Opón Ifá is the divinatory tray of the babalawo : ifa priest . It is one of the instruments used by any Bàbáláwo. Opón Ifá is made of wood from Ikókò, Àgbálùmò or any other tree of this category. It is usually flat and rectangular or circular in shape. They are also carved in a variety different designs including human representations, animals, and spiritual Objects . Animales like Turtles and lizards are very common also. The Opón Ifá must have at least one carved face representing Èsù Òdàrà as the all-seeing eye in divination.
Ifá names Opon as Allah (the one who will never die) this is because when Opon is used for divination, to impress odu ifa upon it. The exact moment the Odù finished being marked/printed, the message will begin to come out. According to what is in Opón ( odu ifa). As a matter of fact, it is believed that during Õrúnmilà's period on earth he used to "sit" on the Opón before speaking.
It's why that the Odu is given Odú must first "sit down" before the Bàbáláwo begins to speak. In
Õtúrá rerá ifa says the following!
Õtúrá Ògúndá
Igbó tééré kan‟ko
Òdán tééré kan dò
Ònà wérè-wèrè-wérè kan ibi à n ré
Díá fún Aláìkú
Omo ayélóhùn kere
Orúko ti áá pe Opón-Ifá
Wón ní kó rúbo sí laìkú araa re
Ó gbé‟bo, ó rúbo
Kò pé kò jinnà
E wá bá ni làìkù kangiri
Àìkú Kangiri làá bá ní lèsè Òpè.
Translation:
The fine forest reached the cultivable land
The thin savannah reached the stream
Small gaps reached our destiny
These were the declarations of Ifá to Allah (who will never die)
Offspring of the one who possesses a loud and clear voice
The name given to Opon Ifa
He was advised to offer a sacrifice for longevity
He accepted, soon after and not to long
Join us where we're enjoying the never-ending
life.