Kari Osha

The kari osha ceremony is one of the most important and far-reaching in the Afro-Cuban Yoruba religion, or Santería. It consecrates a person to their tutelary orisha, or Guardian Angel — the orisha who rules their head and their destiny. The ceremony lasts at least seven days and calls for the participation of several priests of different ranks: the godfather or godmother, the oyugbona, the oriaté, the babalawos, and the iworos.

Rituals performed during the kari osha ceremony

Over the course of the ceremony, a series of rituals and rites are carried out that symbolize the rebirth of the initiate as a new being consecrated to their orisha. Among them are the breaking of the plates, the washing of the feet and hands, the bath in omiero, the presentation of the elekes (the ritual necklaces), the crowning of the orisha on the head of the initiate, or iyawó, the itá — the sentence in which the iyawó’s sign is revealed along with the counsel that will guide their future life — the ebbó meta, a cleansing performed with three animals, and the tambor or drumming celebration, in which the orishas are called to dance with the iyawó and grant them their ashé, or blessing. After the ceremony, the iyawó must observe a year of iyaworaje, a novitiate governed by rules and prohibitions meant to honor and care for their Santo. When that year ends, the iyawó becomes an olorisha or iworo — a consecrated santero who has received the principal orishas and who must live by certain norms and customs. Being an olorisha carries great responsibility and a lasting commitment to one’s orisha and to the religion.

Animals used in kari osha

The ceremony requires a list of animals offered in sacrifice to the orishas — hens, doves, goats, rams, guinea hens, and so on. These animals must be healthy, clean, and free of defects. A set of objects and ingredients must also be brought to prepare the foundations, or seats, of the orishas: cooking pots, soperas (lidded tureens), necklaces, beads, herbs, fruit, sweets, honey, cane liquor, tobacco, and more.

Benefits of consecrating Osha

The consecration of Osha is a sacred ritual performed in the Yoruba religion, or Santería, to receive the orishas — the divinities who govern the different areas of life. The benefits of consecrating Osha are many and varied. Among them: – A deeper, more direct spiritual connection is established with the orishas, the intermediaries between human beings and the Creator. – The initiate receives the protection, support, and guidance of the orishas in the difficult or adverse situations life brings. – Greater wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the mysteries of existence and of one’s personal destiny. – Greater harmony, balance, and inner peace, along with better physical, mental, and emotional health. – Character, will, and personal ethics are strengthened, as are respect and tolerance toward others. – One’s vision and perspective on reality broaden, together with the capacity to adapt and transform in the face of change. – Creativity, expression, and personal talent are heightened, as is the ability to attract prosperity and abundance. The consecration of Osha is a process that demands thorough preparation, dedication, and commitment from the initiate, together with deep respect for the orishas and their mandates. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, nor for superficial or selfish reasons. It is a way of life that entails constant spiritual responsibility and discipline.

How many days the kari osha ceremony lasts

The ceremony lasts seven days and calls for the participation of several priests of different ranks: the godfather (babalawo), the godmother (santera), the oyugbona, the oriaté, and the iworos. During the ritual, various offerings, sacrifices, songs, dances, and rites are performed to seat the orisha upon the head of the initiate, who is called the iyawó. The iyawó must follow very strict rules for one year — the iyaworaje — to purify body and spirit. When the year ends, the iyawó becomes an olorisha or iworo, that is, a santero or santera. The kari osha ceremony is a momentous decision that carries great responsibilities for the initiate and their community.

The Santo list for consecrating Osha

The Kariosha or Santo list refers to the collection of objects needed to carry out the ritual ceremony. Some items may vary depending on the orisha to be crowned or consecrated, but in general the following are used:

• Cane liquor (aguardiente).
• Red wine.
• Guinea pepper.
• Powdered jutía and smoked fish.
• A packet of Iwereyeye.
• Coconut soap and earth soap.
• Corojo butter.
• Cascarilla (powdered eggshell chalk).
• Toasted corn.
• Honey.
• Cane molasses.
• Ashé de Santo.
• Cotton.
• Straw mats.
• White candles.
• Two combs, a razor, and a pair of scissors.
• Four brushes.
• Four small clay pots for paint.
• Hands of cowrie shells.
• One small Aye shell.
• A plain silver bracelet.
• Two bull horns.
• A scouring gourd (estropajo).
• A razor blade.
• A set of coronation necklaces.
• The ildé of the Guardian Angel.
• A glass, a teaspoon, and an aluminum plate.
• A medium clay vessel.
• A small pitcher.
• African parrot feathers.
• Masking tape and markers.
• Two notebooks.
• Cloth in these colors: blue, white, red, yellow.
• Packets of paint in these colors: blue, white, red, yellow.
• Two onyx eggs.
• A layette of white clothing including: sheets, cloths, head coverings, skirts, long-sleeved sweaters, socks, sandals, underwear, and going-out clothes.

