Now, the Lukumi community has a pretty good checks and balances system � or so it seems � via the Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye which grants priests ordained in the Lukumi tradition with certification. I don't know whether or not this certification is available to �r�sh� priests not initiated the "Lukumi way." But, if you're interested I'm sure they'll answer your questions. A priestess in the Fon traditions also began an organization called NARC which I believe also serves the same purpose. This group, unlike CLBA, welcomes members of all African Traditional Religions. These movements are pretty good, I guess. I don't deal with either organization, so I can't recommend one either way or the other. But research is good and if you're interested it wouldn't hurt to check them out.
Every priest that I've dealt with (some have been Yor�b�, some have not), with the exception of only THREE, has always given me a sign that something wouldn't work out, and there could be no way I would let them do something to my head that couldn't be reversed. One bragged about being initiated for over 12 years but could not interpret Erindinlogun. Another had the audacity to open a book during an If� reading to "remember" an Od�! And that�s just the tip of the iceberg. Through some e-mails, here's what a few people have said to me about their experiences:
"�and now my godfather put a curse on me."
"�my godmother read my it�n but cannot supply me with any verses, ire or osogbo[ibi], eewo, ebo or metaphysical information surrounding the Od�'s energy."
"�every Priest I run into only suggests books for me to read, tells me to set up more altars and to go through some bogus rituals! Maybe you can be the one to help me finally get some ashe in this religion?"
So after that experience I decided to add a page to this site giving a few guidelines for those shopping for an �le/�gb�, teachers or a spiritual/�r�sh� family. There is also some information here regarding this as well.
Remember, this search is just as important as looking for a doctor, surgeon, babysitter or any other profession where profound care is required! In essence, you're paying someone for a service and eventually for goods! Let the buyer beware!
Please ask yourself these questions before committing yourself to any relationship within the �r�sh� community:
What was your first impression of this person?
If it was a bad impression, or if your initial feelings toward this person are not as you expected then listen to your gut instincts!
Does this person really know about the �r�sh�, or do they just claim to?
If this person can't answer simple questions, don't let it be chalked up to secrecy and you being uninitiated. There are certain things that are just common knowledge. When someone refuses to share that knowledge with you it's a sign that 1)they don't know it or 2) they are greedy for power and wish to keep you under control. Priests that claim they belong to Yor�b� lines would teach you how to divine with obi first and foremost. They would teach you Yor�b� foods to feed the �r�sh�, and would not be in a hurry to give you "collares." If you are wondering about the differences of Yor�b� and Lukumi worship, visit this page for further information.
Is this a person you would want to associate with outside of your religious study?
Again, if the answer is "no" then you probably shouldn't have this person as a religious associate either. Some "priests" suffer from addictions, some are abusive (sexually, mentally, etc�) and some just don't care. The old American adage says, "you can pick your friends but not your family." Well, when it comes to �r�sh� you CAN pick your family because your teacher will become your initiator and spiritual parent. You want to pick someone that you'll get along with in the religious realm and outside of it.
Well, that's it for now. That's not to say there aren't any more guidelines to follow - the best ones are your basic instincts and common senses. Don't forget to be patient! The teachers may not come when you call them, but they will come when you least expect it.
*This article first appeared on Naija in NYC, then later on Apetebii Online.