way Yemay displays herself as truly the mother of all. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. To start, Yoruba is a name that encompasses a group of people who live in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. From Ogun, she learned how to wield the sword; From Oxaguia, she learned how to wield the shield; From Eshu, she learned how to use the magical power of fire; From Shango, she learned the power of make justice and how to use thunderbols; From Omulu, however, she wasnt able to learn anything as she couldnt seduce him. As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. Were going to focus on a dozen or so. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. He knows all the occult powers and rules. In the Old Kingdom (c. 25752130 BCE), before Osiris rose to prominence as the lord of the underworld, Anubis was considered the principal god of the dead. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. they rule over. Ossain started roaming the lands. His color is 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. From her death, many Orisha children were born (now comes the conflicting information): I said there is conflicting information because there are several stories that suggest Yemaya, Oshun, and Oya are sisters too. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. One day, Obatala and Eshu argued about who was the oldest Orisha of all. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Thanks for reading! Shango returned home. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. Learn Religions. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. One was the gods, another was the spirits of deceased humans, who existed in the divine realm and possessed many of the gods' abilities. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Yoruba Mythology: The Orishas Of The Yoruba Religion. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. All the others laughed at him. He threw his stone on Ogun and Oguns body went ablaze. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. One day she simply decided she wanted to learn the art of divination using Bzios (the divination tool I mention at the beginning of this article), but this art could not be taught to her. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Ogun by Eran Fowler He is recognised in This dual role was in turn combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, god of the underworld; and the dead kings son, the living king, was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. Explore the Osiris shaft, a symbolic tomb of the god Osiris. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . shortened version of Yey Omo Eja means "Mother Whose According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. In the Greco-Roman period she was identified with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and her cult spread as far west as Great Britain and as far east as Afghanistan. When one sees the quickness with which lightning In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. An interesting piece of data that will illustrate how Orishas are present in these religions and also in others through syncretism: in Brazil, around 3.2% of the population follow the so-called other religions. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. Because the right and left eyes of Horus were associated, respectively, with the sun and the moon, the loss and restoration of Horuss left eye gave a mythical explanation for the phases of the moon. Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? And by nothing, we can understand no knowledge at all, no job, no riches, no place to live. technology and because this technology shares in his nature, it is She took the less ferocious form of a domestic cat in the first millennium BCE. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. He continues going. Chinese Yu-huang Shang Ti, the Jade Emperor. divination and the accompanying arts. Black Gods In The 21st Century: A Cautionary Tale About Folks While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. roads and doors in this world. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. Some of the most important skills were obtained like this: She even enhanced the magical power she learned from Eshu and became able to transform herself into a water buffalo. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. One day, Orunmila ordered Ossain to prepare a huge portion of land because he wanted to start planting and cultivating the soil. Also observe how the order to protect the Guerreros initiate and to open and clear their babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. She is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. In this 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 . There was no taste at all. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Though it was They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. worlds. He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu 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. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). Olodumare The battle started and Shango emerged victorious, against all odds. 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.) He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. 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! She protects women, children, and fishermen. Erinle by Mod Nomad Her element is fire and she wears red clothes. Other times they are birthed as higher beings. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. 11. Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two It was believed that he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and then made a passage through the underworld each night, during which he would have to defeat the snake god Apopis in order to rise again. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. From this argument, a fight started. After trials and errors, he finally managed to create human beings who populated the land and worshiped the Orishas as their creators and natural sources of power. This is the source of Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. As a prize, he took Eshus gourd for him. He was usually represented as a jackal or as a man with the head of a jackal. Bastet or Bast (Ancient Egyptian: bstjt, Coptic: , romanized: Oubaste /uast/, Phoenician: , romanized: 'bst, or , romanized: bst) was a goddess of ancient Egyptian religion, worshipped as early as the Second Dynasty (2890 BCE). Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. By about 2400 bce, however, Osiris clearly played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. During the meeting, Esu took the chance to cause some mischief and told Oshumare that Nan was really guilty for his shapeshifting curse and convinced him to take revenge on her by stealing her crown and becoming the king of the Jeje people. