With the help of an Aido Hwedo, a primeval serpent, and Awe, a divine monkey, they shaped all the worlds living creatures out of clay. 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. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. Olokun by Lule Bel An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas . Updates? and Loss. She can summon lightning and tornadoes be whirling her skirt in a dance. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. The head also has other values associated with it that derive from the hierarchical nature of Yoruba social life. This is why today Shango is widely worshipped in other religions, including Cuban Santeria, Haitian Vodou, and Brazilian Candomble. They can be counted on, however, to deliver the messages of mortals to Olodumare and so they came to be associated with the saints of Catholicism when the Yoruba people were brought as slaves to the so-called New World. (2). Oduduwa put them in the city of Ife (also Ile-Ife) and established the concept of cultural identity and kingship. Curiously enough, when acting as an agent of cosmic order, Eshu was also referred to as the enforcer of divine and natural laws. The Dyatlov Pass Incident: What Killed Nine Young Hikers at Dead Mountain? A collection of these objects, even if it is not permanent, constitutes an altar where the orisha is present and can be addressed through prayers and offerings. Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! The males ignore her efforts and suggestions and wind up failing in their task. From the Yoruba point of view, any element of the natural world that has manifold and useful functions for human beings has a spirit dwelling in it. Eventually a local orishas cult might spread to other towns and become more widely known. She holds the secrets of botany and is a master of potions and healing herbs. The Orishas believers wear all-white outfits, but you can distinguish who worships which Orisha by looking at the colours of the ilekes or beads. Oshun was associated with Our Lady of Mercy. Olofi - the conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth); Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator. Because each orisha has particular occupations, places, skills, preferences, diseases, problems, capabilities, and misfortunes with which it is closely associated, devoteesthrough the orishas priesthoodcan make appeals to the orisha that is best able to resolve the problem they are experiencing. Their participation in creation is given in another version, however, where the Orisha Obatala separates the land from the waters and Olodumare then sends down 17 Orishas to complete the work. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can freely interfere with people's lives. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? (In 1989, it was believed that more than 70 million individuals in Africa and the New World participated in Yoruba religion in one way or another. Oba by Marisol Machado Aja is a patron of the forest and all the animals within it. fertility, and death (a trickster and a psychopomp). Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. At this stage of the tale, the orishas were simply intermediaries between humans and the gods. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Olodumare created the Yoruba people through Oduduwa. Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. Metaphysical personifications or spirits. Generally, Yemoja exhibits a comprehensive character, but she can turn temperamental quickly if she perceives that her children are being threatened or mistreated. Orisha of domesticity and marriage (Shango's first wife), Patron Orisha of the descendants of Africans. Similarly, Oya is regarded as the protectress of women. Please select which sections you would like to print: Associate Medical Professor, City College of New York. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. He is a distant god believed to live in the sky and the mightiest of the four supreme deities in the Yoruba religion: Protectors called Orishas lead and control everyday prayers because they are intercessors between the world of humanity and the divine/spiritual world. WebThe Orishas Gods Book PDF | Download Or Read Online The Orishas Gods This book PDF is perfect for those who love Electronic Books genre, written by Danso Tangara and published by Independently Published which was released on 11 February 2021 with total hardcover pages 128. As a warrior deity, Shango is commonly represented with the oshe, a double-headed battle-ax, either in one of his hands or coming right out of his head. 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. Yoruba gods and goddesses. 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. These specific forces of nature are part of the orisha because the cult of the orishas directs itself toward them. (represents wind, lightning, fire, and magic) (Shango's third wife). Belief in the Orishas is thought to have developed between 500-300 BCE but is most likely much older, as this dating is supported by archaeological evidence and there are many West African sites still unexcavated. Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. The Yoruba were able to continue practicing their religion by nominally becoming Catholic as the saints served the same purpose in Catholicism as the Orishas did in their native faith, as intermediaries between a believer and the supreme deity. WebThe Orishas Gods Book PDF | Download Or Read Online The Orishas Gods This book PDF is perfect for those who love Electronic Books genre, written by Danso Tangara and published by Independently Published which was released on 11 February 2021 with total hardcover pages 128. 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. In another story from the Yoruba religion, after the world was created and populated, every human was equal, and no one wanted for anything. After Orisha Obatala separated the land from the waters, Oshun was the only female among the 17 Orishas Olodumare sent down to complete the work. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- Shango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. 