Offerings means a ceremonially sacrifice offered as a part of worship. Or something we give out in order to get something back in return.In Yoruba, there is a proverb that states that' Ọwọ́ tọ́ níí mú Ọwọ́ tọ̀ọ́ wá'that is, giving out deserves getting Back. Ifá and Orisa appeasement means the rituals given to the Ancestors so as to receive many blessings in returns.
According to what ifá said in one Chapter of Ifá (Irentegbe). Ifá says;
Ìbọ lègbè,
Ìbọ làwúre,
'Dífá fún Orunmila,
Ifá ó sakápò rẹ̀ d'Ọba,
Ó ní ẹni tó bá fẹ́ lówó lọ́wọ́,
Ẹ sá máa ṣèbọ,
Ìbọ lègbè,
Ìbọ làwúre.
Meaning ;
Offerings brings about Upliftment,
Offerings bring about path opener,
Cast divinations for Orunmila,
Ifá will make His followers to become a King(Great person),
He said whoever wants to become wealthy in life should be giving offerings,
Offerings bring about wealth,
Offerings bring about path opener.
Whosoever wants to have a good wife, good home, good house, good cars, peace of mind, live longer, have all fortunes of life should be presenting offerings... Offerings brings about Upliftment
Offerings bring out lathe opener.
May all our offerings be accepted Àṣẹ oo
Types of offerings to the Orisa
The Adimu (Àdìmù) is the most common type of offering made to the Orisa. In it, in most cases, food or animals are used. Some of the foods that are used as Adimu in traditional Ifá are Amala (Àmàlà) or yam flour, Ekuru (Ékuru) or Akara (Àkàrà), which are two dishes of carita beans, or Eko (Èko ) which is cooked cornmeal, to name just a few examples. Each of these foods, which are typical of the Yoruba culture, are used for different purposes.
Another type of sacrifice or Ebo are the Ebo Rirú and the Etutu (Ètùtù).
It is important to know that the ceremonies and sacrifices that are performed during an initiation of Ifá or one of the Orisa are not offerings but are part of the same initiation.
It should also be taken into account that a medicine should not be used without having previously made the offerings.