Oddu
Odù refers to signs and bodies of knowledge in Yoruba divination traditions; «oddun» is a spelling found in Afro-Cuban contexts.
How to approach it
This entry introduces a living cultural context. Explanations need to be situated within a particular community and tradition, respecting their own terms and ways of passing on knowledge.
An important distinction
UNESCO describes 256 odù in the Ifá corpus. That number does not make every shell reading an Ifá consultation.
An example to explore
Check whether two accounts concern Ifá or another system before equating their names and results.
Taking the idea further
To explore further, compare the related concepts and note differences in material, procedure and interpretation. If you open a related tool, read its own rules; sharing a symbol does not mean carrying out the same practice.