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IFA says...
14February

IFA says...

OrunmilaIn December 1st, 2014, with the presence of a significant number of Cubans Babalawos and from other countries and members of the Cuban Council of Elder Priests of Ifa, ceremonies corresponding to the pre-opening of the Letter of the Year 2015 at the Headquarters of the Association were performed. It was filled with twenty five basic positions. In all cases the response of the deities was very satisfactory.

On December 30, 2014 corresponding sacrifices to the deities were made.

After the ceremonies being made in the Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba, it is significant that in both letters the following elements are present:

- This year 2015 will be governed by Obatala. It means peace and is the owner of all heads. It notes organization and respect.
- Both letters came by Iré, good health and prosperity.
- Although Ochún accompanies one and Yemaya the other, both are mothers of the waters. Oshun is the river, is fertility, and Yemaya is the universal mother.

Approach to the version of the Letter of the Year

The Letter of the Year began to be released in Cuba in the late nineteenth century, unable to pinpoint the exact date.

According to information and documents it is revealed that Babalawos from different existing religious branches in the country began to meet in order to carry out rigorously established ceremonies, which concluded on January 1st with the opening of the Letter of the Year.

Through the Oracle of Ifa guidelines and recommendations to be met during the year were known, in order to avoid or overcome obstacles and difficulties.

Great importance in the practice of cult to Ifa is given to African Remigio Herrera, Obara meyi, known as Adeshina. Many old connoisseurs and lovers of tradition since the late nineteenth and early twentieth said that preparations for the celebration of the Year Letter were addressed by him. He lived in Matanzas, and when he moved to Havana, specifically the marine town of Regla --- --- called Oke Odo, he pulled the Cabildo dedicated to Yemaya, directed by his daughter Josefa Herrera, known as Pepa, devotee of Yemaya, equated with the Virgen de Regla and patron of the town. The Cabildo held on September 9. On Day 8 --- after the initial contradictions with the church hierarchy being saved, which opposed to the image of the Virgin of Regla sleeps in church --- the band accompanied the procession to the church, and the morning of 9, with the bata drums drew the Virgin of the church and took her to the port emboque of Regla. There coconut was given and then they roamed the streets of the town, visiting every Santeria houses where they gave coconut on the door and continued meandering streets, ending in the cemetery of Regla, where all were cleaned with slices of paradise.

Eventually Susana Cantero, daughter of Yemaya, pulled out her own Cabildo and both were distributed to reach all Santeria houses. One roamed part of Regla and Pepa the other. On September 9, 1961 was the last out of the Cabildo. But the ritual lives in the historical memory of our santoral people and someday popular festivals will be celebrated with the release of the Cabildo.

In 1902, due to Adeshina´s health problems, Tata Gaitán takes responsibility for the Letter of the Year, supported by a group of Babalawos.

Over time, Miguel Febles Odika restarted the ceremony of the Letter of the Year, performing it in several houses in the city, until now, in which the amount of Babalawos interested in participating has increased so much that the ceremonies are performed in a house known as "La Casona de 10 de Octubre," where the tradition that the youngest of the initiates present is the one who takes the letter continues.

The prophecy is performed every the January 1st. and is followed in several countries where Santeria is practiced, including the United States, Italy, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Panama, Spain and Brazil.

This year 2015 Oturasá letter came out. Accompanied by Obeate,  Obatala and Yemaya govern.