Dàdà is a divinity associated with the safety, protection and spiritual guidance of babies and children. Within this teaching, Dàdà watches over children from the earliest stages of life and is particularly connected with children who come into the world bearing distinctive spiritual characteristics.

During initiation and sacrifice to Dàdà, beans and vegetables are important ritual materials. The priest takes the prescribed ritual into deep vegetation so that the sacrifice and initiation may be fulfilled and made auspicious. Sacrifice to the ancestral lineage is also performed for the protection of babies and children.

This connection with ancestry is important because Òrìṣà Dàdà is closely associated with Òrìṣà Ìdílé — the divinities of the ancestral or family lineage. The protection of a child is therefore understood not only as an individual matter, but also as something connected with the child’s family, ancestry and spiritual heritage.

Dàdà and the power of vegetation

Òrìṣà Dàdà is associated with ewé — leaves and vegetation. For this reason, Dàdà may be understood within this tradition as an Òrìṣà Ewé, a divinity whose spiritual symbolism and ritual expression are closely connected with leaves, plants and vegetation.

Other expressions connected with this teaching include:

Dàdà — the divinity and also a designation given to certain children born with distinctive hair.

Òrìṣà Ewé — divinity of leaves.

Ewébé — vegetable leaves.

Òrìṣà Ewédú — the Òrìṣà associated with the vegetable known as ewédú.

The vegetation is therefore not merely a ritual location. It represents an important part of the spiritual environment and power associated with Dàdà.

The children of Dàdà

According to this teaching, many children associated with Dàdà come into the world with naturally curly, knotted, matted or otherwise distinctive hair. Such children may themselves be called Dàdà.

Their hair is regarded as carrying particular spiritual significance. Consequently, it should not simply be treated as ordinary hair. Within the tradition described here, before such a child’s hair is shaved, the appropriate sacrifice and appeasement to Òrìṣà Dàdà should first be performed.

Dàdà children are understood as children possessing unusual spiritual wisdom and power associated with the head, being or soul. Their spiritual nature may distinguish them from their contemporaries, and their upbringing therefore requires protection, guidance and proper spiritual attention.

Dàdà and the other Òrìṣà Ewé

Dàdà should not be confused with Koori Koto, Koori, Ooge or Olomo. Although these divinities are also placed within the wider category of Òrìṣà Ewé, they are distinct spiritual entities.

Within this teaching, these Òrìṣà Ewé share an important responsibility: the protection, safety, guidance and spiritual development of children.

The child is protected as a baby, guided through childhood, spiritually supported during adolescence and accompanied toward adulthood. In this sense, the work of these divinities concerns not merely survival, but the gradual unfolding and proper direction of the child’s life and destiny.

Dàdà children are therefore regarded as a special category of children carrying powerful spiritual qualities upon their head, being and soul. Through the divine support they receive from Olódùmarè through Òrìṣà Dàdà, they may also possess the capacity to support and benefit other creatures in creation.

The central lesson is therefore one of protection, ancestry, vegetation and destiny. A child is not regarded as existing separately from nature or lineage. The child stands within a relationship connecting Orí, family, ancestors, the natural world, Òrìṣà and Olódùmarè.

Héèpà Òrìṣà.
Héèpà Irúnmọlẹ̀.
Héèpà Òrìṣà Dàdà.

Àṣẹ.