opportunity to meet the orishas face to face during a bemb The number of orishas varies among believers. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. He is married to Obba but has relations they are about to do. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. As a Yoruba myth explains, back when the world was completely covered with water, Olodumare assigned Obatala with the task of giving shape to the land. Learn Religions. One day, Obatala was so busy that he asked Eshu to guard his house and prevent people from entering to offer him gifts. Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. Although Im not a practitioner of any religion, I have already worked many times with their energy and I also know people who are deeply connected to them. 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 . He recognises For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. 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. uncountable. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. Orunmila was impressed! roads and doors in this world. 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. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. Even if he needs to fight Ossain in his realm, he wants his brother back. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. Secrets" must devote themselves entirely to the practice of the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring Eshu was not willing to give them back, but the beauty of Oshun was capable of driving any man or woman crazy. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. 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. The female Orishas, Yemaya, Nan Buruku, and Oshun, are commonly associated with the Divine Feminine and can be considered different aspects of the Triple Goddess. Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal who is the As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. However, a deal was made. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. 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. So, today were talking about African Pantheons. He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. Yes, they are Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Oguns permission would not be requested to make offerings to Nana. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. relationship. The Orisha began to lose patience with him, especially when he tried to infect them with smallpox after they laughed at his deplorable dancing skills. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. Osiris played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. But not a river or an ocean. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. Eventually, Isis and her sister Nephthys found and buried all the pieces, except the phallus, thereby giving new life to Osiris, who thenceforth remained in the underworld as ruler and judge. I write this because I was already literally attacked on Twitter because of these differences. The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Orisha Oshun, also known as Osun, is the Orisha of Rivers and Love. 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. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine His priests, the babalawos or "Fathers of the This helped the religion to survive. In the New World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into common slavery. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. 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. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. She is the youngest of Madonna. "The Orishas." they rule over. All the others laughed at him. Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. 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. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. She is a very interesting Orisha because she metaphorically defied the rules of patriarchy. Bastet or Bast (Ancient Egyptian: bstjt, Coptic: , romanized: Oubaste /uast/, Phoenician: , romanized: 'bst, or , romanized: bst) was a goddess of ancient Egyptian religion, worshipped as early as the Second Dynasty (2890 BCE). According to the form of the myth reported by the Greek author Plutarch, Osiris was slain or drowned by Seth, who tore the corpse into 14 pieces and flung them over Egypt. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. Forever. the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close In her path of Okutti He wears light green and blue clothes. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. 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. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. Omissions? There was no taste at all. Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature They teased him so much, that he stood up and danced a bit. Just like her mother, shes also calm and tranquil. In addition, the Ifa Oracle also applies the same underlying principle in conceiving of the Orisha Deities not as actual Physical Gods, but as mere expressions of the Cosmic forces of Nature in the Moral and Physical planes of the Universe like Thought, Creation, Karma, Justice, Will, and Fertility in the same way as the Deities of Ancient Kemet . Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? Her element is fire and she wears red clothes. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. drumming, women, song and eating. Soon after, she had 9 children, earning the name Ians. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. . The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. 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. Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! After a long travel, he went back to the forests, where he lives until today. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. Kokou by Assasin Monkey Never metal ones! Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. process). The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. Oshn rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. In this Obatala became albine. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The patakis, or stories of the orishas, are not standardized and are frequently contradictory. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. different colors. She seduced Eshu, slept with him, and took Obatalas clothes back. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. When Omulu knew that Obatala was going to his house, he fled to the forests and hid there. 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. has an extremely close relationship. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. The origins of Isis are obscure. He could see the entire empire from there. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. She also rules After this, she fled to the top of a mountain, but he followed her. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to they are of one heart. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Yemaya found, healed, and adopted him. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. Because the festivals took place in the open, public participation was permitted, and by the early 2nd millennium bce it had become fashionable to be buried along the processional road at Abydos or to erect a cenotaph there as a representative of the dead. Ossain started roaming the lands. Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. 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. 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. From this argument, a fight started. Though it was As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. Beyer, Catherine. 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. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. He is recognised in worlds. Both are fighters who protect their followers. Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. Beyer, Catherine. She hid among rams. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. Anyway, Oshun wanted to learn at all costs, but Obatala always said no to her. name. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the Hidden One. He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. Oshn is knowledge, for wisdom without knowledge is useless, and He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. Ossain is calm, emotive, and has lots of intuition. The Orisha are spirits/deities that reflect one aspect of god. 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. However, Yemaya couldnt forgive Ochossi for disobeying her and she doesnt accept him back at home. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male The idea that rebirth in the next life could be gained by following Osiris was maintained through certain cult forms. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . Thanks. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Living humans were the third category, and the most over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him.

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