Cryptography Cont. - Matrix, Ifa’s perspective - it is all about rows and columns! Ayò game is a matrix.

Before we get into the practical applications of the things we have learned over the past few posts, we must examine one major Mathematical concept called “Matrix” (not the sci-fi film).

A matrix (plural matrices) is simply a rectangular array of numbers, symbols, or expressions, arranged in rows and columns. 
If you have ever used a spreadsheet software (e.g Microsoft Excel) before, then you have seen a matrix in action. The application of matrices in computing - especially in cryptography is widespread. We shall delve more into the inner workings of this amazing mathematical concept at a later date.

For example, the dimensions of the matrix below are 2 × 3 (read "two by three"), because there are two rows and three columns.
[5 7 9]
[3 2 6]

The Ayò game is a very good example of a matrix (2 × 6 matrix or 4 x 8 matrix). If you have never played Ayò game, you should try it. Don't wait before the Europeans or Americans repackage it and sell it to you!

Odù Ifá is a 16 x 16 (16 rows by 16 columns) matrix of binary numbers.

As usual, Ifá knows about mathematics and has something to say about matrix....

Èjì-Ogbè says...
Ọ̀rúnmìlà ni o di ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mu ẹsẹ̀;
Mo ni o di ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mu ẹsẹ̀;
O ni ogún mu ẹsẹ̀ tirẹ̀ ko bá já.
Ọ̀rúnmìlà ni o di ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mu ẹsẹ̀;
Mo ni o di ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mu ẹsẹ̀;
O ni ọgbọ̀n mu ẹsẹ̀ tirẹ̀ ko bá já.
Ọ̀rúnmìlà ni o di ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mu ẹsẹ̀;
Mo ni o di ẹlẹ́sẹ̀ mu ẹsẹ̀;
Mo ni ogójì mu ẹsẹ̀ tirẹ̀ ko bá já.
Mo ni njẹ baba mi Àgbọ̀nníregùn ta ni i ba ti rẹ já?
O ni ẹẹwadọta ni kan ni o bá ẹsẹ̀ ti rẹ já.
Nitori ti a ki ka owó ka owó ki a gbàgbé ẹẹwadọta.
Ifá ni òun ko ni jẹ́ ki a gbàgbé ẹni ti o ba da Ifa yi.
Oluwarẹ si nfẹ ṣe ohun kan yio ba ẹsẹ̀ já ni ohun ti o nfẹ ṣe na yi.

Translation...
Orunmila says each should take his own row;
I say each should take his own row;
He says that Twenty Cowries takes his own row but cannot finish it.
Orunmila says each should take his own row;
I say each should take his own row;
He says that Thirty Cowries takes his own row but cannot finish it.
Orunmila says each should take his own row;
I say each should take his own row;
He says that Forty Cowries takes his own row but cannot finish it.
I say, "Well then, my father Agbonniregun, who can complete his row?"
He says Fifty Cowries alone can complete his row,
Because we cannot count money and forget Fifty Cowries.
Ifa says he will not allow the person for whom this figure was cast to be forgotten.
This person wants to do something; he will "complete his row" in the thing he wants to do.