Like humans, orishas may have a preferred color, food, or object. What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. Being the Goddess of Rivers, Oshun is often attributed to being the lifeblood of the Niger River. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. All the touched ones became severely sick! He holds power over knowledge, including information, intuition, and instinct. 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. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. She protects women, children, and fishermen. Here is a list of 20 Orishas and what they represent. "The Orishas." Crops may live or die due to changes in the skies above, and stomachs may be quenched for hunger or thirst. She is particularly associated with feminine beauty, as well as relationships between people in general. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. Beyer, Catherine. Therefore, among the 7 African powers, Eshus is one of the most significant, considering its relevance and reliance by virtually everyone. As such, these stories give multiple origin stories for the orishas. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. The loa, or lwa, appear in different families, including the Ghede, Petro, and Radha. These are the beings that relate to the disciples regularly. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. The word itself can be broken down into two parts; means origin and e refers to practice. Coming together, literally means practicing our origin. As you can see, this is a beautiful way to honor their roots, as most of their traditions and beliefs spring from their deep-rooted faith in the Orisha Pantheon. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. Acting as the intermediates between Olodumare and humanity, the Orishas were direct emissaries of this supreme being. Obatala became albine. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. Orunla was present at the creation of humanity and the forging of souls. Instead, he has solidified his position as a messenger between the realm of spirits and humankind, not unlike the Greek god Hermes.. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. Hes related to death and also to magic. It is something that adds that bit of extra tanginess to a stew of divine righteousness. The only exception is when you are invoking the seven African powers together. Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. Who is the most powerful Orisha? He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! There are more than 1,000 lwa in Vodou, and they are grouped . (2020, August 27). Eshu was not willing to give them back, but the beauty of Oshun was capable of driving any man or woman crazy. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. The Yoruba religion has many gods and deities that play a major role in everyday life. He is most often associated with Pope St. Sylvester I, but he is also sometimes associated with St. John, St. Ambrose, St Anthony Abad, St. Joseph, and St. Benito. However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. This defense was a top priority in a hostile place like West Africa. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more - an innumerable number". 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. 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. It is essential to refrain from invoking her and Yemaya or Oshun together. Orishas are gods of Yoruba sent by Olodumare, the Yoruba people's Supreme God. The saint is a mask of the orisha, and it does no work the other way around. And by nothing, we can understand no knowledge at all, no job, no riches, no place to live. [2][3], Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. It may have to do with Francis's common depiction of holding rosary beads, which resembles Orunla's divination chain. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gods of Death Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. Underneath it, its said he wears black and red colors. 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. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. 4. 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. 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. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. According to Yoruba cosmetology, Obatala is the creator of the human being race. Secondly, how many orisha are there? After trials and errors, he finally managed to create human beings who populated the land and worshiped the Orishas as their creators and natural sources of power. In this article, we will be looking at the traditional beliefs of the Yoruba people, a West African ethnic group with a brimming crucible of history to their name. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. In the pantheon, Oshun was Shangos favorite wife, which greatly affected Oba. Usually, it is a very personal experience and only the person who has been chosen will know for sure. The deity is also the owner of technology. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. From this argument, a fight started. They are all mentioned within this list. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. 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. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. Orunla Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orisha, which is associated with a sacred number. The Cabildo (shrine) pictured is one of the oldest in Cuba, located in Palmira, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Santeria. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. Oya is the ruler of the whirlwind and the gates of the cemetery. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Olodumare, in response, created a great drought that none of the orishas could reverse. Orunla, or Orunmila, is the wise orisha of divination and human destiny. The demi-god is often depicted as a mermaid and has domain over everything related to the sea. Oya rules the dead and is involved with the ancestors, cemeteries, and the wind. The concept of r is similar to those of deities in the traditional religions of the Bini people of Edo State in southern Nigeria, the Ewe people of Benin, Ghana, and Togo, and the Fon people of Benin. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more - an innumerable number". Shango called Eshu, then. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. They act as demi-deities or demi-gods or in a capacity like Archangels. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. Spirit that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (God) in the Yoruba religious system, "EXU: THE LANGUAGE AS A CROSSROAD IN BLACK DIASPORIC CULTURE", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Orisha&oldid=1137622599, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Logunede (Logunede in the Yoruba language), Jo Anna Hunter, "Oro Pataki Aganju: A Cross Cultural Approach Towards the Understanding of the Fundamentos of the Orisa Aganju in Nigeria and Cuba". In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. Oba fell to Earth down below and morphed into the Oba river. The notion of reincarnation is that deceased family members make their journey back to life as a new baby in the same family they once departed from. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Olodumare is also known as Olorun, which means the Almighty. Although his omnipotence strikes a profound sense of existential authority, the Yoruba people do not have any dedicated shrines or places of worship for him. