His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. them often to represent her. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. and female paths. Anubis. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. He could see the entire empire from there. Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. 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. 12. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. 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. Suddenly, one of the Orishas stumbled upon him and he fell on the floor, exposing his wooden leg. And he spat more fire. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the Because the festivals took place in the open, public participation was permitted, and by the early 2nd millennium bce it had become fashionable to be buried along the processional road at Abydos or to erect a cenotaph there as a representative of the dead. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. She lives on the riverbed. 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. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. This helped the religion to survive. Catholic. People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. Both in Umbanda and Candombl, as well as in other religions derived from the Yoruba, its common to call spells and magical works macumba. The Santeria faith teaches that every individual has a destiny from God, a destiny fulfilled with the aid and energy of the orishas.The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal . Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. Crash Course is on Patreon! The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine Also observe how the The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. Forever. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth . She recognises herself in the colors yellow and African Pantheons and the Orishas: Crash Course World Mythology #11 CrashCourse 14.5M subscribers 1.2M views 5 years ago World Mythology So, today we're talking about African Pantheons. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. Anyway, Oshun wanted to learn at all costs, but Obatala always said no to her. She hid among rams. Obatal as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. Shango called Eshu, then. worlds. This is going to be a journey. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. To acknowledge the She protects women, children, and fishermen. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. One day, Shango Oguns brother wanted to have Oya as a wife. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. Wherever he would go, his fame was already there. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. Thanks! The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over Archaeologists discover 24 new lines at Nazca, DNA Results Show The Elongated Paracas Skulls Are Not Native American, Ancient people knew that the Earth was round 2000 years before Columbus. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. From this argument, a fight started. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. This land received the name If (large abode). He wears light green and blue clothes. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. divination and the accompanying arts. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. roads and doors in this world. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. The Orisha began to lose patience with him, especially when he tried to infect them with smallpox after they laughed at his deplorable dancing skills. For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. Learn Religions, Mar. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. 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. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. roads. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. 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. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. Beyer, Catherine. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. 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. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what As you Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. Madonna. Beyer, Catherine. babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. gold and her number is five. He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. Now, its said that albino people are highly protected by Obatala. They were about to kill him too! Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. 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. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. represent his/her different paths. Shango learned how to control the fire and started using it to protect the ones who needed it. His color is Underneath it, its said he wears black and red colors. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. White is most appropriate for Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. Misc/Uncertain of locality Simply water. However, a deal was made. streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. The following is a list of Yoruba deities Olrn - the supreme creator deity Aganju - Orisha of volcanoes, the wilderness and rivers Aja - Orisha of the forest, the animals within it, and herbal healing Ayao - Orisha of air Babalu Aye - Orisha of the Earth and strongly associated with infectious disease (particularly smallpox, leprosy and AIDS) and healing Egungun-oya - Orisha of divination . It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. So he teaches Ochossi how to use a bow and arrows. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. Oy is the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of shortened version of Yey Omo Eja means "Mother Whose All the others laughed at him. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. humanity. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. So, today were talking about African Pantheons. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. After this, she fled to the top of a mountain, but he followed her. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. In this 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. 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. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. Ogun by Eran Fowler As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. One day, Olorun, the supreme creator, thought about creating firm land. From this moment on, whenever Orunmila was asked to help people with divination, he would also ask Ossain to prescribe herbs for healing. drumming, women, song and eating. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Creation". A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. Oguns permission would not be requested to make offerings to Nana. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or The plantation was a success! Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has The Orisha are spirits/deities that reflect one aspect of god. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Thanks! He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. 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 . In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). Living humans were the third category, and the most Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male The party was over. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. He is an extremely hot blooded and He lived with his mother, Yemaya. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. His element is wind. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. The origins of Isis are obscure. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. All the touched ones became severely sick! Eshu did it differently. As Elegba opens the roads, it is As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. 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. Umbanda, Candombl, Islam, Buddhism, and others belong to this group. He never asked a single question. world) and with Oshn, who is his apetev with whom he As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. Creation stories are found throughout the world. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. 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. Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. his title of Eleri Ipin or "Witness to Destiny in its During the night, Shango took the mysterious red powder and climbed to the top of a mountain. He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. His element is the earth. Lambs are sacred to her. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. Kokou by Assasin Monkey This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. He is a warrior orisha Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. After the rulers of Thebes rebelled against a dynasty of foreign rulers known as the Hyksos and reestablished native Egyptian rule throughout Egypt, Amon received credit for their victory. Firstly because of the eb she prepared to become a mother. 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. name. the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. the cemetery. He is the most feared of the Orisha. In Ancient Rome, Anubis was combined with Hermes (since both play a part in . her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and unfolding of our lives. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. Orunmila is wisdom and path or manifestation of Ib Ikol she saved the world 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. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. Talisman. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. 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. done in either world without his permission. From about 2000 bce onward it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. Soon after, she had 9 children, earning the name Ians. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. Now that you have a background, we can go on. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . She also is the one we anting him with a profound wisdom. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. Orunmila was impressed! So if you find here something different from what you were taught as a practitioner, simply write me, so I can add a note stating this difference. . the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. As such, these stories give multiple origin stories for the orishas. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. Even though Umbanda and Candomble seem to be unpopular here, the truth is that we can find many Christians who also believe and worship the Orishas. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. There are more than 400 Orishas out there. He calmed down and Oya went back home. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance.

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