 There are times when you need to be quiet. When diviners first start to learn odu in order to divine or do readings for people, they usually begin by memorizing a lot of proverbs (refranes). These proverbs capture key ideas associated with the odus, and help the diviner remember the messages associated with each one. Historically and culturally, many of the proverbs are rooted in Spanish language and culture, but they were picked up and incorporated into the Lucumí religion by the Africans who came to Cuba in colonial times. As embodiments of folk wisdom, the proverbs lent themselves well to odu interpretation because they capture universal truths about the human experience. Other proverbs are very specific to the religion, and require some knowledge of odu to interpret correctly. The most important thing about proverbs is that they open a conversation between the diviner and the client, so the client can reflect on his or her own situation and understand why the problem exists. For example, most Spanish speakers have heard someone say: En boca cerrada, no entran moscas (Flies don't go into a closed mouth). This expression exists in the general culture, and can be used as a warning when someone is talking too much or being indiscrete in their comments. But, it is also a proverb associated with the odus Ogundá Osá (3-9), Ojuani Ogunda (11-3), and Eyilá Eyioko (12-2). Because it's such a well-known and common proverb, it shows up in more than one odu, but it has a specific application in each one. All three odu speak about the problems associated with talking too much. Depending on how the odu falls, and the circumstances of the person who has come for divination, the proverb can refer to a variety of interconnected problems. The person might have enemies and, if he tells them too much information, they can use it against him. He might be too blunt and lash out at another person in anger. This can cause relationships to sour. He may say the wrong thing at the wrong time and unleash a tragedy by speaking out of turn. He can betray a close friend or family member by telling a secret. There are always things in any conversation that are best left unsaid. Sometimes the individual needs to learn when to keep his mouth closed. In any event, the diviner can use the proverb to begin a conversation and explore what's causing problems for the client. |
Proverbs Make Us Reflect on Our Own Situation
Use the right tools to do the job. Some proverbs are more obscure and not well known outside the Lucumi faith. For example, a proverb associated with Ocana (1) says, "Con una atarraya no se puede pescar un hipopótamo (You can't capture a hippopotamus using a fishing net). Obviously, the hippopotamus is native to Africa, not Cuba, but anyone who has seen a photo or drawing of one knows it's a very large animal weighing well over a ton. In 19th century Cuba, it would have represented an exotic, rare animal, an impossible prey for an average man with limited resources. The listener would understand that the hippopotamus is a metaphor, representing a big and difficult task, or perhaps an unrealistic goal. Although the hippopotamus lives in the river, it's not the same as a fish, and it wouldn't be effective to use a fishing net to catch one. If you don't have the right tools or preparation, you aren't going to succeed. This is a timeless message that extends well into our century, even when most of us no longer fish for our food. In Ocana, people can be very hard headed and refuse to listen to good advice. They're not realistic about their goals, and they don't know when to quit. They need to learn to assess their own abilities better, and to determine if they've got a realistic chance of succeeding before they launch into a new venture. They may need to work in a team or ask for help, which they're usually reluctant to do. The diviner will recite the proverb as a way to start the conversation, and ask the client how it applies to his life.
The Cultural Context of Proverbs
Looks can be deceiving Most proverbs have been translated into English so that practitioners who don't speak Spanish can use them in divination. But, some of them are very culturally specific to the tropics. They require more than a literal translation. For example, in Eyiunle Odí (8-7), the proverb says "Por mucho que vuele el aura el pitirí la alcanza" (No matter how high the aura flies, the pitirí catches up to it). The proverb makes no sense unless you know something about the two birds referenced here. The aura is a kind of vulture that typically flies high above the ground looking for food. The pitirí (or pitirre) is a much smaller bird that typically lives in shrubs lower to the ground. But it will aggressively defend its territory from larger birds when necessary. The message as it related to the odu is that people in Eyiunle tend to be arrogant and think others are beneath them. The proverb reminds them that they shouldn't underestimate people who appear smaller, weaker or less important They might be surprised when the smaller person catches up with them and overtakes them. The diviner needs to understand the cultural references in order to interpret the proverb correctly. Sadly, some people no longer learn proverbs because they consider them old fashioned and don't see the value in them. I believe they contain wisdom that never goes out of date, and they engage us in critical thinking skills that help us gain more self-awareness and a better understanding of the world around us.
I have a section of my website devoted to proverbs, and I'll be adding more to it in the coming weeks. I invite you to take a look at the proverbs and think about what they suggest to you.
I have a section of my website devoted to proverbs, and I'll be adding more to it in the coming weeks. I invite you to take a look at the proverbs and think about what they suggest to you.
RSS Feed
