Ayelala

Ayelala is a female orisha of justice and prosecution widely feared for her harsh punishments for those who commit criminal offences. She is also known as a goddess of truth, oath and divination. She originated from the areas inhabited by the Ilaje , Ikale and apoi ethnic groups in southwestern Nigeria, but later spread to other parts of the country, especially Benin and Edo State. She is often invoked by people who seek justice or revenge against their enemies, or by those who want to prove their innocence or expose the truth. Ayelala is believed to possess great powers which she uses against varying forms of social vice, such as armed robbery, sexual offences, and witchcraft to mention a few.

One legend regarding Ayelala's origin suggests that she was a slave woman initially sacrificed by the Ilaje people in an attempt to reconcile with the Ijaw people.^[1] This gesture followed an adulterous affair between an Ilaje man and an Ijaw woman that had triggered a feud between the two communities.^[1] The slave woman met a tragic fate as she was buried alive alongside a pot of water and several charms at the boundary dividing the two territories.^[2] Over time, she evolved into a deified figure, revered as a goddess of justice responsible for punishing oath-breakers and wrongdoers.^[3]

An alternate version of the tale portrays Ayelala as a princess from Ode-Itsekiri, married to an Ilaje chief. Accused of adultery by her husband and his kinsmen, she faced a conspiracy to end her life, leading to her burial with a pot of water and charms.^[4] However, she transcended her mortal existence, emerging from the grave as a formidable orisha, dedicated to seeking justice for those wrongly accused or oppressed.^[4]

The worship of Ayelala extended beyond the coastal regions of Ondo State, gradually reaching other areas of Nigeria, particularly Benin and Edo State. Her popularity grew among individuals disheartened by prevailing corruption and injustice within society.^[2] Ayelala emerged as an alternative and efficacious means of dispensing justice and maintaining order in response to escalating crime and violence. Furthermore, she found favor among certain traditional rulers and chiefs, who utilized her influence to reinforce their authority and legitimacy.^[3]

Ayelala is venerated in shrines typically situated on the outskirts of towns or villages, often near rivers or streams.^[4] These shrines are adorned with palm fronds, white cloths, cowries, pots, calabashes, and various symbols associated with her presence.^[2] Individuals responsible for conducting rituals, performing sacrifices, consulting oracles, and administering oaths in her name are known as olori-ayelala or iya-ayelala, referring to male and female priests and priestesses, respectively.^[5]

The veneration of Ayelala encompasses a range of rites and ceremonies, each serving distinct purposes such as invoking her power, seeking her protection, appeasing her, or requesting her favour. Notable rituals include:

Ebo Ayelala: This ritual involves offerings made to Ayelala to seek her blessings or forgiveness.^[1] It commonly consists of white animals like chickens, goats, sheep, or cows, along with items like kola nuts, gin, palm oil, salt, honey, and other objects deemed pure and pleasing to her.^[6] The sacrifice is placed on a mat or tray and transported to her shrine by the priest or priestess, who recites prayers and praises dedicated to her.^[7]

Ofo Ayelala: An oath taken in the name of Ayelala to solemnly affirm the truth or fidelity of a statement or action. Participants typically hold a knife or razor blade in one hand while touching a container of water, such as a pot or calabash, with the other.^[2] During the oath-taking, individuals declare statements like, "If I lie or betray this oath, let Ayelala kill me" or similar affirmations. This oath is believed to be binding and irreversible, with severe consequences anticipated for anyone who violates it in Ayelala's eyes.^[8]

Aro Ayelala: This ceremony involves pronouncing curses in the name of Ayelala against individuals who have wronged or offended others. It typically entails writing the name of the offender on a piece of paper or a leaf and placing it inside a vessel filled with water at Ayelala's shrine. The person issuing the curse utters phrases like, "Ayelala, I call on you to punish this person for what he/she has done to me" or similar declarations. The curse is believed to be potent and inescapable, resulting in various afflictions or misfortunes imposed by Ayelala upon the offender.^[9]

Ifa Ayelala: A form of divination conducted in Ayelala's name to uncover the truth or the root cause of a problem. This divination practice entails casting sixteen cowries or palm nuts onto a wooden board or mat and interpreting the patterns they create.^[2] The diviner beseeches Ayelala, saying, "Ayelala, I ask you to reveal the truth or the cause of this problem" or similar invocations.^[10] Ifa Ayelala is regarded as accurate and trustworthy, capable of unveiling concealed secrets or mysteries under Ayelala's guidance.^[2][1]

Ayelala is believed to possess supernatural abilities that enable her to administer consequences or rewards based on individuals' actions. She is also thought to reveal her presence or displeasure through various manifestations.^[11] Some of her powers and manifestations include:

Death: Ayelala is associated with the ability to inflict death upon those who violate oaths, commit crimes, or incur her anger. She may cause death by dispatching snakes, scorpions, bees, or other venomous creatures to bite or sting the transgressor.^[12] Alternatively, she can bring about death through symptoms like blood vomiting, swollen stomachs, or sudden illnesses. Some believe that she can even cause death by employing natural forces like lightning, fire, or thunder.^[2]

Madness: Another form of punishment attributed to Ayelala is madness, which she may impose on those who offend her or her devotees. This punishment can manifest as a loss of sanity, erratic behavior, incoherent speech, or public episodes of running naked in the streets.^[13] In some cases, the afflicted may experience visions, auditory hallucinations, or nightmares as signs of Ayelala's disfavour.^[14][13]

Confession: Ayelala is believed to reveal the truth or expose the guilt of wrongdoers through manifestations that lead to confessions. Offenders may voluntarily or involuntarily confess their crimes, either publicly or in private settings, such as before a priest, priestess, or family member.^[15]

Dreams: Ayelala is thought to communicate with her devotees and forewarn them of impending dangers through dreams. In these dreams, she may appear as a beautiful woman dressed in white, holding a pot of water and a knife.^[10] Alternatively, she may take on the form of an elderly woman adorned with cowries and beads, or even manifest as an animal, such as a snake, scorpion, bee, or other creatures she employs to administer punishment.^[16]

• Ovia (deity)