When the master-priest is satisfied with the trainee’s ability in the different branches of Ifá, he allows the trainee to present himself for initiation. Of the numerous stages in the initiation ceremony the four principal ones are described below.

as sísí öpëlë já

The first stage is the ceremony marking what is known as as as sísí öpëlë já (ceremony marking the mastery of the Odù by using the divining chain). This is a very important ceremony involving the offering of sacrifice to Òrúnmìlà and the giving of a feast for all Ifá priests in the community concerned. Read the rest of this entry

The Babalawo are the trained dedicated Ifa priests and diviners in the Yoruba community of Nigeria. In Yoruba traditional society, a Babalawo is a ‘doctor’, a ‘pharmacist’, a herbalist and the most popular diviner who the people’ consult for advice, guidance and medical treatment. When a pregnant woman is under labor, when a person is seriously sick or when there is a breakout of epidemic disease, the Babalawos help is sought personally or on behalf of the victim. It should however be noted that the Babalawos unique position in the Yoruba society is neither attained through lineage or honor. The status of a   Babalawo can only be acquired after many years of rigorous training and experiences. The detail on training follows later.

At any point in time, no practicing Babalawo divines without using either the  opele (the divining chain) or the ikin (the sacred palmnut). The use of these instruments would enable him, to know, the nature of his client’s problem. The diviner relies on the dictate of the gods. The diviner therefore serves as a link between two worlds: the ephemeral and eternal, the material and the spiritual. Just as a medical doctor always takes with him a stethoscope, a technician has a screwdriver and pliers ready with him for an emergency work, a Babalawo pockets his portable opele when he is invited to a nearby town or village for divine consultation. Read the rest of this entry

1. Oluwo:

This is a man who has studied and practiced Ifa as a priest for many many years and has not only seen Orisa Odu but owns Orisa Odu (Olodu: owner of Odu) and works with this deity. The Oluwo is the only person who can initiate men into Ifa (Itelodu style). Itelodu is a male Ifa initiation where the men see Orisa Odu as part of their Ifa initiation. And of course, he is the only one can give someone Orisa Odu. Read the rest of this entry