Cowrie Shells [Owó Mẹ́rìndínlógún]

(Set of 16) cowrie shells with back removed.

Cultural Note

Several forms of cowrie-shell divination are distributed broadly throughout West Africa.

While there are many variants using from eight to 21 cowrie shells, West African-derived forms most commonly use 16 cowrie shells on a prepared table or on a mat on the ground, interpreting the patterns that result which are known as Odu. Ẹẹ́rìndínlógún (from the Yoruba owó mẹ́rìndínlógún "sixteen cowries", literally "four taken from 20") is a cowrie-shell divination method practiced in the Yoruba religion. The number 16 holds important significance in Yoruba cosmology as it was the purported number of original divinities that established life on earth. 

Cowrie-shell divination is found throughout the Americas where it plays an important role in traditions like Lucumi and Candomblé. In Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, it is called dilogun. In Brazil, it is called jogo de búzios or merindinlogun.