La Letra del Año or Odu of the Year is an annual Lucumí (Yoruba) divination ceremony conducted by a council of babalawos (Ifa priests) in Cuba, which is announced on January 1st each year. This "reading" for the world provides a sacred blueprint and predictions for the year ahead. In Yorubaland the ceremony is usually conducted during the Odun Ifa Festival later in the Gregorian Calendar. Annually, the CCCADI hosts a panel of Lucumi priests to discuss the year's forecast.
Bringing together the voices of oluwos, oba oriates, and oloshas, the panel is designed to foster a multi-generational dialogue which centers the collective wisdom of the Lucumi community in the U.S. in response to this annual tradition. This dialogue is not meant to replace the wisdom and guidance of Lucumi elders and practitioners across the globe who also divine on behalf of their countries, regions, and iles (religious houses and temples).
OLUWO RAYMOND CRAWFORD
OLUWO RAMIN KHORASSANI
OBA ORIATE DANNY RODRIGUEZ