The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination: How to Cast the Dilogg?n, the Oracle of the Orishas [Paperback]

cha'ni Lele (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

The first book to provide complete, specific instructions on casting the Diloggún, the cowrie-shell oracle of the Orishas.

• Provides step-by-step instructions never before published, detailing requirements and procedure for casting the Diloggún.

• Includes a detailed “mojuba” or prayer used to awaken the Orishas (spirit entities) for divination.

• Devotes an entire chapter to each of the twelve basic Odu (random patterns in which the sixteen shells fall), providing ritual mechanics and oracular meanings for all possible castings.

The Afro-Cuban faith, known to outsiders as Santeria and to adherents as Las Reglas de Ocha de Los Lucumi, is not a static religion but a living conduit of energy for connecting the spirit world to our own. It came to the New World with the slave trade where it has evolved in response to the surrounding culture. For adherents of Lucumi, the Diloggún is the most important focus of worship: the sacred shells reveal the forces at play in an adherent's life. These forces are redefined and placated by the Orisha priest, who makes direct contact with the spirit world in an effort to help the adherent evolve.

While many books have been published about Santeria, The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination is the first to provide complete information on how to cast the Diloggún, including opening, reading, and closing the oracle, and how to give a comprehensive reading. With a detailed discussion about why each prayer is offered and insight into the metaphysical core of the religion, this book will bring those seeking the wisdom of the Diloggún closer to the living Orishas than they have ever been.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Since the 1993 Supreme Court decision that vindicated their right to practice animal sacrifice, practitioners of Santer!aDor Lucum!, an Afro-Cuban religion based on ancient Yoruban practicesDhave come out into the open. Lele's book is the most thorough print version to date of the orally transmitted oracles as they are currently practiced by American babalawos (priests) and santeros (practitioners). Joseph Murphy's Santer!a: An African Religion in America (1988) and Luis Manuel N#$ez's Santer!a: A Practical Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic (Spring Publns., 1995) provide the necessary introduction to the traditions covered here. Lele gives traditional readings for each casting of the cowrie shells used for divination. He lists the associated proverbs, the spirits that speak, and the message, prohibitions, and subreadings for each configuration of the shells. Missing are the traditional stories associated with the various oracle readings: these are promised in a future volume. A glossary and appendixes giving examples of readings enhance the book's usefulness for practitioners, scholars, and the curious alike. Recommended for academic and public libraries.DSteve Young, Montclair State Univ., NJ
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

". . . a complete resource and guide for anyone wishing to learn how to cast the Diloggun."
(

The Chicago Firefly, February 2002

)

"A richly detailed account of AfroCuban divination. I have had the opportunity to read a number of chapters of this book in its prerelease form and have been thoroughly impressed not only by the detail which the author provides but the extent of his knowledge which this work demonstrates. This is an arcane and highly complex system of divination based on methods and traditions brought to the new world and maintained in Cuba over generations by slaves and their decendants. This title, written by a priest of the Yoruban derived Orisha religion of Cuba commonly known as Santeria, covers not only the fundamentals of how to cast the diloggun or seashell divination, but offers many insights to the finer points of interpretation and application. It is a must for anyone interested in this topic, especially for those unable to avail themselves of the literature currently available in Spanish, Portuguese, or Yoruba on this complex topic."
(

Eoghan Ballard, University of Pennsylvania

)

"Lele's book is the most thorough print version to date of the orally transmitted oracles as they are currently practiced by American babalawos (priests) and santeros (practitioners). Recommended for academic and public libraries."
(

Steve Young, Montclair State Univ., N.J., Library Journal

)

". . . one of the best, clearest, explanations of that divinatory system I have ever been exposed to. If you are very interested in learning about the diloggun system of divination, this book will provide you with an excellent start on the path."
(Mike Gleason, Witchgrove, March 2007 )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892818107
• ISBN-13: 978-0892818105
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #908,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ócháni Lele (1966 - ) was born in Richmond, Virginia, to an unwed, 16 year old teenage mother and an absent father. He spent the first five years of his life living in an extended household with his maternal grandparents, mother, and aunt. In 1972, his mother married; his biological father gave up parental rights, and within a year he was adopted by his step-father. The first year of their marriage was spent living in Colonial Beach, Virginia, after which his family moved back to rural King George, the entrance to Virginia's Northern Neck, where he spent the next 12 years of his childhood. Growing up rurally was anything but idyllic; it was a period filled with alcoholism and abuse. At age 17, after graduating from high school in 1984, he ran away with a local summer stock theater, The Fredericksburg Theater Company; and there he pursued his first love of acting and drama.

