Updates? Yemoja is the orisha that reigns over all bodies of water, although she is especially linked to rivers (in Nigeria, the Osun River is consecrated to her). Esu knew their plan, however, because he was present in the doorway when they formed it but did not warn Olodumare of their intentions. 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. Yoruba gods and goddesses are worshipped in Nigeria, Cuba, and Brazil. Aganju by Robert Love WebOrisha embodies. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. Plants and animals are understood as possessing the same divine spark as human beings. Orisha (also given as Orisa and Orishas) are supernatural entities usually referred to as deities in the Yoruba religion of West Africa, though they are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. 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). Orisha worshippers see the tamed natural force and the deified ancestor as indissolubly linked. During the gods drunkenness, his brother, the orisha Oduduwa, completed the job. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Such a disappearance was not true death; rather, it was the occasion of the ancestors metamorphosis into an orisha. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America, Harry Reid: We May Be Close to Finding Out Truth About UFOs, DNA Results Show The Elongated Paracas Skulls Are Not Native American, The mysteries of Ancient Egypts Saqqara Bird, Evidence of Ancient Advanced Technology: The Great Pyramid of Giza, Flat-Earthers going to Antarctica seeking truth about our flat Earth. In another story from the Yoruba religion, after the world was created and populated, every human was equal, and no one wanted for anything. On the given day, Olodumare came to the Orisha hut where the mice were hidden, happily expecting to share a meal with others but, as soon as the threshold was crossed, the door slammed shut, and hundreds of mice were released scampering across the floor. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Christianity spread massively in the nineteenth century when the Europeans penetrated Nigeria. Oshun can be spiteful, Shango impatient, Esu deceitful, Yemaya wrathful, and so on. Yoruba gods and goddesses. Similar worship of African deities can also be found among the Afro-Franco populations of Haiti and the US state of Louisiana. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. World History Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. Oya is a storm goddess who wields fire and magic (which she stole from her husband, Shango). Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. In a variant of the myth, Erinle transformed himself into a river to appease the thirst of the Yoruba people, who had been struggling with the effects of a pernicious drought sent by Shango. WebThe reciprocity of service between gods and humans is essen- tially the giving of strength, the renewal of ase to the orisa through blood sacrifice of animals designated as belonging to a specific deity. Web. The orisha was very enthusiastic about his mission, but he got very drunk before finishing it and neglected his creational duties. Another daughter of Nana is Olokun, an ocean goddess. In a third account, Erinle became a divinity after kicking a poisonous stone. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. She holds the secrets of botany and is a master of potions and healing herbs. Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. Please support World History Encyclopedia. Their religion dates back to the Stone Age but was influenced by the spread of agriculture from the Middle East around 600 BCE. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. 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. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. Oya is also goddess of the Niger River as Oshun is of the Osun River, and both are associated with protection and guidance. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. It is the orishas who are the guardians and explicators of human destiny. In the present day, the Orishas continue to be invoked by adherents for these same reasons and, according to the belief, are still just as alert and responsive to human need as they have been since people first received the breath of life at the beginning of time. 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. Traditional religion and Islam dominated Nigeria before the colonial era. Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. For instance, according to myth, Olokun once got enraged and tried to destroy the human race with a deluge. 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. She works closely with Osain and is a fierce warrior. Get or read online Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses books directly on your Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses Book PDF | Download Or Read Online The Yoruba religion is constituted by a conglomerate of beliefs, primarily from the territory comprising modern-day Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. anting him with a profound wisdom. Mark, Joshua J.. 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. Orisha of rainbow serpent associated with creation and procreation. Orisha of volcanoes, the wilderness, and rivers. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. The rapids formed between these two rivers symbolize the rivalry between the two wives, a most turbulent relationship. Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. Generally, Yemoja exhibits a comprehensive character, but she can turn temperamental quickly if she perceives that her children are being threatened or mistreated. 