Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? All Of The African Goddess Names And Their Mythologies He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. 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. He is the repository of ash. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. Simply water. All my work here is free. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. Here are a few of the most important deities to know. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. It says that he initially had nothing. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. The number of orishas varies among believers. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. his title of Eleri Ipin or "Witness to Destiny in its There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. Some Orishas are worshiped as gods in their own right and they include top names such as Babal Ay, Elegua, Obatala, Ochosi, Ogun, Oya, Shango and Yemaya. Osiris | Description, Myth, Symbols, & Facts | Britannica She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. Now, you. Chinese Yu-huang Shang Ti, the Jade Emperor. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Osiris played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. She made it. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Other times they are birthed as higher beings. Of course, he drinks it! motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. This identification with Osiris, however, did not imply resurrection, for even Osiris did not rise from the dead. Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. From about 2000 bce onward it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine In her path of Okutti While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth. List of Yoruba deities | Religion Wiki | Fandom Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. 11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses | Britannica There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. She On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. No life existed in this water, though. He knows all the occult powers and rules. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. 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. 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. Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. Egyptian God. the cemetery. Shango returned home. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. White is most appropriate for The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. The origins of Isis are obscure. When one sees the quickness with which lightning Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. The Meaning Of The Orisha Deities - AfrikaIsWoke.com He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. Today its known as Yorubaland. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. Oya, however, started to dance with him. 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 wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. uncountable. In this Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. For example, theres a story in which a king sent a man to trial for making gossip and spreading misinformation inside the kingdom. Misc/Uncertain of locality While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. they rule over. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. 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. Copyright Ancient Code. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. "The Orishas." He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. Though it was Creation stories are found throughout the world. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. Madonna. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. One day he reached Obatalas house. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. Though he traded the One was the gods, another was the spirits of deceased humans, who existed in the divine realm and possessed many of the gods' abilities. 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. So he teaches Ochossi how to use a bow and arrows. Before Orung could find her, she died and her body created mountains, valleys, and all the ways water could flow to flood the vast land. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. Orunla Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. All had to be rebuilt again. Thanks for reading! The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. His priests, the babalawos or "Fathers of the Eshu was not willing to give them back, but the beauty of Oshun was capable of driving any man or woman crazy. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. Yemaya found, healed, and adopted him. drumming, women, song and eating. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. Olodumare However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Both are fighters who protect their followers. This was not enough, he continued to be teased and provoked. Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. 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. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. The idea that rebirth in the next life could be gained by following Osiris was maintained through certain cult forms. It is said she had some children, but two of them symbolize opposite aspects of life. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. This land received the name If (large abode). Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. Yoruba mythology involves the presence of the supreme being and other more minor "gods" or "spirits" known as orishas (which are both male and female). His element is the earth. Osiris was also identified with Soker, an ancient Memphite god of the dead. 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. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. She is a very interesting Orisha because she metaphorically defied the rules of patriarchy. The person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two 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. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. The Orishas - Indiana University Bloomington He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. 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. Orunmila is wisdom and Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, Black Gods In The 21st Century: A Cautionary Tale About Folks Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes different colors. His colors are green and yellow which reflect People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. She protects women, children, and fishermen. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. with quick wits, quick temper and is the epitomy of virility. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. Thanks! the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. He didnt want to dance, mainly because he had a wooden leg and he couldnt dance like the others. Eshu did it differently. They rule Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep and dark secrets. He also taught humans agriculture. Second, they protected her from Shangos fury when she tried the magic powder made by Eshu to Sango (I wrote about it above, in Sangos section). So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. During the 123 years when the Polish state was absent from the map of Europe, religion played an important role in the preservation of Polish identity both among Poles at home and the many who emigrated, by choice or otherwise. In the forest. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the roads. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. Omissions? In the New World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into common slavery. Hes related to death and also to magic. Mustatils in Saudi Arabia: Gates for Animal Sacrifice to Unknown Gods? She is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. He refused. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. 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.