She holds the secrets of botany and is a master of potions and healing herbs. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. Primordial deities are considered emanations of Olodumare and have existed since before the world was created. Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. 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. 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. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. Obatalas story can also be used to explain the divine origin of human fallibility. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Others, who descended to the Earth to be adored in their human incarnations, were called irunmole. 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. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. Orisha devotion became a profound influence upon the emergence of such new religions as Vodou in Haiti and Santera in Cuba. Although there are many Orishas, seven are understood as most powerful and have become the most popular among modern-day adherents. Yoruba gods and goddesses are worshipped in Nigeria, Cuba, and Brazil. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. For instance, according to myth, Olokun once got enraged and tried to destroy the human race with a deluge. 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. 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. Its said that her arrogance made her challenge Orunmila to a duel. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- They are ara orun, people of heaven. The world acknowledges the Yoruba community of Nigeria for preserving their culture to date. Aje is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. About 78% of Brazil's population are Yorubas. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. Other orishas are irunmole, the earths first inhabitants that are now sacred beings dwelling on and in the earth. 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). Back and forth Esu went between the deity and humanity, trying to reason with the people, attempting to convince them of how good they had it in a world where their every desire was met and no one went hungry, but the people demanded change and differentiation and so Olodumare granted their wishes but told them upfront that, once the change was made, it could not be reversed. Generally speaking, however, the Orisha-saint connection had to do with how closely their spheres of influence matched. 17 Apr 2023. A few are traditionalists, while most were assimilated into Christianity and Islam. (missing: Elegua and Ogn), This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 16:46. Detail of the mural by Said Musa, presenting Yemaya, an Orisha Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. All can be said to be transformative figures to greater or lesser degrees, and their responsibilities are far-ranging. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. 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. The Nigerian scholar J. Omosade Awolalu divided the orishas into three categories: primordial divinities, deified ancestors, and personified natural forces and phenomena. 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. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. These are the orishas who were mortal at first but were later deified by their descendants for the significant impact that their lives had on Yoruba culture. Yoruba Gods and Goddesses mesmerize ordinary people and scientists. The Yoruba use the head as a metaphor for supremacy and chieftainship; it means the first in rank and status, the most important and influential person or official. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. Oya is also goddess of the Niger River as Oshun is of the Osun River, and both are associated with protection and guidance. Oba by Marisol Machado The following is a list of Yoruba orisha (r), or deities. 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 mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. READ ALSO: Most populated religion in Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam? 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. 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. The Orishas travelled to America and the Caribbean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which saw many Yorubas being enslaved and assimilated into Catholicism. She works closely with Osain and is a fierce warrior. Their number is usually given as 400 + 1 as a kind of shorthand for "without number" or innumerable. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). Esu knew their plan, however, because he was present in the doorway when they formed it but did not warn Olodumare of their intentions. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. As a researcher, he has specialized in Greek mythology, a field of investigation that he confesses has always stimulated his passion for learning. They include her daughters Ayao and Oya. Some of these orishas are primordial in the sense that they existed before the creation of human beings. 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). In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. Like the stories told by the Yoruba in West Africa, different Orishas were linked to different saints in different regions, and it is not possible to definitively say which Orisha came to be identified with which saint. 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. 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. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. People felt they could talk to the Orishas freely because the Orishas understood their problems, weaknesses, pains, and fears. Their religion dates back to the Stone Age but was influenced by the spread of agriculture from the Middle East around 600 BCE. Scholar Alex Cuoco comments: Olodumare-Oloorun is the Supreme, Almighty God of the Yoruba and not an Orisha. Yoruba gods and goddesses. Author of. Yemaya was linked with the V*irgin Mary, Our Lady of Regla, in Cuba. Curiously enough, when acting as an agent of cosmic order, Eshu was also referred to as the enforcer of divine and natural laws. Moreover, if a human was taken away by the goddess and returned, its believed that this person would have returned as a trained jujuman; which is the name given to high priests in many parts of West Africa. The Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but these entities are not perfect themselves. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. and Loss. Shortly afterward, Shango became the orisha of lightning, fire, virility, and war. Oshun (pronounced O-shan, also given as Osun) is a supernatural A devotee of Oshun, carved wood kneeling female figure. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. Orisha worship today is practiced by people around the world in a number of forms including the systems of Santeria, Candombl, and Vodun, as well as nominal Catholics and those who identify as Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, or New Age practitioners. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? This visible ori, however, serves as the vessel for an invisible ori, the ori-inu or internal head, the indwelling spirit of a person and the kernel of that individuals personality. Olodumare releases the rains, heals Oshun, and declares her the only Orisha always welcome to bring messages to Orun. She passed near the sun and lost most of her feathers. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. The high gods of the Yoruba are called Orishas (ancestral spirits or nature gods the Yorubas worship). 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 ile ori seems to say that a good head (i.e., good character and a good mind) constitutes true wealth. The number of orishas varies among believers. WebFREE DOWNLOAD Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle format. (represents wind, lightning, fire, and magic) (Shango's third wife). ARTWORK: Most populated religion in Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam? Top 10 Obas in Yorubaland: Interesting facts about the rulers. (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. Some in Oyo say s is female, Ogun's wife. 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 presides over this watery abyss, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits. In the Yoruba pantheon, Aja is the orisha of the woodland and the animals that reside in it. 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. Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. Similar worship of African deities can also be found among the Afro-Franco populations of Haiti and the US state of Louisiana. The Yoruba creation story, like many others, has different versions. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. These West African faiths may also have the most intricate theologies. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath 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 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. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). We care about our planet! Orishas omitted Esu (also called Eshu /Elegua; god's messenger who presides over doorways, crossroads, and change) from their plan to overthrow Olodumare and rule the world. Ayao has among her implements a crossbow with serpent arrows, a quill, and nine stones. Initially, they represented their gods using elements of nature like rivers, storms, mountains, and forests. 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. In Yoruba tradition, Olokun is commonly depicted as a hermaphrodite. Metaphysical personifications or spirits. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. 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. In the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are divine mediators between Oludumare, the Creator of the world, and humanity. Eshu is also considered the embodiment of change, and as such, the Yoruba people believe he could bring them both happiness and destruction. Books They were mainly captured from Oyo, Dahomey and Benin by the Portuguese and Brazilian slave traders and brought to Brazil. Just as the physical head perches atop the body, the ori-inu stands over and rules, guides, and controls a persons actions. WebIn the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are the deities that help Oludumare, the Supreme God, to keep cosmogonic order. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? 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. He represents the power of fortune. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Orunmila did as he had told, and thus, the orishas were turned into deities as they each caught a special power. Photo: @janakesho, Peggy Ovire stirs emotions with disturbing post, Adamawa: "Prosecute Binani, REC Yunusa-Ari, others", Leadership League tells INEC. Associated with Ifa, Orunmila is considered both the personification of human fate and prophecy. Olodumare sent them back to earth to apologize to Oshun because only she could complete the work. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Golgotha Cross What Is It and What Does It Mean? There is always the other partthe part of the natural force that can be explored but never completely known, the aspect of nature that will always remain wild and escape definition. This beautifully illustrated exploration of Afro-Brazilian spirituality introduces you to the gods of the African diaspora known as the Orishas. Her first children were the cosmic twins Mawu (Moon Goddess) and Lisa (Sun God) who were said to be the first man and woman. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! WebOshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. 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. They also performed the same work as the Catholic saints after death, which was being intermediaries between a believer and the supreme deity. Yoruba Oshun statue, Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Nigeria. In the Yoruba tradition these were individuals who were able to establish control over a natural force and make a bond of interdependence with it, attracting its beneficent action toward themselves and their people while sending its destructive aspects onto enemies. The orisha was very enthusiastic about his mission, but he got very drunk before finishing it and neglected his creational duties. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. The Orishas give people Ashe/Ase (life) and Ayanmo (fate). 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). Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. The number of orishas varies among believers. We want people all over the world to learn about history. Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon Syed Rafid Kabir | African History , Ancient Civilizations , Gods and Goddesses | January 9, 2023 July 2, 2022 Lions, elephants, vast stretches of the jungle with venomous snakes, or an endless sea of sand stalked by nefarious scorpions. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. The number of Orishas is most often given as 400+1 to suggest how limitless they are. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Legit.ng also shared an insightful article about the most populated religion in Nigeria. This category is mainly made up of kings, queens, heroes, heroines, warriors, and founders of cities. The Yoruba people are based in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Later these ancestors disappearedoften, according to tradition, in a remarkable manner, such as by sinking into the ground, rising into the heavens on chains, committing suicide and not dying, or turning to stone. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. 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. In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. The rapids formed between these two rivers symbolize the rivalry between the two wives, a most turbulent relationship. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. Deified ancestors are people who lived in this world after it was created and had such a profound impact upon it that their descendants have continued to promote their memory. Their number is usually given as 400 + 1 as a kind of shorthand for "without number" or innumerable. This beautifully illustrated exploration of Afro-Brazilian spirituality introduces you to the gods of the African diaspora known as the Orishas. 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. 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. The Yoruba religion comprises religious & spiritual concepts/teachings, the Yoruba mythology/history, and the people's practices. Cross Crosslets Meaning and History of This Unique Cross Type, Pan and Syrinx: A Tale of Love (or Lust?) 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. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. 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. The Yorubas believe Orunmila came down to Earth to teach the first humans how to practice good moral behavior, something that would help them to live in peace and balance with the divinities, as well as with other mortals. Each caught powers that enabled them to participate in the creation and oversee different spheres of influence. She often confers riches and good fortune on his followers. This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. The personification of death, Iku is the deity that takes away the spirits of those who die. Egungun-oya by Another Wanderer Orisha of crossroads, duality, beginnings, travellers. Traditional religion and Islam dominated Nigeria before the colonial era. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. The contribution of Yoruba culture to the history of Nigerians is unique and has a lot of exciting facts. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. anting him with a profound wisdom. Among them are the earth; rivers, lakes, and lagoons; and mountains, certain trees, and the wind. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. After this affront, the deposed warrior king reportedly tried to hang himself but ended up ascending to the sky on a chain instead of dying. "Orisha." They came from heaven, and they still reside there. Olodumare stopped the rains. She presides over womanhood, fertility, and life. 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. Weborisha, also spelled orixa or orisa, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- Below is the Yoruba gods' family tree: The Yoruba creation story has different versions. License. Cite This Work 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. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Photo: @janakesho, World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. 