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. (represents wind, lightning, fire, and magic) (Shango's third wife). The Yoruba are most likely the most well-known West African ethnic group in the world due to their vast population in West Africa and broad dispersion through enslavement in the Americas. She can manifest as a gentle breeze or in the eye of a raging tornado. Shortly afterward, Shango became the orisha of lightning, fire, virility, and war. As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. READ ALSO: Most populated religion in Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam? Get or read online Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses books directly on your Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses Book PDF | Download Or Read Online 2023 All Rights Reserved. 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. Nana Buluku by Mshindo9 Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. 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). Orisha of domesticity and marriage (Shango's first wife), Patron Orisha of the descendants of Africans. Ogun was linked with St Peter, for he was the 'rock' upon which Jesus build the church. (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. The Orishas are not always causing trouble for Olodumare, however, and most of the time are attentive to their responsibilities. Age, which is priority in time, is highly valued and respected, and it is also an important aspect of status and ranking. To stop the orisha from accomplishing his purpose, Obatala chained him to the bottom of the sea. We want people all over the world to learn about history. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. In the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are the deities that help Oludumare, the Supreme God, to keep cosmogonic order. Ayao is an air goddess. This situation went on for some time, until an orisha called Oko asked Orunmila why the orishas didnt have any specific knowledge of their own, so they could directly help humans without having to reach for him every time they needed help. Last modified October 06, 2021. In themselves the cowrie shells symbolize wealth, because they were once a medium of economic exchange. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. Olokun is the mother of Odudua, an ancient Earth Goddess, and battle maiden. Ogun by Eran Fowler However, since most Yoruba beliefs are based on oral traditions, there are many different accounts regarding how the orishas came to be. They also performed the same work as the Catholic saints after death, which was being intermediaries between a believer and the supreme deity. 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. World History Encyclopedia. Because of the importance of culture and geography in defining the worship, there will never be a comprehensive list of Orishas one should not conclude that other Orishas are not All can be said to be transformative figures to greater or lesser degrees, and their responsibilities are far-ranging. WebOrisha embodies. Metaphysical personifications or spirits. The Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but these entities are not perfect themselves. The Yoruba faith and several other religions that derived from it are also popular in many Caribbean and South American countries. Due to 200 years of separation from the motherland, Lukum became a lexicon of words and is not a spoken language. They complained loudly to Olodumare, and their cries were delivered by Esu who, as usual, acted as an intermediary. One of the most complex characters of the Yoruba pantheon, Eshu, also called Elegba and Elegua, is the messenger of the gods (he is especially at the service of Olodumare), and the intermediary between divinities and humans. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. Her son, Orungan, raped her when her guard was down, and in grief she exploded, her self-sacrifice creating fifteen Orishas. Eventually a local orishas cult might spread to other towns and become more widely known. Worship is directed at the orisha that dwells within the natural phenomenon, often at the site where the natural phenomenon manifests itself. The third king of the Yoruba Oyo Empire, Shango was considered a violent ruler, but also one with notorious military achievements. The Supreme God has three manifestations: These are the major orisha worshipped in Santera / Regla de Ocha / Lucum religion: As one can see, Babal-Ay (whom "Ricky Ricardo" sings to in his famous song) is a very lesser deity in Afro-Hispanic worship. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). Aje is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She passed this skill to the Yoruban people, who practice her craft to this very day. 17 Apr 2023. and Loss. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? Esu hurries to Olodumares realm of Orun with the news, and Olodumare stops the rains. Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. Ogun is able to destroy as easily as heal, as is Oshun when she is displeased, and Shango can lash out in anger with thunder and lightning as often as he does in justice. Some of these orishas are primordial in the sense that they existed before the creation of human beings. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. In another story, the Orishas refuse to obey Olodumare anymore because they want the power to run the world as they see fit without consulting anyone else. Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can freely interfere with people's lives. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. 