While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. 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 . 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. The exact number of orishas is not known . Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Orunmila was impressed! Of course, he drinks it! Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. axe. Oya, however, started to dance with him. Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. Talisman. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. In this She hid among rams. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. done in either world without his permission. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. I write this because I was already literally attacked on Twitter because of these differences. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. Her element is fire and she wears red clothes. the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology - The Ancient Code It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. With time, he felt like this was a curse imposed by his mother, Nan. Olodumare Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. 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. "The Orishas." It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. 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. the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. Living humans were the third category, and the most 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. Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. Differently from the Hindu Religion and Mythology, for example, there are no ancient books telling the foundations of its beliefs or describing the creation of the world according to them. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. She made it. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. In this story, we have Obatala (the Sky) and Odudua (the primordial earth) this is a similar motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. 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 purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. Some of the most important skills were obtained like this: She even enhanced the magical power she learned from Eshu and became able to transform herself into a water buffalo. The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya - Learn Religions Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. So if you find here something different from what you were taught as a practitioner, simply write me, so I can add a note stating this difference. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. Today its known as Yorubaland. 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. I hope you could get a clearer picture of them and now youre able to familiarise yourself with these forces. The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Ogun by Eran Fowler Yes, they are Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. 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. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. This identification with Osiris, however, did not imply resurrection, for even Osiris did not rise from the dead. All was lost. He is the repository of ash. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep and dark secrets. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. 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. Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. 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. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. Learn Religions, Mar. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. (2021, March 4). Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. It says that he initially had nothing. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Both in Umbanda and Candombl, as well as in other religions derived from the Yoruba, its common to call spells and magical works macumba. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. In the Greco-Roman period she was identified with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and her cult spread as far west as Great Britain and as far east as Afghanistan. Oguns permission would not be requested to make offerings to Nana. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshn. Forever. 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. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. She took the less ferocious form of a domestic cat in the first millennium BCE. This way, Ossain was capable of identifying them easily. Gods of Wakanda (Earth-616) | Marvel Database | Fandom relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. So, today were talking about African Pantheons. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. 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. 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, many of their clients are also Catholic, and they understand that such clients better identify with these beings under the guise of the saintly counterparts. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Eshu did it. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. As Elegba opens the roads, it is 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. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. He tried to punish her, but she fled. He is the owner of all These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. 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). greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. Identity. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over For example, theres a story in which a king sent a man to trial for making gossip and spreading misinformation inside the kingdom. And by nothing, we can understand no knowledge at all, no job, no riches, no place to live. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. The Meaning Of The Orisha Deities - AfrikaIsWoke.com In the forest. 11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses | Britannica above them. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. Basically, in the beginning, there was only water. 12. He didnt need them. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves From about 2000 BCE, it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. He has a warrior side In any form, hes a wise one. This is going to be a journey. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). Oy on Earth for a time. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. 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. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. The next step was the creation of all life. He is the most feared of the Orisha. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. He calmed down and Oya went back home. roads and doors in this world. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, A common divination tool is called bzios (In English it is called Cowrie Shells reading) which consists of 16 shells that are thrown on a prepared surface. One day, Olorun, the supreme creator, thought about creating firm land. Anubis. It is said that Ogun had many lovers. though through which he enforces justice in the world. 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. They rule over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. 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. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. Youd be right. Orisha Nana wears purple dresses. She, and The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Orisha | Myths and Folklore Wiki | Fandom