Cofa and Awocofa ceremony-Ifa

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One of the most important initiations that one can receive before making the Saint is when one receives Orunla. Women receive COFA and men receive AWOFACA. These are names given to the Orunlas that people receive when they are received and the major ceremony of making Ifa is not done. Although becoming a Babalawo or Oluo is reserved for men in our Afro-Cuban tradition, women should receive Orunla, as well as men. This is a ceremony that lasts three days. The first day Orunla is prepared and fed. On the third day, is the Ita or reading with Orunla. This is extremely important, since in this reading, a person's guardian angel is determined. This is the Orisha that claims your "head", or the Orisha that will be "crowned" on your head when you make the Saint. Orunla is the Orisha of divination and his authority in this matter is complete. One must be very careful that the correct Orisha is crowned on your head when making the Saint, or the consequences could be disasterous.

In the Ita, Orunla also speaks to the person about their life situations, past, present and future and offers ways of fulfulling good destinies and changing bad ones. Following the guidance of Orunla in this religion leads to good outcomes and prevents dissappointments. One of the reasons that the Guardian Angel should be determined by Orunla is that Oluos and Babalawos do not make the Saint on anyone, and therefore can be more objective about which Guardian Angel corresponds to the person. This is not the only perpose for receiving Orunla. Orunla often can resolve a health problem or indicate the means by which it can be resolved. Needless to say, the details of these ceremonies cannot be given here, as that would not be appropriate. When men receive Orunla, it is also determined if they are destined to become Babalawos or priests of Ifa. Nothing serious in this religion is done without divination beforehand. Orunla is the Orisha chosen by Olofi to be the supreme diviner. Orunla should be consulted before any major undertaking whether religious or otherwise. When you have received your Cofa or Awofaca, your future in the religion will have been already mapped out. It is then just a question of following the advice of Orunla until you arrive at the level destined for you in this religion.