What Is Called A Divination Tray Ozain?

An ọpọ́n Ifá is a divination tray used in traditional African and Afro-American religions, particularly in the Ifá system and Yoruba tradition. The etymology of opon, meaning “to flatter”, explains the artistic and embellished nature of the trays, which are meant to praise and acknowledge Orunmila, the god of divination, through the divining ritual. The most essential implements of a Yoruba babalawo, or diviner, are their tray (“opon Ifa”) and their tapper (“iroke Ifa”).

The opon Ifa is made of wood from Ikókò, Àgbálùmò, or any other tree of this category. In Ifa divination, the priest sprinkles wood powder over the smooth inner surface of a wooden tray. As the sacred palm nuts are cast, the diviner records the results by tapping the divination tray to greet Orunmila, opening channels of communication between human and spirit world.

In the Ifa divination system practiced by Yoruba peoples of Nigeria, Eshu is the god (orisha) who delivers prayers, wishes, and offerings. The babalawo casts sacred palm nuts onto the tray and records the results. The Sacred Ifa Divination Board Ifa Oracle Board Tablero de Ifa Opon de Ifa Religion Yoruba Tablero de Osain Osain Board Ozain is a rare board used in Afro-Cuban traditions by Osain priests.

The origin of the Osahin, or divination tray, comes from the mythology of the Egyptians, with the word Osahi(n) coming from the word Egyptian Sahu. A Yoruba priest uses a carved tray like this in the divination process, prominent among the carvings is the face of the messenger god Èsù (top, center).

What is the Yoruba divination ritual?

In Nigeria, the Yoruba practice divination through a diviner called a babalawo, who seeks information from the deity Ifa to assist in resolving personal, medical, social, political, and religious issues. Ifa provides humans with the capacity to comprehend life forces, to exert influence over events through prayer and sacrifice, and to perform rituals that facilitate healing from illness.

What is a divination tray?

Ifa divination involves a priest sprinkled wood powder over a wooden tray, casting sacred palm nuts. The diviner records the results by marking the powder with an ivory tapper, revealing the proper chants to be recited. For more information, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk. All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free, while digital files with color bars can be requested from Image Services.

What is divination called?

Divination, also known as soothsaying, is a practice that involves determining the hidden significance or cause of events, sometimes foretelling the future, using natural, psychological, and other techniques. Found in all civilizations, divination is most commonly practiced in contemporary mass society through horoscopes, astrology, crystal gazing, tarot cards, and the Ouija board. In ancient Roman culture, divination was focused on discovering the will of the gods.

Today, divinatory practices and beliefs are more extensive than discerning the will of the gods and the fatalistic view of the human condition that inspired early Mediterranean religious thought. In some societies, divination is a practice that many people frequently resort to, but never in terms of discovering the will of the gods. The idea of godly providence controlling human affairs in such societies is unusual, although humbler spirits are often thought to intervene in troublesome ways.

Divination is universally concerned with practical problems, private or public, and seeks information upon which practical decisions can be made. The mantic (divinatory) arts are numerous, and a broad understanding can only be gained by surveying actual practices in various cultural settings.