Customer Reviews

The Diloggun: The Orishas, Proverbs, Sacrifices, and Prohibitions of Cuban Santeria

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3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

As a priest of this religion, I could not ask for a better print reference than this book. It is excellent! Detailed, full of outstanding explanations of the oddus and their composites, there is no better text on Santeria divination than this! The author must be commended for such a work of brillance! It is truely inspired by the orishas themselves! Maferefun Chango! Maferefun Oya! Maferefun Obatala! Alafia my abure!

Ochani Lele's first book, "The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination," was a basic primer on divination. It gave a good, essential overview of the system, although one that was a bit simplistic. His second book, "Obi: Oracle of Cuban Santeria," was a light, delightful read. Both his knowledge and his skill as a story-teller combined to create a light, joyful, yet accurate read.

This book, however, is no easy read. As a writer he shines; his material is accurate and well-written. This tome is advanced; it is packed with information. It is more of a textbook than a simple book -- one that will keep readers reading and studying for months, perhaps years, to come.

Of special note: In Lele's first book, he promised future volumes not only addressing each composite odu in more depth, but also works exploring the mythology upon which this divination system is based. His first promise has been kept, although not to the extent that one would wish. Although perhaps the most advanced tome written, one can only hope that Ochani continues to develop his work about the odu of the diloggun. His second promise has been, as far as I'm concerned, breached. For while this book begins to catalog some of the patakis (Yoruba/Lucumi myths) that belong in each composite odu, he has yet to tell their full story or bring out the cultural richness found in the holy corpus.

Let us hope that Lele continues to develop his work and grow as an author. For each volume is a true gift to the world, another milestone guaranteeing his immortality in the generations to come.

There are quite a few books available about this religion in both Spanish and English, however, I have never seen a book more referenced, more studied, or more jealously guarded than this.

It is a huge tome, very comprehensive in its material, yet the author humbly states that it is still little more than a beginner's treatise on the subject, and has promised future volumes to continue his work (a promise I might note has not yet been fulfilled, to my dismay).

Many elders in this religion try to discredit this author: his use of a pen name (for privacy reasons -- and privacy is something no one in this religion wants to give him), and his actual publication of what has been, to date, an oral teaching has created much stir among the elders.

Yet this book is much needed. Armed with the material in this tome, the beginner to this faith has a yardstick, a standard, by which to measure the diviners to who he goes for spiritual help. The novice santero has a tool that will teach him much more than just the art of divination with diloggun: He has a tool that will teach him the basics of history, and the art of prayer (mojuba) that is integral to all levels of this religion.

And even the seasoned diviner has a tool to facilitate his own studies.

I myself have been a welcome visitor to many houses of santo. I have visited oriates in their homes in Miami, New York, and Las Angeles. I have even been in the houses of several babalawos. I must say, to the author's credit, each oriate or babalawo that I visit has this book on his bookshelf. And when I ask if I can see the book, each time the priest tells me, "No, it is too full of secrets. It is not for your eyes."

Ashe to Ochani Lele! He has written a book that will survive the ages. He has also given us all a much needed tool to learn more about our faith and our spiritual practices.

Please note: I do not feel this book is appropriate for aleyos. It is too in depth, and gives too much secret knowledge. But knowing that will probably make them all the more excited to purchase the book and have the knowledge therein for theirselves.

I am a priest within the yoruba religion, young in years (6)but I have read all that I can find on the religion, both from the Orisha and the Ifa perspective. I find that it is impossible to expect that the fullness of this religion to be related by any one book, teacher or class. The Yoruba religion is rich in history, philosophy and tradition. The two prominent systems of divination, Ifa and Dilogun are likewise complex and not meant to be fully comprehended within a few weeks, months, or years of study. With all this said I move on to my review. The book is informative but one must question the accuracy and source of the information. The high praise that I see heaped upon it here may more speak of the commentors' depth of understanding rather than the excellence of the work. We are all works in progress, and this work may help many to better understand dilogun divination. Ultimately however, if one seeks to reach higher levels of understanding within the religion, one will have to unlearn some of the information given within this work. Lastly I would like to add that I have spoken to several of my elders within the religion (babalawo and oriate), and the concensus is that this book needs work. I am happy that someone is trying to tackle that difficult task of teaching dilogun from a book but this book should not be taken as the ultimate gospel nor as the last piece of the puzzle.

