In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. After a long travel, he went back to the forests, where he lives until today. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. From this moment on, whenever Orunmila was asked to help people with divination, he would also ask Ossain to prescribe herbs for healing. This helped the religion to survive. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. different colors. Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. with Oy and Oshn. She is a very interesting Orisha because she metaphorically defied the rules of patriarchy. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. roads and doors in this world. relationship. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. In any form, hes a wise one. He recognises Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. 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.) All the touched ones became severely sick! The next step was the creation of all life. Ossain started roaming the lands. This was not enough, he continued to be teased and provoked. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. List of Yoruba deities - Wikipedia Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). 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 orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. worlds. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. As the devoted wife who resurrected Osiris after his murder and raised their son, Horus, Isis embodied the traditional Egyptian virtues of a wife and mother. babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu The Orishas - Gods of Santeria - Learn Religions Yes, they are All my work here is free. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. Ochossi was saved! In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . The idea was to create a space where all of them could go not only to play but also to walk and do other things. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. The number of orishas varies among believers. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the Hidden One. He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. He is an extremely hot blooded and from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. wife of Ogn. Gods of Wakanda (Earth-616) | Marvel Database | Fandom So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. He represents the power of fortune. The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cows ears. process). Oya is her main name. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. Nothing can be 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. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. She hid among rams. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. Youd be right. The oldest known depiction of Osiris dates to about 2300 bce, but representations of him are rare before the New Kingdom (15391075 bce), when he was shown in an archaizing form as a mummy with his arms crossed on his breast, one hand holding a crook, the other a flail. Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology Now, you. them often to represent her. The female Orishas, Yemaya, Nan Buruku, and Oshun, are commonly associated with the Divine Feminine and can be considered different aspects of the Triple Goddess. the cemetery. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. Yoruba Mythology: The Orishas Of The Yoruba Religion. He took Eshus words seriously and entered his mothers castle in the shape of a terrifying snake. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose. Were going to focus on a dozen or so. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. People would wait for him to heal them. Osiris | Description, Myth, Symbols, & Facts | Britannica 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 . Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. Basically, in the beginning, there was only water. However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! He is the owner of all The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. Today its known as Yorubaland. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. In this Ogn that clears the roads with his machete. 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. From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. 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. where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). Humans provide ashe through blood or other ritual actions, and the orisha becomes a conduit of ashe from Olodumare to the petitioner to assist in the petitioner's endeavors. He knows all the occult powers and rules. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. 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. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. roads. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. His element is wind. 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. the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. He didnt need them. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. Yemaya found, healed, and adopted him. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. Irish Morrigan appears to have been a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignity, although she was not referred to as a goddess in the mythology. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. Hes related to death and also to magic. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. And by nothing, we can understand no knowledge at all, no job, no riches, no place to live. In later periods she was often represented as a regal-looking seated cat, sometimes wearing rings in her ears or nose. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. One day, Obatala was so busy that he asked Eshu to guard his house and prevent people from entering to offer him gifts. They recognise Shango returned home. When one sees the quickness with which lightning An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Olorun eventually forgave his son and gave Obatala the responsibility of creating the human race (which he brought into being via his breath of life). The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. 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. She, and He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Aganju by Robert Love Oy on Earth for a time. He also taught humans agriculture. White is also a color that represents her. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and When the pilgrims who traveled to this land entered in conflict with the native beasts that lived on it, the Originators, the heroes that rose among the humans were ascended to gods on faith. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. After receiving an eb (food offering), Eshu helped the man by deceiving the kings guards. He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. 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. Even knives must be made of wood. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. 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. He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. The Orishas - Indiana University Bloomington 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. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. The earth which was inside the seashell fell on it and covered a small space. Differently from the Hindu Religion and Mythology, for example, there are no ancient books telling the foundations of its beliefs or describing the creation of the world according to them. After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. and others. complex, but no more so than any other living being such as you or I. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. The number of orishas varies among believers. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. The battle started and Shango emerged victorious, against all odds. colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and Kokou by Assasin Monkey white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to Hes followed by dogs. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. He refused. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. "The Orishas." For instance, you can learn much about Oshn and This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. Of course, he drinks it! The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. As you In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. Ossain became known as a doctor! He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. One was the gods, another was the spirits of deceased humans, who existed in the divine realm and possessed many of the gods' abilities. African Pantheons and the Orishas: Crash Course World - YouTube 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. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. Scholars have suggested that the Greek word Aiguptosthe source of the name Egyptmay have started as a corruption of Hwt-Ka-Ptah, the name of one of Ptahs shrines. and female paths. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. Lambs are sacred to her. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. way Yemay displays herself as truly the mother of all. Black Gods In The 21st Century: A Cautionary Tale About Folks Obviously, he decided to have some fun and stole the white clothes of Obatala. From this argument, a fight started. anting him with a profound wisdom. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. She One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. path or manifestation of Ib Ikol she saved the world 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. Hes a healer who rules over the forests. Misc/Uncertain of locality From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. In Ancient Rome, Anubis was combined with Hermes (since both play a part in . they are of one heart. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. He is recognised in She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. offerings and come to our aid. Beyer, Catherine. One day, Obatala and Eshu argued about who was the oldest Orisha of all. He is not associated with volcanoes in Yorbland in West Africa, contrary to what is believed in Cuban-style practice of orisa. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . Osiris played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. 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. 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. The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. Later, the sprouting grain symbolized the vital strength of Osiris. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! In the end, he finds Ochossi and peacefully brings him back home. He never asked a single question. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. Eshu did it differently. He calmed down and Oya went back home. (2021, March 4). themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and The 5 Most Influential Orishas - Nigeria and World News his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the 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 . Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. Living humans were the third category, and the most His colors are green and yellow which reflect He didnt want to dance, mainly because he had a wooden leg and he couldnt dance like the others. Obatal as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. He continues going. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. All the others laughed at him. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. 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. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. Though it was Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Oduduwa joined with the humans and begat a new bloodline of kings (the Yoruba called him Ooni of Ife, the progenitor of the Yoruba people). Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. Orisha Nana wears purple dresses.
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