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Santeria

A few things about the Iyawo

The Iyawó must always have his/her head covered during the first three months of Iyaworaje and he/she can not uncovered before anyone except his/her elders in Osha. Only the religious who is doing the Rogacion to his head is allowed to touch it when for some reason it is not the godfather or godmother or the Oyugbona. In case of an accident, only the doctors, nurses and paramedics will touch the Iyawó, because even if they are not consecrated they have the blessing of Oragun.

The Iyawó must do the Ebbó Oshumeta after three months, following the peculiarities of his religious family.

If the Iyawó for any razon, can not assist the ceremony of Ebbó Oshumeta at the corresponding time, he must pay the corresponding rights a few days before the three months of having settled Osha, to his godfather or godmother and Oyugbona.

The godparents will realise then the ceremony when best suit the Iyawó and give coconut to the “Saint” as well. This is also done at the end of the year. In case there is no Oyugbona, everything is coordinated with the godfather or godmother. If the Iyawó does not go to his Oyugbona’s house or his godfather or godmother, they are not obliged to go to the godson’s house.

About the Iyawó Clothing

The Iyawó must be dressed in white for a year and sixteen days both on the street and inside his house, and sleep dressed in his consecration clothes (stockings, hat, underpants or blúmer and pajamas). Don’t forget that anything can be asked to your Saint and they do make exceptions…

The Iyawó must go out properly dressed to the street. Clothes must be clean.

The Iyawó man must go out in the street dressed in closed shoes, stockings, shorts, shirt, pants, handkerchief and long-sleeved shirt; In the head you must wear the Igbodun cap under the cap and use an umbrella. What changes after the first three months is that you can go out with short-sleeved shirt or pullover. All clothing must be completely white, except for the hours in which, for reasons of profession or trade, it must be dressed differently. Inside you will have white tissue that protects your body. In this case it is asked at the Itá.

The male Iyawó can not wear shorts or clothing adjusted to the body; women can not wear low-cut blouses, or straps, or skirts adjusted to the body, or short, or lycra of any kind. No Iyawo must wear transparent clothing.

The Iyawó must go out into the street with all the necklaces, handles and Iddé that were put on Yoko Osha. You should not use corporal adornments such as rings, chains, handles and other objects that are not Osha Ifá.

The Iyawó should not be painted or remove their eyebrows, paint their lips or nails, hair can not be dyed. Nor can peel during the first three months as Iyawó.

The Iyawó should not look at itself in a mirror or comb its hair during the first three months and should not take perfumes or cosmetics during the year of Iyawó and should bathe with soaps without perfume or with a very faint smelling. Excepted from this rule are all those who by their profession or trade are obliged to do so or who by the characteristics of their metabolism should use some type of deodorant, lotion or cream to avoid strong body sweating or any special condition of the body.

The Iyawó and the Olosha must know that never again in their life should they dress in black, unless in the case of the performance of a certain ceremony (only the Olosha) or for reasons related to their profession or trade about which it is necessary to ask in Ita by Yoko Osha.

For any precision please ask your religious family don’t be afraid to ask and to study, this religion is a life long process and every one has the right to gain knowledge you just have to study the best you can…

If you want to know more about something, write at this direction :  santeria(at)outlook.fr