Oracles

God/Gods as Oracle

Each of the divinities that human beings may consult for answers to various questions is known as an oracle. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe introduces the reader to the oracle Agbala, an Igbo goddess who is the Oracle of the Hills and Caves. In addition, there is the Oracle Fa (Ifa in Yoruba), the god of divination who is the youngest of all deities, the last born of Mawu-Lisa's children. In the Fon cosmology, the Fâ is the Messenger of the Supreme God, Mawu-Lisa, and the spokesperson of all deities. The Fâ is the spirit who enlightens, guides, and controls human destiny. It sheds light on people's past and present, predicts the future, and prescribes the appropriate conduct for a happy life. As a system of divination, the Fâ speaks in parables, and only his priest can translate and explain these parables, recommend proper recipes, and perform relevant sacrifices.

In ancient Egypt, there were several oracular gods, including Heru of the Camp, Heru-khau at el-Hiba, Seth at Dakhla, Auset at Koptos, and the deified Ahmose at Abydos. The ancient Egyptians sought answers to big and small problems through the instrumentality of these oracles. Oracles permeated all aspects of the lives of the ancient Egyptians. Even in legal matters, the role of the ancient Egyptian oracles was fundamental. With a strong influence from ancient Egypt, oracular gods, according to Herodotus, abounded in ancient Greece as well. The most ancient Grecian oracle is the oracle of Jupiter at Dodona. Several accounts explain the establishment of the oracle of Jupiter. According to one account, the oracle was established in the following manner: two black doves took their flight from Waset in ancient Egypt. One flew to Dodona in Epirus and, alighting in a grove of oaks, proclaimed in human language to the inhabitants of the district that [Page 496]they must establish there an oracle of Jupiter. The other dove flew to the temple of Jupiter Ammon in the Libyan Oasis and delivered a similar command there. Other Grecian oracles include the oracle of Apollo at Delphi, said to be the most celebrated Greek oracle, the oracle of Trophonius in Boeotia, and the oracle of Apis, in Memphis. When people consulted the sacred bull Apis, he gave answers to them by the manner in which he received or rejected what was presented to him. If the bull refused food from the hand of the inquirer, it was considered an unfavorable sign, but when he received the food, this was deemed a favorable omen.

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