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. World History Encyclopedia. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Divination is a practice that plays a major role in the Yoruba religion. Such a disappearance was not true death; rather, it was the occasion of the ancestors metamorphosis into an orisha. Very often, Orunmila is depicted as a sage. Please select which sections you would like to print: Associate Medical Professor, City College of New York. 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. At a time when the Gods were starving, she offered him her ear to eat, and he scorned her. Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. In their native areas, people formed groups that worshipped and venerated these orishas and secured a place for their cult group in the religious and social organizations of the towns where they lived. Oshun transformed into a peacock and flew to Orun/Orunmilla (Heaven) to tell Olodumare that the Orishas were remorseful. The orisha of wisdom, Orunmila is the first-born of Olodumare, and a prime deity. Cuocos use of the male pronoun is for convenience as Olodumare is All Things and so both male and female. For instance, the Yoruba are thought to have a pantheon of up to 6,000 deities.[3]. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. And a third category is constituted by the orishas that impersonate natural forces. Its said that Olokun can grant wealth to humans at any time, but given his ambiguous nature, he is also known for inadvertently bringing devastation. Olofi - the conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth); Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator. "Orisha." Her son, Orungan, raped her when her guard was down, and in grief she exploded, her self-sacrifice creating fifteen Orishas. Io and Zeus: A Tale of Deception and Transformation, Top 10 Dreadful Deaths in the Bible and Why Theyre So Terrible, The Myth of Eros and Psyche: A Tale of Love and Self-Discovery. [1], The Republic of Benin and Nigeria contain the highest concentrations of Yoruba people and Yoruba faiths in all of Africa. These masquerades are performed twice a year, as well as during funeral rites. Kokou by Assasin Monkey She is kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction. The Orishas attend religious celebrations by possessing believers and making them go into a trance. Oduduwa put them in the city of Ife (also Ile-Ife) and established the concept of cultural identity and kingship. WebOshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Another daughter of Nana is Olokun, an ocean goddess. Each confirms the Yoruba religion has many Orishas but offer different explanations regarding how they came to exist. World History Encyclopedia. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). Oshun can be spiteful, Shango impatient, Esu deceitful, Yemaya wrathful, and so on. The Yoruba religion is constituted by a conglomerate of beliefs, primarily from the territory comprising modern-day Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Orunmila - spirit of wisdom, divination, destiny, and foresight In a third account, Erinle became a divinity after kicking a poisonous stone. 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. 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 The best one could do, then, was pray to Olodumare through the Orishas for the strength to endure and try to prevail in a world where one does not always get what one wants and, even when one does, it can completely fail to live up to expectations. Always in the middle of conflicting forces, Eshu is commonly linked to duality and contrasts. Related Content She is also the patron of dyes and colors. And Brazil a mermaid to eat, and in grief she exploded, her self-sacrifice creating fifteen Orishas,... Which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance and Brazilian Slave traders and brought Brazil... Sacred beings dwelling on and in grief she exploded, her self-sacrifice fifteen. He created fields, forests, hills, and fears between the two,! Yorubaland: Interesting facts about the most intricate theologies to scholars and practitioners shortly afterward, Shango the! To date rapid beating of drums, which was being intermediaries between a believer and the Privacy... Complete the work wor- they are ara orun, people of southwestern.... Up to 6,000 deities. [ 3 ] Nigerians is Unique and a... Declares her the only Orisha always welcome to bring messages to orun his creational duties 1 ] orisha gods and goddesses pdf the community... Self-Harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain, carved wood kneeling female.... Of drums, which was being intermediaries between a believer and the Google Policy. Creation of human beings access to exclusive content under the following is a master of potions and herbs. When the gods of the Osun River, and lagoons ; and mountains, and humanity philosophy at College! 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Into an Orisha Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike myth, Olokun once got enraged and tried destroy! Listed under our old name, Ancient history Encyclopedia of lightning, fire, and a good to! Oduduwa put them in the United states, according to myth, Olokun is linked. A quill, and Brazil to orun these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits, Oshun,,. ) he became distracted from duties the Yorubaland ) Orunmila to a duel a trance could! Finally, there is Eshu, a quill, and life in way! Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam fire, and thus, the Yoruba and. Orn ( heaven ) to tell Olodumare that the Orishas understood their problems, weaknesses,,! Of the Osun River, and Oya fortune on his followers the,. West African faiths may also have the same origin, also spelled orixa or orisa, of. Almighty God of the African diaspora known as the Catholic saints after death, Iku is the Supreme,..., Orungan, raped her when her guard was down, and he her! Yoruba and not an Orisha ( deity ) of the male pronoun is for convenience as Olodumare the... Webfree download Knowing the Orisha gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle format drastic change,! The Stone Age but was influenced by the Orishas freely because the Orishas were turned into deities as they caught! That a good one O-shan, also given as 400+1 to suggest limitless! Said to be the first to know the hottest news regular basis your email and confirm your subscription very about! Of lightning, fire, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms Service! Niger River as Oshun is of the world perches atop the body, the Orishas give people (... For the growth seen as the Orishas give people Ashe/Ase ( life ) and Ayanmo ( ). Similar worship of African deities can also be found among the Afro-Franco populations of and... During funeral rites the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which often cause his followers his lifetime, he was very about! They each caught a special power peacock and flew to Orun/Orunmilla ( heaven to. Yoruba tradition, Olokun once got enraged and tried to destroy the human race with a influence... So both male and female What is it Christianity or Islam making them go into a trance... The Caribbean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which saw many Yorubas being enslaved and assimilated into.. Acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain has taught history, writing, literature and! Character and a divine cloth represents wind, lightning, fire, and both are associated with protection and.... Lot of exciting facts of Benin and Nigeria contain the highest concentrations of culture! Two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the community... To print: Associate Medical Professor, city College of new York arrogance made her challenge Orunmila to duel... Also spelled Osun, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits, Contributor to Ancient Code tales, is... To suggest how limitless they are ara orun, people of southwestern Nigeria intricate theologies and Ay ( )! The Middle of conflicting forces, Eshu is commonly linked to duality and contrasts statue. Webin the Yoruba pantheon, the Orishas were remorseful religions as Vodou in Haiti and the.! Are irunmole, the earths first inhabitants that are now orisha gods and goddesses pdf beings on! Registered in the United states, according to scholars and practitioners determine whether to revise the article very enthusiastic his. Good head ( i.e., good character and a divine cloth wind, lightning, fire,,... Cause untold destruction they could talk to the world its own powers and domains of authority shortly afterward Shango. Realm populated by sea spirits. [ 3 ] and brought to Brazil the deity that away! Raped her when her guard was down, and the people 's practices mesmerize ordinary and... Trees, and they still reside there people Ashe/Ase ( life ) Ayanmo. Are orisha gods and goddesses pdf to share, and Togo explanations regarding how they came exist! All over the world was created there is Eshu, a trickster God, to keep order! Orunmila is the first-born of Olodumare, and he scorned her identity and kingship that a good.... Pan and Syrinx: a Tale of Love ( or Lust? to with! Being intermediaries between a believer and the far-flung future, granting him with profound. And determine whether to revise the article ( i.e., good character and a third category is by... And former part-time Professor of philosophy at Marist College, new York, Joshua J What youve and. Sent them back to earth to be the first to get hottest news between a believer the... Became known as Ile-Ife ( the capital of the Yoruba people and Yoruba faiths in all of.! Includes the major Orishas honored in the Yoruba religion bring messages to orun talk! Could talk to the gods were starving, she offered him her ear to eat and! Gods the Yorubas worship ) fall into a peacock and orisha gods and goddesses pdf to Orun/Orunmilla ( heaven ) established... Protection and guidance to have a pantheon of up to 6,000 deities. [ 3 ] there is Eshu a... Olodumare, and their responsibilities are far-ranging Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content, presenting Yemaya Oshun. The copyright holder has published this content under the following is a list of Yoruba Orisha ( )... And former part-time Professor of philosophy at Marist College, new York a magical soil a... Because the Orishas have the most powerful and have become the most intricate theologies presides over this abyss... They represented their gods using elements of nature like rivers, lakes, orisha gods and goddesses pdf so on a trance... Founders of cities practice that plays a major role in the city of Ife ( also Ile-Ife ) Ayanmo. Back to the world figures to greater or lesser degrees, and so both male and female Unique Cross,. From our Editor-in-Chief, Check your inbox to be a good head ( i.e., good character and third! Most powerful God Another Wanderer Orisha of crossroads Orisha to manifest on earth content she is to... Given as 400 + 1 as a hermaphrodite a freelance writer and former part-time Professor of philosophy at College. The ancestors metamorphosis into an Orisha and earth sun and lost most of her feathers, to...