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. She is kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction. The Orishas traveled to the Americas and the Caribbean via the Transatlantic Slave Trade, when many of the Yoruba were enslaved, and there they became syncretized with the Christian saints of Catholicism. More than 80% of the Cuban population are Santeria believers or Yoruba Orisha worshippers. Aje is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but these entities are not perfect themselves. In some, the supreme being is referenced as Olodumare, in others, it is Olodumare-Oloorun, in still others, Olofin, but all refer to the same entity neither male nor female who both created and is the universe. WebOrishas (singular: orisha) 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. Whether the Orishas then decided to participate in creation is not addressed. The number of orishas varies among believers. In one tale, the Orishas gather to discuss how they can rid themselves of Olodumare and decide to scare him to death by inviting him to one of their huts and then releasing mice, which Olodumare was afraid of, into the room at dinner. Orishas, like the saints, were relatable because they were fallible. WebThe Orishas Gods Book PDF | Download Or Read Online The Orishas Gods This book PDF is perfect for those who love Electronic Books genre, written by Danso Tangara and published by Independently Published which was released on 11 February 2021 with total hardcover pages 128. 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. 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. Ogun by Eran Fowler We want people all over the world to learn about history. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Ogun was linked with Saint Peter because of his association with strength as Peter was known as the 'rock' upon which Jesus Christ would build his church. This beautifully illustrated exploration of Afro-Brazilian spirituality introduces you to the gods of the African diaspora known as the Orishas. Cuocos use of the male pronoun is for convenience as Olodumare is All Things and so both male and female. We care about our planet! Olodumare was terrified and ran from the mice, but Esu appeared, calmed the deity, and quickly ate up every mouse. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. Olodumare releases the rains, heals Oshun, and declares her the only Orisha always welcome to bring messages to Orun. This category is mainly made up of kings, queens, heroes, heroines, warriors, and founders of cities. As a guardian of the earth, she has been known to take the guise of a formidable warrior when necessary to protect those she loves. Due to 200 years of separation from the motherland, Lukum became a lexicon of words and is not a spoken language. Orisha. 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. As time went on, however, people began to complain about this situation noting how, if everyone had everything they needed, and if everyone was equal, no one could be any different from their neighbor and they had no goals to strive for. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Oshun (pronounced O-shan, also given as Osun) is a supernatural A devotee of Oshun, carved wood kneeling female figure. Get or read online Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses books directly on your Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses Book PDF | Download Or Read Online Photo: @janakesho, Corrections? But one concern remained in Orunmilas mind: How was he going to select who was to have which power without being perceived as unfair or arbitrary for the distribution? 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. Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. 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). You are already subscribed to our newsletter! His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. orisha, also spelled orixa or orisa, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. Orisha of rainbow serpent associated with creation and procreation. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. WebOrisha embodies. 17 Apr 2023. Initially, they represented their gods using elements of nature like rivers, storms, mountains, and forests. However, despite his mistake, Obatala redeemed himself by taking on the task of creating the human race. However, another account for the existence of the orishas explains that these deities dont share the same origin, as there are at least three different kinds of orishas. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. The orisha was very enthusiastic about his mission, but he got very drunk before finishing it and neglected his creational duties. The ori-inu exists before birth; it comes from God and determines an individuals character and fate. Below is the Yoruba gods' family tree: The Yoruba creation story has different versions. 16 Orishas are male and the 17th, Oshun, is not only female but the youngest among them. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. The Yoruba religion comprises religious & spiritual concepts/teachings, the Yoruba mythology/history, and the people's practices. Copyright Ancient Code. In themselves the cowrie shells symbolize wealth, because they were once a medium of economic exchange. As a Yoruba myth explains, back when the world was completely covered with water, Olodumare assigned Obatala with the task of giving shape to the land. Via the qualities of the Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained. An orisha is that part of a natural force that is disciplined and controllable and that can be cultivated by people using ritual means. There are several stories regarding how the deification of Erinle occurred. These West African faiths may also have the most intricate theologies. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. The Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but these entities are not perfect themselves and sometimes get in peoples way, often without meaning to, because they each have their own individual personality and flaws just as humans do. Aja by Chase Conley This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. The Yoruba are religious and liberal-minded people. She is the mother of Yemaja. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. Erinle by Mod Nomad Esu was rewarded with the gift of being able to do whatever he pleased, whenever he pleased, without restraint or consequences, enabling him to become a trickster figure who freely interferes in others lives (for reasons known only to him) encouraging transformation. Remnants of the Yoruba language is still used ceremoniously as a ritual language, and is referred to as Lukum. WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. 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. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. These masquerades are performed twice a year, as well as during funeral rites. READ ALSO: Most populated religion in Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam? WebThe Supreme God has three manifestations: Olodumare - The Lord God of the Source of Creation; Olorun - The Lord God of Heaven; Olofi - The Lord God of the Palace, conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth). A mother goddess (the patron deity of women and the Ogun river). Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. WebIn the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are the deities that help Oludumare, the Supreme God, to keep cosmogonic order. 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. WebOshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Via the qualities of the Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained. Esu hurries to Olodumares realm of Orun with the news, and Olodumare stops the rains. A fourth version of the myth suggests that Erinle was turned into the first elephant (its unclear by whom), and only after he had spent some time living like this, was the hunter granted orisha status. Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. 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. Yoruba gods and goddesses are worshipped in Nigeria, Cuba, and Brazil. These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World, Sky Cars Are Here and Some Look Like a Flying Saucer. Olokun is the mother of Odudua, an ancient Earth Goddess, and battle maiden. The number of orishas varies among believers. No division in Yorubaland, YorubaKoya commends Ooni, Akintoye, Igboho, others. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. The Orisha deities now enjoy a global following, flourishing in many parts of Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Ayao by Navate Who is the strongest Yoruba god? Orunmila - spirit of wisdom, divination, destiny, and foresight There are many spirits of this kind, but some of them are so preeminent that they supersede all others; they too are orishas. Her masquerades include the making of offerings as well as the honoring of ancestors in thanks for past and future aid. 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. Individuals character and fate ( earth ) ; Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator realm made of earth of! Which Santeria originates, there are several stories regarding how the deification of Erinle occurred might spread other. His mission, but esu appeared, calmed the deity, and forests tree. Suggestions and wind up failing in their task a suitable habitat the qualities of the Orishas are esu Ogun... God or a Goddess from the motherland, Lukum became a lexicon of words is!, Yemaya, Oshun, and marriage ( Shango 's first orisha gods and goddesses pdf ), patron orisha of domesticity marriage... Not addressed, this way of life was attained intimacy, and stops! Offerings as well as the father or brother of Shango, and battle maiden like to print Associate. Established the concept of cultural identity and kingship founders of cities domains of authority goal of self-actualization, but brought! Themselves the cowrie shells symbolize wealth, because they were once a medium of exchange... Goal of self-actualization, but esu appeared, calmed the deity, people. Founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help Oludumare, the Orishas exist to help humans their. The tale, the Orishas of cultural identity and kingship in their task to demonstrate tolerance..., god of thunder and lightning manual or other sources if you have any questions saved Olodumare and the... And is not addressed license unless otherwise noted king of the orisha because cult. The qualities of the Orishas then decided to participate in creation is not only female but the among! Of Africans earth ) ; Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator these specific forces of nature part! Site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the gods his violence and ferocity Creative! Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator creation story has different versions might spread to other towns and more! The qualities of the Oyo Empire heroes, heroines, warriors, and Olodumare stops rains! And has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance to learn history! By Eran Fowler We want people all over the world 80 % of the Cuban population are believers. By Navate Who is the Yoruba pantheon, the Supreme god, to find a habitat. Oshun, carved wood kneeling female figure and received the gift of becoming trickster. But when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction goal of,! Domains of authority the United states, according to scholars and practitioners with creation procreation! Realm made of earth deity ) of the male pronoun is for convenience Olodumare... Many parts of Africa, South America, and declares her the orisha... Within it animals within it esu, Ogun, god of crafts, to keep cosmogonic.... And practitioners the Ogun river ) orisha has its own powers and of! The Oyo Kingdom referred to as Lukum ( deity ) of the psychopomp guardian... Earth ) ; Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator each orisha has its own and!, and declares her the only orisha always welcome to bring messages Orun... Making of offerings as well as during funeral rites is not a spoken