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The Iyawo should know that if he has to be initiated in Ifa, certain important ceremonies are held at the godfather’s Ile Osha so this priest’s Guiding Osha knows and approves the new situation. Also, the Osha godfather/godmother blesses this new condition of the godchild.
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It is the Iyawo’s Guiding Osha who determines if the new priest should be initiated in Ifa or not. This is determined by the Dilogun oracle. If this consultation was not done during the Yoko Osha Ita section, then the Iyawo should make sacrifice to his Guiding Osha at his godfather’s Ile Osha. If the sacrifice is done in his own house, the Osha godfather has to be present.
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If an Osha initiated priest is undergoing serious and critical situations in which his life is jeopardized and he consults his Guiding Osha and this deity tells him that his salvation is in Ifa, then he must be initiated in Ifa at once.
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If an Osha initiated priest believes that he must be initiated in Ifa, he should call his godfather and Oyugbona to consult his Guiding Osha. If the Osha approves it, then the priest must be initiated in Ifa. If the Osha rejects it, then this question is never asked again.
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There is a very unusual case in which male individuals with Elegua, Ogun, Oshosi, Osun and Awofakan when consulting Orula could be advised that, instead of receiving Osha, he should be initiated in Ifa. If this is so, then the person Alava@ (washes) Osha and receives Ifa.
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The Iyawo never enters the Igbodun to do the job of an Olosha. As an Iyawo, the person is like a child and a child never does an adult’s job.
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The Iyawo cannot do any ceremonies at all. He/she is not an Olosha yet so must wait one year and sixteen days to become one.
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If for any very regrettable event the initiated person separates from his/her godfather/godmother or vice versa; the Iyawo must mention his/her elder’s full name every time he/she holds a ceremony whether the godfather is dead or alive. No one can ever substitute someone’s godfather/godmother. This relation is everlasting. This is the reason why a person should be very careful and prudent when choosing a godchild or a godfather.
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If the Iyawo loses the godfather and the Oyugbona, he has the right to consult his Guiding Osha to have his Eleda permit to choose an elder among his Osha family to represent his Osha. If there is no one, then the Iyawo can ask a person of his own choice.
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In those Osha branches where they receive Pinaldo, the Pinaldo godfather/godmother is considered an elder that can represent the Osha and Orisha of those who received Pinaldo with him/her and have lost their godfather/godmother.
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The initiated Olosha who is separated from his/her godfather/godmother and/or from the Oyugbona, should mention their Guiding Osha and their full names when she/he is doing Yoko Osha to another person or when is holding any other ceremonies. Also, the Olosha should ask for his elders Guiding Osha’s blessings.
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The Olosha should know that he/she cannot do Yoko Osha to his/her mother, father, children, spouse or brothers and sisters.
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The Iyawo should know that he/she must do everything possible to do the First Year Ebbo Ceremony.
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The Iyawo should do everything he/she can to be presented to the Bata Drums during a performance while he/she is an Iyawo and should also do his/her best to receive the Igbodun (Osha room) when he/she finishes the Yoko Osha One Year and Sixteen Day Period.
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An Iyawo can do Yoko Osha to others after he/she becomes Olosha and has done the Oshumeta Ebbo; the First Year Ebbo, has received the Igbodun and has been presented to the Bata Drums.
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The Iyawo must:
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learn study and know the Dilogun Oracle (known as: "El Caracol" The Shell Cast).
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learn study and know the Biange and Aditoto Oracle (known as: "El Coco").
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learn to recite the Moyugba.
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give coconut to the Osha, Orisha and Egun.
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know at least one prayer per Osha and Orisha.
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learn how to take care of his/her Osha and Orisha.
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know the whole Osha Ifa pantheon.
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know all divination sayings in Osha Ifa.
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know the Ethic Code of each Ifa Odun.
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know the Ika Fun Commandments.
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The Iyawo must do his/her first Yoko Osha with his/her godfather who runs, controls and administers the whole ceremony and uses the "right"(honorarium) at will. The godfather has to teach the new Olosha every single step and procedures in Osha Ifa so the new priest priestess can do everything correctly in the future.
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The Iyawo must not do any consultation to his/her Osha except for a very serious situation and with the authorization and presence of his/her godfather. This consultation to the Osha must be done by the same Oba who performed it during Yoko Osha Ita section if he/she is alive. In the opposite event, the Iyawo must proceed as it has been established by tradition.
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The Iyawo (Olosha) must be present at all ceremonies held at his/her godfather’s Ile Osha to take part in those activities he/she is allowed to participate. His/her involvement in such ceremonies becomes a training stage for the future priest/priestess.
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The Iyawo and all Olosha should study each and every day to improve their knowledge in Osha Ifa.
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The Olosha must know all herbs used in Osha Ifa to cure people and those with religious purposes. Each priest must actively contribute to the preservation and development of the natural environment, specially plants and wild life.
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The Olosha should never take part in consecrations he/she does not have.
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Both the Iyawo and the Olosha must know that he/she should give a "right"(honorarium) to his/her godfather’s Guiding Osha on the priest’s Osha birthday and should also put two (2) whole coconuts and two (2) candles to the Osha.