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. In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. the cemetery. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. 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). lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. Shes also associated with riches, pregnancy, and fertility. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the 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. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. 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. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will 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. uncountable. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. She made it. 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. Now that you have a background, we can go on. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. It was a strange red powder. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. 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. So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. 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 person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. Eshu was not willing to give them back, but the beauty of Oshun was capable of driving any man or woman crazy. He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. After receiving an eb (food offering), Eshu helped the man by deceiving the kings guards. Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? It is said she had some children, but two of them symbolize opposite aspects of life. himself and is recognised by the numbers 3 and 21. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. they are about to do. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. 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. Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. his title of Eleri Ipin or "Witness to Destiny in its New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. Creation stories are found throughout the world. 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. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. The party was over. Olodumare As Elegba opens the roads, it is He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. The number of orishas varies among believers. He was the only orisha One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. With time, he felt like this was a curse imposed by his mother, Nan. divination and the accompanying arts. From about 2000 BCE, it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. Oshn rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. represent his/her different paths. They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. creator of the world and humanity. 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. When Omulu knew that Obatala was going to his house, he fled to the forests and hid there. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. opportunity to meet the orishas face to face during a bemb They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. She seduced Eshu, slept with him, and took Obatalas clothes back. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Here are a few of the most important deities to know. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or 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. they rule over. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. 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, Yoruba Religion and Mythology - An Introduction, 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. In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. His element is the earth. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth . From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. 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. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. 12. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. Orunmila was impressed! A central feature of the festivals during the late period was the construction of the Osiris garden, a mold in the shape of Osiris, filled with soil. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. He refused. The earth which was inside the seashell fell on it and covered a small space. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and Some say Shango had 3 wives. Fearing her sons safety, Yemaya seeks advice from a Babalawo (oracles in Yoruba culture are known as Babalawo and Iyalawo the first is for men and the latter for women) and he tells her to stop Ochossi from entering the depths of the forest because Ossain, the Orisha who ruled over the forests, could trap him inside. The next step was the creation of all life. She also had an important funerary aspect, being known as the lady of the west. (Tombs were generally built on the west bank of the Nile.) 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). Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. Ogn that clears the roads with his machete. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! order to protect the Guerreros initiate and to open and clear their the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close All had to be rebuilt again. Ancient Egyptians celebrated Osiris with festivals that consisted of processions and nocturnal rites at the temple of Abydos. (Sincerely, I would have done the same!). other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. 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. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. For Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. As you Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. In this Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. This way, Ossain was capable of identifying them easily. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. 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. As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. Oya is her main name. He continues going. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. T. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. Egyptian God. (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. In the end, he finds Ochossi and peacefully brings him back home. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. Never metal ones! It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). Both are fighters who protect their followers. gold and her number is five. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). All my work here is free. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. This helped the religion to survive. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. "The Orishas." Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. roads and doors in this world. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. Shango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. wife of Ogn. For instance, you can learn much about Oshn and She usually holds a mirror in one hand. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. anting him with a profound wisdom. with Oy and Oshn. 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. He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. Lambs are sacred to her. He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. has an extremely close relationship. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. 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. He calmed down and Oya went back home. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. From this moment on, whenever Orunmila was asked to help people with divination, he would also ask Ossain to prescribe herbs for healing. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. From this argument, a fight started. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. Through the Table of If In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! He is recognised in (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! The Santeria faith teaches that every individual has a destiny from God, a destiny fulfilled with the aid and energy of the orishas.The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal . The Orishas. process). Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. Crash Course is on Patreon! White is most appropriate for Beyer, Catherine. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. She protects women, children, and fishermen. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. His colors are blue and yellow. Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. Secrets" must devote themselves entirely to the practice of The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). Learn Religions, Mar. Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Eshu did it differently. She took the less ferocious form of a domestic cat in the first millennium BCE. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. 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). The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Learn Religions. 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. Aganju by Robert Love This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves The Orisha are spirits/deities that reflect one aspect of god. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. Obatala felt reluctant but eventually agreed with her. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. 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. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. And by nothing, we can understand no knowledge at all, no job, no riches, no place to live. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. Omissions? colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his 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). It says that he initially had nothing. 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. As the wife of the god of the underworld, Isis was also one of the main deities concerned with rites for the dead. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Shango returned home. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. Everything consists of songs, stories, and practices. 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The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. "The Orishas." The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cows ears. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. She is the youngest of Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. axe. In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. Today its known as Yorubaland. And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. He is a warrior orisha makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. Osiris was one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt.