Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, gr anting him with a profound wisdom. One day he reached Obatalas house. Being the Goddess of Rivers, Oshun is often attributed to being the lifeblood of the Niger River. Different Orishas have different days of the week they dominate. 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. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. The number of orishas varies among believers. 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. Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. Certain days have a particular mood to them, and this affects how people reach out. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. Oguns permission would not be requested to make offerings to Nana. Her color is maroon. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. Not only does she hold control over it, but she also radiates the power of compassion and love. The Yoruba religion can be marked as a capstone of African beliefs due to its wide acceptance. No life existed in this water, though. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. Eshu (also referred to as Elegua, Exu, Eshu and Legba) is the messenger between worlds and is the guardian of the crossroads. She is particularly associated with feminine beauty, as well as relationships between people in general. The Cabildo (shrine) pictured is one of the oldest in Cuba, located in Palmira, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Santeria. As the emissaries of his power and will, the Orishas were each assigned unique functions, ensuring total order within the planet of Earth. Are you trying to figure out the spiritual meaning of dreaming about water? Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. Therefore, all other Orishas come from Him and represent various manifestations of Him. Without the sun, no life could exist, just as life cannot exist without some degree of ashe. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. After all, they are essential natural resources giving way to life thriving within its banks. They control the forces of nature and influence humans and their worlds. Fire, a lance, a black horsetail, or a copper crown with nine points all represent Oya, who is also associated with copper in general. You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! Still, He is believed to be more than capable of bringing adversity to those that do not take note of his presence. Mischief is something that doesnt go unnoticed in African mythology in general. In the forest. Oshun "The Orishas." Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. 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. For more information on Orishas, it may be helpful to visit websites with information on Santeria such as Santeria Tribe . Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. When an Orisha selects you, you are called to your human purpose on earth, and you need to receive divine assistance and guidance from the Orishas. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Even though there are several Orishas, some are more potent than others. The Orishas, https://legacy.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/205/santeria2.html. Sharing a commonplace with other famous gods such as the Greek Zeus and the Norse Thor, his prowess remained dominant with a chaotic sky. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. He is forced to use a twisted tree branch as a crutch, which is a common symbol for him. While other orishas have different "paths," or aspects to them, Orunla has only one. He is the benevolent version of Loki in African mythology and a wandering trickster spirit generally concerned with probability and elusiveness. Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orisha, which is associated with a sacred number. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. The god dresses in seven skirts of blue and white, and like the seas and deep lakes, she is deep and unknowable. If youre interested in the religions themselves, I suggest reading the following articles: Though differences will always occur, all the 12 main Orishas Ill present here are mainly worshiped in Umbanda and Candombl. These reincarnated figures are usually there to assist their progeny with everyday life and general faith. 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. Orunmila is a prime example of it. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Yemaya found, healed, and adopted him. He refused. And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. He holds power over knowledge, including information, intuition, and instinct. One day, Obatala and Eshu argued about who was the oldest Orisha of all. The demi-dog prefers individuals who control their emotions and are level-headed. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. Oshun is the seductive orisha of love and marriage and fertility, and she rules the genitals and the lower abdomen. 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 wears light green and blue clothes. Different oral traditions refer to 400, 700, or 1,440 orishas. Garbed in white, the King of Peace Obatala is a merciful Orisha dispatching purity. On the other hand, people believe that Oshun and Yemaya are sisters and venerate them together. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. Umbanda, Candombl, Islam, Buddhism, and others belong to this group. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. Other sources suggest that the number is as many as you can think of, plus one more an innumerable number. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! Hes related to death and also to magic. Part of this comes from the fact that these stories come from a variety of different African cities, each of which had their own ideas about the nature of the orishas. Due to this, every object (material or immaterial) is believed to have some sort of sentience. Beyer, Catherine. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. However, many of their clients are also Catholic, and they understand that such clients better identify with these beings under the guise of the saintly counterparts. Thanks! Though a specific number cant be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. If you have orisha in your family, it is likely that you have one as well. List of African musical instruments and their names. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. Even if he needs to fight Ossain in his realm, he wants his brother back. Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! He didnt want to dance, mainly because he had a wooden leg and he couldnt dance like the others. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more - an innumerable number". Different oral traditions refer to 400, 700, or 1,440 orishas. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. Underneath it, its said he wears black and red colors. African people, however, do not have a single unified belief about a supreme god. And the demi-gods rule over the forces of nature and endeavours of humanity. Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. 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. Oya is the ruler of the whirlwind and the gates of the cemetery. Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. The loa, or lwa, appear in different families, including the Ghede, Petro, and Radha. Also, she is the youngest among the female Orishas but retains the title of Iyolode or great queen. The Yoruba religion and its beliefs influence human life in both the African continent and other regions. [8], The concept is regularly referenced in Brazilian capoeira. She is considered to be the mother of everything and she is associated with the seas. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. [2], The orishas found their way to most of the New World as a result of the Atlantic slave trade and are now expressed in practices as varied as Santera, Candombl, Trinidad Orisha, Umbanda, and Oyotunji, among others. 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 . Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. 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. Shes also the wife of Obatala, the Creator. He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. Orishas (singular: orisha) [1] are spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba religion of West Africa and several religions of the African diaspora that derive from it, such as Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican Santera and Brazilian Candombl. They act as demi-deities or demi-gods or in a capacity like Archangels. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. Due to its diversity, African religions can be classified into countless smaller ones. His purpose might not be material, but it is a psychological one reflected in many African myths. He also taught humans agriculture. He never asked a single question. From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. Obatala is also credited with sculpturing human bodies, more so with imperfections like blindness and other defects. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. 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. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. All the others laughed at him. Many had a percentage of Olodumares attributes, while others indeed had their impacts on the world down below. In a way, the orishas serve as a reflection of mankind itself. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. They were about to kill him too! Therefore, among the 7 African powers, Eshus is one of the most significant, considering its relevance and reliance by virtually everyone. An armory provides the means to defend oneself from the dangers of the outside world. And what better tool to carry it out than the trusty old iron? Some orishas based on historical figures are confined to worship in their families or towns of origin; others are venerated across wider geographic areas. 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. How many orishas can you have? It can be confusing; therefore, it is integral that you trust your gut and intuition to guide you on this unfamiliar path. From this moment on, whenever Orunmila was asked to help people with divination, he would also ask Ossain to prescribe herbs for healing. This helped the religion to survive. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! He decides to enter the forest and look for his brother. Obatala is married to Yemaya, the goddess of oceans and godmother of Orishas. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. I also wrote about it, focusing on the aspect of life and death, in the article Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday. While Eshu Elegbara opens the road, Ogun clears it with his machete. To save the parched world Oshun transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare's realm to beg his forgiveness. 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. Orishas Goddesses And Voodoo Queens The Divine Fe Jambalaya - Aug 29 2021 . With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Orisha Nana wears purple dresses. Another vital thing to note is that the deity loves good music and women. 4. A list of Orishas and their powers is sufficient to provide a good reply. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. He then shouted: Is the king a king even when he wears no clothes?. Hes a healer who rules over the forests. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Oshuns aquatic finesse over the rivers of West Africa immortalized her spot as one of the most critical Orishas. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. Who is the most powerful Orisha? He knows all the occult powers and rules. So, what roles do they play and why are they important? Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/orunla-osain-oshun-oya-and-yemaya-95923. Oyas favourite offerings include flowers, starfruit, plums, purple grapes, nine eggplants as a traditional offering, bean fritters, red wine, set up an altar at home or set offerings at cemetery gates. Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. Theres another story that tells how Oya became the queen of the dead, being responsible for sending eguns (souls of the dead) to the otherworld. African mythology, in general, stretches over a vast array of gods and goddesses. In the Americas, Oshun is regarded as the Orisha of Love.. Orishas are gods of Yoruba sent by Olodumare, the Yoruba people's Supreme God. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. [3], Some orishas are rooted in ancestor worship; warriors, kings, and founders of cities were celebrated after death and joined the pantheon of Yoruba deities. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. Oludumare is the one God and creator. The deity's favourite offerings are tobacco, rum, candy, toys, and spicy foods. Driven by the will to become Shangos favorite, Oba followed Oshun and sliced off her ear into his food. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. Both revered and feared, Obaluaye is well respected by the followers, and he is said to curse you as quickly as he can heal you. Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. Wielding weapons of fine craftsmanship, Ogun oversees metalwork and conflicts that arise within the Yoruba people. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gods of Death . They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. Oya, however, started to dance with him. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. , among the female Orishas but retains the title of Iyolode or great queen more capable. To obtain the power of plants and eventually became a great how many orishas are there regions. 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