noun | bah · bah · lah · wo |

From the Yoruba Tradition: Babalawo translates from Yoruba to English as “Father of Mysteries”. This person is an earthly representative of Orunmila, the Orisha of Wisdom and owner of the Ifa divination system. The Babalawo is the keeper of secrets, knowledge, and wisdom of the Ifa tradition. To gain this title, one must go through extensive training under the tutelage of a highly experienced and competent Babalawo. During this process of training, the student is called an Awo. Once he has gained experience and becomes well-versed in the vast wisdom of Ifa, he becomes independent and is now called a Babalawo.

Related: Iyafa