Síkírù Sàlámì - Bàbá King and Maja Mesesnel

Ẹ̀rìndílógún – The voices of the òrìṣà | English version; hardcover

159,99 €

Through a well elaborated methodology, the book teaches how to technically perform the divination with 16 cowries, in addition to providing readily applicable descriptions of the òrìṣà and odù, focusing on explanations of fundamental ritualistic procedures that follow every act of divination.

The forte of the book is the registration of up to 42 versions of every odù related to the divination with 16 cowries, amounting to 514 versions that are enriched with loyal-to-source translations, interpretations, and additional commentaries.

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More: https://babakingerindilogunbook.com

Ẹ̀RÌNDÍLÓGÚN – THE VOICES OF THE ÒRÌṢÀ
A practical manual for the divination with 16 cowries including 514 versions of odù
by Síkírù Sàlámì – Bàbá King and Maja Mesesnel

Publisher: Oduduwa Europe
Year of publication: 2026
Pages: 752
Dimensions: 28,5 × 22 × 3,8 cm
Format: Printed book
Cover: Hard cover
ISBN:
English version: 978-961-94565-2-1
Portuguese version: 978-961-94565-3-8

Available in: English or Portuguese

Book website: https://babakingerindilogunbook.com

After William Bascom’s, this volume constitutes a landmark in the research of Ẹ̀rìndílógún, the divination with 16 cowries, and the Yorùbá oral tradition.

A preeminent scholar of Ifá, bàbálórìṣà Síkírù Sàlámì – Bàbá King, Ph.D., has chronicled the sacred repertoire of several Yorùbá bàbálórìṣà and ìyálórìṣà from the Abẹ́òkúta, Ọ̀yọ́, Òṣogbo, Ìbàdàn, Ifẹ̀, and other regions, translated hundreds of odù of Ẹ̀rìndílógún into English and thoroughly interpreted them, thus providing readers with access to inestimable insights regarding Yorùbá worldview, spirituality, theology, and specifics of their philosophy, all the while focusing on traditional approaches to healing and ritualistic processes.

As the odù of the divination with 16 cowries has such rich interpretive potential, the authors showcase their language expertise, spiritual mastery, and deep historical and cultural familiarity with the subject.

As a communicator and elucidator of Ẹ̀rìndílógún wisdom and knowledge, Sàlámì, together with co-author Maja Mesesnel, makes a pivotal contribution to the preservation and transmission of the traditional Yorùbá knowledge and wisdom. Their work brings the topic closer to òrìṣà priests, priestesses, and devotees, as well as the broader academic and non-academic readership.

Expanded content
List of illustrations
List of tables
Foreword
Note on orthography and tone markings
Introduction
Ẹ̀rìndílógún divination universe
Òrìṣà who respond in the divination with 16 cowries
Odù literary corpus with commentary in the divination with 16 cowries
Practical aspect of the divination with 16 cowries
Appendix
     Appendix A Map of Yorùbáland
     Appendix B List of odù Ifá and òpìrá in the divination with 16 cowries
     Appendix C List of elements offered to òrìṣà and their ritualistic purpose
     Appendix D Collection of recipes for preparing ritualistic food for the òrìṣà
     Appendix E Interview with His Eminence Ṣàngódélé Atanda Ibuowo about Ọ̀ ỵó school of 16 cowries
     Appendix F Glossary of Yorùbá terms
     Appendix G Oral sources
     Appendix H Bibliography
     Appendix I Photography credits

Síkírù Sàlámì – Bàbá King, PhD

Bàbálórìṣà Bàbá King is deeply immersed in the Ẹ̀rìndílógún, both as an academic and as an òrìṣà priest who has performed more than thirty thousand divinations with sixteen cowries throughout his distinguished spiritual career.

For nearly four decades, he has dedicated his life to the scientific study, research, and teaching of traditional Yorùbá culture and religion at an international level.

As a university professor and leading scholar, he has authored numerous reference works on Yorùbá civilisation, with particular emphasis on the translation and interpretation of diverse genres of sacred Yorùbá orality.

As the holder of several pre-eminent hierarchical positions in Nigeria, and as the founder and spiritual leader of five active òrìṣà temples across three continents, his life’s work centres on the study and practice of Yorùbá religion, the transmission of authentic Yorùbá knowledge, and the service of communities devoted to òrìṣà worship around the world.

