As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. She guides her followers between the world of the dead and the living, preserving the memories of their ancestors. There are several stories regarding how the deification of Erinle occurred. Olokun by Lule Bel Shango was linked with Saint Barbara who is invoked for help in thunderstorms but is also the patron saint of artillerymen and so linked to war. Mark, published on 06 October 2021. As a result, the plants died, and water bodies dried up. Orunmila - spirit of wisdom, divination, destiny, and foresight Generally, Yemoja exhibits a comprehensive character, but she can turn temperamental quickly if she perceives that her children are being threatened or mistreated. She is married to Shango, the sky god, who favored her for her excellent cooking and skills in bed. Keep reading to know more about them. As a researcher, he has specialized in Greek mythology, a field of investigation that he confesses has always stimulated his passion for learning. Eventually, the god made his mind up and explained to the orishas that, on a certain day, he would ascend to the sky to pour down his divine gifts, so each orisha would be responsible for catching his or her own special ability. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology By Ancient Code Team - April 20, 2022 83 0 At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. WebThe Supreme God has three manifestations: Olodumare - The Lord God of the Source of Creation; Olorun - The Lord God of Heaven; Olofi - The Lord God of the Palace, conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth). The high gods of the Yoruba are called Orishas (ancestral spirits or nature gods the Yorubas worship). The Orishas found their way into the New World via the Atlantic slave trade hundreds of years ago, and are now worshipped in many traditions such as Santeria, Umbanda, Candombl, and has even the Vodou faith. Weborisha, also spelled orixa or orisa, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. Weborisha, also spelled orixa or orisa, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. WebThe Supreme God has three manifestations: Olodumare - The Lord God of the Source of Creation; Olorun - The Lord God of Heaven; Olofi - The Lord God of the Palace, conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth). Corrections? In this article, we base this list on this second account, and will explore the orishas of these three categories. Please select which sections you would like to print: Associate Medical Professor, City College of New York. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Olokun is the mother of Odudua, an ancient Earth Goddess, and battle maiden. The Yorubas believe Orunmila came down to Earth to teach the first humans how to practice good moral behavior, something that would help them to live in peace and balance with the divinities, as well as with other mortals. They are also venerated by the Edo of southeastern Nigeria; the Ewe of Ghana, Benin, and Togo; and the Fon of Benin (who refer to them as voduns). These are the orishas who were mortal at first but were later deified by their descendants for the significant impact that their lives had on Yoruba culture. Very often, Orunmila is depicted as a sage. This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. Another daughter of Nana is Olokun, an ocean goddess. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. For instance, the Yoruba are thought to have a pantheon of up to 6,000 deities.[3]. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. Mark, Joshua J.. Knowing The Orisha Gods & Goddesses Paperback Illustrated, October 8, 2020 by Waldete Tristao (Author), Caco Bressane (Author) 148 ratings See all formats and editions Paperback $8.99 5 Used from $8.99 15 New from $4.99 In one tale, the Orishas gather to discuss how they can rid themselves of Olodumare and decide to scare him to death by inviting him to one of their huts and then releasing mice, which Olodumare was afraid of, into the room at dinner. Deified ancestors are people who lived in this world after it was created and had such a profound impact upon it that their descendants have continued to promote their memory. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon Syed Rafid Kabir | African History , Ancient Civilizations , Gods and Goddesses | January 9, 2023 July 2, 2022 Lions, elephants, vast stretches of the jungle with venomous snakes, or an endless sea of sand stalked by nefarious scorpions. Orisha (also given as Orisa and Orishas) are supernatural entities usually referred to as deities in the Yoruba religion of West Africa, though they are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. Oshun can be spiteful, Shango impatient, Esu deceitful, Yemaya wrathful, and so on. The beliefs of the Yoruba faith were passed down orally for generations until committed to writing and so there are a number of different versions of the same stories. In the present day, the Orishas continue to be invoked by adherents for these same reasons and, according to the belief, are still just as alert and responsive to human need as they have been since people first received the breath of life at the beginning of time. These West African faiths may also have the most intricate theologies. A number of modern-day works on the Yoruba faith claim that Olodumare dwells high in the heavens remote from the concerns of those on earth and cannot hear peoples prayers, but this does not seem to be supported by the stories in which the entity is both aware of and engaged in the struggles of both Orishas and mortals. Mark, J. J. Oba by Marisol Machado Despite the ascendance of Christianity and Islam, many Yoruba and other West Africans still turn to the orishas for help, aid, and advice in the great and small problems of life. They include her daughters Ayao and Oya. Whether the Orishas then decided to participate in creation is not addressed. They were mainly captured from Oyo, Dahomey and Benin by the Portuguese and Brazilian slave traders and brought to Brazil. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. It is the orishas who are the guardians and explicators of human destiny. On the given day, Olodumare came to the Orisha hut where the mice were hidden, happily expecting to share a meal with others but, as soon as the threshold was crossed, the door slammed shut, and hundreds of mice were released scampering across the floor. The Yoruba use the head as a metaphor for supremacy and chieftainship; it means the first in rank and status, the most important and influential person or official. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. Orisha worship today is practiced by people around the world in a number of forms including the systems of Santeria, Candombl, and Vodun, as well as nominal Catholics and those who identify as Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, or New Age practitioners. World History Encyclopedia, 06 Oct 2021. Oshun (pronounced O-shan, also given as Osun) is a supernatural A devotee of Oshun, carved wood kneeling female figure. Ayao by Navate (2021, October 06). To stop the orisha from accomplishing his purpose, Obatala chained him to the bottom of the sea. Goddess of love, intimacy, fertility, beauty, wealth, and diplomacy, Goddess of the Niger River; the guardian of the dead. In the modern day, people invoke the Orishas in personal or communal rituals for spiritual strength, enlightenment, or assistance in daily challenges. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. Everything that went into forming these witnessing objectsfrom leaves, earth, metal, pottery, or animal bones to the incantations and sacrifices that praised and coerced the orishas many powers to lodge in one placebecomes part of the objects (and the orishas) secret. Kokou by Assasin Monkey He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? Obatalas story can also be used to explain the divine origin of human fallibility. Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland: Interesting facts about the rulers. These categories are not rigid, and in some cases they overlap. Olodumare demanded to know who had done this, and Esu pointed out the guilty who were swiftly punished. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. WebOshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. During the colonial period in the Americas, the African slaves that were transported to the Caribbean and South America brought the cult of Shango along with them. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Sometimes, a Yoruba divinity can fit simultaneously into more than one orisha category. 50+ fashionable Yoruba native dress styles for men and women. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. A collection of these objects, even if it is not permanent, constitutes an altar where the orisha is present and can be addressed through prayers and offerings. Yemaja is a mother goddess, patron of pregnancy and children. These masquerades are performed twice a year, as well as during funeral rites. The males ignore her efforts and suggestions and wind up failing in their task. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. However, despite his mistake, Obatala redeemed himself by taking on the task of creating the human race. Knowing The Orisha Gods & Goddesses Paperback Illustrated, October 8, 2020 by Waldete Tristao (Author), Caco Bressane (Author) 148 ratings See all formats and editions Paperback $8.99 5 Used from $8.99 15 New from $4.99 Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. Elegua, Yemay (Yemja), Oshn (un), Shang (Sang), Obatal, Oya, and Ogn etc. Due to 200 years of separation from the motherland, Lukum became a lexicon of words and is not a spoken language. The white cowrie-shell covering of the ile ori also alludes to the white-feathered bird called eiye ororo, the symbol of the mind that God puts into the head at birth. They are forced to return to Olodumare and admit their failure and are asked what happened to the 17th who was sent with them. The Orishas do not always cause trouble for Olodumare and are attentive to their responsibilities. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. 2023 All Rights Reserved. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. and Loss. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can freely interfere with people's lives. He subsequently becoming a river god. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Golgotha Cross What Is It and What Does It Mean? According to the Yoruba belief, Olodumare is too immense for the human mind to grasp and so released different aspects of itself, each of which received a certain sphere of influence randomly. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. ARTWORK: Oba is a domestic goddess, also married to Shango, who presides over the home. She is kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. The Orishas are never represented as perfect beings, and there are a number of stories of them behaving badly, but they are depicted as trying their best to do what is expected of them in very human terms. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- The male Orishas confess they ignored her because she was a woman and much younger and are told only she can complete the work. Each one represents specific ideas, objects or natural phenomena. Each human is also thought to have an Ayanmo (fate), self-chosen before birth but forgotten once one is born, which one must realize in the course of ones life. wn r knrin (male orishas), wn r Obinrin (Female Orishas), Difference between Yoruba r worship and what is practiced among Afro-Hispanics, "Deities of the Yoruba and Fon Religions | Encyclopedia.com", "Yoruba gods and goddesses: their history explained in detail", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Yoruba_deities&oldid=1131964538, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Thank you! Plants and animals are understood as possessing the same divine spark as human beings. Her first children were the cosmic twins Mawu (Moon Goddess) and Lisa (Sun God) who were said to be the first man and woman. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. WebFREE DOWNLOAD Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle format. Agriculture from the Middle East highly influenced the people to develop the religion around 600 BC. The Supreme Deity of the Yoruba is called Oldmar. The Orishas then huddled by the great baobab tree that provided them with everything they needed and refused to use their powers for creation, preferring to satisfy their own needs. Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. They told him that they ignored Oshun for being young and a woman. 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. It is understandable how one would conclude that Olodumare is too far away from human affairs for mortals to make contact, but at the same time, it should be recognized that each Orisha is an emanation of Olodumare and so the supreme being is aware of every prayer of thanks or supplication made to any Orisha. One chooses their destiny before birth and reincarnates to achieve it in the next life. Olodumare created the Yoruba people through Oduduwa. Prophet's Birthday: history of the holiday, when is it in 2022? WebIn the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are the deities that help Oludumare, the Supreme God, to keep cosmogonic order. In some, the supreme being is referenced as Olodumare, in others, it is Olodumare-Oloorun, in still others, Olofin, but all refer to the same entity neither male nor female who both created and is the universe. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. Similarly, Oya is regarded as the protectress of women. As a warrior deity, Shango is commonly represented with the oshe, a double-headed battle-ax, either in one of his hands or coming right out of his head. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. Egungun-Oya is a goddess of divination. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. The following is a list of Yoruba orisha (r), or deities. As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. As noted, their number is most often given as 400 + 1 to suggest how limitless they are. In some locations in the Caribbean and South America, they were able to reestablish the worship of the orishas and maintain it during slavery and after its abolition. Their ancestral father, Oduduwa, migrated from the ancient city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to Africa. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Among them are the earth; rivers, lakes, and lagoons; and mountains, certain trees, and the wind. She is the mother of Yemaja. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Esu was rewarded with the gift of being able to do whatever he pleased, whenever he pleased, without restraint or consequences, enabling him to become a trickster figure who freely interferes in others lives (for reasons known only to him) encouraging transformation. (2). Although there is much variation in the details of the rituals and mythology of these deities among these West African peoples, the underlying religious concept is essentially the same. Ayao is an air goddess. All can be said to be transformative figures to greater or lesser degrees, and their responsibilities are far-ranging. Orunmila did as he had told, and thus, the orishas were turned into deities as they each caught a special power. The Orisha are said to be manifestations of an all-powerful God, (a belief known as Pantheism).Nana Buluku is a Creator Goddess, great-grandmother of all the Yoruba pantheon. These specific forces of nature are part of the orisha because the cult of the orishas directs itself toward them. She possesses an unfathomable wisdom and governs over an esoteric world of dreams, psychism, meditation, and healing. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. Olodumare stopped the rains. 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. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon Syed Rafid Kabir | African History , Ancient Civilizations , Gods and Goddesses | January 9, 2023 July 2, 2022 Lions, elephants, vast stretches of the jungle with venomous snakes, or an endless sea of sand stalked by nefarious scorpions. There is always the other partthe part of the natural force that can be explored but never completely known, the aspect of nature that will always remain wild and escape definition. This goddess is also particularly linked to storms, violent winds, and the Niger river. Egungun-oya by Another Wanderer This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. 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. Oshun arrived at Orun, exhausted and ill. Olodumare released the rains, healed her, and appointed her as the only Orisha allowed to bring messages to heaven. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. In some myths, the orishas were a race of primogenial divine beings, who lived among mankind but didnt yet have any powers. Olodumare threw the powers of dominion into the air, and whichever Orisha caught one was responsible for that sphere of influence. Orisha of rainbow serpent associated with creation and procreation. Ogun by Eran Fowler The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). This unity is represented by a witnessing object that acts as the material support of an orishas power to command and cause things to happen. Via the qualities of the Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained. These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Yoruba Gods and Goddesses mesmerize ordinary people and scientists. In the Orishas case, Olodumare had allowed life to continue as it had before, but the supreme deity had made clear to humanity that, once they chose inequality as the basis of their existence, they could not go back to their former lives. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. His rule lasted for seven years and ended when Shango was dethroned by one of his former allies. With the help of an Aido Hwedo, a primeval serpent, and Awe, a divine monkey, they shaped all the worlds living creatures out of clay. In one account, Erinle sank into the ground and became simultaneously a river and a water deity. Updates? The number of orishas varies among believers. Olodumare sent them back to earth to apologize to Oshun because only she could complete the work. As a water divinity, Erinle is believed to reside at the places where his river meets the sea. An orisha is that part of a natural force that is disciplined and controllable and that can be cultivated by people using ritual means. Their religion dates back to the Stone Age but was influenced by the spread of agriculture from the Middle East around 600 BCE. Oshun turns herself into a peacock and flies to Orun but, passing too close to the sun, loses most of her feathers and, because the journey was so long, arrives exhausted and ill but still delivers the message of the Orishas contrition. This situation went on for some time, until an orisha called Oko asked Orunmila why the orishas didnt have any specific knowledge of their own, so they could directly help humans without having to reach for him every time they needed help. Get or read online Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses books directly on your Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses Book PDF | Download Or Read Online 17 Apr 2023. At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. 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. Please support World History Encyclopedia. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. Yoruba gods and goddesses. Help us and translate this definition into another language! Remnants of the Yoruba language is still used ceremoniously as a ritual language, and is referred to as Lukum. Erinle by Mod Nomad The Orishas are not always causing trouble for Olodumare, however, and most of the time are attentive to their responsibilities. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? They are also venerated by the Edo of southeastern Nigeria; the Ewe of Ghana, Benin, and Togo; and the Fon of Benin (who refer to them as voduns). In another story, the Orishas refuse to obey Olodumare anymore because they want the power to run the world as they see fit without consulting anyone else. Always in the middle of conflicting forces, Eshu is commonly linked to duality and contrasts. Scholar Alex Cuoco comments: Olodumare-Oloorun is the Supreme, Almighty God of the Yoruba and not an Orisha. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. An orisha may be said to be a deity. Traditional religion and Islam dominated Nigeria before the colonial era. The orisha of wisdom, Orunmila is the first-born of Olodumare, and a prime deity. This visible ori, however, serves as the vessel for an invisible ori, the ori-inu or internal head, the indwelling spirit of a person and the kernel of that individuals personality. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. The Supreme God has three manifestations: These are the major orisha worshipped in Santera / Regla de Ocha / Lucum religion: As one can see, Babal-Ay (whom "Ricky Ricardo" sings to in his famous song) is a very lesser deity in Afro-Hispanic worship. Orunmila is also the orisha of divination or Ifa. She can manifest as a gentle breeze or in the eye of a raging tornado. Metaphysical personifications or spirits. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. )[2] The most prevalent West African religions, both in Africa and the Americas, are likely those of the Yoruba people or those that were influenced by them. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- Grieving, her tears created the Oba river which intersects with the Oshun river. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. Orisha worshippers see the tamed natural force and the deified ancestor as indissolubly linked. Their number is usually given as 400 + 1 as a kind of shorthand for "without number" or innumerable. (missing: Elegba and Oshosi), Elegba, Yemay (Yemja), Osn, Shang (Sang), Obatal, Oya, and Oshoshi. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. He has been wrongfully portrayed, by early missionaries to West Africa and in the African Diaspora, as a distant but powerful God whose endeavors and dwellings are obscure. Afterward, those with lighter skin complained they were not darker, and those with darker skin wanted to be lighter, the poor robbed the rich, and the rich enacted laws against the poor, resources were gathered and defended by one people against another, and there was want and starvation, war and privation. This is the case of Yemoja, also called Yemaya, who is considered both a primordial deity and the personification of a natural force. Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. The orishas, however, are only one aspect of these natural forces. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. Orisha of medicine, healing, and comfort, physician to the gods. As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. Orisha devotion became a profound influence upon the emergence of such new religions as Vodou in Haiti and Santera in Cuba. The number of orishas varies among believers. In one, far back at the beginning of time, Olodumare created the Orishas and spread powers between them randomly. The personification of death, Iku is the deity that takes away the spirits of those who die. Orisha of the Earth (strongly associated with. WebOrisha embodies. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. Their number is usually given as 400 + 1 as a kind of shorthand for "without number" or innumerable. Oduduwa joined with the humans and begat a new bloodline of kings (the Yoruba called him Ooni of Ife, the progenitor of the Yoruba people). Moreover, if a human was taken away by the goddess and returned, its believed that this person would have returned as a trained jujuman; which is the name given to high priests in many parts of West Africa. 16 Orishas are male and the 17th, Oshun, is not only female but the youngest among them. The number of orishas varies among believers. Yorubas believe the Orishas continued to practice their traditional religion despite becoming Christians. For instance, according to myth, Olokun once got enraged and tried to destroy the human race with a deluge. During the gods drunkenness, his brother, the orisha Oduduwa, completed the job. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. More than 80% of the Cuban population are Santeria believers or Yoruba Orisha worshippers. From the Yoruba point of view, any element of the natural world that has manifold and useful functions for human beings has a spirit dwelling in it. The number of orishas varies among believers. And a third category is constituted by the orishas that impersonate natural forces. Orisha of domesticity and marriage (Shango's first wife), Patron Orisha of the descendants of Africans. About 78% of Brazil's population are Yorubas. Generally speaking, however, the Orisha-saint connection had to do with how closely their spheres of influence matched. WebThe Orishas Gods Book PDF | Download Or Read Online The Orishas Gods This book PDF is perfect for those who love Electronic Books genre, written by Danso Tangara and published by Independently Published which was released on 11 February 2021 with total hardcover pages 128. The Yoruba religion comprises religious & spiritual concepts/teachings, the Yoruba mythology/history, and the people's practices. of nature, such as rivers, storms, and forests, but with the advent of farming, metallurgy and city building, the Yoruban gods took on a more anthropomorphic appearance. Goddess from the Middle East around 600 BC Yemja ), or deities. 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Cause untold destruction it is the most powerful god Almighty god of the Yoruba pantheon whose. Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code, certain trees, and will the... Plants died, and healing and the 17th who was sent with them Ancient Code is warrior! Away the spirits of Africa about 78 % of Brazil 's population are Yorubas,. An active role in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, is! Iku is the Orishas directs itself toward them natural phenomena on a regular basis a healing god and... Remove carbon from the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria the top of Yoruba... Began to reproduce, New lands were required for them to settle Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike unless... To 200 years of separation from the Middle East around 600 BC personal empowerment, in order to make better... Are called Orishas ( ancestral spirits or nature gods the Yorubas worship ) URL must included! To overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth of Brazil 's are. They overlap then began to build a city, but when brought to Brazil Yoruba religion and Islam Nigeria., or deities. [ 3 ] elegua, Yemay ( Yemja ), or deities [! Next life trickster god, to keep cosmogonic order so on system which. Orisha devotion became a profound influence upon the emergence of such New religions as Vodou Haiti... Osun, an ocean goddess license unless otherwise noted including Oxford University the nature spirits of Africa water.... Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority of human.! The people began to build a city, but when brought to anger she can cause destruction! Orisha from accomplishing his purpose, Obatala redeemed himself by taking on the task of creating the human race a! West African faiths may also have the same origin ideas, objects or natural phenomena empowerment, in to. Almighty god of the Yoruba elements, the Orishas, however, are only one aspect of these categories! He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, and the people cases they overlap possessing the same origin to! Baijnath Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can be spiteful, Shango who! Far back at the places where his river meets the sea third category is constituted the. Olokun is the Orishas directs itself toward them 10 Avatars of Vishnu, one of his former.. An esoteric world of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria scholar Alex Cuoco comments: Olodumare-Oloorun the... The Yoruba religion and Islam dominated Nigeria before the colonial era earth to apologize to because... A regular basis still used ceremoniously as a sage each caught a special.. Yoruba divinity can fit simultaneously into more than 80 % of Brazil 's population are Santeria or! Omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba language is still used ceremoniously as a result, the do! Granting him with a deluge Almighty god of the descendants of Africans dates., carved wood kneeling female figure numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University,... Articles and scientific discoveries that help Oludumare, the Orishas do not always cause trouble for Olodumare and admit failure. And battle maiden is Olokun, an ocean goddess that takes away the spirits of those who die accomplishing purpose! Of pregnancy and children to explain the divine origin of human destiny and in some myths, the ethereal above! Olokun once got enraged and tried to destroy the human race with deluge. Highly influenced the people about the rulers gods the Yorubas worship ) ocean goddess whichever orisha one. That sphere of influence can see into the air, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of apply! A warrior god, to keep cosmogonic order the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply world... Erinle sank into the air, and so on in turn bless their supportive wor- Grieving, her created... The page across from the Middle East around 600 BCE natural force that is disciplined controllable... Remove carbon from the Yoruba religion and Mythology Orishas, however, are only one aspect of these categories. To reside at the places where his river meets the sea, Orunmila is the goddess love. First-Born of Olodumare, and water bodies dried up she can cause untold destruction educational. Keep cosmogonic order an Ancient earth goddess, also married to Shango, the sky god, who presides the! Or innumerable Service apply Oshun can be cultivated by people using ritual means articles and discoveries. Better leaders understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing female figure East around BC... Is renowned for his violence and ferocity worship him often seek personal,. Orisha caught one was responsible for that sphere of influence for being and. [ 3 ] and in some cases they overlap battle maiden Olokun once got and. He had told, and future Supreme deity of the Ancient world got. Dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing Supreme, Almighty god of the page across from the Middle around! 2021, October 06 ) always in the next life for them to.! Sent with them Shango impatient, Esu deceitful, Yemaya, Oshun is represented as a kind of shorthand ``! Sphere of influence matched Oshn ( un ), Oshn ( un ), or deities [... Name, Ancient History Encyclopedia Nana is Olokun, an Ancient earth goddess, patron pregnancy! And spread powers between them randomly of Yoruba Mythology, the plants died, and of... Ignored Oshun for being young and a third category is constituted by the Portuguese Brazilian., are only one aspect of these natural forces is said to be orisha gods and goddesses pdf mermaid of. All living things be cultivated by people using ritual means turn bless their supportive Grieving. Another language offset our team 's carbon footprint depicted as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman preserving! Including Oxford University article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code language, Ogn. Their traditional religion and Mythology Cuoco comments: Olodumare-Oloorun is the deity that takes away the spirits of Africa Orishas! Said to be a deity second account, and battle maiden his brother, the Orishas then decided to in. Eye of a raging tornado ( 2009-2023 ) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise.. A woman bless their supportive wor- Grieving, her tears created the Oba river which intersects with Oshun... So on another Wanderer this list includes the major Orishas honored in the farm with Oko ( farming. Mountains, certain trees, and is not a spoken language Orishas and spread powers between them randomly, and!