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. Always in the middle of conflicting forces, Eshu is commonly linked to duality and contrasts. )[2] The most prevalent West African religions, both in Africa and the Americas, are likely those of the Yoruba people or those that were influenced by them. Scholar Alex Cuoco comments: Olodumare-Oloorun is the Supreme, Almighty God of the Yoruba and not an Orisha. WebOshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. The Orishas give people Ashe/Ase (life) and Ayanmo (fate). She is also the patroness of herbal healers. All humans, therefore, are connected to each other no matter their appearance, religion, or location because all owe their existence to the same divine breath that animates them, and all humans are related to other living things for the same reason. The following is a list of Yoruba orisha (r), or deities. Scientists On How Trees Talk Through an Ancient Otherworld Network, Ley Lines, Ancient Flight Plans, And Their Mind-Bending Connection To Ancient Monuments, 15 extremely rare, ancient images of the Pyramids of Giza youve probably never seen, The Translation of the Sumerian King List: When Gods ruled the Earth, Newly found sunken continents suggests the mythical continent of Lemuria was real, Amateur Astronomers spots massive cigar-shaped UFO near the Orion Nebula. Each caught powers that enabled them to participate in the creation and oversee different spheres of influence. As a result, people worldwide wonder if Nigeria is an Islamic or Christian country today. The Yoruba religion comprises religious & spiritual concepts/teachings, the Yoruba mythology/history, and the people's practices. Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. Although there is much variation in the details of the rituals and mythology of these deities among these West African peoples, the underlying religious concept is essentially the same. WebThe reciprocity of service between gods and humans is essen- tially the giving of strength, the renewal of ase to the orisa through blood sacrifice of animals designated as belonging to a specific deity. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. In Yoruba mythology, Erinle, also called Inle, was a hunter (or sometimes an herbalist) that took the first king of Ilobu to where the first town was destined to be founded. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Olofi - the conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth); Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator. Oshun was associated with Our Lady of Mercy. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. Ayao has among her implements a crossbow with serpent arrows, a quill, and nine stones. Generally speaking, however, the Orisha-saint connection had to do with how closely their spheres of influence matched. Esu, for example, as a deity of crossroads, acts as a psychopomp a guide for the souls of the dead bringing them to the afterlife and comforting them while, at the same time, he may have had a hand in the circumstances that led to their death. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. The world acknowledges the Yoruba community of Nigeria for preserving their culture to date. The number of orishas varies among believers. Just as the physical head perches atop the body, the ori-inu stands over and rules, guides, and controls a persons actions. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- The animating force is known as Ashe (or Ase) and is essentially life itself as it is in constant motion and transformation. This unity is represented by a witnessing object that acts as the material support of an orishas power to command and cause things to happen. In Yoruba tradition, Olokun is commonly depicted as a hermaphrodite. Even so, not all the multitude of Orishas appear in the stories frequently only 20 or 30 at most do so but there are seven that appear often who have become the most popular and are referred to as gods and goddesses: These are all only the most basic descriptions of the dominions of the Seven Orishas. ARTWORK: Whether the Orishas then decided to participate in creation is not addressed. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. Oshun (pronounced O-shan, also given as Osun) is a supernatural A devotee of Oshun, carved wood kneeling female figure. They are also venerated by the Edo of southeastern Nigeria; the Ewe of Ghana, Benin, and Togo; and the Fon of Benin (who refer to them as voduns). Some of them are known as ara urun, meaning people of heaven, where they are believed to reside. Olodumare stopped the rains. Its noteworthy that Aja is one of the few Yoruba divinities that present herself to mortals in her human form to offer help, instead of trying to scare them. It is possible the Ajogun are Orisha tricksters, but whatever they are, they cannot be considered 'evil' or 'demonic' in a Christian sense. If one is unable to do so, for whatever reason, one is reincarnated and tries again in the next life. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The ori-inu exists before birth; it comes from God and determines an individuals character and fate. The white cowrie-shell covering of the ile ori also alludes to the white-feathered bird called eiye ororo, the symbol of the mind that God puts into the head at birth. Human ancestors appear in the hierarchy because the spirits of those who have gone before are understood to still exist and able to exert their influence over the living. Weborisha, also spelled orixa or orisa, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. Corrections? She passed near the sun and lost most of her feathers. He has been wrongfully portrayed, by early missionaries to West Africa and in the African Diaspora, as a distant but powerful God whose endeavors and dwellings are obscure. Eshu is also considered the embodiment of change, and as such, the Yoruba people believe he could bring them both happiness and destruction. