I was born a Melliso (triplet ) Both my brother and sister passed to Ocha before me in

Lucumi because of illness. When they passed through ocha with my brother the eldest I
reiceved Elekes and Warriors and with my sister I recieved the Ibeyi and Iddeu ..
Years later after the death of my brother and my sisters entrance to Ocha I decided myself
to enter into the religion.. When MY head was marked by IFA I was declared a child of
"Iddeu" and crowned with Ochun . On my thrown I had to have my Ibeyi's and Iddeu as
well, since my brither is Ibae and my sister regained her health ..... I love to throw Ibeyi
parties now that I am older and it brings great IRE when doing so ...
Here is a little information and article I have written on the Ibeyi's of Lucumi .
Ibeyi's and a new twist on thier representaion in Lucumi
The name Jimaguas given to these santos comes from Cuba a form of many names
Mellizos, Gemelos, and Ibeyi. Many of the Ibeyi given today had there origins from the
famous house of the "Jimaguas del Pelenque" of Cuba.
Lydia Cabrera in her book "El Monte" talked about these personalities: From 1880 on , on a
farm in the jurisdiction of Mariano (Havana) there was a subdivision called Palenque,
which was converted into the barrio of the Africans, a bit further from LA LISA and in front
of a house known as the House of the healer, lived many Lucumi and criollos, All godchildren of the famous Ibeyi's, two santeros Twins that where very important, with
innumerable god-children in Havana. They where called the "Fathers of the Jimaguas",
there names where "Perfecto and Gurmensindo" Many say or claim they owned Pelenque,
which would of been true by the fame and honor of the black Africans and the Criollos of
the area . "Palenque also was the sanctuary of the Ibeyis- San Cosme and San Damian
although the main orishas where Ogun and Orishaoko..."
But according to Don Fernando Ortiz in his book " Los Negros Brujos" he claimed that the
Jimaguas Palenque did not have Ocha made , But brought with them to Cuba the secrets of
these orisha from there native land off the Southern Occidental coast of Nigeria. He goes on
to say that the Jimaguas did not learn of these orisha from the native Africans of Nigeria but
of Guinea , In which Guinea is formed by many tribes but mostly dominated by the
Congos. As well Don Fernando talks briefly about the arrest of the Twins BY the authorities
in the XIX century and the dolls they called Jimaguas where opened and documented that
inside they found Human remains , horns of a animal, roots, earth, nails and rocks, also
evidence of dried blood.
Also , in the study notes of A.B Ellis ( who worked with Don Fernando Ortiz) it was noted
of a deity named Ibeyi considered the Governing orisha of twins in a town called Erapos in
Nigeria ( there is no reference to this Town documented ) where it is stated that Ibeyi had a
great temple where Twins and their parents where given in highest honor.
For what ever reason or Place of origin we today receive the Ibeyi , The ILES know that the
Jimaguas Palenque are the Fathers of these orisha in our religion and we are all tied

together , those that have the Ibeyi back to the famous Twins of Havana for this reason.
Origin Mythological of the Ibeyi :
The Ibeyi are in the category of the lower Orisha or also called "Orisa of addimu " a boy
and a girl ...children of Chango and Ochun , although they where raised by Yemaya. Like
all children they are playful, spoiled and mischievous. From the times of Africa they are the
guiders and protectors of Twins and it is recommended that the youngest of the house
receive them to protect them from sickness and general danger.
They are found to live in the Palm tree who they share with their father Shango. At the feet
of the Palm tree their devoted followers take their offerings and do their ebos.
When a person is consulted and Eyioko falls (2) on the matt or what ever Odu in Melli the
Jimaguas are talking as well in that Odu. they may ask for a party in their honor , a sacrifice
of pollos or to be recieved. There day of worship is Sundays.
IN the Regla of Ocha the most famous of Ibeyi are Taewo and Kainde ( taewo is the first to
be born but considered the youngest) Kainde was born second (but since she was closer to
the umbilical cord she is the Oldest ).
Taewo and Kainde are more famous for the Pataki of the sign in IFA Otura Di (Otura the
devil)
There are other Ibeyi as well that I have not mentioned :
Araba and Afna (male and female)
Ayaba and Aiba ( female both)
Olori and Oroina ( both female )
IN the Rama of Ferminita Gomez adored also are :
Alawa Kuario and Eddun ( those that play in the market)
Aden and Alabba ( the first eats lots of candy and the second lives with Yemaya)
Lbbo abd Igue ( both like toys)
Oraun (he who eats honey)
and Ono- Nibeyi
Iddeu- Beloved son of Oshun Ololordi ( the wife of Orunla) who's father in Known to be
Orunla .. Of the Ibeyi it is said one is IRE and the other Osobbo , Osobbo died and iddeu
took its place also a IRE. He is born in the Odu Eyeunle Melli (8-8) Baba Eyiobe. He is
considered the lost child of Oshun and we sing "yeye yeyeo a iddeu" this passage talks of
Oshun crying for her loss son . He is dressed in green and a cap that is green with a Ribbon
of yellow he wears a ILde of Orunla and a eleke of Oshun . He loves semi precious stones
and a piece of gold and silver . He eats Pollo and palomas. He should eventually be
recieved by those that have the Ibeyi ... but also by children born as triplets .
song of the Ibeyi

Oba: Omo Ibeyi , omo Ibe karere

chorus : Kere kere ya
Oba: Alaba ina, alaba ibeyi karere
chorus : Kere kere ya
Oba: Meyila ese aremu meyiloro ese (bis)
Chrous : Kere kere ya
Oba: son dos los jimaguas, son dos a la bella aure
chrous : son dos los jimaguas son dos a la bella aure
Oba : son tres los jimaguas . son tres a bella aure
chours : son tres los jimaguas , son tres a bella aure
This is repeated 7 times for there are 7 sets of Ibeyi