Taboo Testing And Confirmation In Egbe Initiation

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The method of testing and determination of Egbe taboos is slightly different from the conventional methods adopted for most other Orisa and Ifa. Apart from the food items which may be associated with specific people, there are other events and or observation which the new initiate has to watch out for and which may even be more dangerous than the taboos related to food or other consumables.
Energy levels, sound or distortion in certain atmospheric factors may also be among taboos for the new initiate. For instance, the high-pitch noise produced by rubbing metals against metal or beating of gongs can be very dangerous to some Egbe devotees. 


Crushing of calabash, whipping with broomsticks or rapping on the head with knuckles are other things that could be taboos.
Sweeping dirt unto someone while the person is passing is regarded as very disrespectful in Yoruba land; but it is a definite taboo for some priests of Egbe. A typical test is sweeping an area, pouring the dirt on the body of the new initiate and watching his or her reaction.
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When testing for the taboos, controlled demonstrations of these events will be done close to (or on) the new initiate. Experienced priests will stand at alert with bottles of red palm oil. The oil is to douse or break the energy level that will arise should any of the things done proof dangerous.
The new priest is quickly given palm oil to drink and crimson linen used to wrap him up immediately. Notes are made of the ones that cause trouble and advice given by elderly priests on how to manage such situations. These are then added to the other taboos on food items. Determining taboos of food is only through the throwing of kolanuts. A taboo is affirmed if the kola has two lobes face up and two-lobes face down.

Ayo Salami 2014

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