Ifá Diviner's Necklace (Òdìgbà Ifá)

In Yorúbà society, Ifá diviners use rituals and poetry to identify cosmic forces and appease troublesome spirits. They begin a session by tapping a divination tray with a tapper and greeting Orunmila, a deity who reveals future events in the supplicant’s life and prescribes sacrifices.

This complex, multi-strand necklace with two beaded pouches is part of the diviner’s elaborate costume. The colors of the beads allude to the many cosmic forces the diviner meets, and the beads’ tendency to transform light represents the wearer’s ability to manipulate and mediate cosmic forces. Special substances are sewn into the bags to protect and give power to the diviner, and the necklace is ritually bathed and blessed before being used in ceremonies. The diviner’s beaded necklace thus signals his authority to deal with spiritual and worldly powers, including their capacity for healing.