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Yoruba other names for Obatala includes Orisa ala, Orisa alaso funfun, Orisa nla, Obanla, Obatarisa. He is the Orisa with the white clothes. He is the great king . It’s through the Oriki ( cognomen) that one understands the ways of the Orisa than through any other verbal forms. 

As Ulli Beier observed, Obatala is an Orisha holding a unique place in the Yoruba pantheon ,  He is the father of all other deities, and creator of mankind. He is the craftsman who mounds man while the gift of life is the gift of Olodumare ( the supreme being alone). 

Several Odu ifa stanzas point out that Obatala was the most senior among all Orisas. Hence the reason they call him Baba Arugbo (the old man). Obatala created human beings out clay. When he finished mounding their forms. He would pass them to Olodumare who would give the breath of life to them. 

Orisala has extensive knowledge of the world creation and participates in its maintenance. His knowledge goes beyond empirical to the ability to control physical and spiritual forces. Everything about Obatala is white. His robe, his beads (Seseefun), his crown( Ade sese efun)his favorite food ( iyan and Obe ate). Drinks ( snail water. Omi Igbin), Sekete. His white kolanut . (Obi ifin). Opa osooro. Baba Arugbo is a lover of music and dance.