ᐈ Babalawo 【What is it, Jobs, how to greet it and MORE】

In Santeria, many deities and saints are maintained, as well as many mythological characters that give rise to what we can now call a growing religion. Proof of this is who we can call babalawoa person who is formed in religion and acts as representative of the samewho possesses spiritual abilities that are granted to him by following the appropriate steps and having fulfilled a series of requirements for his training.

That is why to delve more into the subject, we invite you to continue reading about Babalawo: What it is, Jobs, how to greet him and MORE

Babalawo: What is it?

babalawo He is one of the main priests in Santeria, derived from the religion Yoruba/ Lucumibeing for many the saint of knowledge and destiny, identified with the colors yellow and green.

It has a very strong global significance today, and due to its nature it has a great variety of rituals, rules, as well as priests who act as representatives of the religion.

They are also told; Babalawo or Babalao, Awo or Babalao, this word comes from Nigeria, where Baba means “father” and Awo “secrets”, this being the title Yoruba which is designated to the Priests of orunmilouch orula. In general terms it is Orisha of wisdom that is based on the divinatory system called ifaand in which orunmila it is the knower of both the present, the past and the future.

It is recognized as clergyman in his religionthe father of secrets or spiritual consultant for those clients who want to know who their Orisha tutelary and so that in this way they can start in laha.

As awos maintain a training in terms of memorization and interpretation of the sacred scriptures called odus and the verses of ifa. Many specialize and train as great herbalists, a science that is closely linked to the divinatory artss, as well as other babalawos do it to eliminate those problems caused by the Ajogun.

The way in which the Babalawos perform divination is based on communication with orunmilto, the query to ifa and as a means opelewhich are also known as sacred flame seeds ikin on the divination board Ifa.

It is through them that the babalawos as priests of ifa can predict the future, as well as handling everything that this may entail. To the women priests of ifa they are called Iyaonifa.

He has the ability to detect problems and therefore apply secular or spiritual solutions if necessary. Its function is to assist people, find and process the meaning of lifeTherefore, in essence, and in the daily life of his existence, he experiences spiritual wisdom.

The babalawo is the one who should help people to develop character and constant discipline, which in a certain way influences their personal growth and even the development of their spiritual path, and then be used as support.

What jobs do you do?

It is important to note that due to their hierarchy in religion, the Babalawos have the ability to perform many jobs, which we can list below:

How to greet him?

To greet a Babalawo requires a kind of short ritual accompanied by the appropriate words of the Yoruba language.

Said greeting will also depend on the hierarchy that deals within the religion, such as the following:

You must give a formal greeting but with a lot of respect.

They must be thrown to the floor so that you can later lift them up than the Babalawo and his Orula, asking for health and prosperity.

The blessing is requested from the Babalawo and the words “iboru iboya iboshishe” are pronounced, these will depend on the religious house.

Cuban Babalawo

It is also called Babalawo Cuban Santero Mayorthis is in charge of leading and organizing the letters of the year, this for being the one who has the longest time in the region and in addition to being the highest hierarchical position of religion.

In addition to having different functions, they have a code of conduct, which has responsibilities and duties that derive from religion both at the regional and global levels.

There is a dilemma in terms of information handled by santeros of the Cuban community, it mentions that many Cuban Babalawos do not have a holy fact, which would indicate a serious breach of the rules.

Babalawo in Mexico

In Mexico there is a misconception of what “Being a Babalawo” is, its meaning and what it symbolizes.

Most people who have been introduced to Santeria and they have no saint madeas well as there are those who have “settled” a saint that does not correspond to them, so for them to become babalawos would be the way to compensate for this error.

As well as the fact of being homosexual among other rules or limitations that are imposed before becoming a Babalawo.

Babalawo Religion

The Babalawo and the Ifa in religion yoruba/ lucumiis the priest of Santeria, refers to the body Yoruba of ritual and philosophical knowledge, also related to the divinatory system of the past, present and future.

This religious system is very extensive, which is why it is also one of the names with which the Orisha of wisdom and divination.

This being the most complete that exists among all African religions and cultures today.

It is worth noting that through religion, the Babalawo shows his beliefs, teachings and guides of the powers of Orisha.

Can you have lovers?

al babalawo he is forbidden to have loversas well as certain acts related to the subject.

Its prohibitions also include:

Having lovers, since he owes respect, fidelity and loyalty to his wife. Practicing oral sex on a woman, since this is considered by religion as an impure act. Maintaining relationships with one of his goddaughters. There should only be a fraternal relationship of respect and admiration.

These prohibitions are established as part of many rules and regulations of religion to stay clean in spirit, governed under the designs of olofi and Orula. Its non-compliance can cause a setback in the life of the babalawo, it is also classified as an offense to the orishas and that can lead to moral, financial and spiritual misfortune.

Differences between a Babalawo and a Santero

Although both come from the same branch of the Nigerian Yoruba religion, their guidelines come from different figures in the religion as mentioned below:

The ceremonies of the Babalawos are carried out according to the knowledge and instructions issued by orulaThe santeros perform the rituals as indicated by the saint(s) of osha and that they have previously received.

Steps to be Babalawo

To make Babalawo, the steps to follow can be very extensive, in addition to requiring a long time of spiritual preparation. Here we will show you in a simple way the steps to follow, but it is worth noting that each step requires a little more delving:

Receive the Hand of Orula. Become a kariosha, where it is indicated who would be your guardian angel, be it Chango, Yemaya, Ochun or Eleggua. Fulfill your Yaworaje. Go through Ifa. Know the land of ocha. Study and delve further into religion, being a good religious, seeking the origin and truth of things.

Babalawo: Moorings

The moorings made by the Babalawos are those plays made in santeria and that are requested by the people, which we can mention;

Among others required for the well-being of the applicant.

These rituals are usually very delicate in terms of their elaboration, since when elaborated in an inappropriate way, it can have an effect contrary to that requested and as a consequence cause the so-called “Negative Karma”.

After delving into the subject of the Babalawos, we can say that this priest and representative of the Yoruba/Lucumí religion has the entrusted ability to help and guide people. His influence on religion is notorious and very significant, with contributions ranging from the spiritual to the earthly.

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