Osode is the
african name of an examination, consultation, or seeing. The osode instruments
can vary depending on the person that does it since consultations can
be performed by Babalawos, Priests of Ocha, Ozain, or Orun.
Babalawos use the Okuele for their consultations. The
osode of a Babalawo lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. The okuele, as shown
in the left, consists of 8 shells united by a chain. This device is
thrown several times and, depending on the way that it falls, the Babalawo
will interpret the follower´s destiny. Orunla is the one that
speaks in these consultations.
The Santeros or Santeras (Priests and priestesses in
Ocha) use the dilogun for their consultation. The dilogun is a set of
shells of saints. The saint that speaks depends on the guardian angel
of the person that officiates the seeing. In this type of consultation,
the shells are released several times and the outcome is seen on the
way that they fall. This type of osode is less certain than that of
a Babalawo.
The rest, priests in Ozain or Orun, consult with
4 cocomut shells. This type of osode is the less certain since it is
done by a person that doesn´t have any saint crowned.
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