Osogbo: Speaking to the Spirits of Misfortune

Very good book!!! I recommend this book to all those who like truth wrapped in story or mythology… although it brings character and relatedness to specific matters…

In this too short work--quite possibly his best yet, scholar and diviner Ochani Lele gets closer to the heart of the Lucumi worldview than any other writer or text I've encountered. He does it by taking on the fundamental question, Why is life so hard and good luck so ephemeral? In the face of these dismal odds, how can we humans live out our best destiny? It turns out that the Osogbos, the spirits of misfortune, are plentiful, crafty and hardworking, whereas Ire, good fortune, is a one-off, uppity and lazy besides. Telling the stories of the Osogbos that are attached to various of the 256 odu of Lucumi divination, Ochani Lele reveals both the powers and motivations of the misfortunes and their willingness to work together to frustrate good outcomes. What also comes clear is the power of divination and ebo, conscientiously applied, to ward off disaster and keep us humans on the path to blessings. These concepts are foreign enough to an American worldview that it takes immersion in the stories of the spirits to absorb and appreciate the one/two punch of odu and ebo for stripping away the karmic crud we all accumulate as we move through life. In tandem with this mythic/theological/practical treatise, Ochani Lele tells the story of his best friend Rebecca's passage from misdiagnosed illness to an untimely death--moving real life testimony that underscores the epistemology he explores. Read this one.

Ibaye tonu Ócha'ni Lele was a warm spirited person who approached the religion with integrity. Being an initiated priest, he had first hand experience of what he was writing about. He also dealt with elders in the religion who had more life experience in the religion (and life) than he. They served as consultants up to the final draft. His books has helped many. They are very well researched and written. I am grateful to him for his respect for the culture and caring about educating the masses.

Like explains a lot about the book

Twice already this author's work make me cry because it is like it was written to me. through his work spirit tells me what i need to hear at specific times of despair.This specific book is filled with vivid stories written in a way that relate to daily human life. I have and will continue to recommend this book

Love the other love the stories love the style in which the book was written. The author is a great writer.

came in good condition. arrived a little early. good book. explains important subject matter for awos.

Good English stories and easy to relate to

I enjoyed reading this. An interesting window Yoruba mythology.

Excellent service. Thank you for this cherished gift

Mto bom livro sobre os aspectos negativos do igbo e mto bem escrito. Tem um viés filosófico incrível é que ser pra aprofundar mto a religião afro.