Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. Of course, he drinks it! Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. humanity. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. Also observe how the During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). This helped the religion to survive. His element is water. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. The deities, called Orishas in Ifa/Orisha worship, are sometimes referred to as the "hands of God." They are heavenly intercessors in the lives of humans who may be engaged for blessings or . If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. He is recognised in propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens During the night, Shango took the mysterious red powder and climbed to the top of a mountain. Osiris was also identified with Soker, an ancient Memphite god of the dead. Irish Morrigan appears to have been a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignity, although she was not referred to as a goddess in the mythology. Simply water. When one sees the quickness with which lightning Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. 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 orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. gold and her number is five. name. Aganju by Robert Love These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Here are a few of the most important deities to know. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. She is She lives on the riverbed. almost always used first for war. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, could be depicted in the form of a baboon or a sacred ibis or as a man with the head of an ibis. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. In any form, hes a wise one. From about 2000 bce onward it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. Oya is her main name. His priests, the babalawos or "Fathers of the She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with One was the gods, another was the spirits of deceased humans, who existed in the divine realm and possessed many of the gods' abilities. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. His color is As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. After trials and errors, he finally managed to create human beings who populated the land and worshiped the Orishas as their creators and natural sources of power. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring She is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. He decided to stay alone in a corner, sitting down. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. To acknowledge the Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. divination and the accompanying arts. Omulu got happy! Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. Creation stories are found throughout the world. She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. T. 2023 All Rights Reserved. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. Both are fighters who protect their followers. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has Wherever he would go, his fame was already there. Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? Olorun eventually forgave his son and gave Obatala the responsibility of creating the human race (which he brought into being via his breath of life). The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his 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. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. witness to our destinies in the making as well. Olokun presides over this watery abyss, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath Learn Religions, Mar. She protects women, children, and fishermen. At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. A central feature of the festivals during the late period was the construction of the Osiris garden, a mold in the shape of Osiris, filled with soil. 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. For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. The number of orishas varies among believers. lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. Thanks! Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. ARTWORK: She is considered to be the mother of everything and she is associated with the seas. Ossain is calm, emotive, and has lots of intuition. the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close The challenge, however, WAS a lie itself. (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. Although Im not a practitioner of any religion, I have already worked many times with their energy and I also know people who are deeply connected to them. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his with Oy and Oshn. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. 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. The plantation was a success! He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. Because the right and left eyes of Horus were associated, respectively, with the sun and the moon, the loss and restoration of Horuss left eye gave a mythical explanation for the phases of the moon. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. He is an extremely hot blooded and Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. 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. He is the most feared of the Orisha. 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. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The origins of Isis are obscure. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. wife of Ogn. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. All my work here is free. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. 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?. Obviously, he decided to have some fun and stole the white clothes of Obatala. Orisha Omulu is quiet and vengeful. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. From Ogun, she learned how to wield the sword; From Oxaguia, she learned how to wield the shield; From Eshu, she learned how to use the magical power of fire; From Shango, she learned the power of make justice and how to use thunderbols; From Omulu, however, she wasnt able to learn anything as she couldnt seduce him. She seduced Eshu, slept with him, and took Obatalas clothes back. Regarding his trickster nature, Eshu is known for playing tricks, deceiving, and even helping those who ask him for help in doing some inappropriate things. numbers four and six. This land received the name If (large abode). Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Eventually, Isis and her sister Nephthys found and buried all the pieces, except the phallus, thereby giving new life to Osiris, who thenceforth remained in the underworld as ruler and judge. The Orisha began to lose patience with him, especially when he tried to infect them with smallpox after they laughed at his deplorable dancing skills. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. This dual role was combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, though the living king was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. Osiris was not only ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from sprouting vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. they are of one heart. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. Talisman. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. I hope you could get a clearer picture of them and now youre able to familiarise yourself with these forces. 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. Ochossi was saved! Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. White is most appropriate for His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. 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. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. Eshu did it differently. Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. This fight was mainly a physical fight, no magic was involved. Anubis. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. They teased him so much, that he stood up and danced a bit. Scholars have suggested that the Greek word Aiguptosthe source of the name Egyptmay have started as a corruption of Hwt-Ka-Ptah, the name of one of Ptahs shrines. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. However, a deal was made. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. He could see the entire empire from there. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. 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. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). 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. 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. The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. Ancient Egyptians celebrated Osiris with festivals that consisted of processions and nocturnal rites at the temple of Abydos. 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. Learn Religions. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. 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. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. The next step was the creation of all life. Ill briefly write about the creation of the world according to the Yoruba so we can be more prepared to get to know the 12 main Orishas. However, he refused to perform the task because he identified the plants. colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and In ancient Greek religion, she was known . So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. Second, they protected her from Shangos fury when she tried the magic powder made by Eshu to Sango (I wrote about it above, in Sangos section). The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. Oya, however, started to dance with him. He took his clothes off and hang them on a tree. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male creator of the world and humanity. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. way they have always received them, so that they will recognise our Living humans were the third category, and the most She The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. Seths appearance poses a problem for Egyptologists. they are about to do. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows.