Ajogun

The term Ajogun (Yoruba) is etymologized in the sources as formed from the agent prefix a- + the verb jẹ ('to eat' or 'to consume') + the noun ogun ('war'), literally meaning 'the ones that feed on war.' In the Yoruba cosmological framing recorded in the sources, Ajogun are a recognized category of hostile spiritual agents that occupy the opposing pole to the benevolent Oriṣa and are described as being 'at war with mankind.' The sources present them as a class that includes named spirits with specific domains and record that they can be 'self-inflicted' when a person breaks taboos or refuses to heed the advice of Ifá divination. Iku (Death) is described in the sources as the head of the Ajogun.

The provided sources give folkloric descriptions specifically for Iku (Death), counted among and described as head of the Ajogun: in folktales Iku is sometimes depicted either as a young warrior or a haggard old man carrying a heavy club said to kill victims simply by touching them. Other named Ajogun (Arun, Ẹgba, Epe, Eṣe, Ẹwọn, Ofo, Ọran) are listed by association with domains of misfortune (disease, paralysis, curses, wounds, imprisonment, loss, conflict) in the sources but are not given distinct physical descriptions in the supplied material.

Sources describe Ajogun as malevolent spiritual forces that regularly interfere with mortal lives and cause a range of misfortunes. The sources list named Ajogun with associated domains: Iku (death) who causes death and who in tales can kill by touch; Arun (disease and illness); Ẹgba (paralysis and infirmity); Epe (curses); Eṣe (wounds and affliction); Ẹwọn (imprisonment/captivity); Ofo (loss and destruction of property); and Ọran (conflict and trouble). The sources also state that Ajogun may afflict those who break taboos or refuse Ifá's advice and that divinities such as Ọrunmila/Ifá and Eṣu interact with or intercede regarding Ajogun (for example, an Odu Ifa narrative records Ọrunmila outwitting Iku).