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Cowrie-shell divination refers to several distinct forms of divination using cowrie shells that are part of the rituals and religious beliefs of certain religions. Though best-documented in West Africa as well as in Afro-American religions, such as Regla de Ocha, Candomblé, and Umbanda, [1] [2] [3] cowrie-shell divination has also been recorded in India, East Africa, and other regions.
Cowrie or cowry (pl. cowries) is the common name for a group of small to large sea snails in the family Cypraeidae. The term porcelain derives from the old Italian term for the cowrie shell (porcellana) due to their similar appearance. [1] Cowrie shells have held cultural, economic, and ornamental significance in various cultures.
Moon blocks or jiaobei (also written as jiao bei etc. variants; Chinese: 筊杯 or 珓杯; pinyin: jiǎo bēi; Jyutping: gaau2 bui1), also poe (from Chinese: 桮; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: poe; as used in the term "poe divination"), are wooden divination tools originating from China, which are used in pairs and thrown to seek divine guidance in the form of a yes or no question.
A divination tray on which cowrie shells rests, as are used for Ifá divination. Ifá is a divination system originating from Yorubaland in West Africa. It originates within the traditional religion of the Yoruba people although is also practised by followers of West African Vodun and in African diasporic religions like Cuban Santería.
The Yoruba diviner might use sixteen cowrie-shells instead of the Ifa oracle, [32] or sixteen palm nuts. [20] According to the Yoruba tribe, men and women are both allowed to practice the sixteen cowrie method, but only men are allowed to practice the Ifa method.
ifá: geomancy patterns generated with palm nuts, opele, cowrie shells, etc. that refer to Ifa divination texts; a collection of Odu Ifa verses; iridology: by eye color (Greek īris [īrid-], 'iris' + -logiā, ' study ') isopsephy: by numbers and letters (Greek īsos, ' equal ' + psephos, ' pebble ')
It is adorned with layers of meaningful objects such as monkey skulls, cowrie shells, and nails. Ṣọ̀pọ̀na (or Shapona) is the god of smallpox in the Yoruba religion. [1] The Yoruba people took their traditions about Shapona to the New World when they were transported in the slave trade.
Eleguá (Legba) is known in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico as the orisha and "owner" of caminos, or roads and paths.Elegua is also known as a “trickster” and is portrayed as both being very young and mischievous as well as very old and wise, encompassing the varying paths and phases of fate and life.