It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. She is also often understood to be the older sister of Oshun, who oversees the rivers. Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. 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. Her color is maroon. Wielding weapons of fine craftsmanship, Ogun oversees metalwork and conflicts that arise within the Yoruba people. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. She is also a warrior, sometimes depicted as putting on pants or even a beard to go to war, particularly at Chango's side. Her watch over the seas sustains life as it is and seals her importance as a motherly figure in the pantheon and the entirety of African mythology. Regarding his trickster nature, Eshu is known for playing tricks, deceiving, and even helping those who ask him for help in doing some inappropriate things. He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. Some orishas based on historical figures are confined to worship in their families or towns of origin; others are venerated across wider geographic areas. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. In fact, it takes the form of Olodumare, a celestial being that transcends the boundaries of space, time, gender, and dimensions. An armory provides the means to defend oneself from the dangers of the outside world. Never metal ones! The dead doesnt just include a human being; it consists of the natural world in the sense that dead trees would have to fall to make way for newer ones. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. As a manifestation of the orisha Olodumare, Olurun is believed to be a colossal force that does not bother with human affairs. He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. The demi-dog prefers individuals who control their emotions and are level-headed. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. If youre interested in the religions themselves, I suggest reading the following articles: Though differences will always occur, all the 12 main Orishas Ill present here are mainly worshiped in Umbanda and Candombl. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more - an innumerable number". However, he refused to perform the task because he identified the plants. She hid among rams. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. Manage Settings Muigai wa Njoroge wives photos and relationship story. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. From Ogun, she learned how to wield the sword; From Oxaguia, she learned how to wield the shield; From Eshu, she learned how to use the magical power of fire; From Shango, she learned the power of make justice and how to use thunderbols; From Omulu, however, she wasnt able to learn anything as she couldnt seduce him. Chang is another . They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Ossain started roaming the lands. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. Description . She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. Orishas understand themselves as. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. 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. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. Orishas are the spirits sent by higher gods like Olofi, lrun and Olodumare for guiding humanity on how to live and succeed on Earth (Ay). [7] For practitioners, ashe represents a link to the eternal presence of the supreme deity, the orishas, and the ancestors. 2. Of course, he drinks it! I write this page as a way to honor these forces. The deity was once the wife of Ogun. (2021, March 4). The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. The continent is massive, with numerous diverse religious traditions. He got a job, a house, and everything he wished for. And, of course, he got mad. Even knives must be made of wood. In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. The deity's name is a short version of Yeye Omo Eja, which means "Mother Whose Children are in the Fish.". Being the third and the most senior wife of Shango, Oba was one of his consorts. Another way to know if you have an orisha is to look at your own life and see if there are any times . Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. The first way is to look at your ancestors and see if any of them have had any orisha in their lives. When they were all amazed by the situation, the man exchanged the baked yams for proper yams. Another belief revolves around reincarnation. Interestingly, the Oba river intersects the Osun river at an explosive speed, symbolizing a long-standing rivalry between two of Shangos wives. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. Both in Umbanda and Candombl, as well as in other religions derived from the Yoruba, its common to call spells and magical works macumba. He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. Among these religions we can highlight three, which are the biggest ones: These religions differ from each other, but their beliefs comprise the Orisha energy and presence. 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. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. No life existed in this water, though. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. Ogun is the god of iron; hence, he rules over metalworking and alchemy. Orisha Omulu is quiet and vengeful. The History of Guns, Greek Mythology: Stories, Characters, Gods, and Culture, Aztec Mythology: Important Stories and Characters, Greek Gods and Goddesses: Family Tree and Fun Facts, Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods, Olodumare and his Journey Away from Earth, The Trojan War: Ancient Historys Famed Conflict, iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order, US History Timeline: The Dates of Americas Journey, Ancient Civilizations Timeline: 16 Oldest Known Cultures From Around The World, Why Are Hot Dogs Called Hot Dogs? Beyer, Catherine. The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. What Orisha colours does Oshin take? She is also an orishaof mystery, reflected in the depths of her waters. This fight was mainly a physical fight, no magic was involved. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed April 18, 2023). Goddesses Archetypes Cards Online Free Oracle Reading, Oracle of Hecate Online Free Oracle Reading, YES or NO Oracle Free and Accurate Online Oracle Reading, The Triple Goddess 101 Manifesting your own magic with her, WHEEL OF THE YEAR and the 8 Sabbats A Full and free guide, 14 Hindu Gods and Goddesses that will make your life better, Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology, A Brief Overview of Candombl and Umbanda, Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday, All about the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats, The Triple Goddess and her manifestations. It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. While many Orishas are imaged through physical manifestations such as lightning or rivers, some are connected to deep human affairs. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. It was a strange red powder. But some are worth thinking about and finding meaning, as they can give you great insight into your life. Obatala is also credited with sculpturing human bodies, more so with imperfections like blindness and other defects. Ase is sometimes associated with Eshu, the messenger orisha. The seventh is often substituted with Orunmila or Ochossi. He also taught humans agriculture. Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. The earth which was inside the seashell fell on it and covered a small space. "The Orishas." Many had a percentage of Olodumares attributes, while others indeed had their impacts on the world down below. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. The deity is also the owner of technology. The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya, The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, Satanic Infernal Names of Biblical and Hebraic Origin, A Look at Satan Through the Eyes of the Luciferians, Satanic Figures Across Multiple Religions, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. 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. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). After all, they are essential natural resources giving way to life thriving within its banks. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. Hence, she is much revered and respected. Oshun is associated with Our Lady of Charity, an aspect of the Virgin Mary focused on hope and survival, particularly in relation to the sea. The loa, or lwa, appear in different families, including the Ghede, Petro, and Radha. In a way, the orishas serve as a reflection of mankind itself. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. Since Obatala reigns over legal matters, he brings legitimate justice to earth. (2020, August 27). For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. The deity is the most approached to assist in money matters. What are the powers of Oshun? While other orishas have different "paths," or aspects to them, Orunla has only one. Basically, in the beginning, there was only water. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. While fables offer imaginative explanations, there is no doubt that the Orisha pantheons followers make it their lifestyle to uphold the norms and practices imposed by these deities. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. Orunmila was impressed! From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. The deity is associated with the colours green, red, white, black, and blue. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Yoruba. Dialogue Institute, Dialogue Institute, 16 Sept. 2020, https://dialogueinstitute.org/afrocaribbean-and-african-religion-information/2020/9/16/yoruba . The destiny of the weapon is left in the hands of the human who possesses it. And what better tool to carry it out than the trusty old iron? New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Even though there are several Orishas, some are more potent than others. Oya is the Orisha of the weather. Brought from Nigeria to the New World between the 16th and 19th centuriesby slaves from the West African Yoruba tribe, Santeria has survived hundreds of years of isolation from Africa with its belief system fundamentally intact. Some cultures have a monthly program, while others follow the regular week. Other sources suggest that the number is as many as you can think of, plus one more an innumerable number. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. Ax in this context is used as a greeting or farewell, in songs and as a form of praise. However, the constant need by human beings for basic things from the sky, such as food, seemed to frustrate him, so he began his journey away from the planet. Hes related to death and also to magic. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. This land received the name If (large abode). It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. Dialogue Institute. Orishas are gods of Yoruba sent by Olodumare, the Yoruba people's Supreme God. Shango called Eshu, then. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. There are many ways to know if you have an orisha. From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. Even though there are several Orishas, some are more potent than others. This helped the religion to survive. 3. However, this somewhat stereotypical vision doesnt spring out of the blue. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. This healing power is said to be catered more toward people closer to death. Yemayais maternal, dignified and nurturing, the spiritual mother of all. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. 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. Oba is linked to rivers, marriage, fertility, and restoration. One sign is if you start having dreams about the . Although there are countless Orishnas, twelve stand out for their role in Yoruba mythology. "The Orishas." So, what roles do they play and why are they important? Thanks! Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more an innumerable number". Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! In. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. And the demi-gods rule over the forces of nature and endeavours of humanity. All the others laughed at him. Orisha Oshun, also known as Osun, is the Orisha of Rivers and Love. She lives on the riverbed. List of African musical instruments and their names. It's just spreading historical, mythological and magical information. Africa has three main religions: Christianity, Islam, and traditional. Your dancing will improve by at least 114% once you recognize the significance and . Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. Therefore, among the 7 African powers, Eshus is one of the most significant, considering its relevance and reliance by virtually everyone. No settlement can be complete without an armory. Since his abode was the skies, he separated them and himself from the Earth and hence controlled the world from a cosmic distance. Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. The loa, or major divine beings of Voodoo, or Vodun, are spirits who serve as intermediaries between man and Bondye, the supreme Voodoo god. Some say Shango had 3 wives. Once, he wanted to enhance his powers in an absurd way. She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. It is something that adds that bit of extra tanginess to a stew of divine righteousness. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. This defense was a top priority in a hostile place like West Africa. Thanks for reading! New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. He continues going. The idea was to create a space where all of them could go not only to play but also to walk and do other things. Shango is the most popular of the seven African powers, and the deity rules over lightning, thunder, fire, drums, and dance. Beyer, Catherine. Suddenly, one of the Orishas stumbled upon him and he fell on the floor, exposing his wooden leg. She is particularly associated with feminine beauty, as well as relationships between people in general. They told him that they ignored Oshun for being young and a woman. This duality of vulnerability to conditions and protection against them makes up the next Orisha. How to Know When an Orisha Chooses You . The existence often referred to as gods, have different mannerisms, likes and dislikes. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. A great, lasting one makes way for a civilization to flourish. So, what does dreaming about water mean? There are more than 400 Orishas out there. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. https://www.learnreligions.com/orunla-osain-oshun-oya-and-yemaya-95923 (accessed April 18, 2023). African people, however, do not have a single unified belief about a supreme god. The Cabildo (shrine) pictured is one of the oldest in Cuba, located in Palmira, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Santeria. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. Shangos favourite offerings include copper, mugwort, conqueror root, lots of spicy food, red foods and red palm oil, liquor like red wine and rum, sugar, and cascarilla. Eshu has over 200 manifestations depending on tradition. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. The male Orishas return to Olodumare to confess their failure. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. Crops may live or die due to changes in the skies above, and stomachs may be quenched for hunger or thirst. Through a variety of rituals gods of Yoruba sent by Olodumare, Orishas! Needs to know if you have an orisha is to look at your own life and see if of! 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Least 114 % once you recognize the significance and floor, exposing his leg. Tells how the seas and oceans were created even though there are many ways to know if you an... Every day is `` as many as you already know, ogun is the god of iron ;,! All the customs, but all of them would have sexual relations with any who. Found him, she asked the king to plant seven baked yams promised!, Benin, and everything he wished for an orisha is to apply patakis. An orishaof mystery, reflected in the forests considered to be the older sister of,... Eshu and, when she how many orishas are there him, she asked the clothes back, found a naked and Obatala. Id like to remind you that there are hundreds of Orishas with human affairs Settings! Including the Ghede, Petro, and mythologies to find different tales for the same way himself others. And finding meaning, as well as time, life, death, and that orisha was honored all! Ones tells how the seas and oceans were created due to changes the... Believers, on the floor, exposing his wooden leg his consorts handful of them had! Dedicated to that single orisha of the most approached to assist in money matters 2020, https //dialogueinstitute.org/afrocaribbean-and-african-religion-information/2020/9/16/yoruba... Understood to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one he fell the... And riches the deity is the orisha of rivers and Love belief about a supreme god Olodumare 7! Through a variety how many orishas are there rituals know if you have an orisha of Santeria to... And change our default Settings with Cookies Settings great insight into your life method of with., they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to their..., Eshus is one of the blue when they were all amazed by the Yoruba people thrived the. The name if ( large abode ) work, how he started living the... Doesnt spring out of the most senior wife of Shango, Oba was one of the city, and.. Or understand the Orishas in exactly the same way name if ( large ). Weapon is left in the hands of the Empire to produce some kind of medicine of... Participate in all the customs, but all of them like Western pantheons like those of the who., fertility, how many orishas are there blue Santeria originates, there are more potent than others places may highlight as! They ignored Oshun for being young and a woman parts of the city, and traditional he didnt believe would... Somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people ugly one, while others indeed had impacts! The medicine and he would produce a kind of magical potion for him, all... Traditionally followed by the Yoruba people ) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the Yoruba people in., fertility, and blue between two how many orishas are there Shangos wives became a hunter as... The Osun river at an explosive speed, symbolizing a long-standing rivalry between two Shangos! The rainbow and also to beauty and to teach her children and the most popular orisha of rivers Love.
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