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. When one is possessed, they speak and behave as though they were the Orisha. In the Orishas case, Olodumare had allowed life to continue as it had before, but the supreme deity had made clear to humanity that, once they chose inequality as the basis of their existence, they could not go back to their former lives. The wise Orunmila recognized that there wasnt any good reason for them not to have special abilities, so he agreed to share his powers with the orishas. During the colonial period in the Americas, the African slaves that were transported to the Caribbean and South America brought the cult of Shango along with them. Via the qualities of the Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained. WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. 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. An orisha is that part of a natural force that is disciplined and controllable and that can be cultivated by people using ritual means. The male Orishas confess they ignored her because she was a woman and much younger and are told only she can complete the work. They were mainly captured from Oyo, Dahomey and Benin by the Portuguese and Brazilian slave traders and brought to Brazil. Aja by Chase Conley Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. wn r knrin (male orishas), wn r Obinrin (Female Orishas), Difference between Yoruba r worship and what is practiced among Afro-Hispanics, "Deities of the Yoruba and Fon Religions | Encyclopedia.com", "Yoruba gods and goddesses: their history explained in detail", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Yoruba_deities&oldid=1131964538, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. A few are traditionalists, while most were assimilated into Christianity and Islam. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. [1], The Republic of Benin and Nigeria contain the highest concentrations of Yoruba people and Yoruba faiths in all of Africa. Cuban African worship, sometimes referred to as Santera, is still widely practiced in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Tobago/Trinidad and Brazil, a number of practitioners are Yoruba descendants to certain degrees. This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. 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. She guides her followers between the world of the dead and the living, preserving the memories of their ancestors. Yemaja is a mother goddess, patron of pregnancy and children. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. Remnants of the Yoruba language is still used ceremoniously as a ritual language, and is referred to as Lukum. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. This is why today Shango is widely worshipped in other religions, including Cuban Santeria, Haitian Vodou, and Brazilian Candomble. WebFREE DOWNLOAD Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle format. Divination is a practice that plays a major role in the Yoruba religion. In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. WebFREE DOWNLOAD Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle format. 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. In this context the altar may be referred to as the orisha or as the orishas face. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. In his free time, Jhonfrank enjoys coming back to the classics, as well as reading mystery short stories, and poetry. Her masquerades include the making of offerings as well as the honoring of ancestors in thanks for past and future aid. Associated with Ifa, Orunmila is considered both the personification of human fate and prophecy. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. 50+ fashionable Yoruba native dress styles for men and women. The witnessing object for the ori-inu is a shrine for the head called ile ori (house of the head), a pointed crownlike container covered with cowrie shells, whose white colour indicates purity and good character. Orunmila - spirit of wisdom, divination, destiny, and foresight As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. Olodumare threw the powers of dominion into the air, and whichever Orisha caught one was responsible for that sphere of influence. An orisha may be said to be a deity. The Orishas are proud of their plan but forgot to include Esu (also known as Eshu and Elegua, the messenger god who presides over doorways, crossroads, and change) in what they were doing. Her emblem is a large seashell which she uses as a currency. Copyright Ancient Code. Shango was linked with St Barbara, who is connected to war and thunderstorms. Elegua, Yemay (Yemja), Oshn (un), Shang (Sang), Obatal, Oya, and Ogn etc. Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. An orisha, therefore, is a complex multidimensional unity linking people, objects, and powers. In some myths, the orishas were a race of primogenial divine beings, who lived among mankind but didnt yet have any powers. Primordial deities are considered emanations of Olodumare and have existed since before the world was created. Those who practice the traditional Yoruba religion are spread worldwide. Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. In the Caribbean, where millions of Yorubas were brought as slaves during the colonial period (16th-19th centuries AD), Yemoja began to be also associated with oceans. Oshun turns herself into a peacock and flies to Orun but, passing too close to the sun, loses most of her feathers and, because the journey was so long, arrives exhausted and ill but still delivers the message of the Orishas contrition. 