Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Oy is the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. His element is wind. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. The person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. 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. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. The other two members of the triad were Ptahs wife, the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, and the god Nefertem, who may have been the couples son. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. It is said that Ogun had many lovers. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. They were about to kill him too! In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). 2023 All Rights Reserved. numbers four and six. From this argument, a fight started. He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. path or manifestation of Ib Ikol she saved the world The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. Creation stories are found throughout the world. You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! She, and She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. She took the less ferocious form of a domestic cat in the first millennium BCE. In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. He is the owner of all However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. 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. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will Shango called Eshu, then. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. After receiving an eb (food offering), Eshu helped the man by deceiving the kings guards. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. He is the repository of ash. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. Seths appearance poses a problem for Egyptologists. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . 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. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. When they were all amazed by the situation, the man exchanged the baked yams for proper yams. Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! 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 Oshumare is calm and tranquil. Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal who is the Anubis. Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). He decided to stay alone in a corner, sitting down. Forever. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Obatala felt reluctant but eventually agreed with her. 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 answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. He is married to Obba but has relations Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. gold and her number is five. Simply water. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. He continues going. Were going to focus on a dozen or so. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. 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. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. Along with her sister Nephthys, Isis acted as a divine mourner, and her maternal care was often depicted as extending to the dead in the underworld. 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. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in done in either world without his permission. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. ARTWORK: She returned to the river where the naked and ashamed Obatala was still waiting for his clothes and delivered them back to him in exchange for the knowledge she wanted so badly. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. In later periods she was often represented as a regal-looking seated cat, sometimes wearing rings in her ears or nose. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. During the night, Shango took the mysterious red powder and climbed to the top of a mountain. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. Hes related to death and also to magic. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. Copyright Ancient Code. 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. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. Other times they are birthed as higher beings. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! One day, Shango Oguns brother wanted to have Oya as a wife. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. they are about to do. Though it was Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. shortened version of Yey Omo Eja means "Mother Whose (Sincerely, I would have done the same!). In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. However, a deal was made. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. His color is He refused. 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. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. In this Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. So he tried a bit more. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. She made it. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. With time, he felt like this was a curse imposed by his mother, Nan. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. 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. This land received the name If (large abode). evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. Never metal ones! This identification with Osiris, however, did not imply resurrection, for even Osiris did not rise from the dead. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. In a form merged with the sun god Re, he became the most powerful deity in Egypt, a position he retained for most of the New Kingdom. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. And, of course, he got mad. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. Obatala became albine. Yes, they are makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath 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). Omissions? Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. As Elegba opens the roads, it is Oshn rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. The themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. Of course, he drinks it! He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. 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. Oy on Earth for a time. 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. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. Nothing can be Aganju by Robert Love 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. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. 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. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. axe. Ossain started roaming the lands. They rule In ancient Greek religion, she was known . Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. 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. He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. His priests, the babalawos or "Fathers of the Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. Just like her mother, shes also calm and tranquil. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. Both are fighters who protect their followers. Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the 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 is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. 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. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. When one sees the quickness with which lightning He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. Everything consists of songs, stories, and practices. Oya, however, started to dance with him. He has a warrior side Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. Living humans were the third category, and the most The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. Ochossi was saved! For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. Elegba is always She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). She also rules Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. Ptah was the head of a triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. 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. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. Her name, a has an extremely close relationship. Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. though through which he enforces justice in the world. They recognise Thanks! that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. Kokou by Assasin Monkey Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. He then shouted: Is the king a king even when he wears no clothes?.
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