In the Yoruba religion there is a saying: «Ikú Lobi Osha» or «The dead stop the saint», this explains that first of all it is the attention to the dead and then to the Orishas.

This object, which holds great spiritual secrets, is a clay tile with ifa signs on it prepared by a babalawo, from which the Egguns (dead, ancestors and ancestors) are invoked. 

The corner that is assigned to the Egguns is considered sacred, the tile cannot be placed in just any space; the tile must be placed on the outside of the house. An exception could be made if the person receiving the tile does not have a yard; it could be placed inside the house under the kitchen sink.

Care for the deceased first

So strong is the role of the Egguns in the Yoruba religion, that the Egguns tile is considered the most important element of consecration for every Yoruba and initiate. 

Moreover, it allows us to offer attention to the deceased and to maintain communication with them through prayer, offerings and sacrifices. 

This element will provide us with a link between the earthly and the spiritual world. All this with the aim of maintaining harmony with the Eggun and that they help us in the difficult situations we face in our daily lives. 

Attention to the Eggun Tile

First of all a semicircle is marked with 9 equidistant crosses, the number 9 is Eggun’s mark. 

This symbol defines where Eggun lives, you can offer whatever you wish within the semi-circle of husk. 

Some of the fundamental elements that cannot be missing in the care of the deceased are cascarilla (efún), corojo butter (Epó), candle (Itana), coconut (Obí) and guinea pepper (Atare).

If it is a known deceased person, such as known relatives, you can offer them what they liked when they were alive.

It should be noted that more offerings are changed every 7 days. 

Remember to be replenished when offering attention to the Eggun, do so with love, respect, humility and faith. For their worship is sacred, powerful and demands all our spirituality and humility.