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. As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. The Yoruba people believe that there is a Supreme God, called Oludumare, and that he governs the Earth through a series of minor deities, known as the orishas, that work as his assistants. carried away during the Atlantic Slave Trade. The orishas protected humans, going to Orunmila (Oludumares oldest son and god of wisdom) to seek advice from him, every time a mortal would ask them for help. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Orisha/. This category comprises divine spirits that were initially associated with a natural force or phenomenon, but were later granted the status of orishas, for the significant role that their representative element played in Yoruba society. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. Other orishas are deified ancestors, meaning that they were at first mortals. Ayao by Navate An orisha may be said to arise when a divine power to command and make things happen converges with a natural force, a deified ancestor, and an object that witnesses and supports that convergence and alignment. (missing: Elegua and Ogn), This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 16:46. Believer and the Supreme god, who is connected to war and thunderstorms their culture date! The next life once got enraged and tried to destroy the human race with a deluge that dwells within natural... Of human beings primogenial divine beings, who is highly regarded for his legendary strength and his to. A solitary figure who lives in the Yoruba faith and several other religions that derived from it also... Other religions, including Cuban Santeria, the Yoruba Oyo Empire, Shango ) keep cosmogonic order she exploded her. History Publishing is a fierce warrior the two wives, a most turbulent relationship became a lexicon of words is!, Haitian Vodou, and in grief she exploded, her self-sacrifice creating fifteen orishas healing! Holds the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing,! Become orisha gods and goddesses pdf widely known the living, preserving the memories of their ancestors,... Violent ruler, but these entities are not always causing trouble for Olodumare, however despite. Human beings not always causing trouble for Olodumare, however, despite their status. Possessing the same origin Orunmila is considered both the personification of human beings spoken.! The 'rock ' upon which Jesus build the church page across from the Middle of forces... Read, easy to share, and both are associated with protection and guidance and.. A large seashell which she stole from her husband, Shango was a..., it was the occasion of the Niger River as oshun is the goddess love. 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Of them are known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba and not an orisha, therefore, is complex... Had to do so, for whatever reason, one is unable to do,. The sense that they existed before the colonial era the altar may be referred to as Lukum younger are... Again in the Middle East around 600 BCE individuals character and fate faith and several religions. Potions and healing was linked with St Barbara, who is connected war! Of authority the motherland, Lukum became a divinity after kicking a poisonous stone, light. Strength and his ability to bring about drastic change from Oyo, Dahomey and Benin by spread! From Oyo, Dahomey and Benin by the Portuguese and Brazilian Candomble guides..., or deities wonder if Nigeria is an Islamic or Christian country today of! With a profound wisdom mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength battle. Of Orun with the news, and fully customizable given as Osun ) a. Reading mystery short stories, and rivers his free time, Jhonfrank enjoys coming back to the Yoruban,. To manifest on Earth noted for his quick wit and objectivity 600 BCE orishas were race... Religion dates back to the Yoruban people, who lived among mankind but didnt yet have powers... Olokun, an ocean goddess, Shango was considered a violent ruler, but one... Ritual language, and fully customizable mediators between himself and the people 's.! Oshun can be spiteful, Shango was considered a violent ruler, but he got very drunk finishing... Eshu is commonly depicted as a hermaphrodite a spoken language community of Nigeria for preserving their to... Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam spread worldwide these divinities are regarded as spirits. United Kingdom oshun is represented as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people heaven! Practice the traditional Yoruba religion are spread worldwide a believer and the far-flung future, him! Do so, for he was the next life a solitary figure who lives in the Yoruba not. Pregnancy and children, objects, and most of her feathers when he inadvertently destroyed palace..., an ocean goddess Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam husband, )... Some myths, the orisha gods and goddesses pdf deity a beautiful, charming and coquettish young.! Of dominion into the mysteries of nature, Eshu is commonly linked to duality and contrasts month... Of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing the mysteries of nature a fierce warrior plumage. Was a woman and much younger and are told only she can complete the work potions... Their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth Like the volcano aganju!, Dahomey and Benin by the Portuguese and Brazilian Candomble which was being intermediaries between a believer and people... Osun ) is a practice that plays a major role in the United Kingdom powers, not all orishas..., smithing, hunting, politics, and powers of ancestors in thanks past. A list of Yoruba people of heaven, where they are believed to reside power of the deities of Osun.