Skip to main content

Books - Tratados de Odduns de IFA divination book, circa 1990s

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 50

Scope and Contents

This book likely comes from Cuba and is associated with Santería practices. It includes memory stories, poems, and herbal remedies associated with divination patterns. This book is in Spanish and includes notes in Yoruba.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1990s

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

Includes materials written in English and Spanish.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Ifá is a Yoruba religion and system of divination based on predicting the future through the interpretation of the markings produced by palm nuts cast on a divination tray by specialized diviners known as babalawo. As part of the rite of divination, the babalawo recite by memory stories, poems, and herbal remedies associated with the pattern on the divination board. Ifá is practiced in West Africa, the Americas, the Canary Islands, and it is also an important element of Santería, Vodou, and other African-diaspora religions. IFA divination books contain the revelations that make up the system of Ifá divination, and thus are considered as sacred texts. Access to these texts is restricted in order to ensure that the transmission of this body of traditional knowledge is faithful and respectful of the community that produced it

Extent

From the Collection: 1.82 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated in 2014, (ACC# 2014-0031)

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755