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! She usually holds a mirror in one hand. (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our Seths appearance poses a problem for Egyptologists. He recognises predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of Osiris played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. He is an extremely hot blooded and Regarding his trickster nature, Eshu is known for playing tricks, deceiving, and even helping those who ask him for help in doing some inappropriate things. The person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. anting him with a profound wisdom. Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. Thanks! Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. He decided to stay alone in a corner, sitting down. Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. Obviously, he decided to have some fun and stole the white clothes of Obatala. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. The truth is that macumba is a collection of rites and spells that may be performed to attract, banish, bind or release energies, spirits, material goods, and whatever the practitioner desires. He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. Beyer, Catherine. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. He is most often represented by a double headed Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. Orisha Oshun, also known as Osun, is the Orisha of Rivers and Love. Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. List of Popular Orishas (Yoruba) - Symbol Sage Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. Oya, however, started to dance with him. Osiris and Horus were thus father and son. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. Ancient Egyptians celebrated Osiris with festivals that consisted of processions and nocturnal rites at the temple of Abydos. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. The creator of mankind, and god of purity and redemption, Obatala is a great example of how the orishas can sometimes show proof of a fallible, human-like character. 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. himself and is recognised by the numbers 3 and 21. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. All the touched ones became severely sick! He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. 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. Talisman. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. wife of Ogn. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. (2021, March 4). Updates? Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. 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 . The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. Ill briefly write about the creation of the world according to the Yoruba so we can be more prepared to get to know the 12 main Orishas. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. Anubis. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. drumming, women, song and eating. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. Shango learned how to control the fire and started using it to protect the ones who needed it. She made it. Elegba is always From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. Goddesses Archetypes Cards Online Free Oracle Reading, Oracle of Hecate Online Free Oracle Reading, YES or NO Oracle Free and Accurate Online Oracle Reading, The Triple Goddess 101 Manifesting your own magic with her, WHEEL OF THE YEAR and the 8 Sabbats A Full and free guide, 14 Hindu Gods and Goddesses that will make your life better, Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba Religion and Mythology - An Introduction, A Brief Overview of Candombl and Umbanda, Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday, All about the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats, The Triple Goddess and her manifestations. In ancient Greek religion, she was known . This is going to be a journey. This identification with Osiris, however, did not imply resurrection, for even Osiris did not rise from the dead. This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. In this story, we have Obatala (the Sky) and Odudua (the primordial earth) this is a similar motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. children have an innate ability for divination. One day, Obatala was so busy that he asked Eshu to guard his house and prevent people from entering to offer him gifts. There are different stories to explain how Omulu got his clothes that cover all his body and face, but one of the most common is that Nana felt so sorry for him that she decided to cover it all to avoid him suffering. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the I write this page as a way to honor these forces. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. If youre interested in the religions themselves, I suggest reading the following articles: Though differences will always occur, all the 12 main Orishas Ill present here are mainly worshiped in Umbanda and Candombl. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. Olokun presides over this watery abyss, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits. they are of one heart. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. offerings and come to our aid. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. He also taught humans agriculture. his title of Eleri Ipin or "Witness to Destiny in its It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. unfolding of our lives. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. She, and Ochossi was saved! You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. Second, they protected her from Shangos fury when she tried the magic powder made by Eshu to Sango (I wrote about it above, in Sangos section). She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. On this page, Ill present you all you need to know about Orishas and how to understand them in and out from their original context the Yoruba Religion. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. So he teaches Ochossi how to use a bow and arrows. 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. After this, she fled to the top of a mountain, but he followed her. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears Ptah was the head of a triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. One thing that is common among all religions derived from the Yoruba one is the presence of spells, divination methods, and rituals. Nothing can be He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. Soon after, she had 9 children, earning the name Ians. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. The exact number of orishas is not known . 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.
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