Table of Contents

The Secrets of Afro-Cuban Divination
How to Cast the Diloggun, the Oracle of the Orishas
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Manipulating the Diloggun--The Oracle of the Orishas
2. Opening Okana--One Mouth on the Mat
3. Opening Eji Oko--Two Mouths on the Mat
4. Opening Ogunda--Three Mouths on the Mat
5. Opening Irosun--Four Mouths on the Mat
6. Opening Oche--Five Mouths on the Mat
7. Opening Obara--Six Mouths on the Mat
8. Opening Odi--Seven Mouths on the Mat
9. Opening Elleunle/Eji Ogbe--Eight Mouths on the Mat
10. Opening Osa--Nine Mouths on the Mat
11. Opening Ofun--Ten Mouths on the Mat
12. Opening Owani--Eleven Mouths on the Mat
13. Opening Ejila Shebora--Twelve Mouths on the Mat
Appendix One: The Odu Byond Ejila Shebora
Appendix Two: Examples of Recorded Readings with the Diloggun
Appendix Three: Mail-Order Sources for Religious Supplies
Glossary
Suggested Reading
Index

About the Author

Ócha’ni Lele (1966-2019) was immersed in the underground culture of Orisha worship in 1989. By 1995 he had received several initiations in both Santeria and the Congo faith Palo Mayombe and in 2000 he made Ocha and was crowned a priest of Oya.

Reviews

". . . 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*