What is "iyalawo"

Iyaaláwo or Iyalawo (Iyalao or Iyalaô in Latin America; literally meaning 'mother of divination' in the Yoruba language), also known as '''Iyanifa '''and '''Iyaonifa '''(meaning 'mother of Ifá') is a spiritual title that denotes a Priestess of Ifá. Its male counterpart is called Babalawo (meaning 'father of the divination'). Ifá is a divination system that represents the teachings of the Orisha Orunmila, the Orisha of Wisdom, who in turn serves as the oracular representative of Olodumare. The Iyalawo ascertain the future of their clients through communication with Ifá. This is done through the interpretation of either the patterns of the divining chain known as Opele, or the sacred palm nuts called Ikin, on the traditionally wooden divination tray called Opon Ifá.