Editing Ifá (section)

===Odù Ifá===

Ifá consists of 256 binary signs.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=25}} The Yoruba term ''odù'' instead appears in Fon as a ''dù''.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=26}}

In Fon, the sacred palm nuts are called ''fádékwín''.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=73}}
A "divining chain" is referred to in Yoruba as a ''òpèlè'' and in Fon as an ''akplɛ''.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=26}} It may comprise eight halves of a nut, tied together.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=52}} The way in which it falls then reveals one of 256 possible signs.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=52}} 

To perform the divination, the ''babalawo'' will often be seated on a mat.{{sfn|Landry|2019|pp=26, 52}} Before casting the divining chain the diviner may sing to call forth Fá.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=52}}
In Fon, the divining tray is called a ''fátɛ''.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=79}} In West Africa, the quality of the ''fátɛ'' may indicate the ''babalawo's'' financial success; some who have a small client base may use only a plastic or cardboard tray, while those with access to greater funds may pay for an elaborate, purpose built wooden ''fátɛ''.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=177}}

Another ritual object is known to the Yoruba as ''Ǫpá Ǫșun'' and to the Fon as a ''fásɛn''.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=68}} This consists of a metal staff, four to five feet tall, that is capped at the top with a metal disk and sometimes a metal rooster.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=69}} When a ''fásɛn'' is created, it is washed in specific leaves and the blood of 16 giant snails; this task is performed by women, secluded from the view of men.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=176}} Any chickens sacrificed to the ''fásɛn'' are only eaten by women.{{sfn|Landry|2019|p=176}}

There are sixteen major books in the Odu Ifá literary corpus. When combined, there are a total of 256 Odu (a collection of sixteen, each of which has sixteen alternatives ⇔ 16<sup>2</sup>, or 4<sup>4</sup>) that are believed to reference all situations, circumstances, actions and consequences in life based on the uncountable ''ese'' (or "poetic tutorials") relative to the 256 Odu coding. These form the basis of traditional Yoruba spiritual knowledge and are the foundation of all Yoruba divination systems. Ifá proverbs, stories, and poetry are not written down. Rather, they are passed down orally from one ''babalawo'' to another. Yoruba people consult Ifá for divine intervention and spiritual guidance.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fR3NDwAAQBAJ&q=karade+2020&pg=PP1|title=The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts|last=Karade|first=Baba I.|date=2020|via=Google Scholar|publisher=Red Wheel/Weiser |isbn=9781578636679}}</ref>