Learn about itLearn onlyLiving tradition
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
An opele is a divination chain used in Ifá and Yoruba tradition and in African diaspora religions. Ifá diviners use either sacred palm nuts (ikin) or the chain to arrive at one of 256 odu.
How it works
The babalawo casts the chain and reads how its pieces fall to identify an odu. The opele is used for most daily divination, while ikin palm nuts are kept for the most important questions.
Notes and limits
Culture: The opele is a consecrated tool of initiated babalawo; reading it requires years of training in the Odu Ifá. It is described here and not simulated.
At a glance
- Also called
- Ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀, Opele chain, Okpele
- Traditions
- Yoruba, Ifá
- Regions
- Africa, Americas
- You need
- A question
- Price
- Free