This is the best book I have seen for intermediate followers. It will be a very useful tool for anyone who is interested in moving to another level beyond aleyo, because it deals with the mechanics of divination, and the lessons in odun from ocana to Eyila Chebora. As for Aleyos, this book will help them catch scam artists out there who are only interested in taking their money. My hope is that Ochani next tackles the patakis of each Odun. It is the only thing missing in this book.

I am an initiate and this book has helped me understand the odduns a bit more. Its nothing like sitting in a reading with your elders and learning that way, but the book is very explanitory and has usfull information that you can use to complete various ebboses, recipies, etc..
I highly recommend the book to anyone wanting to understand a bit more anout the odduns... Again this does not replace what your elders can teach you or what you can learn listening and learning from hands on..
Ache..
omo yemaya

I didn't write a review before because I found a lot of here then it looks like me unnecessary. However I read a lot of unfair reviews and I would like to left here my opinion.

In fact, lele is a very polemic person in lukumi, I guess. I already heard a lot of things about him and also see some discussion in lukumi foruns where he is. Some people say he got the information about this book in a incorrect way, but, sincerely for who want to read the book it doesn't matter.

I have a lot of Ifa and erindilogun books and nobody write deep about nothing. The Cubans are the people who are concerned do write more extensively about anything and the africans only publish incomplete Ifa poetry. Therefore, this book here is one the best source available to be acquired. Ones can say it is not complete. Yes can be, but considering every one think he self is better than the other everything is incomplete, it is, some will always say something is missing or wrong.

In this case here, I didn't find any relevant error, better, I don't think some one can say there is a error here, because every one has his own method or information.

For my self I already compared this book with Cuba Ifa documents (Dice de Ifa), more than one source and the interpretation is the same. Well here is better written, more extensive, etc.. Some times lele is too much prolix, they write too much for say something. Also there is some signs where the interpretation is not clear, is very vague, but it also happens in Cuban Ifa tratados.

This book's content is so good or so bad like any other Cuban Ifa source. Also, the Yoruba words are so bad like it is spoken in Cuba, because, Cubans don't know to speak or write Yoruba correctly. Therefore this book only reflects how the cubans use yoruba. If you want you can, like me, correct the words after a hard work. Also you use the prays listed if you want, you also can use your own.

The important in my opinion is this book is very extensive and complete. You can use it and also change the procedures to adapt it to your way. Also in terms os erindilogun it doesn't teach how to use the opon and the owo eyo graphical configuration to improve the interpretation, Lele use the wow eyo as an opele, losing a lot of capabilities, but it is a way to use the oracle.

I am using this book for a long time together with others sources, cuban or african, and I can say everything here is useful, from interpretation to ebos.

There is few books in world about erindilogun. This is one of these.

I read this book and was left wanting. The translations of the Yoruba prayers were not accurate and the language is key when making prayers/ incantation.
Also the author seems to be rewriting the history of Lukumi, he totally left out the Ifa priests, who, without their contribution there would be no Santeria, Lukumi, etc.
The interpretation of the dilogun takes a lot more than just memorizing refrains and a few apataki. There is a cultural and philosophical piece that is missing in this otherwise well written book. As a priest and diviner I could not recommend this book to people for a true understanding of the oracles of the Orisha.

After reading the diloggun, I can say that you will have a much better uderstanding of the Oduns, in an absolutely beautiful religion called Ocha.

This book, written so intellectually, will assist not only the Olorisha, but also the Aborisha, to understand the workings of divination in the everyday life of the practitioner of this faith.

It is a must have book if you are TRULY serious and committed member of Ocha, and I hope this Author continues to write more about this subject.

--Ojiiji Oluko
Ellet, Ohio

One reviewer said that this was not an easy read. They are right. This is because learning the art of divination, the priest-hood of Oriate is no small task. And that is what this book represents; the in-depth knowledge of divination dedicated priests need to know to dutifully practice and pass on our faith. This is not the book for the casual reader, rather the serious student.