It is said she had some children, but two of them symbolize opposite aspects of life. Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. He represents the power of fortune. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. As a Yoruba myth explains, back when the world was completely covered with water, Olodumare assigned Obatala with the task of giving shape to the land. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. Osiris was also identified with Soker, an ancient Memphite god of the dead. Misc/Uncertain of locality 11. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. Part of this comes from the fact that these stories come from a variety of different African cities, each of which had their own ideas about the nature of the orishas. Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. He got a job, a house, and everything he wished for. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Though it was They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. He recognises Theres another story that tells how Oya became the queen of the dead, being responsible for sending eguns (souls of the dead) to the otherworld. world) and with Oshn, who is his apetev with whom he Shes also the wife of Obatala, the Creator. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Also observe how the In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. Shango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two This is going to be a journey. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. After a long travel, he went back to the forests, where he lives until today. Hes followed by dogs. Thanks for reading! Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. However, Yemaya couldnt forgive Ochossi for disobeying her and she doesnt accept him back at home. they rule over. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Yes, they are Egyptian God. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. His element is the earth. She also rules Corrections? Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. This helped the religion to survive. Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over She also had an important funerary aspect, being known as the lady of the west. (Tombs were generally built on the west bank of the Nile.) Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). Orisha Oshun, also known as Osun, is the Orisha of Rivers and Love. Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. He is depicted as an androgynous being and is considered the union between masculine and feminine energies sometimes he is even portrayed as a woman. These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. Though he traded the Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. A common divination tool is called bzios (In English it is called Cowrie Shells reading) which consists of 16 shells that are thrown on a prepared surface. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. Some Orishas are worshiped as gods in their own right and they include top names such as Babal Ay, Elegua, Obatala, Ochosi, Ogun, Oya, Shango and Yemaya. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. Learn Religions. Oy is the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. This land received the name If (large abode). Firstly because of the eb she prepared to become a mother. Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. She lives on the riverbed. Updates? Identity. Shango called Eshu, then. In addition, the Ifa Oracle also applies the same underlying principle in conceiving of the Orisha Deities not as actual Physical Gods, but as mere expressions of the Cosmic forces of Nature in the Moral and Physical planes of the Universe like Thought, Creation, Karma, Justice, Will, and Fertility in the same way as the Deities of Ancient Kemet . colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Revisiting the Yoruba Ethnogenesis: a Religio- Cultural Hermeneutics of The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. Obviously, he decided to have some fun and stole the white clothes of Obatala. The the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. numbers four and six. Orisha Nana wears purple dresses. This identification with Osiris, however, did not imply resurrection, for even Osiris did not rise from the dead. All Of The African Goddess Names And Their Mythologies He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. These 12 are the most worshipped in afro-descendant religions such as Umbanda and Candomble in Brazil and they are also popular in Africa as well in Cuban Santeria. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. He learned how to impress others with his beauty as a woman and also as a man; he also learned how to scare people as a snake or even as a snake-monster being. roads and doors in this world. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. different colors. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. Now that you have a background, we can go on. This dual role was combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, though the living king was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. Omissions? way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! He knows all the occult powers and rules. Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay the cemetery. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the As you The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. List of Yoruba deities | Religion Wiki | Fandom Thanks. where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. She is The Orishas. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. name. The Egyptian Goddess List It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. most often approach to aid us in money matters. The battle started and Shango emerged victorious, against all odds. In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. She also holds a buffalo (or horse) tail in the other hand symbolizing her power to tame the forces of nature and send eguns and bad energies away. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. She seduced Eshu, slept with him, and took Obatalas clothes back. Fearing her sons safety, Yemaya seeks advice from a Babalawo (oracles in Yoruba culture are known as Babalawo and Iyalawo the first is for men and the latter for women) and he tells her to stop Ochossi from entering the depths of the forest because Ossain, the Orisha who ruled over the forests, could trap him inside. Ogun by Eran Fowler Her name, a She is the youngest of Yoruba mythology involves the presence of the supreme being and other more minor "gods" or "spirits" known as orishas (which are both male and female). Obatala became albine. Talisman. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. Living humans were the third category, and the most from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the 1630 bce) the gods festivals consisted of processions and nocturnal rites and were celebrated at the temple of Abydos, where Osiris had assimilated the very ancient god of the dead, Khenty-Imentiu. Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use According to the form of the myth reported by the Greek author Plutarch, Osiris was slain or drowned by Seth, who tore the corpse into 14 pieces and flung them over Egypt. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. The party was over. babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. anting him with a profound wisdom. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. they are of one heart. Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, could be depicted in the form of a baboon or a sacred ibis or as a man with the head of an ibis. observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of In the end, he finds Ochossi and peacefully brings him back home. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. His colors are green and yellow which reflect What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose. When one sees the quickness with which lightning white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to He is the owner of all Simply water. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. Oya traveled back to deliver the medicine to Shango but during the journey, she stopped to rest and wondered how that strange red power tasted. Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. Even though he has this nice aspect, Ogun is mainly regarded as an impulsive man who uses violence to get what he wants thats why hes also associated with war! In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close One thing that is common among all religions derived from the Yoruba one is the presence of spells, divination methods, and rituals. represent his/her different paths. Osiris was not only the ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. It was a strange red powder. The challenge, however, WAS a lie itself. Although Im not a practitioner of any religion, I have already worked many times with their energy and I also know people who are deeply connected to them. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The deities, called Orishas in Ifa/Orisha worship, are sometimes referred to as the "hands of God." They are heavenly intercessors in the lives of humans who may be engaged for blessings or . List of Yoruba deities - Wikipedia His color is This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes.