Eerindilogun: The Wisdom of Cowries in the Diaspora
Eerindilogun, literally "sixteen" in Yoruba, represents one of the most important and widespread divinatory systems of African-based religions in Brazil. Based on the casting of sixteen cowrie shells, this system preserves the essence of Yoruba oracular wisdom, adapted to the realities of the African diaspora in the Americas. According to William Bascom in his classic work "Sixteen Cowries: Yoruba Divination from Africa to the New World," the cowrie shell system maintains a direct correspondence with the Odu of Ifá, allowing for precise consultations and spiritual guidance grounded in traditional Yoruba cosmology.
System Structure
The Eerindilogun is based on the throwing of sixteen cowries, where each cowry can fall "open" (with the natural opening facing upwards) or "closed" (with the convex part facing upwards). The number of cowries that fall open determines the Odu corresponding to the consultation.
The 17 Possible Positions
The system includes 17 different positions, from zero open cowries to sixteen open cowries, each corresponding to a specific Odù with its particular interpretations and guidelines.
Interpretation of Open and Closed Cowrie Shells
Correct interpretation of the Eerindilogun requires a precise understanding of what constitutes an “open” versus a “closed” cowrie shell, a distinction fundamental to the accuracy of the consultation.
Natural Aperture vs. Manual Aperture
According to Bascom, it is crucial to distinguish between the natural opening of the conch and any artificial opening created for physical balance:
Open Shell (Valid)
- Natural opening facing upwards
- Visible concave interior
- Stable position without manipulation
- Account for the number of Odù
Closed Whelk
- Convex part facing upwards
- Natural opening facing downwards
- Visible smooth surface
- It does not count towards the Odù number
Important: Artificial openings made to physically balance the conch should not be considered in the count, only the original natural opening of the shell.
Complete Eerindilogun Table
The table below presents the seventeen positions of the Eerindilogun with their correspondences to the Odù Méjì and main meanings:
| Open Búzios |
Common Name in Èrindílógún |
Relationship / Corresponding Name in Ifá |
| 0 |
Oyeku |
Ọ̀yẹ̀kú Méjì |
| 1 |
Òkànràn |
Òkànràn Méjì |
| 2 |
Èjì Oko |
Èjì Oko (Omo Odù) |
| 3 |
Ògúndá |
Ògúndá Méjì |
| 4 |
Ìrosùn |
Ìrosùn Méjì |
| 5 |
Osé |
Òsé Méjì |
| 6 |
Òbàrà |
Òbàrà Méjì |
| 7 |
Òdí |
Òdí Méjì |
| 8 |
Èjì Ogbè (or Èjì Onílé) |
Èjì Ogbè / Ogbè Méjì |
| 9 |
Osá |
Òsá Méjì |
| 10 |
Ofun |
Òfún Méjì |
| 11 |
Òwórín |
Òwórín Méjì |
| 12 |
Èjìlà Seborà |
(Relationship with Ìwòrì Méjì) |
| 13 |
Ìká |
Ìká Méjì |
| 14 |
Òtúrúpòn |
Òtúrúpòn Méjì |
| 15 |
Òtúrá |
Òtúrá Méjì |
| 16 |
Àláfíà |
Òfún Méjì (Full Manifestation) |
Consultation Methodology
Consultation through Eerindilogun follows specific ritual procedures, documented by Bascom in his field research in Nigeria and Brazil.
Ritual Preparation
- Purification: Ritual cleansing of cowries and sacred space
- Invocation: Call to the Orishas and ancestors
- Concentration: Mental focus on the issue to be consulted
- Offering: Presentation of appropriate elements
Launch Process
- Question Formulation: Clear and specific
- Launch of the Búzios: On an appropriate surface
- Count: Number of cowries with natural opening upwards
- Identification of the Odu: Correspondence with the table
- Interpretation: Contextual analysis of the response
Main Reference: William Bascom
William Bascom's "Sixteen Cowries: Yoruba Divination from Africa to the New World" represents a landmark in the anthropological study of the Eerindilogun divinatory system. Published in 1980 by Indiana University Press, this work meticulously documents the 16 main positions of the Yoruba oracle system, their traditional names, profound meanings, and the verses (Itan) associated with each of the positions.
