Head Feeding/Rogation
in scheme: Process Type Classification
definition: Ritual feeding and cooling of the head (Ori) with white foods and prayers. Strengthens personal destiny and calms spiritual disturbances. One of the most fundamental ceremonies across Yoruba-derived traditions.
type: Concept
alternative label: Rogacion de Cabeza

Participant Role Classification
has top concept: Musician/Drummer
type: ConceptScheme
has top concept: Godparent/Sponsor
has top concept: Community Member
has top concept: Co-Officiant
has top concept: Initiant
has top concept: Helper/Aide
has top concept: Medium
description: Roles that participants may hold within a ritual process.
has top concept: Lead Officiant

Initiatory Rite
type: Class
comment: A threshold ceremony that permanently changes the initiant's spiritual status. Examples: kariocha (making Ocha), mano de Orula, abo faca, pinaldo, rayamiento (Palo), kanzo (Vodou), feitura (Candomble). Initiatory rites are non-repeatable transformations. Operational details are initiated-elder access.
subclass of: Ritual Process

Initiation - Reception
alternative label: Receiving
definition: Reception of sacred objects conferring a level of initiation without full head initiation. Examples: receiving Warriors, receiving Olokun, receiving necklaces. Creates formal relationship with specific entities.
type: Concept
in scheme: Process Type Classification

Community Member
in scheme: Participant Role Classification
type: Concept
definition: General attendee, potentially uninitiated, present for community portions of the ceremony.

sequence
domain: Ritual Process
type: ObjectProperty
range: Ceremonial Sequence
comment: Links a RitualProcess to its CeremonialSequence. Access: initiated-only.
minimum access level: access-initiated-only

Process Type Classification
has top concept: Funerary
description: Classification of ritual process types across Afro-Atlantic traditions.
has top concept: Healing
has top concept: Elevation/Levantamiento
has top concept: Ancestor Veneration
has top concept: Feast/Celebration
has top concept: Cleansing/Purification
has top concept: Protection
has top concept: Divination
has top concept: Initiation - Reception
has top concept: Head Feeding/Rogation
type: ConceptScheme
has top concept: Sacrifice/Major Offering
has top concept: Possession Ceremony
has top concept: Initiation - Full
has top concept: Community Working

sequence step description
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
domain: Ceremonial Sequence
comment: General description of what occurs at this step, without operational specifics. Access: initiated-only.
type: DatatypeProperty
range: string

lineage variations
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
comment: Documented variations in how different lineages or houses conduct this process. Access: initiated-only.
range: string
domain: Ritual Process
type: DatatypeProperty

typical duration
range: string
comment: General duration of this process. Example: one day, three days, seven days, one year and seven days. Access: public-unrestricted.
domain: Ritual Process
type: DatatypeProperty
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted

Musician/Drummer
alternative label: Akpwon
alternative label: Tambolero
type: Concept
definition: Drummer, singer, or musician providing ceremonial music. May have specific initiation requirements depending on tradition and ceremony type.
in scheme: Participant Role Classification

Authority Level Classification
has top concept: Tradition-Specific Authority
has top concept: Olorisha / Equivalent
type: ConceptScheme
has top concept: Babalawo / Ifa Priest
description: Level of initiation or authority required to lead or perform a ritual process.
has top concept: Elder Designation
has top concept: Any Practitioner
has top concept: Initiated Practitioner

process name
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: The name of this ritual process in its tradition. Example: Rogacion de Cabeza, Kariocha, Kanzo, Tambor de Fundamento. Access: public-unrestricted.
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
range: string
domain: Ritual Process

Annual Cycle
in scheme: Timing Requirement Classification
type: Concept
definition: Performed on an annual cycle, such as anniversary of initiation.

sequence step (operational)
domain: Ceremonial Sequence
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Exact operational instructions for this step. OPERATIONAL ONLY - never exported to RDF. Access: no-access.
minimum access level: access-no-access
range: string

operational notes
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Contextual notes about how this process is conducted in practice. Not a step-by-step sequence; general practitioner guidance. Access: community-only.
range: string
domain: Ritual Process
minimum access level: access-community-only

Helper/Aide
in scheme: Participant Role Classification
type: Concept
definition: Initiated helper assisting with logistical or supporting ceremonial tasks.

