Babalawo

An African Babalawo

Babalawo or Iyanifa (also Babaaláwo in full, and pronounced Baba-a-láwo) is a Yorùbá title that denotes a Priest of Orunmila, the Yoruba god or Orisha of Wisdom operating through Ifa, the divination system. Orunmila in the Yorùbá tradition knows the past, present and future. The Babalawo as a Priest of Ifa can ascertain the future and how to deal with it through communication with Orunmila. This is done by consulting Ifa through the patterns of the divining chain (Opele) or sacred palm nuts called "ikin" on the traditionally wooden divination tray.

In Orisa worship (and its various expressions, Santeria, Lukumí, Anago, Indigene etc.) a Babalawo or "father, master of the mysteries" or Awo and is recognized as clergy, and acts as a community priest. Female Ifa priests are called Iyanifa. Awo is often used as a gender-neutral reference to individual Iyanifa or Babalawo as well as to the group. An Awo is a spiritual counselor to clients and those with whom he or she may have assisted in receiving tutelary Orisa shrines and/or initiated into the spiritual tradition of the Orisa.

Awos undergo training in memorization and interpretation of the 256 Odu (the mysteries) and numerous verses (ese) of Ifa. Traditionally, the Babalawo usually have additional professional specialities. For instance, several would also be herbalists, while others would specialize in extinguishing the troubles caused by Ajogun. The Babalawo are trained in determination of problems and the application of both spiritual and related secular solutions to these problems. Their primary function is to assist people in finding, understanding and processing life until they experience spiritual wisdom as a part of their daily experience. The Awo is charged with helping people develop the discipline and character that supports such spiritual growth. This is done by identifying the client's Spiritual Destiny (Ori) and developing a spiritual blueprint which can be used to support, cultivate and live out that Destiny.

Because spiritual development of others is the charge of Awo, they must dedicate themselves to improving their own understanding of Life and be proper examples for others. The Awo that skimps on his own behavior falls out of favor with his/her Orisa community and is judged more harshly than others.

Some Awo are initiated as adolescents, others as full adults. But training and years of dedication are still the hallmark of the most learned and spiritually gifted Awos. This is why on average most Ifa initiates train for as long as a decade before they are recognized as "complete" Babalawos.

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Babalawo

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