Maja Mesesnel

Maja Mesesnel is a linguist, modern languages translator, and editor with core expertise in decolonising and preserving authentic Yorùbá sacred orality.

For more than fifteen years, she has worked under the auspices and guidance of Bàbá King, whose mentorship has profoundly shaped her scholarly and spiritual journey.

Together, they have devoted themselves to the research, translation, and transmission of Yorùbá oral heritage, striving to honour its ancestral wisdom and restore its voice within contemporary discourse.

She is skilled in analysing oral traditions, cultural narratives, and indigenous knowledge systems, with a focus on reclaiming linguistic integrity and authenticity in Yorùbá language representation.

Her work reflects deep sensitivity to the cultural and spiritual dimensions of language, producing precise translations and editorial contributions that honour indigenous epistemologies while fostering meaningful global communication.

Praise

…this masterpiece embodies the wisdom of millennia.

The authors have transmitted the revelations of the Literary Corpus of the odù Ifá with absolute clarity, preserving the ethical principles that give strength to these sacred words.

What an honour, as a priestess, to stand before this boundless living memory.”

Ìyá Ọ̀ṣuntòkẹ́ – Mãe Monica Berezutchi Ìyálórìṣà

…the thoroughness of this book gives me every reason to foresee the following: when UNESCO recognises Òrìṣà Divination as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the quality of this book will stand as the principal evidence that it deserves such recognition.”

Bàbá Fayori – Zoran Tepurić Bàbálórìṣà

…a heritage that should not be regarded as something belonging to the past, but rather as a bond that connects the past to the present and, by extension, to the future and to eternity.”

Ifákẹ́mi Sàlámì Ìyálórìṣà

…I see this book as a gift from Ọ̀rúnmìlà: a foundation for the revelation of the secrets contained within the universe, an authentic sacred map that guides the priest in his mission to understand the human being and to restore the lost bond between the visible and the invisible – while at the same time being a chant, an offering, and a bridge between worlds.”

Bàbá Edgar Eduardo Bàbálórìṣà

This book stands as a milestone for humanity.”

Bàbá Gustavo Fayinka Bàbálórìṣà

… it’s a “must-have” book in the library of every òrìṣà priest or priestess.”

Ìyá Jasmina Awódìran Gbénga Ìyálórìṣà

…when I first held the manuscript in my hands, I was struck by its depth and precision. I am convinced that no other work like it exists in the world.”

Blaž Faniyi Pečnik Bàbálórìṣà

…this book is a beautiful example of how one’s calling can be transformed into a legacy for humanity.”

Mario Mirković – Aríkúlólá Bàbálórìṣà

…this work offers something without precedent – guidance of rare precision, nourished by a profound exploration of the odù of Ifá.”

Ìyá Tóbi Ìyálórìṣà

…with this work, a part of our journey and mission is crowned: to share this wisdom with people beyond Africa and to safeguard a tool that remains invaluable even to those of us who use it daily to serve others.”

Mateja Tomšič P. – Akengen Ìyánífá

…This work nourishes our need to study seriously what human beings need in order to improve, in accordance with the dictates of their own destinies.”

Ìyá Loures de Oya Ìyálórìṣà

…As children of àṣẹ, we must strive every day to be great and worthy of the richness of this work, compiled and built over the course of decades.

We, the new generation of priests and priestesses, must bear in mind that we are starting from a standard of excellence. It is our responsibility to continue honouring, preserving and furthering the greatness of this legacy.”

Ìyá Sol Ìyálórìṣà

…It is one of those books that, from the very first pages, makes you realise that it was written by someone who truly lives, studies, and respects the tradition.

I am certain that it will be a significant contribution to all those who wish to deepen their knowledge of Ẹ̀rìndílógún and the philosophy of the òrìṣà.”

Ìyá Dani Ìyálórìṣà

Although Ẹ̀rìndílógún divination has been part of the liturgical practice of many Afro-diasporic Brazilian religions for many years, we have never before had the opportunity to rely on such a trustworthy and rich source of relevant information as the one that is now in our hands.”

Ronilda Iyakemi Ribeiro PhD

This work brings Bàbá King’s teachings into tangible form and is of great importance for the training of priests and priestesses of the òrìṣà who carry out their spiritual mission with seriousness and responsibility, constituting an exceptional study resource for priestly practice.”

Ìyá Simone Ìyálórìṣà