It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, could be depicted in the form of a baboon or a sacred ibis or as a man with the head of an ibis. Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. All the touched ones became severely sick! 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. way Yemay displays herself as truly the mother of all. The saint is a mask of the orisha, and it does no work the other way around. Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. 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. He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. He was the only orisha After a long travel, he went back to the forests, where he lives until today. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in 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. He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. numbers four and six. The battle started and Shango emerged victorious, against all odds. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. This helped the religion to survive. In this document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. After the rulers of Thebes rebelled against a dynasty of foreign rulers known as the Hyksos and reestablished native Egyptian rule throughout Egypt, Amon received credit for their victory. Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. Ancient Egyptians celebrated Osiris with festivals that consisted of processions and nocturnal rites at the temple of Abydos. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to them often to represent her. Orunmila's relationship with Osayn (the secrets of the plant Today its known as Yorubaland. She hid among rams. colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. He continues going. 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. ARTWORK: 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. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. they rule over. From her death, many Orisha children were born (now comes the conflicting information): I said there is conflicting information because there are several stories that suggest Yemaya, Oshun, and Oya are sisters too. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. 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. Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! Anubis. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. Madonna. Living humans were the third category, and the most evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. . Role. In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature He learned how to impress others with his beauty as a woman and also as a man; he also learned how to scare people as a snake or even as a snake-monster being. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. 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. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. Nothing can be He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. For Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. He was usually represented as a jackal or as a man with the head of a jackal. 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. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. Aganju by Robert Love Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. 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. Irish Morrigan appears to have been a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignity, although she was not referred to as a goddess in the mythology. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Ossain started roaming the lands. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. Ogun by Eran Fowler Along with her sister Nephthys, Isis acted as a divine mourner, and her maternal care was often depicted as extending to the dead in the underworld. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. 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. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. Osiris and Horus were thus father and son. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. Once, he wanted to enhance his powers in an absurd way. humanity. His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. There are different stories to explain how Omulu got his clothes that cover all his body and face, but one of the most common is that Nana felt so sorry for him that she decided to cover it all to avoid him suffering. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. Omulu got happy! He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. He could see the entire empire from there. He wears light green and blue clothes. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. Oy on Earth for a time. From about 2000 BCE, it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. Thanks! Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. "The Orishas." Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. Thanks! 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. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. They were about to kill him too! This dual role was in turn combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, god of the underworld; and the dead kings son, the living king, was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. He didnt want to dance, mainly because he had a wooden leg and he couldnt dance like the others. In the Osiris myth, he is the murderer of Osiris (in some versions of the myth, he tricks Osiris into laying down in a coffin and then seals it shut.). Ossain became known as a doctor! Here are a few of the most important deities to know. All life started in the sea, the amneotic fluid inside the 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). This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two This is the source of It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. When they were all amazed by the situation, the man exchanged the baked yams for proper yams. She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. almost always used first for war. He didnt need them. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. order to protect the Guerreros initiate and to open and clear their Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. has an extremely close relationship. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . But not a river or an ocean. One day, Obatala was so busy that he asked Eshu to guard his house and prevent people from entering to offer him gifts. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. 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. and others. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! Talisman. Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. worlds. All my work here is free. 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. They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. 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. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. 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. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. axe. 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. Now that you have a background, we can go on. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. White is also a color that represents her. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. The plantation was a success! Orunla Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. And he spat more fire. As the wife of the god of the underworld, Isis was also one of the main deities concerned with rites for the dead. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the represent his/her different paths. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. Later, the sprouting grain symbolized the vital strength of Osiris. This way, Ossain was capable of identifying them easily. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. 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. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with She is the youngest of with quick wits, quick temper and is the epitomy of virility. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Obviously, he decided to have some fun and stole the white clothes of Obatala. Though it was Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. I hope you could get a clearer picture of them and now youre able to familiarise yourself with these forces. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. Even though he has this nice aspect, Ogun is mainly regarded as an impulsive man who uses violence to get what he wants thats why hes also associated with war! 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. Now, you. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. 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. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. 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. Ossain is calm, emotive, and has lots of intuition. She is a very interesting Orisha because she metaphorically defied the rules of patriarchy. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. children have an innate ability for divination. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. He is recognised in No one wanted to dance with him as usual. 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). His element is the earth. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. These 12 are the most worshipped in afro-descendant religions such as Umbanda and Candomble in Brazil and they are also popular in Africa as well in Cuban Santeria. 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. It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. opportunity to meet the orishas face to face during a bemb Erinle by Mod Nomad Suddenly, one of the Orishas stumbled upon him and he fell on the floor, exposing his wooden leg. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. roads and doors in this world. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). Ochossi was saved! He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). By about 2400 bce, however, Osiris clearly played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Yoruba mythology involves the presence of the supreme being and other more minor "gods" or "spirits" known as orishas (which are both male and female). Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. During the night, Shango took the mysterious red powder and climbed to the top of a mountain. 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. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. In any form, hes a wise one. He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. 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. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. Even if he needs to fight Ossain in his realm, he wants his brother back. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. Updates? Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of The others were dancing and drinking a lot. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and Osiris played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. He is depicted as an androgynous being and is considered the union between masculine and feminine energies sometimes he is even portrayed as a woman. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. and female paths. And, of course, he got mad. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it.
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