If a warrior orisha is to be crowned, a braided silver bracelet, the cachá of the Guardian Angel, jícaras (gourd bowls) painted in the orisha’s color, a garabato (hooked staff), cigars, a hat, and mariwo will be needed. If Elegguá is to be crowned, candies are required, while crowning Oggún or Oyá calls for a wooden machete.

The priests who take part in the Osha consecration ceremony

Several priests take part in this ceremony, each fulfilling a different role. Among them: – The godfather or godmother: The person who guides the initiate through the consecration process and teaches them the precepts and rituals of the Yoruba religion. The godfather or godmother must be a priest or priestess of high rank and experience who has previously received the consecration of the same orisha as the initiate. – The oyugbona: The principal assistant to the godfather or godmother, responsible for supervising and coordinating the ceremony’s activities. The oyugbona must also be a consecrated priest or priestess who knows the secrets and mysteries of the orisha. – The iyawoses: Initiates who received the consecration of Santo less than a year ago and are still in their period of learning. The iyawoses must attend to the initiate at all times, helping them dress, eat, bathe, and fulfill their ritual obligations. The iyawoses embody the purity and innocence of the initiate. – The santeros or santeras: Priests and priestesses who received the consecration of Santo more than a year ago and have completed their period of learning. Santeros and santeras may take part in the ceremony as guests, witnesses, or collaborators, according to the role assigned to them by the godfather or godmother. – The babalawos: The priests of Orula, the orisha of divination and destiny. The babalawos are charged with consulting the oracle of Ifá to determine the initiate’s tutelary orisha, as well as the offerings and sacrifices to be made during the ceremony. The babalawos may also intervene if any problem or conflict arises during the consecration process.

Duties and responsibilities of the iworos after making kari osha

The iworos are the initiates of the religion of Santería who have received the consecration of one or more orishas. The iworos carry a set of duties and rights they must uphold for the rest of their life within Santería — toward their godparents, toward their godchildren, and toward their Santos. Among these duties: – Greeting their Santos every morning with a jícara (gourd bowl) of water and keeping them clean and attended. – Respecting and obeying their godparents, and helping and supporting them in times of need. – Learning the religious teachings offered by their godparents or by the people they designate. – Attending the celebrations and religious events of their family of Santo and of the wider community. – Fulfilling the works and recommendations indicated by their itá or their Guardian Angel. – Being humble, honest, and ethical in their dealings with others, both inside and outside the religion. – While an iyawó, following the rules of the iyaworaje, such as dressing in white and abstaining from sexual relations for a year. – Consulting their godparents before visiting other priests or receiving other consecrations. The iworos also hold rights that must be respected by their godparents and by the religious community. Among these rights: – Receiving the Santos that belong to them at their crowning, including their cowries and their libreta (the notebook) of itá. – Receiving the support, guidance, and affection of their godparents and godchildren. – Receiving proper, ongoing instruction in the foundations and practices of Santería. – Taking an active part in the religious activities held in their house of Santo, or in other houses with their godparents’ permission. – Being treated with respect, dignity, and fairness by every member of the religion. – Being heard and attended to whenever they have a question, a problem, or a suggestion concerning their spiritual development. – Being brought before a disciplinary council only in very serious cases and with due guarantees. – Changing godparents when differences prove irreconcilable, provided it is done with respect and through the proper procedure. The duties and rights of the iworos are fundamental to preserving balance, harmony, and fellowship within Santería. The iworos must remain aware that by entering this religion they take on a lifelong commitment to their orishas, their ancestors, and their community. By fulfilling their duties and asserting their rights, the iworos contribute to the growth and preservation of this beautiful spiritual tradition.