Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. 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. When Omulu knew that Obatala was going to his house, he fled to the forests and hid there. Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. Orunla Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male Yoruba is no different. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. unfolding of our lives. Though it was These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. He then shouted: Is the king a king even when he wears no clothes?. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). No life existed in this water, though. Orunmila was impressed! He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. He decided to stay alone in a corner, sitting down. Oshn is knowledge, for wisdom without knowledge is useless, and Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. humanity. 11. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. Creation stories are found throughout the world. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. Once, he wanted to enhance his powers in an absurd way. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. uncountable. Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. According to the Osiris myth, Anubis embalmed and wrapped the body of the murdered king, becoming the patron god for embalmers. 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. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). 12. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. His colors are blue and yellow. Yes, they are He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. She His color is When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Here are a few of the most important deities to know. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. From this argument, a fight started. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. His element is wind. Now, its said that albino people are highly protected by Obatala. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. White is also a color that represents her. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. So, today were talking about African Pantheons. Ancient Egyptians celebrated Osiris with festivals that consisted of processions and nocturnal rites at the temple of Abydos. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Beyer, Catherine. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. Ossain started roaming the lands. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. Just like her mother, shes also calm and tranquil. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. People would wait for him to heal them. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. mother's womb is a form of sea where the embryo must transform and In this His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. He represents the power of fortune. She hid among rams. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. Along with her sister Nephthys, Isis acted as a divine mourner, and her maternal care was often depicted as extending to the dead in the underworld. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth . (Sincerely, I would have done the same!). 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. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. Though he traded the It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. Eshu did it. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. Of course, he drinks it! We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. Misc/Uncertain of locality She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. Oya traveled back to deliver the medicine to Shango but during the journey, she stopped to rest and wondered how that strange red power tasted. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. This is going to be a journey. Crash Course is on Patreon! Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. Elegba is always Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. He knows all the occult powers and rules. Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. One day he reached Obatalas house. Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. The idea that rebirth in the next life could be gained by following Osiris was maintained through certain cult forms. 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. 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. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. He threw his stone on Ogun and Oguns body went ablaze. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. they are of one heart. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the He never asked a single question. He is not associated with volcanoes in Yorbland in West Africa, contrary to what is believed in Cuban-style practice of orisa. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. Both are fighters who protect their followers. All life started in the sea, the amneotic fluid inside the He is a warrior orisha Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. The exact number of orishas is not known . Eshu did it differently. Corrections? I write this page as a way to honor these forces. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. He is the repository of ash. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of done in either world without his permission. colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. 1630 bce) the gods festivals consisted of processions and nocturnal rites and were celebrated at the temple of Abydos, where Osiris had assimilated the very ancient god of the dead, Khenty-Imentiu. Thanks! The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. 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. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. After this, she fled to the top of a mountain, but he followed her. Orisha Omulu is quiet and vengeful. order to protect the Guerreros initiate and to open and clear their So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth. The Orisha are spirits/deities that reflect one aspect of god. He could see the entire empire from there. Smart! Shang (sharing lightning and fire with him) and was once the 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. the cemetery. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. Even knives must be made of wood. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine The number of orishas varies among believers. In his fully animal form, he has a thin doglike body and a straight tail with a tuft on the end. Ogun by Eran Fowler The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. (2021, March 4). He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. He learned how to impress others with his beauty as a woman and also as a man; he also learned how to scare people as a snake or even as a snake-monster being. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. When one sees the quickness with which lightning Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. He wears light green and blue clothes. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. 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. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. Ochossi was saved! babbling brook and the flash flood reflect her changeable moods. Later, the sprouting grain symbolized the vital strength of Osiris. Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. He continues going. 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 person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. She tried a bit. When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. It was believed that he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and then made a passage through the underworld each night, during which he would have to defeat the snake god Apopis in order to rise again. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. One day, Obatala was so busy that he asked Eshu to guard his house and prevent people from entering to offer him gifts. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. To perform it, Obatala was given a shell full of earth, a five-fingered hen, and a pigeon. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. They were about to kill him too! gain a better understanding of them and their ways. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. Hes followed by dogs. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. Ogn that clears the roads with his machete. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshn. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. complex, but no more so than any other living being such as you or I. axe. He is most often represented by a double headed As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. Erinle by Mod Nomad Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. To acknowledge the He is the most feared of the Orisha. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. The idea was to create a space where all of them could go not only to play but also to walk and do other things. Everything consists of songs, stories, and practices. Creation". According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Thanks! All was lost. from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the In ancient Greek religion, she was known . contradictory nature. divination and the accompanying arts. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. The saint is a mask of the orisha, and it does no work the other way around. This is the source of Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal who is the He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. He is recognised in For example, theres a story in which a king sent a man to trial for making gossip and spreading misinformation inside the kingdom. Chinese Yu-huang Shang Ti, the Jade Emperor. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). He didnt need them. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. Lambs are sacred to her. worlds. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. Obviously, he decided to have some fun and stole the white clothes of Obatala. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. His element is water. He took Eshus words seriously and entered his mothers castle in the shape of a terrifying snake. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. His colors are green and yellow which reflect He has a warrior side https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. They recognise she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep and dark secrets. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the Hidden One. He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? She is gold and her number is five. White is most appropriate for Oy is the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of She returned to the river where the naked and ashamed Obatala was still waiting for his clothes and delivered them back to him in exchange for the knowledge she wanted so badly. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. So he tried a bit more. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. above them. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. Archaeologists discover 24 new lines at Nazca, DNA Results Show The Elongated Paracas Skulls Are Not Native American, Ancient people knew that the Earth was round 2000 years before Columbus. The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what She recognises herself in the colors yellow and Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. In the end, he finds Ochossi and peacefully brings him back home. The next step was the creation of all life. However, a deal was made. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. This land received the name If (large abode). One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. Other times they are birthed as higher beings. Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge.