmila. It is also the name Orunmila gave to
the wife of a Babalawo.
In the Odu Ifa Ogbe Sa, Ifa gives the story of
how the Apeeibi became the wife of Orunmila.
Ifa relates that Orunmila went to war in the town
of Ilu obirin after all the efforts of the other
Orisha were unsuccessful. Orunmila consulted
Ifa, made the proper sacrifice and subsequently
was able to defeat the uprising in Ilu obirin. The
town of Iluobirin was inhabited by only women.
These women were tied together with rope and
taken back to the town where Orunmila resided.
Once they arrived in town Orunmila’s advisers
wanted to kill all of the women. Instead of killing
the women Orunmila decided to make them
Apetebi.
The difference between an Apetebi and an
Iyanifa (female Ifa priest) is that an Apetebi is
not necessarily initiated to Ifa but is a wife of a
Babalawo. Whereas an Iyanifa is not only
initiated to Ifa but is a learned Ifa priest.
After a woman marries a Babalawo, she is
required to clean the area and house of Ifa every
5 days. It is necessary to keep the area where
Ifa rests clean. She is always to take water to
visitors when they arrive in the home. She must
also honor her husband and cannot be rude. She
should be respectful of all her husband;s omo
Awo. She must be the keeper of her husband’s
secrets and be careful of her words outside the
home.
A Babalawo’s duties to an Apetebi include
treating his wife with respect. He cannot beat or
use harsh words towards her but must be cool
tempered and patient. If a problem arises
between a Babalawo and his his it must be
solved amiably.
When feeding Ifa the Apetibi should bring Esin
and use these materials to pray. There are many
songs specific to Apetibi. In the Oketase temple
in Ile-Ife, the Apetibi have Aro, which are roles
specific to Apetibi in the Agboniregun and Ifa
festivals. When Odu is being carried out Apetibi
have Orin that is sung specifically at that time.
During each occasion there are many necessary
assignments and duties the Apetibi must
perform. Through these many tasks the wives of
Orunmila receive the blessings of Ifa.
Respect that is given to a Babalawo is also given
to his Apetibi. The Apetibi has power. She was
given cowries by Orunmila to divine for his
clients in his absence. The Apetibi can divine
with erindilogun. She has access to all of the
Orisha houses. However she can never into the
house of Odu or Oro. These places are forbidden
to female. The Apetibi will wear Ide Ifa and
traditional cloting. Another babalaow can never
sit in the place where an Apetibi has just
vacated.
The Apetebi is a valued member of the Ifa
community.