What are the protocols for an ocha birthday?
An ocha birthday is a yearly celebration of the anniversary of a priests initiation, and the birth of his or her Orisha. These celebrations usually have a mix of persons present, some initiated, but many are just friends, co-workers and family from the lay community. If you are attending one for the first time, ask the person whose birthday it is the appropriate protocols observed in their ile. 11.Table manners/ FOOD, EATING, SERVING protocols There will be times when you will be invited to sit and eat with Priests – whether at an ocha birthday or at after a ceremony. There are protocols – Lukumi etiquette, related to the sharing of food together. Food is served from the bowls on the table by lifting the plate – the actual container of food is not lifted. (exceptions are things like salt and pepper, butter, etc which can be passed around). This is sometimes a hard rule to learn if you come from a family where serving bowls and platters were always passed around the table. The theory be
