Editing Cowrie-shell divination (section)

==In West Africa==
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. Before casting the shells, the priest/priestess invokes and salutes the [[Orisha]]s, and puts questions to them. The Orishas answer the questions by influencing the way the shells fall on the table.

===Ẹẹ́rìndínlógún===
Ẹẹ́rìndínlógún (from the [[Yoruba language|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 faith as it was the purported number of original divinities that established life on earth. In merindinlogun divination, the shells are thrown and the number of shells that fall with the opening facing up is associated with a certain odu. This system of divination is used when consulting the Orishas.