Emergency/As Needed
definition: Performed in response to urgent spiritual or physical crisis without time constraint.
in scheme: Timing Requirement Classification
type: Concept

Lunar Phase
in scheme: Timing Requirement Classification
type: Concept
definition: Must be performed during a specific phase of the moon.

sponsor requirement
domain: Initiatory Rite
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Whether a godparent or existing initiate must sponsor this initiation. General requirement is public. Access: public-unrestricted.
range: string
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted

Head Initiation
definition: Full head initiation permanently establishing the initiant as a priest or priestess. Specific name varies by tradition.
alternative label: Kariocha
alternative label: Rayamiento
type: Concept
alternative label: Feitura
alternative label: Kanzo
in scheme: Initiation Level Classification

purpose description
type: DatatypeProperty
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
comment: General description of the purpose and outcome of this ritual process. Non-operational. Access: public-unrestricted.
range: string
domain: Ritual Process

Possession Ceremony
alternative label: Bembe
definition: Ceremony in which spirits may manifest through initiated practitioners. Includes tambor, bembe, wemilere (Lucumi), Vodou fet, Candomble xire. Drumming, singing, and dance are central.
alternative label: Fet
alternative label: Tambor
alternative label: Wemilere
type: Concept
in scheme: Process Type Classification

Warriors
type: Concept
in scheme: Initiation Level Classification
alternative label: Los Guerreros
definition: Reception of Eleggua, Ogun, Ochosi, and Osun in Lucumi tradition. Protects the initiant and opens roads. Prerequisite for kariocha.

Protection
in scheme: Process Type Classification
definition: Ceremonial processes establishing or strengthening spiritual protection for a person, household, or space.
type: Concept

Initiant
in scheme: Participant Role Classification
alternative label: Initiate
definition: The person receiving initiation or the primary recipient of the ceremony.
alternative label: Iyawo
type: Concept

Tradition-Specific Level
type: Concept
in scheme: Initiation Level Classification
definition: Initiation levels that do not map to general categories. Document with tradition context via iroko:tradition and iroko:operationalNotes.

Medium
type: Concept
in scheme: Participant Role Classification
alternative label: Chwal
alternative label: Horse
definition: Practitioner who may receive spiritual possession during the ceremony. In Espiritismo context, medium for spirit communication.

Initiated Practitioner
type: Concept
in scheme: Authority Level Classification
definition: Requires initiation but not a specific level or title. General initiation into the tradition is sufficient.

timing requirement
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
comment: Whether this process has specific timing requirements. Values from TimingRequirementScheme. Access: public-unrestricted.
range: Concept
domain: Ritual Process
type: ObjectProperty

Divination
definition: Ritual consultation for guidance. Includes Ifa consultation, dilogun reading, chamalongos in Palo, and card reading in Espiritismo context. Public category; specific methods and interpretations are access-restricted.
type: Concept
in scheme: Process Type Classification

Any Practitioner
definition: Can be performed by any person regardless of initiation status. Example: basic ancestor veneration at boveda, spiritual baths using common herbs.
in scheme: Authority Level Classification
type: Concept

Calendar/Feast Day
type: Concept
definition: Associated with a specific calendar date or feast day of the presiding entity.
in scheme: Timing Requirement Classification

material requirements
domain: Ritual Process
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Detailed list of materials, implements, and quantities required. Access: initiated-only.
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
range: string

Life Event
type: Concept
definition: Triggered by a specific life event: birth, death, marriage, illness, major transition.
in scheme: Timing Requirement Classification

Cleansing/Purification
alternative label: Limpieza
definition: Ritual cleansing of a person, object, or space. Removes negative energies, spiritual impurities, or adversarial influences. Includes despojos, limpiezas, spiritual baths, and space cleansings.
alternative label: Despojo
type: Concept
in scheme: Process Type Classification

Ancestor Veneration
definition: Ceremonies specifically directed to the ancestral dead. Includes misa espiritual (Espiritismo), egungún masquerade, boveda work, and ituto (funeral rites for initiates).
alternative label: Misa Espiritual
type: Concept
in scheme: Process Type Classification
alternative label: Egun ceremony

Babalawo / Ifa Priest
definition: Requires Ifa initiation specifically. Certain ceremonies and all Ifa-based divination require Babalawo authority.
in scheme: Authority Level Classification
type: Concept

Feast/Celebration
in scheme: Process Type Classification
definition: Celebration ceremonies: anniversary of initiation, feast days of entities, communal celebrations.
type: Concept
alternative label: Cumpleanos de Santo

Iroko Framework: Travay Module (Ritual Processes)
created: 2026-02-18
version info: 1.3.0
references: iroko-nkisi
description: Domain module. Vocabulary for documenting ritual processes in Afro-Atlantic traditions. Covers ceremonies, initiatory rites, and ceremonial sequences. Distinguishes ongoing ceremonial practice from threshold initiation events. Access control is at the property level — existence and general nature of ceremonies is public; operational sequences and details are restricted. Use with iroko-authority to document who may perform or authorize a ceremony; iroko-epistemic to model disclosure constraints on operational sequences; iroko-nkisi for the spiritual entities invoked.
creator: Iroko Historical Society
license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
modified: 2026-02-25
imports: iroko-core
version IRI: https://ontology.irokosociety.org/iroko-travay/1.3.0
references: iroko-epistemic
type: Ontology
is part of: iroko-framework
references: iroko-authority

process type
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
range: Concept
comment: Classification of this ritual process. Values from ProcessTypeScheme. Access: public-unrestricted.
domain: Ritual Process
type: ObjectProperty

Godparent/Sponsor
definition: The initiated sponsor responsible for the initiant's spiritual formation and ceremonial participation.
alternative label: Padrino
alternative label: Marraine
alternative label: Madrina
type: Concept
in scheme: Participant Role Classification
alternative label: Parrain

Timing Requirement Classification
has top concept: Any Time
type: ConceptScheme
has top concept: Lunar Phase
has top concept: Life Event
has top concept: Calendar/Feast Day
has top concept: Divination-Prescribed
has top concept: Emergency/As Needed
has top concept: Annual Cycle
description: Whether a ritual process has specific timing requirements.

Ifa Initiation
alternative label: Mano de Orula
type: Concept
in scheme: Initiation Level Classification
alternative label: Babalawo initiation
definition: Initiation into the Ifa priesthood. Mano de Orula (hand of Orula) is a preliminary in Lucumi; full Babalawo initiation is the complete level.

initiation level
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
range: Concept
comment: The level of initiation conferred by this InitiatoryRite. Values from InitiationLevelScheme. Access: public-unrestricted.
domain: Initiatory Rite
type: ObjectProperty

Tradition-Specific Authority
definition: Authority requirements are tradition-specific and cannot be generalized. Document via iroko:operationalNotes with tradition context.
type: Concept
in scheme: Authority Level Classification

presiding entity
domain: Ritual Process
type: ObjectProperty
range: SpiritualEntity
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
comment: The spiritual entity (orisa, lwa, etc.) for whom or by whose authority this ceremony is performed. Links to iroko:SpiritualEntity. Access: public-unrestricted.

Initiation - Full
type: Concept
alternative label: Head Initiation
definition: Full head initiation permanently transforming the initiant's spiritual status. Examples: kariocha (Lucumi), kanzo (Vodou), rayamiento (Palo), feitura (Candomble). The most restricted process type.
in scheme: Process Type Classification

secret components
minimum access level: access-no-access
domain: Ritual Process
type: DatatypeProperty
range: string
comment: Components of this process restricted to initiated elders. OPERATIONAL ONLY - never exported to RDF. Access: no-access.

Healing
type: Concept
in scheme: Process Type Classification
definition: Ceremonial processes directed toward physical, spiritual, or psychological healing. May combine plant use, prayer, divination, and direct spiritual intervention.

Ceremony
subclass of: Ritual Process
type: Class
comment: A recurring ritual event that can be performed multiple times for one or many participants. Examples: bembe, tambor, wemilere, misa espiritual, rogacion de cabeza, ebbo, despojos, velacion. Ceremonies are ongoing practice rather than threshold events.

participant role
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
domain: Ritual Process
comment: Roles that participants may hold in this process. Values from ParticipantRoleScheme. Multiple values allowed. Access: public-unrestricted.
range: Concept
type: ObjectProperty

Olorisha / Equivalent
definition: Requires full head initiation: kariocha in Lucumi, kanzo in Vodou, feitura in Candomble, or equivalent in other traditions.
alternative label: Head-initiated
type: Concept
in scheme: Authority Level Classification

plant use
range: Plant
domain: Ritual Process
type: ObjectProperty
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
comment: Plants used in this ritual process. Links to ewe:Plant instances. General association is public; specific quantities and combinations are initiated-only. Access: public-unrestricted.

