Babalawo

Babaaláwo or Babalawo (Babalao or Babalaô in Latin America; literally meaning 'father of the mysteries' in the Yoruba language) is a spiritual title that denotes a priest of the Ifá oracle. Ifá is a divination system that represents the teachings of the Òrìṣà Ọrunmila, the Òrìṣà of Wisdom, who in turn serves as the oracular representative of Olodumare. A Babalawo's female counterpart is known as an Iyaláwo or Ìyánífá.

Part of a series on
Yoruba religion
(Òrìṣà-Ifá)

Functions in society

The Babalawos are believed to ascertain the future of their clients through communication with Ifá. This is done through the interpretation of either the patterns of the divining chain known as Opele, or the sacred palm nuts called Ikin, on the traditionally wooden divination tray called Opon Ifá.

In addition to this, some of them also perform divination services on behalf of the kings and paramount chiefs of the Yoruba people. These figures, holders of chieftaincy titles like Araba and Oluwo Ifa in their own right, are members of the recognised aristocracies of the various Yoruba traditional states.

People can visit Babalawos for spiritual consultations, which is known as Dafa, They are often asked to sacrifice something in return for the Orisas or Irunmole to fulfil their needs, which are often stigmatized and can be seen by practitioners of other religions as paganism. However often in Yoruba Movies, Babalawos are unrightfully seen as Evil, undemonized the by UNESCO and recognized as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."

gollark: ™
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gollark: Also ale, try the search again, I put in esolangs.org.
gollark: *Manually*, like someone from the 18th century?
gollark: Can I somehow automate sending my entire 1000-meme library?

See also

References


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