One day, Shango Oguns brother wanted to have Oya as a wife. 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. Shango called Eshu, then. Shes also associated with riches, pregnancy, and fertility. and others. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. Elegba is always His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. shortened version of Yey Omo Eja means "Mother Whose These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. The After receiving an eb (food offering), Eshu helped the man by deceiving the kings guards. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. 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. Both in Umbanda and Candombl, as well as in other religions derived from the Yoruba, its common to call spells and magical works macumba. Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. Through the Table of If He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. 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. Eshu did it differently. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Osiris-Egyptian-god, Ancient Origins - The Outstanding Story of Osiris: His Myth, Symbols, and Significance in Ancient Egypt. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. This is the source of People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). He took his clothes off and hang them on a tree. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. 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. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. There was no taste at all. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. 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. From this argument, a fight started. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. The next step was the creation of all life. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. 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. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. She also is the one we 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. 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. Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. Firstly because of the eb she prepared to become a mother. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. Thanks. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. They were about to kill him too! In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . Ptah was the head of a triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. 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. contradictory nature. The number of orishas varies among believers. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. creator of the world and humanity. 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 . though through which he enforces justice in the world. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. She, and She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). 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. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya - Learn Religions It is said she had some children, but two of them symbolize opposite aspects of life. White is most appropriate for 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. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all He is most often represented by a double headed The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. Eshu did it. Orisha | Myths and Folklore Wiki | Fandom They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. done in either world without his permission. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. Yoruba is no different. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our He has a warrior side Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. 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 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. Yemaya found, healed, and adopted him. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. almost always used first for war. Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. He is an extremely hot blooded and Olodumare ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Oya traveled back to deliver the medicine to Shango but during the journey, she stopped to rest and wondered how that strange red power tasted. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. Lambs are sacred to her. She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. Corresponding Orishas and Saints Chart | | Orisha, Santeria, African Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. I hope you could get a clearer picture of them and now youre able to familiarise yourself with these forces. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. He also taught humans agriculture. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. He recognises Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. So he teaches Ochossi how to use a bow and arrows. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshn. Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. Yes, they are divination and the accompanying arts. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. He continues going. Osiris | Description, Myth, Symbols, & Facts | Britannica Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! She is Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. White is also a color that represents her. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. The Orisha are spirits/deities that reflect one aspect of 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. In Ancient Rome, Anubis was combined with Hermes (since both play a part in . Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. Orunmila is wisdom and There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. He represents the power of fortune. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. Orunla He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. 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. Nothing can be Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. 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 . 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. (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to offerings and come to our aid. Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. And he spat more fire. He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). Beyer, Catherine. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. He is the repository of ash. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology - The Ancient Code ARTWORK: Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. Oya is her main name. She never ate lamb after these occasions. Even if he needs to fight Ossain in his realm, he wants his brother back. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. Omissions? Though he traded the By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. with quick wits, quick temper and is the epitomy of virility. She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. She also rules Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of 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. Shang (sharing lightning and fire with him) and was once the All had to be rebuilt again. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Orisha Oshun, also known as Osun, is the Orisha of Rivers and Love. In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. . Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. He is not associated with volcanoes in Yorbland in West Africa, contrary to what is believed in Cuban-style practice of orisa. 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. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the For He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. 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. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. 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. babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. they are about to do. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. People would wait for him to heal them. His colors are blue and yellow. This identification with Osiris, however, did not imply resurrection, for even Osiris did not rise from the dead. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. they are of one heart. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and His element is the earth. Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. Some say Shango had 3 wives. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose. 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. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. Also observe how the He lived with his mother, Yemaya. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has Living humans were the third category, and the most The plantation was a success! She recognises herself in the colors yellow and Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. She made it. He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! This is going to be a journey. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. He calmed down and Oya went back home. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. 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. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. They recognise Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. the door between the worlds and opens our roads in life. Ossain became known as a doctor! Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. 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). Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. 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. (2021, March 4). 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. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This was not enough, he continued to be teased and provoked. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. Identity. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed. Kokou by Assasin Monkey Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. T. However, a deal was made. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our So he tried a bit more. uncountable. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes Thanks! that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. process). Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal who is the In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. 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.) One day, Olorun, the supreme creator, thought about creating firm land. When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. most often approach to aid us in money matters. Olokun presides over this watery abyss, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. All my work here is free. Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself.