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author: Ochani Lele
The Diloggun at first glance is a wonderful "coffee table" style book - large in size (8 1/2" by 11"), with a bright orange/red cover. However, coffee table books don't usually run to 618 pages, and seldom show the depth of subject that this book does. Ochani Lele is a priest of the Lucumi faith - a sect that is based on ancient Yoruba (Nigerian) beliefs. In this book he presents an in depth view of the Diloggun, which is the divinatory aspect of the faith.
The Diloggun oracle is based on the use of cowrie-shells, and is a off shoot of Cuban Santeria - religious practices that were brought over with the African slave population. Although the Lucumi faith is based in the United States, Lele does an excellent job of tracing the history of the religion and the people that practiced it.
There was a very interesting part of this history that referred to the formal levels of the religion that lead up to priesthood. It is given as a clue to those that might wish to consult a Diloggun practitioner, as a way of telling whether they were a true, trained person of faith or a charlatan. Those who seek wisdom may ask to see the first page of the practitioners libreta - the book given to the iyawo (initiate to the priesthood) upon completion of the ceremonies of the asiento (major initiation ceremony). This page holds the Priest or Priestess's full name, the date of initiation, the signature of the godparent (Priest/Priestess who taught the initiate), the signature of the yabonna (assistant to the priest or priestess) and the signatures of all of those who attended the ceremony. It reminded me very much of a mystery that I saw on TV many years ago, where the person who was being stalked went into the oral tradition of his people - literally from day one of the forming of the universe! Oral tradition at its finest - and it exists to this day in many cultures.
The bulk of this book is aimed at describing the Orishas (Gods), proverbs, sacrifices and prohibitions of the Cuban Santeria. It is made clear that one does not become a Lucumi diviner by reading this - or any - book. That much serious study is needed, that the diviner never works alone, and that the manner in which the divination is done is sacred.
I was drawn to this book by one word on the cover - Orishas. I am a student of Tarot, and have a Tarot deck that is based on the Orishas. There is very little explanation in the accompanying booklet about the background of these Gods, so, while this book is outside of my expertise, I was happy that it crossed my path and that I would get a more personal understanding of the culture that my Tarot deck came from.
The oracle is seen as a tool of transformation. Reading the cowrie-shells is the beginning of a process, a process in which balance and change are brought to the life of the Seeker. The oracle consists of twelve "families": Okana, Eji Oko, Ogunda, Irosun, Oche, Obara, Odi, Eji Ogbe, Osa, Ofun, Owani and Ejila Shebora. Within these twelve families exist 192 omo odu ("children" of odu). Each of the families and children have their own Orishas, proverbs, sacrifices and prohibitions.
The information on each of the families (and children) includes the proverbs of the family, the Orishas who speak for them, and the messages that they carry. There is quite specific information on what the client is to be told when given cowrie-shells are drawn. There are also sections on prohibitions (how the client needs to conduct themselves) and initial considerations, including very specific foods. This information is provided for each of the sub-groups (children) within each of the twelve major families.
It is quite interesting to note that much of the information is on proper conduct of the Priest/priestess, their helper and the client. The whole purpose of consulting the oracle is to bring the client back into harmony with themselves and their environment.
At the back of the book there is a section with explanations for the phrases specific to the Lucumi religion. It is quite well done - and I found that once I got into the book I did not need it as much as I thought that I would. The book reads quite easily. An added bonus is an extensive reference section to other works by many different people.
At no point in time does Lele indicate that by "memorizing" this book and practising the work of the oracle that one can do a valid consultation. The purpose of the book is to present a history of the religion, and to specifically denote the practice of consulting the oracle. I think this is a wonderful resource book - for studying the people of the religion and the religion itself. I highly recommend this book to those who have a serious interest in the Diloggun (the use of the cowrie-shells as a oracle), Cuban Santeria and the Lucumi religion.
Thank you for visiting my Creation of Cerermony room. May your day be Blessed.
Mitakuye Oyasin - For All Of Our Relations.
Bonnie Cehovet
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