Who Performs Divination?
Among the Yoruba of Nigeria divination is practiced by a diviner, the babalawo, which means the “father of ancient wisdom.” A client comes to a diviner to help solve specific problems — personal, medical, social, political, and religious. The diviner seeks information from Ifa, the god who assists with divination. Ifa offers humans the possibility of knowing the forces at work in specific situations in their lives and of influencing the course of events through prayer and sacrifice. Diviners also performs rituals to help people heal from illness. How is Divination Done?
