Duties of the Oyugbona in the Kari Osha ceremony in Santeria

Meaning of “Kari Osha” or “Yoko-Osha”: it refers to the ceremony popularly known as “becoming a saint”.

In every Yoko Osha ceremony in the Rule of Santeria, the godmother or godfather is accompanied byañado of an Oyubóna, who is the second godmother in Kariosha, whether male or female, who fulfill a great and important function.

In santeria Oyugbona means in Lucumí "the one who watches the road with her eyes" And it is the same, because he is the person who must be aware of the ceremonies and his vital responsibility is the Iyawó (initiated in the religion).

The Iyawó is a newborn in the Yoruba religion and as such babies are cared for with care, love and you must always be vigilant of them.

The Oyubbona is due to have a lot of respect, since it is the second in command after the godmother or godfather.

What does an Oyubona do? The sacred religious work you do

I will briefly indicate the duties that an Oyugbona must take into account in case you have to yugbonear you find yourself prepared or prepared.

1. Prepare the elements for the ceremony in the River

The materials that you should have prepared for the Rio ceremony are:

Rio Tinaja
Scissors
Odorless soap, that is, neutral
Osha colored cloth to crown the Iyawó
Jute or natural scourer
A change of clothes to change
Views of Chuck Coconut

In the river a stone (otá) is taken out that goes into the river jar.

There are holy houses that take out that stone and then ask questions, but in others the Iyawó takes them out and goes directly to the river jar.

2. Make the throne

He must make the throne of the Iyawó where he will be for the 7 days.

3. Find the herbs for the machuquillo

In some houses the Oyubóna is in charge of looking for the herbs to make the machuquillo, in others an Osainista brings them.

4. Prepare the table in Santo's room

You must carry out the preparation of the Igbogun table (saint's room).

It is very important to know that nothing should be missing for when the Oriate requests an item to be at their disposal.

Among the ingredients to take into account on the Igbodun table are:

Otí (Brandy)
Awado (Roasted Corn)
Holy Water
Eku (smoked hutía)
Eyá (Smoked Fish)
Ataré (Guinea Pepper)
Efun (Cascarilla)
Epo (Corojo)
Orí (Cocoa butter)
Agú or Oú (Cotton)
Oñigan (Molasses)
Oñi (Honey)
Dry wine
Paintings

You must prepare other items such as:

A gourd with the juice of the machuquillo (this is made at night after the Iyawó returns from the river).
A pilgrim with a ribbon of the corresponding Osha color.
Guereyeye (Pionia Leaves).

There should also be white plates, one will go with braids the corresponding Osha color, another that indicates where the Ashé goes, another plate with the Osha color apron, another with a comb, razor and scissors.

5. Other duties to perform

Once the machuquillo is made, you must prepare large gourds with the numbers of each Osha.
Praying the head (Kobo Orí Lerí)
Prepare the views of the coconut runs
Preparation of care for Egguns (spirits)

6. To take into account in the Igbodun "the saint's room"

In the Igbodun it must be taken into account that there are all the Otases (stones) and the snails.

The door of the Igbodun must always remain open but limited with a white curtain, this, taking care that the Iyawó does not see other ceremonials but that they have an easy connection with him if necessary.

7. Items to save

After cutting the hair, the bow, the apron, also what is left of the Ashé Lerí should be put away.

Strength comes from this Ashe, it also radiates a lot of spirituality at the time of consecration and is made up of basic ingredients that are vital when making.

8. Assist and assist in ceremonies

In the sacrifice he must give coconut and be at all times aware that the floor is clean after each sacrifice and always assisting the Babalawos.

After finishing the Fifeto (a ceremony that only a Babalawo who has received a knife does and does sarayeyeo, that is, cleaning everyone present at the slaughter), the Oyubóna must check that all the Oshas and their snails are clean and complete.

In addition, it must preserve all the heads of the slaughtered animals and gourds identified for the crosses (it is taken from the slaughtered animals).

9. Attentions to be provided to the Iyawó

Among his tasks is to give breakfast to the Iyawó during those 7 days

It is the yubona who must wash the Iyawó's head and body with omiero every day, even if he leaves the throne to the bathroom, she is the one who must put on his flip flops, cover him completely including his head and accompanyañatell him

He is also responsible for painting the lerí (head) of the Iyawó in case the godmother or godfather are not there.

In addition to hanging the dress of the Iyawó and being aware of the foods that he will eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

10. Some religious works that the Oyugbona must carry out

On the day of Itá (reading) he must prepare the ñangareo (ceremony to Olorun), prepare all the dishes, the mat with the white cloth, and the mat ebbó.

On the sixth day he must pray for the head of the Iyawó before leaving for the plaza on the seventh day.

You must prepare 4 bags with brown paper with all the ingredients from the table in the room to throw it in the 4 corners of the square, previously cleaned with them and collect dirt.

Upon return, he must present the fruits as Addimú (offering) that the Iyawó brought him and give Obbi Omi Tuto to the Oshas.

Even so, after initiation, the Oyubbona's obligations to her godson do not end, as this religious bond is forever.

In addition, he must be present at the ebbó meta (three-month ceremony), at the presentation of the Iyawó on the drum, and at any ceremony performed by his godson.

Many downplay the Oyubbona but its role is very relevant and sacred in the Kariosha ceremony and especially in the spiritual path and evolution of the religious.