Cowrie Shells
How do you found out what your Orisha is?
i am interested to find out what mine is.
they say that there is a ceremony where a priest uses cowrie shells to find out what your Orisha( Yoruba deities) is?
how do you go about finding a priest?
Alaafia;
Your question merits a detailed answer.
First of all I must clarify that I'm a traditional Ifa priest, and in the "traditional" way of doing things the Person who you would visit to determine your Orisa is a Babalawo. He would use his Ikins and the Opon Ifa to divine this information.
Within the diapora, an Orisa priest otherwise know as a Santero of highest knowledge has usually filled the role of a Babalawo; hence the usual assumption that a Santero can perform this duty.
So my position is not to say that a Santero is wrong in doing this or that this is a ceremony which only can be performed by a Priest of Orunmila. All I want you to understand at this point is what has "traditionally" been followed.
Case in point; only Orunmila has witness the beginning and end of all things thus we say Iba Orunmila, Eleri ipin, Iku dudu atewo (I pay respect to Orunmila Witness to creation, and averter of death.
An Ifa Priest - a Babalawo - has access to the complete 256 Ifa Odu and the use of the Opon-Ifa and sacred palm nuts referred to as Ikin. It is these, most sacred instruments; which a learned Babalawo would use to ascertain a persons Orisa.
The ceremony you speak of is one which can be performed by a high ranking Santero like an Ita'lero, but should be performed by a Babalawo.
The Babalawo you want to perform this most important ceremony is one which has been trained in the Traditional way. This is a person who has been a Babalawo for at least 10 years as the amount of knowledge, and training required to successfully and respectfully discharge the responsibilities of such position requires considerable amount of knowledge and experience acquired under the jealous tutelage of a higher ranking Babalawo known as an Oluwo. If you had a choice between the two, you would want to go to the Oluwo. However; there are very few traditional Oluwos the United States.
In regards to where can you find such a priest, I would recommend you visit my Facebook site, and post your request for one. If you happen to be in the state of Colorado, I could help you, otherwise; one of the many traditional Babalawos and Oluwos; which are my FB friends may help you further.
O dabo!
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