Ikin

Ikin are some of the special instruments that are part of the Ifa divination apparatus within the Yoruba religion. They also appear in the Yoruba-influenced Vodun religion of the Ewe (where Ifa is referred to as Afa) and of the Fon (where Ifa is referred to as Fa). More specifically, Ikin are the 16 palm nuts used to form binary sets of data during the divination process. In addition to Ikin, other indispensable tools include a divination tray (Opon Ifa) covered with white powder obtained form a particular tree (Iyerosun), a tapper instrument (Iroker Ifa), a receptacle for the Ikin (Ajere Ifa), and, optionally, a belt made with beads for the diviner (Babalawo for a male Ifa priest and Iyanifa for a female Ifa priestess) ...