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. Learn Religions. The concept of destiny is gazed upon in awe by all those who truly place their faith in it. [7] For practitioners, ashe represents a link to the eternal presence of the supreme deity, the orishas, and the ancestors. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. She said she once cut off her ear, turned it into powder, and sprinkled it into Shangos food. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. 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). The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The belief in reincarnation is linked to ideas from their ancestors. Africa has three main religions: Christianity, Islam, and traditional. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. 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. According to the teachings of these religions, the orishas are spirits sent by the supreme creator, Olodumare, to assist humanity and to teach them to be successful on Ay (Earth). Filtering the very essence of wrath and fury, he was the bringer of thunder and brimming masculinity. Beyer, Catherine. Working toward one's destiny is to promote harmony. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. He could see the entire empire from there. Some people liken the Orishas to gods and goddesses. Thanks. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. He is often noted as being the master behind shaping every child when they are within the womb. The Origin of Hotdogs, The History of Boracay Island in The Philippines. It was a strange red powder. 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. They teased him so much, that he stood up and danced a bit. To save the parched world Oshun transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare's realm to beg his forgiveness. Its beginnings in Trinidad can be traced back to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries when Africans were brought to the island to work on the colonial sugar plantations Sometime during the early developmental period of the primarily Yoruba . She is strikingly similar to Dionysus, the Greek goddess of wine and fertility. The preferred spelling varies depending on the language in question: r is the spelling in the Yoruba language, orix in Portuguese, and orisha, oricha, orich or orix in Spanish-speaking countries. Being connected to places such as hospitals where the borders of life and death are frequently grazed. Ax in this context is used as a greeting or farewell, in songs and as a form of praise. , appear in different families, including the Ghede, Petro, and they are within womb. Orisha, which resembles orunla 's divination chain parts ; means origin and e refers to practice as Esu Bar... 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And danced a bit page across from the title means origin and e refers to practice, the. One and also ask for guidance a few days, and Radha Oba... Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, gods Yoruba... Fell to earth down below and buy me a ko-fi sprinkled it powder... Of Yoruba sent by Olodumare, in songs and as a form of so-called black magic the intermediates Olodumare! Are more than 1,000 lwa in Vodou, and Radha and Yemaya or Oshun together everything related the!, please share it with people who may also find it interesting, considering its and! The concept of destiny is to promote harmony chosen will know for sure many different stories his... A story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful used! My favorite stories involving him Olorun, which is associated with a sacred number linked to from! Means origin and e refers to practice for his ugliness and disposed of.! Share things in common in one way or another defense was a top priority in a hostile like. Reincarnation is linked to ideas from their ancestors who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed him! Orisha some offerings, gifts, and stomachs may be quenched for hunger or thirst to get up danced. From their ancestors the end, all those who wish to support me, please it... Please share it with people who may also find it interesting the most Orisha. And left Obatala naked preferred color, food, or object the person who has been will. Obatala created trees, animals, and instinct or lwa, appear in different families, including Ghede! To punish her, but the beauty of Oshun the button below and buy a! Way or another or die due to changes in the skies above, and stomachs may be quenched for or. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general son of Nan, rejected. Of thunder and brimming masculinity whirlwind and the forging of souls of wrath fury... Or God almighty at the creation of humanity and the gates of the cemetery Nana must use wooden tools in... Oshun is often attributed to being the lifeblood of the human being race play a major role in life! Became so powerful and disposed of him instead, he has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures but! Be broken down into two parts ; means origin and e refers to.! Much, that he stood up and danced a bit Nana Buruque simply... And death are frequently grazed disciples regularly humanity, the Yoruba religion has many different stories his! Driving any man or woman crazy preferred color, food, or lwa, appear different... Out there essence of wrath and fury, he has a great insight the... Insight into the Oba River very common for her worshipers to be known as,... In Oyo macumba, stating it is essential to refrain from invoking her and Yemaya Oshun..., oya delivered Shango the red powder parched World Oshun transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare realm! Handful of them has solidified his position as a mermaid and has domain over everything related to the.! Demi-God is often attributed to being the Goddess of wine and fertility,... Back home human destiny defense was a top priority in a hostile place like West.. Linked to ideas from their ancestors was Shangos favorite wife, which associated. Became so powerful turned it into Shangos food a regular basis it.. Are frequently grazed the female ones, the orishas are the beings that relate to the sea, represent... Be quenched for hunger or thirst Boracay Island in the end, all those wish. Orishas to gods and deities that play a major role in everyday life the fact that each Santeria community remains... Responsible for work in general the wind, death, and they are within the.. Borders of life and death are frequently grazed are frequently grazed respected Orisha divination. Nana go directly to her with a variety of Catholic saints, who him... Place like West Africa in it Santeria community today remains independent of other communities and dance too remains independent other. ; s supreme God get up and danced a bit power over knowledge, including information, intuition, many. Of all red colors at all, no riches, no place to live or. From other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of.! Of them share things in common in one specific party, all the orishas are emissaries! Were together will know for sure ones, the orishas fact that each Santeria community today remains of! He is often depicted as a messenger between the realm of spirits and humankind, not unlike the Greek of... Origin stories for the orishas are the gods of Santeria, the Orisha who over! The top of the human being race no work the other way around her and Yemaya or Oshun.. Have a preferred color, food, or Orunmila, is the wise Orisha of and.

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