Búzios game: how to play, orixás that command the game and more! Look!

The game of buzios is an oracle, that is, a tool used to try to anticipate what the future holds for someone. It can also be used as a way of understanding the current life processes of the person doing the consultation, as well as providing guidance for action.

Like every oracle, there is always a deity involved. In the case of the buzios, they are the orixás, who pass their messages through the interpretation of the Mother or Father of Saint present at the moment. Understand how its history was formed, learn about the characteristics and learn much more about this important tradition.

The game of buzios is an ancient tradition, which runs through a series of historical events until it reaches the present day. Symbol of resistance and devotion, it has already been banned, as well as African religious practices. Still, it has withstood the test of time and remains strong in many traditions. Know more!

Originating in Turkey, the game of whelks was taken to Africa during the period when the Turks were powerful pioneers and invaded several territories, including those of African peoples. On the mainland, the oracle was adapted and accepted by local traditions, becoming a form of communication with the orixás.

It was on the African continent that the cowries established themselves as a divinatory art, being used by the various nations present there. It is, in fact, the oracle known for the longest time by the Yoruba, and which spread throughout the world after the African diaspora. Even in different traditions, its principles are still the same as its origin in Africa.

One of the main legends involving the game of whelks deals with when the orixá Oxum managed to deceive the orixá responsible for this art – Exu -, and make him tell the secrets of the oracle (Ifá). For this, she asked for help from the witches and threw a golden powder on Exu’s face, who was unable to see. Desperate, he asked her to give him the buzios.

In this way, Oxum began a series of questions and obtained information from them. First, he asked how many whelks she had to get and why (16, Exu replied, explaining afterwards). Afterwards, she said that she found a very large whelk (Exu said it was the Okanran, and gave the explanation). The same happened with Eji-okô, Etá-Ogundá and all the others, until he had already taught them everything, without wanting to.

Satisfied, Oxum went to her father, Oxalá, and told her what happened. Ifá was nearby and, admired by Oxum’s intelligence, also gave him the gift of governing the game, alongside Exu. Therefore, he and Oxum are the only two Orixás who can be part of the game of whelks, according to Yoruba legend.

There are some main characteristics of the whelk game, which make its operation something unique and special. Understand how it works, how the reading is done, what are the main parts of the game (odus), how the preparation takes place and even the types of games possible.

The game of whelks is usually performed on a sieve, which is covered with a white fabric and surrounded with necklaces of beads from the regent orixá. Other objects are also placed, depending on each Mother or Father of Saint. After all the preparation, the question is asked and the answer comes through the position of the whelks, when thrown into the sieve.

As the name implies, it is a game of shells, so these small shells are used to read. In order to give everyone an equal chance of falling on both sides, they are cut in the back, forming a hole. The reading is then done by placing the shells on the table, whether they are open (hole facing downwards) or closed (hole facing upwards), interpreted based on the intuition and logic of the pieces.

There are only two orixás (Ori – head, shah – guardian), Exu and Oxum. Tradition says that Oxum was awarded the gift of playing the game of shells after tricking Exu, her ability being given by the orixá of divination and destiny, Ifá. Exu was the first, as he is the great messenger, able to communicate more easily with the incarnate, either by himself or by his phalanges.

In the game of whelks, between 4 and 21 shells are needed, depending on the modality adhered to. Each time you play the pieces on the table, you can have one of the meanings – or odus. There are 16 main odus and 256 possibilities in all. Among the most important and their related orixás are:

Also possible are:

Before starting to ask questions, it is essential that the shell game is clean and prepared. For this, the shells are washed with herbs and colognes. After spending the entire night exposed to the rays of the full moon, the whelks must be carefully stored. It is important to have a candle, water and incense on the table while working. Then a prayer is said and then the reading begins.

Usually, people look for oracles to answer specific questions. The ideal is to ask more closed questions, which do not require a very broad interpretation, in order to have better results. In other words, yes and no questions, for example, are great to consult with whelks.

However, it can also be a consultation to find out what your head orixá is – which, in candomblé and umbanda, represent the saint who accompanies the person in this life. Of course, it is also possible to ask open and more complex questions, as long as you go to a trusted professional who believes.

In the same way that there are different particularities in each candomblé tradition – since they were formed by different African nations, the reading of the game of buzios can also have differences. These are the main games and how they work:

As much as it is traditional in the country, the game of whelks is not as well known as other oracles, such as Tarot or Gypsy deck. Therefore, some really important questions may arise. See below for some of the responses.

As in any other type of oracle, it is essential to trust the person who is looking for the answers for you. So, to find out if a game is true, it is fundamental that the Mãe de Santo or the babalorixá are suitable people, recognized by the environment as such and, preferably, indicated by someone you know well.

There are two strands to this topic. While on the one hand, there are those who defend only face-to-face consultations, on the other there are those who do the consultation at home and attend online, highlighting its advantages and saying that there is no difference.

What is pointed out as a weakness of the readings of the game of whelks online is a supposed reduction in the energetic connection, which becomes less intense when distant. In addition, there are those who choose to ask the customer to blow the pieces, increasing the connection. But in general, both have similar effects.

It’s not ideal, after all, the game of whelks is extremely personalized and can reveal points that perhaps the customer prefers to keep for himself. In addition, there is the issue of the orixá of each one and its guidelines, which may not be the best, if you do not request the game itself. For those who cannot find a place to have the reading done, there is always the option of doing the consultation online.

Yes, there are great chances that the game of whelks will help in decision-making, especially if it is done with a competent professional. Furthermore, by asking the questions in the game, you are processing the information and thinking about possible solutions to your problem. This leads to new connections, which can give rise to a new idea about the subject.

Another point is that, in the game of whelks, you can find out who your orixá is by heart, which represents many of your daily characteristics. By having this information, you will know if you are more impulsive, thinker, critical and other relevant points. Consequently, you will think better about yourself and seek to balance what needs a limit, in addition to developing those pending energies.

However, most important of all is that, when throwing whelks, you are actively seeking to find a solution to a given situation. Of course, this will help you direct your efforts towards her, making the whole process more efficient. In this way, you can indeed find the most assertive decision, but always trusting your intuition and, above all, your rationality.