Autobiography

Oboiro is a diviner, medium, metaphysician, exorcist, mystic, interpreter, etc. Oboiro as “interpreter” is a spiritual guide, trainer in mysteries and a messenger. Oboiro as messenger bears messages to and from ancestors, between ancestors, and between man/woman and individual’s spirit or destiny (Ehi). The roles of the Oboiro necessarily include shaping destiny.

The Oboiro as medium is not the same as being a priest of vodoun religion where the priest is called a houngan; houngan as medium is personification of a zombie, or corpse without a spirit. Oboiro is never devoid of own soul or spirit.

The following are different aspects/phases of my divine initiation: was initiated into a masquerade cult in 1950. Saw visions in river and on land in 1954. Life went into a tailspin in 1967 while I was in West Berlin. Discovered Runes that are alive with awesome magical powers; they linked me to archetypal and primordial ancestors of humankind. Discovered African extraction. Was introduced to the public as Oboiro in 1990. Found OKENANUBODE (mount ANUBODE) located in Ughoton (Gwato) in southern Nigeria. The river where I had first mystical experience turned out to have its fountain here. Went up the mountain in 2010. Reconciled with ancestors of humankind and destiny. Humankind has ancestors in common (Africans not alone). Work now with universal archetypal and primordial ancestors also known to Africans south of the Sahara.

No one ever told me who I was except that I am the son of my father and mother who sought to meet the special needs of each other. I lived as a youth first with my senior sister and then with my senior brother in villages as house help. I was initiated into a masquerade cult in 1950. I had mystical experiences by seeing erinwin (supernatural, incomprehensible, invisible and transcendental Beings) in 1954; one was at the shore of a river and the other on land - both in Ekehuan. I had a crowning experience in 2010 at OKENANUBODE (mount ANUBODE). The river and mountain belong to the hallowed grounds (ARU’OKUN) of Ughoton (Gwato).

I went to Germany on scholarship in 1962. I learned German easily in the language school. A German remarked one day (1962) that I was “marked”; meaning that I am one of those who are reserved for special duties by the Gods (Gotter). The significance of this will be clearer presently.

My life went into a tailspin in 1967 while I was in West Berlin. Nothing worked. I remembered that I was initiated into a masquerade cult before age 10 in 1950. (See details in my book, TAKE OVER CONTROL: Without Physical Violence [TOC].) I prayed and chanted Psalms to no avail. Accelerated descent into hell was the only effect. I undertook research into secret doctrines.

I found help in Scandinavian Runes. Rune is defined as, “magical symbol or spell: a mysterious symbol, inscription, or incantation, especially one believed to have magical power.” I found that Runes are alive with awesome magical power. They are links to archetypal and primordial ancestors of humankind. Days of the week of the whole world for example have runic names such as Tywasdag (Tuesday), Wodansdag (Wednesday), Thursdag (Thursday), and Fryersdag (Friday). I was to find confirmation in Africa that humankind depends on ancestors (as against the impression that only Africans believe in ancestors - re ancestor worship). I now depend on Ruaobi (version of Runes) of Idu Race and work with universal archetypal and primordial ancestors that include those named by Africans south of the Sahara.

I met a tall blue eyed German one day in the secondhand bookstore in Berlin. We eventually strolled to his monastery of a sort. It was a community of researchers into the mystery of Norse mythology which included Runes. The man remarked I was “marked” or set aside for a spiritual mission. This reminded me of my experience in Offenbach am Main (Frankfurt) years earlier. I worked with them and eventually changed my name into Hargaalga.

I returned home to Nigeria in 1977 during FESTAC. The Esogban (the chief custodian of the mysteries of the race) of Benin Kingdom identified me in 1990 as the Germans did earlier (1962-1967). Esogban isHe was the first to call me Oboiro. He presented me at the Urhokpota Hall in Benin City on August 25th, 1990 proclaiming me the oboiro, “who shall from now on interpret for us“. This is very significant indeed. I had no idea of what an Oboiro was or what it was that I was going to be interpreting. I was to find out later that if he were mistaken and had given the title to me in error, I would have died a violent death within three calendar years.

I have accomplished a few miracles since them (including in Edmonton, Canada). I found a base this year (2010) at a town that is reputed to be the route to other universes. OKENANUBODE (mount ANUBODE) is located there. So is the place located there where the first white men set their feet on West Africa in the second half of the 16th century. A stream called EMIMIKPO flows through the mountain. The downstream of this is where I had my first mystical experience in 1954 at about age 12. The name reminds me of the spring of MIMIR related to Wodan in Rune mythology. I had another one on arriving at the foot of the mountain on 12th March 2010. I communicated with the same divine Beings that I saw in 1954 or over fifty years ago. I received concluding graphic elements from them. Every piece of my life has fallen into place since I reconciled with ancestors of humankind and destiny.

I stand out to be counted as the Oboiro in Benin Kingdom for over a thousand years. Oboiro is the messenger of the Gods in the Roman or Greek sense (re Mercury and Hermes respectively). Oboiro is the facilitator of communication between dwellers of different worlds and universes. The flow of information goes through his person. Oboiro is trained by Ebo or erinmwin (supernatural, incomprehensible, invisible and transcendental Beings). He is not ordained as such by mortals. The Esogban of Benin Kingdom only confirmed him and introduced him to the public on a solemn occasion.

Some see Oboiro as a spirit in human form. Oboiro is a diviner, medium, metaphysician, exorcist, mystic, interpreter, etc. Oboiro as “interpreter” is a spiritual guide, trainer in mysteries and a messenger. Oboiro is messenger in the sense that he bears messages to and from ancestors and the physical world, between ancestors, and between man/woman and individual’s spirit or destiny (Ehi). The roles of the Oboiro necessarily include shaping the destiny of those who seek his help.

The kingdom of Great Benin has specialized administrative institutions. One for example is that through which the governance of the Kingdom get to the people (Ekhaevbo n’ore under an Iyase). The Esogban heads a subgroup under the Eghaevbo n’ore, as coordinator of all priestly affairs including witchcraft related activities, the guild of herbalists, spiritualists among others; the Oboiro though separate is in the subgroup of Esogban.