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Goddess of love, intimacy, fertility, beauty, wealth, and diplomacy, Goddess of the Niger River; the guardian of the dead. It is the orishas who are the guardians and explicators of human destiny. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Olodumare stopped the rains. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. An orisha may be said to be a deity. There are many spirits of this kind, but some of them are so preeminent that they supersede all others; they too are orishas. Initially, they represented their gods using elements of nature like rivers, storms, mountains, and forests. Orisha of thunder, lightning, fire, virility, war, and foundations. WebOrisha embodies. Golgotha Cross What Is It and What Does It Mean? Aja by Chase Conley Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. Cuocos use of the male pronoun is for convenience as Olodumare is All Things and so both male and female. According to myth, these ancestors would commonly ascend to the sky or sink into the ground before turning into deities instead of dying as normal mortals would. Its said that Olokun can grant wealth to humans at any time, but given his ambiguous nature, he is also known for inadvertently bringing devastation. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Submitted by Joshua J. Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can freely interfere with people's lives. Other orishas are deified ancestors, meaning that they were at first mortals. She works closely with Osain and is a fierce warrior. On the given day, Olodumare came to the Orisha hut where the mice were hidden, happily expecting to share a meal with others but, as soon as the threshold was crossed, the door slammed shut, and hundreds of mice were released scampering across the floor. An orisha may be said to arise when a divine power to command and make things happen converges with a natural force, a deified ancestor, and an object that witnesses and supports that convergence and alignment. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. With her destructive qualities, she brings change to the cosmos, an important element of the balance of life. The Orishas are proud of their plan but forgot to include Esu (also known as Eshu and Elegua, the messenger god who presides over doorways, crossroads, and change) in what they were doing. "Orisha." Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. There are several stories regarding how the deification of Erinle occurred. Egungun-oya by Another Wanderer According to the Yoruba belief, Olodumare is too immense for the human mind to grasp and so released different aspects of itself, each of which received a certain sphere of influence randomly. Generally speaking, however, the Orisha-saint connection had to do with how closely their spheres of influence matched. In a third account, Erinle became a divinity after kicking a poisonous stone. Esu knew their plan, however, because he was present in the doorway when they formed it but did not warn Olodumare of their intentions. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. The Orishas Gods GET BOOK Download The Orishas Gods Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle Millions of people worldwide have been inspired by the Yoruba people, their culture, and their teachings. WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. License. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas . In themselves the cowrie shells symbolize wealth, because they were once a medium of economic exchange. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? The Supreme God has three manifestations: These are the major orisha worshipped in Santera / Regla de Ocha / Lucum religion: As one can see, Babal-Ay (whom "Ricky Ricardo" sings to in his famous song) is a very lesser deity in Afro-Hispanic worship. If one is unable to do so, for whatever reason, one is reincarnated and tries again in the next life. Its worth noticing that, in the case of certain Yoruba divinities, these categories can be overlapped. Orisha of iron, fire, hunting, politics, and war. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. In the social and cultural environments of the Americas, the orisha concept underwent some subtle but significant changes. She passed near the sun and lost most of her feathers. In some locations in the Caribbean and South America, they were able to reestablish the worship of the orishas and maintain it during slavery and after its abolition. Others, who descended to the Earth to be adored in their human incarnations, were called irunmole. Metaphysical personifications or spirits. In one account, Erinle sank into the ground and became simultaneously a river and a water deity. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. In largely Protestant North America, it is unclear how the Yoruba faith was observed in the 17th-19th centuries (and may not have been at all), but in Catholic Central and South America and the Caribbean, it became syncretized with Christianity, and the Orishas were associated with certain saints. The word orisha is related to several other Yoruba words referring to the head. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. Worship is directed at the orisha that dwells within the natural phenomenon, often at the site where the natural phenomenon manifests itself. Like the stories told by the Yoruba in West Africa, different Orishas were linked to different saints in different regions, and it is not possible to definitively say which Orisha came to be identified with which saint. The number of orishas varies among believers. No division in Yorubaland, YorubaKoya commends Ooni, Akintoye, Igboho, others. Olofi - the conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth); Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator. She often confers riches and good fortune on his followers. WebFREE DOWNLOAD Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle format. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. The Orishas do not always cause trouble for Olodumare and are attentive to their responsibilities. Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. Their ancestral father, Oduduwa, migrated from the ancient city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to Africa. Yet defining an orisha as a deity does not do justice to the concept, in large part because the term deity often suggests a sort of anthropomorphic supernatural entity. Each caught powers that enabled them to participate in the creation and oversee different spheres of influence. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. We want people all over the world to learn about history. All can be said to be transformative figures to greater or lesser degrees, and their responsibilities are far-ranging. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. Her son, Orungan, raped her when her guard was down, and in grief she exploded, her self-sacrifice creating fifteen Orishas. The orisha of wisdom, Orunmila is the first-born of Olodumare, and a prime deity. These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. 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. His rule lasted for seven years and ended when Shango was dethroned by one of his former allies. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. We care about our planet! The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology By Ancient Code Team - April 20, 2022 83 0 At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. They are ara orun, people of heaven. Orishas, like mortals, are supposed to devote themselves to developing a strong character that pursues what is good and shuns what is evil, but neither people nor Orishas are capable of doing so all the time, and personal weakness, desire, pride, spite, and arrogance often come between what the Orishas know they should do and what they want to do. Similarly, Oya is regarded as the protectress of women. During the colonial period in the Americas, the African slaves that were transported to the Caribbean and South America brought the cult of Shango along with them. Web. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. She passed this skill to the Yoruban people, who practice her craft to this very day. At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. Ayao is an air goddess. Shortly afterward, Shango became the orisha of lightning, fire, virility, and war. The people were sorry for having questioned the plan of the supreme deity but understood they had received exactly what they had asked for and would have to live with it. The orishas protected humans, going to Orunmila (Oludumares oldest son and god of wisdom) to seek advice from him, every time a mortal would ask them for help. Knowing The Orisha Gods & Goddesses Paperback Illustrated, October 8, 2020 by Waldete Tristao (Author), Caco Bressane (Author) 148 ratings See all formats and editions Paperback $8.99 5 Used from $8.99 15 New from $4.99 Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. She guides her followers between the world of the dead and the living, preserving the memories of their ancestors. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. However, it becomes the responsibility of the orishas human descendants to transmit to subsequent generations the objects and secrets through which human beings can interact with the orisha. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. Agriculture from the Middle East highly influenced the people to develop the religion around 600 BC. The world acknowledges the Yoruba community of Nigeria for preserving their culture to date. Some in Oyo say s is female, Ogun's wife. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. WebOrisha embodies. Their religion dates back to the Stone Age but was influenced by the spread of agriculture from the Middle East around 600 BCE. Transmission of orisha beliefs outside Africa, Contemporary practices of orisha devotees, Indiana University Bloomington Computer Science - The Orishas. Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. Esu, for example, was associated with Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost items, people, and paths in life, because of his role as guardian of crossroads and guide in transitions. Orunmila is also the orisha of divination or Ifa. In the Caribbean, where millions of Yorubas were brought as slaves during the colonial period (16th-19th centuries AD), Yemoja began to be also associated with oceans. Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. The third king of the Yoruba Oyo Empire, Shango was considered a violent ruler, but also one with notorious military achievements. )[2] The most prevalent West African religions, both in Africa and the Americas, are likely those of the Yoruba people or those that were influenced by them. Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. [1], The Republic of Benin and Nigeria contain the highest concentrations of Yoruba people and Yoruba faiths in all of Africa. The Orishas give people Ashe/Ase (life) and Ayanmo (fate). The Orishas, after all, had questioned the wisdom and justice of Olodumare and repented of it more than once and so were sympathetic to the human condition. These categories are not rigid, and in some cases they overlap. Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. Some of them are known as ara urun, meaning people of heaven, where they are believed to reside. Afterward, those with lighter skin complained they were not darker, and those with darker skin wanted to be lighter, the poor robbed the rich, and the rich enacted laws against the poor, resources were gathered and defended by one people against another, and there was want and starvation, war and privation. Orisha (also given as Orisa and Orishas) are supernatural entities usually referred to as deities in the Yoruba religion of West Africa, though they are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. In Yoruba cosmology, Olodumare sits at the top of the hierarchy, and everything else descends down from him: Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! In the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are divine mediators between Oludumare, the Creator of the world, and humanity. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. Oya is also goddess of the Niger River as Oshun is of the Osun River, and both are associated with protection and guidance. She is the mother of Yemaja. Photo: @janakesho, The Orishas return to earth and apologize to Oshun who finishes creation with the gifts of beauty, fertility, love, and sweetness, instilling the need for these things in all people everywhere who had been given life through the breath of Olodumare. She can summon lightning and tornadoes be whirling her skirt in a dance. St. Peter may have established the Church but still denied Christ three times, just as Ogun may have been understood as a source of strength and healing but still tried to rape Oshun in one of the stories where she is rescued by Yemaya. The Orishas wailed in repentance in vain. Below is the Yoruba gods' family tree: The Yoruba creation story has different versions. In some myths, the orishas were a race of primogenial divine beings, who lived among mankind but didnt yet have any powers. The understanding is that, even if one thought one knew every Orisha and could name them all, there would always be one more one had missed. This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. The Yoruba people are based in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. Oya is a storm goddess who wields fire and magic (which she stole from her husband, Shango). As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. Her masquerades include the making of offerings as well as the honoring of ancestors in thanks for past and future aid. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Ayao by Navate He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. Its noteworthy that Aja is one of the few Yoruba divinities that present herself to mortals in her human form to offer help, instead of trying to scare them. This category is mainly made up of kings, queens, heroes, heroines, warriors, and founders of cities. Author of. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. Olodumare demanded to know who had done this, and Esu pointed out the guilty who were swiftly punished. Mustatils in Saudi Arabia: Gates for Animal Sacrifice to Unknown Gods? The Yoruba people occupy southwestern Nigeria. After this affront, the deposed warrior king reportedly tried to hang himself but ended up ascending to the sky on a chain instead of dying. The Orishas are never represented as perfect beings, and there are a number of stories of them behaving badly, but they are depicted as trying their best to do what is expected of them in very human terms. Mark, Joshua J.. anting him with a profound wisdom. All humans, therefore, are connected to each other no matter their appearance, religion, or location because all owe their existence to the same divine breath that animates them, and all humans are related to other living things for the same reason. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon Syed Rafid Kabir | African History , Ancient Civilizations , Gods and Goddesses | January 9, 2023 July 2, 2022 Lions, elephants, vast stretches of the jungle with venomous snakes, or an endless sea of sand stalked by nefarious scorpions. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. The male Orishas return to Olodumare to confess their failure. Orisha worship today is practiced by people around the world in a number of forms including the systems of Santeria, Candombl, and Vodun, as well as nominal Catholics and those who identify as Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, or New Age practitioners. Aganju by Robert Love The Orishas then huddled by the great baobab tree that provided them with everything they needed and refused to use their powers for creation, preferring to satisfy their own needs. The Yoruba are religious and liberal-minded people. They were kings, culture heroes and heroines, warriors, and founders of cities who had a major influence on the lives of the people and on Yoruba society through their contributions to culture and social life. Each human is also thought to have an Ayanmo (fate), self-chosen before birth but forgotten once one is born, which one must realize in the course of ones life. The beliefs of the Yoruba faith were passed down orally for generations until committed to writing and so there are a number of different versions of the same stories. She used these magical tools to create the cosmos, including the human race. Other orishas are irunmole, the earths first inhabitants that are now sacred beings dwelling on and in the earth. Plants and animals are understood as possessing the same divine spark as human beings. orisha, also spelled orixa or orisa, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. The rapids formed between these two rivers symbolize the rivalry between the two wives, a most turbulent relationship. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. Goddess of love, intimacy, and in some myths, the Orishas entirely for free, every.. Very day craft to this very day book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle your support of... 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