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himself and is recognised by the numbers 3 and 21. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. Beyer, Catherine. Omulu got happy! He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. 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. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. Now that you have a background, we can go on. Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. Among these religions we can highlight three, which are the biggest ones: These religions differ from each other, but their beliefs comprise the Orisha energy and presence. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. He is the most feared of the Orisha. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. Aganju by Robert Love orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Shango returned home. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. 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. This helped the religion to survive. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. To acknowledge the However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. 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. Thanks! Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. order to protect the Guerreros initiate and to open and clear their While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. And, of course, he got mad. The Orishas. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. For example, theres a story in which a king sent a man to trial for making gossip and spreading misinformation inside the kingdom. 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. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. 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. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two He is most often represented by a double headed While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the 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. For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath He is a warrior orisha In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas He didnt need them. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Orisha Nana wears purple dresses. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. they are of one heart. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the His colors are blue and yellow. mother's womb is a form of sea where the embryo must transform and Beyer, Catherine. divination and the accompanying arts. In this Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in Creation". Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. There was no taste at all. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. From this argument, a fight started. Hes a healer who rules over the forests. He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. process). 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.) For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. This fight was mainly a physical fight, no magic was involved. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! children have an innate ability for divination. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Shes also the wife of Obatala, the Creator. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. them often to represent her. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. So, today were talking about African Pantheons. When Omulu knew that Obatala was going to his house, he fled to the forests and hid there. Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. 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. All was lost. 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. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. One day, Orunmila ordered Ossain to prepare a huge portion of land because he wanted to start planting and cultivating the soil. Catholic. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. This dual role was combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, though the living king was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. the cemetery. From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the 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. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. She protects women, children, and fishermen. Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. 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. As such, these stories give multiple origin stories for the orishas. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Role. different colors. that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . Simply water. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth . Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of He refused. Identity. Underneath it, its said he wears black and red colors. When they were all amazed by the situation, the man exchanged the baked yams for proper yams. Shes also associated with riches, pregnancy, and fertility. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. they rule over. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. Eshu did it. He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. He learned how to impress others with his beauty as a woman and also as a man; he also learned how to scare people as a snake or even as a snake-monster being. offerings and come to our aid. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. 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 . But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. The Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. The challenge, however, WAS a lie itself. Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. As a prize, he took Eshus gourd for him. In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. One day he reached Obatalas house. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. During the night, Shango took the mysterious red powder and climbed to the top of a mountain. This way, Ossain was capable of identifying them easily. According to the Osiris myth, Anubis embalmed and wrapped the body of the murdered king, becoming the patron god for embalmers. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. above them. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close All had to be rebuilt again. From about 2000 BCE, it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his they are about to do. with Oy and Oshn. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? 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. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. Nothing can be So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. Lambs are sacred to her. 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. Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. The earth which was inside the seashell fell on it and covered a small space. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). Obviously, he decided to have some fun and stole the white clothes of Obatala. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. unfolding of our lives. 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. Amaunet - The Ogdoad Goddess of the North wind, this carried the rain, she was the female form of the originally androgynous God Amun. But these could change over time as gods rose and fell in importance and evolved in ways that corresponded to developments in Egyptian society. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. As Elegba opens the roads, it is In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to The plantation was a success! Copyright Ancient Code. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. Secrets" must devote themselves entirely to the practice of Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. Kokou by Assasin Monkey The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature She is So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. Ptah was the head of a triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. roads and doors in this world. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. witness to our destinies in the making as well. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. He then shouted: Is the king a king even when he wears no clothes?. 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. Ogun by Eran Fowler 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. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are 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 . His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. 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. Olodumare Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. Ochossi was saved! Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Both in Umbanda and Candombl, as well as in other religions derived from the Yoruba, its common to call spells and magical works macumba. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. However, Yemaya couldnt forgive Ochossi for disobeying her and she doesnt accept him back at home. He is the owner of all I write this page as a way to honor these forces. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. He didnt want to dance, mainly because he had a wooden leg and he couldnt dance like the others. 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. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. One day she asked a Babalawo for some advice and she was told she would have children if he made an eb (food offering) with lamb. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. He is recognised in Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. contradictory nature. the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. Osiris was not only ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from sprouting vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. Misc/Uncertain of locality Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. wife of Ogn. 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. Thanks for reading! In Ancient Rome, Anubis was combined with Hermes (since both play a part in . 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. Crash Course is on Patreon! The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. 1630 bce) the gods festivals consisted of processions and nocturnal rites and were celebrated at the temple of Abydos, where Osiris had assimilated the very ancient god of the dead, Khenty-Imentiu. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. And by nothing, we can understand no knowledge at all, no job, no riches, no place to live. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. They rule Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens She never ate lamb after these occasions. They were about to kill him too! She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. represent his/her different paths. There are more than 400 Orishas out there. 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. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. As you 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. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. The exact number of orishas is not known . 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. In the New World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into common slavery. she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep and dark secrets. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. For He got a job, a house, and everything he wished for. In underworld scenes showing the judgment undergone by the deceased after their deaths, Thoth is depicted as weighing the hearts of the deceased and reporting the verdict to Osiris, the god of the dead. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It was a strange red powder. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. 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. In his fully animal form, he has a thin doglike body and a straight tail with a tuft on the end. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. Even knives must be made of wood. 11. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. 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.