When the season was over, he spent four semesters studying at Mary Washington College in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, planning to pursue dual degrees in English Literature and Psychology; however, his desire to experience the exotic world of magic and alternative spirituality sent him on a journey that ended with his initiation in the Afro-Cuban world of Santería, a religion known to adherents as the Lucumí faith. Over the years he has written a number of books about that faith: "The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination" (Destiny Books, 2000); "Obi, Oracle of Cuban Santería" (Destiny Books, 2001); "The Diloggún" (Destiny Books, 2003); "Teachings of the Santería Gods" (Destiny Books, 2010). Most recently he published, "Diloggún Tales," a collection of Afro-Cuban folklore from the orally maintained, holy book known as the odu.

Currently he is studying at Seminole State College of Florida, pursuing dual degrees in Nursing and English Literature. In 2012 he plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida to finish his bachelor degrees in both fields of study. Future educational plans include his MFA in Creative Writing with the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop. In addition to his academic work, Ócháni Lele is working on another book titled, tentatively, "The Sacrificial Ceremonies of Cuban Santería." It is a collection of folklore, history, short stories, and sacrificial ceremonies. It promises to be the most complete study published of ancient sacrificial rites.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is a book that makes you think a little . . . really, February 23, 2001

By 

"osun" (new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination: How to Cast the Dilogg?n, the Oracle of the Orishas (Paperback)

for my health i got oshun on my head five years ago, and since my santo was for my health I never really learned anything about this religion. the ita confirmed that this was for my health, and i was to work mostly as an espiritista although I was told during my life I might have one or two godchildren in my life. Anyway, recently I was in a private newsgroup where people were discussing this book. They like it, but were upset that such a thing had been published. They said books on odu were not meant to be published because the material was so secret. This confused me because those same people that say the book should not be published also studied written material on odu, bad broken spanish texts that were published privately in cuba, or openly here in the states but are photocopied because they are no longer in print.

anyway, i read this book myself. since there was a discussion going here about the book i thought that I would put my comments here too. This book is fantastic. I think what disturbs people about it is that it is the first published in english, and it is so good that it makes those other spanish things out there that are out of print look really awful. Plus those photocopies are controlled. You cannot buy them unless you can prove to the botanicas that you have ocha, or unless your godparent photocopies it for you. anyone who has ocha can buy this book or anyone who does not have ocha can still buy this book. that is why some people do not like it i think.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MO'DUPE Ocha'ni Lele, November 17, 2000

By 

ADE OLORUM (MIAMI, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination: How to Cast the Dilogg?n, the Oracle of the Orishas (Paperback)

One of the reasons that Santeria attracts so many people, initiated or outsider, is divination. Suffice it to say, the "soul" of the Orishas continue to draw us to them. Unfortunately, the religion lacks competent Consultants. After twenty years I can safely assume that less than 20% of Santeros can consult with the Diloggun. This gives us less future Italeros and even less future Oriates. The reason for this is not ignorance, but lack of teachers and reading materials, especially in English, available to the community. The religion greatly needed a "step by step" Diloggun book in English to help those whom want or need to learn Diloggun Diviation. With this book "The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination," our prayers have been answered. So read, enjoy, learn and become more educated in what is the the essence of Santeria.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book - Well Worth The Wait, October 6, 2000

By 

Dr. Mary Curry (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination: How to Cast the Dilogg?n, the Oracle of the Orishas (Paperback)

Ocha'ni Lele's book is a treasure. I have been a priest for twenty-two years and studying the dilogun during all that time. During one reading of the book, I learned things that I had not known before.

It is a book that I would willingly recommend to my godchildren - there are very few of those. However, I would take pains to point out that as the author says, time and time again, the traditions of Houses vary. Every House does not do things the same way and the counsel of elders should always be sought.

Having said that, I would recommend the book to every priest who wants to make a serious study of the dilogun. The book presents a solid foundation on which priestly knowledge can be built.

For me, the greatest value, is that the book is in English. There are many books on the dilogun but they are in Spanish. For the English speaking, this is the first book of such scope to be published. The introduction, throughly sets forth the process of doing a reading and is worth the price of the book in and of itself. However, the fact that every chapter on each odu pecifies ebos and guides the reader through the process of marking them adds more value to the book.

If one is of an academic bent, the book is also aluable. Much academic writing suffers from the lack of an in-depth knowledge of the tradition(s) such writers discuss. Read in conjunction with Bascom's Sixteen Cowries, for example, Ocha'ni Lele's book could offer insights into the similarities and differences between the practice of the reading of Merindilogun in Africa and the Diaspora. In short, this is a book I would highly recommend to the priest and to scholars.