Ikin

Ama Mazama

Ikin are some of the special instruments that are part of the Ifa divination apparatus within the Yoruba religion. They also appear in the Yoruba-influenced Vodun religion of the Ewe (where Ifa is referred to as Afa) and of the Fon (where Ifa is referred to as Fa) . More specifically, Ikin are the 16 palm nuts used to form binary sets of data during the divination process. In addition to Ikin, other indispensable tools include a divination tray (Opon Ifa) covered with white powder obtained form a particular tree (Iyerosun) , a tapper instrument (Iroker Ifa) , a receptacle for the Ikin (Ajere Ifa) , and, optionally, a belt made with beads for the diviner (Babalawo for a male Ifa priest and Iyanifa for a female Ifa priestess) to put on while divining. Sometimes, instead of Ikin, diviners will use chains, known as Opele , but Ikin are deemed ...

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