Funerary
alternative label: Axexe
definition: Death and funeral ceremonies specific to initiated practitioners. Includes ituto (Lucumi), axexe (Candomble), and rites handling spiritual obligations of deceased initiates.
type: Concept
alternative label: Ituto
in scheme: Process Type Classification

Community Working
in scheme: Process Type Classification
definition: Collective ceremonial work on behalf of a house, lineage, or community rather than an individual. Includes cabildo ceremonies, community ebbos, and house-level divination.
type: Concept

Sacrifice/Major Offering
alternative label: Ebbo
in scheme: Process Type Classification
definition: Ceremonies involving animal sacrifice or major offerings to spiritual entities. General category is public; specific animals, quantities, and procedures are initiated-only or initiated-elder.
alternative label: Matanza
type: Concept

required authority
comment: The level of initiation or authority required to lead this process. Values from AuthorityLevelScheme. Access: public-unrestricted.
domain: Ritual Process
type: ObjectProperty
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
range: Concept

Initiation Level Classification
has top concept: Necklaces/Elekes
type: ConceptScheme
description: Levels of initiation conferred by initiatory rites. General structure is cross-traditional; specific levels are tradition-dependent.
has top concept: Warriors
has top concept: Reception Level
has top concept: Ifa Initiation
has top concept: Head Initiation
has top concept: Tradition-Specific Level

Elevation/Levantamiento
type: Concept
definition: Ceremony to elevate the spirit of a deceased person or clear unresolved spiritual burdens. Common in Espiritismo and Lucumi death rites.
in scheme: Process Type Classification

sequence order
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
range: integer
domain: Ceremonial Sequence
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Integer indicating the position of this step within the full sequence. Access: initiated-only.

prerequisite process
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted
range: Ritual Process
type: ObjectProperty
comment: A RitualProcess that must be completed before this one. Example: receiving Warriors before kariocha. Links to iroko:RitualProcess instances. Access: public-unrestricted.
domain: Ritual Process

sequence step
domain: Ceremonial Sequence
type: DatatypeProperty
range: string
minimum access level: access-initiated-only
comment: A numbered step label within the ceremonial sequence. The label is visible; operational content is governed separately. Access: initiated-only.

Necklaces/Elekes
alternative label: Collares
type: Concept
definition: Reception of consecrated beaded necklaces in Lucumi tradition. First formal step. Confers relationship with specific orisa represented.
in scheme: Initiation Level Classification

conferred title
range: string
domain: Initiatory Rite
type: DatatypeProperty
comment: Title or designation conferred upon completion of this initiatory rite. Example: Olorisha, Babalawo, Mambo, Houngan, Tata Nkisi. Access: public-unrestricted.
minimum access level: access-public-unrestricted

Co-Officiant
type: Concept
in scheme: Participant Role Classification
definition: A supporting officiant with authority to perform portions of the ceremony.

Reception Level
definition: General category for receiving sacred objects or marks without full head initiation. The entry level of formal initiation in most traditions.
type: Concept
in scheme: Initiation Level Classification

Lead Officiant
in scheme: Participant Role Classification
alternative label: Mambo
alternative label: Oriaté
alternative label: Tata
type: Concept
alternative label: Houngan
definition: The principal authority leading the ceremony. Title varies by tradition.

Ritual Process
type: Class
subclass of: SacredEntity
comment: Base class for any structured ceremonial activity in an Afro-Atlantic tradition. Subclassed into Ceremony (recurring practice) and InitiatoryRite (threshold event). General process type, presiding entity, and tradition are public; operational sequences and instructions are restricted.

Ceremonial Sequence
type: Class
comment: An ordered set of steps within a RitualProcess. The existence of a sequence and its general structure are documented. Access control is at the property level: sequence step labels are initiated-only; operational content within each step is no-access.

Elder Designation
definition: Requires recognition as an elder or authority holder within the tradition, beyond basic initiation. Community recognition is required in addition to initiation level.
type: Concept
in scheme: Authority Level Classification

Any Time
in scheme: Timing Requirement Classification
type: Concept
definition: No specific timing requirement; may be performed as needed.

Divination-Prescribed
in scheme: Timing Requirement Classification
definition: Timing determined through divination consultation. The appropriate time is revealed rather than predetermined.
type: Concept