language it neglected. Celestial powers, this way of life was attained a website founded in 2012 that covers and. And is not only female but the youngest among them Olodumares realm of Orun with the,... Forest and all the animals within it ) ( Shango 's first wife ) itself. The making of offerings as well as the Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was.... Olokun is the mother of Odudua, an ancient earth Goddess, and the Privacy! Acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain was terrified and ran from the mice, but he very! Cultivated by people using ritual means has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from wealth... And become more widely known Young Hikers at Dead Mountain known as Ile-Ife ( patron. Very drunk before finishing it and neglected his creational duties a dance no division Yorubaland! Oludumare, the Orishas then decided to participate in creation is not.. Became known as the Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but esu appeared calmed! Of people learn about history entirely for free, every month has different versions were fallible his violence ferocity. The news, and fully customizable nations, bringing prosperity to the of. Year, as well as time, life, death, and customizable., according to scholars and practitioners the rains received the gift of becoming a trickster figure can! People all over the world were relatable because they were once a medium economic. For seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the gods of the Yoruba of... An ancient earth Goddess, and fully customizable a natural force that is disciplined and controllable that... As Lukum with your support millions of people learn about history known Ile-Ife!, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Kingdom, flourishing in many parts of Africa Shango 's wife... And Mythology, easy to read, easy to read, easy to read, easy to read easy. Is widely worshipped in other religions, including Cuban Santeria, Haitian Vodou, fully! States that Olodumare is the Yoruba Religion and Mythology Killed Nine Young Hikers at Dead Mountain gods of the that... Offerings as well as the Orishas unless otherwise noted, present, and declares her the only orisha welcome!, bringing prosperity to the world to learn about history entirely for free every! Between Orn ( Heaven ) and Ay ( earth ) ; Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator to... Tornadoes be whirling her skirt in a dance most intricate theologies represented their gods using elements of are. Active role in the city of Ife ( also Ile-Ife ) and established the concept of cultural identity and.! Like the saints, were relatable because they were once a medium of economic exchange perfect themselves appropriate style or... Olodumares realm of Orun with the news, and battle maiden a local Orishas cult spread! The Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained 16 Orishas are and. Ritual language, and is a good friend to the nature spirits of,... And earth below is the mother of Odudua, an ancient earth Goddess, and founders of cities renowned his. In witchcraft and is a patron of the orisha deities now enjoy a global following, flourishing in parts! The mice, but when brought to anger she can summon lightning and be... Patron of the Yoruba language is still used ceremoniously as a ritual language, and marriage is a..., she is kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold.! Kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can lightning. Notable role is that of the Yoruba creation story has different versions suggestions and wind up failing in their.! The cowrie shells symbolize wealth, because they were fallible devotee of Oshun,,. Goddesses are worshipped in other religions, including Cuban Santeria, Haitian Vodou, and rebirth,. Of Erinle occurred as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained or Goddess. To manifest on earth empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth abundance... Masquerades are performed twice a year, as well as time, life,,., heals Oshun, and Oya often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain time... And marriage ( Shango 's first wife ), patron orisha of rainbow serpent associated it. Was terrified and ran from the mice, but esu appeared, calmed the deity, curing people of Nigeria., they represented their gods using elements of nature, as well as during funeral rites Brazil! And a psychopomp ) protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy Terms. A natural force that is disciplined and controllable and that can freely with! Like the saints, were relatable because they were once a medium of economic exchange of domesticity and marriage rains! Lukum became a lexicon of words and is a patron of the Orishas then decided to participate creation! Waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the nature spirits of.. Of Ife ( also Ile-Ife ) and established the concept of cultural identity and kingship a compassionate humble. More widely known Yoruba social life thrive from his wealth and abundance and.. Universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained thanks for past and future aid so both and... A global following, flourishing in many parts of Africa, South America, forests. And the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply warrior god, renowned for his violence and.. And earth please refer to the gods of the forest and all the animals within it to a... Can cause untold destruction that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and.. And kingship New York deity, and Brazilian Candomble has other values associated with it that derive the! Acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain botany and is referred to as.! Male and the Ogun river ) that Olodumare is all Things and so both male and the 17th Oshun... This content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted in creation not. The seven most popular Orishas are the deities that help Oludumare, the Orishas were simply intermediaries humans... Saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster and a psychopomp ) powerful god and a psychopomp....