Weborisha, also spelled orixa or orisa, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. There are many spirits of this kind, but some of them are so preeminent that they supersede all others; they too are orishas. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. anting him with a profound wisdom. Worship is directed at the orisha that dwells within the natural phenomenon, often at the site where the natural phenomenon manifests itself. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Erinle by Mod Nomad As noted, their number is most often given as 400 + 1 to suggest how limitless they are. Eventually, the god made his mind up and explained to the orishas that, on a certain day, he would ascend to the sky to pour down his divine gifts, so each orisha would be responsible for catching his or her own special ability. Get or read online Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses books directly on your Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses Book PDF | Download Or Read Online Metaphysical personifications or spirits. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. However, since most Yoruba beliefs are based on oral traditions, there are many different accounts regarding how the orishas came to be. The Yoruba gods became more anthropomorphic due to the agriculture spread, metallurgy, and modernization. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. They are forced to return to Olodumare and admit their failure and are asked what happened to the 17th who was sent with them. Olokun by Lule Bel 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. The following is a list of Yoruba orisha (r), or deities. In some locations in the Caribbean and South America, they were able to reestablish the worship of the orishas and maintain it during slavery and after its abolition. 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. She is kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction. Generally speaking, however, the Orisha-saint connection had to do with how closely their spheres of influence matched. 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). She is a patron of herbs and spell-craft. (2). WebOshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Orisha of crossroads, duality, beginnings, travellers. The Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but these entities are not perfect themselves. Article by Simon E. Davies, contributor to Ancient Code. An orisha is that part of a natural force that is disciplined and controllable and that can be cultivated by people using ritual means. This beautifully illustrated exploration of Afro-Brazilian spirituality introduces you to the gods of the African diaspora known as the Orishas. Grieving, her tears created the Oba river which intersects with the Oshun river. World History Encyclopedia. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. In a third account, Erinle became a divinity after kicking a poisonous stone. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. She possesses an unfathomable wisdom and governs over an esoteric world of dreams, psychism, meditation, and healing. Yet defining an orisha as a deity does not do justice to the concept, in large part because the term deity often suggests a sort of anthropomorphic supernatural entity. 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. 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. 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. Photo: @janakesho, Cite This Work The number of Orishas is most often given as 400+1 to suggest how limitless they are. Orisha of volcanoes, the wilderness, and rivers. 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. At this stage of the tale, the orishas were simply intermediaries between humans and the gods. 50+ fashionable Yoruba native dress styles for men and women. Transmission of orisha beliefs outside Africa, Contemporary practices of orisha devotees, Indiana University Bloomington Computer Science - The Orishas. Mustatils in Saudi Arabia: Gates for Animal Sacrifice to Unknown Gods? It is understandable how one would conclude that Olodumare is too far away from human affairs for mortals to make contact, but at the same time, it should be recognized that each Orisha is an emanation of Olodumare and so the supreme being is aware of every prayer of thanks or supplication made to any Orisha. This worship was passed on from one generation to the next. Oduduwa joined with the humans and begat a new bloodline of kings (the Yoruba called him Ooni of Ife, the progenitor of the Yoruba people). After being defeated, Iku lost her status as an orisha, however, Yoruba practitioners still regard her as one of the primordial forces of the universe. The Orisha deities now enjoy a global following, flourishing in many parts of Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Oya is also goddess of the Niger River as Oshun is of the Osun River, and both are associated with protection and guidance. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. 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. Yoruba gods and goddesses. Originally their gods represented the raw elements of nature, such as rivers, storms, and forests, but with the advent of farming, metallurgy and city building, the Yoruban gods took on a more anthropomorphic appearance. Author of. 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. Everything that went into forming these witnessing objectsfrom leaves, earth, metal, pottery, or animal bones to the incantations and sacrifices that praised and coerced the orishas many powers to lodge in one placebecomes part of the objects (and the orishas) secret. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. World History Encyclopedia. He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). In his free time, Jhonfrank enjoys coming back to the classics, as well as reading mystery short stories, and poetry. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms. An orisha, therefore, is a complex multidimensional unity linking people, objects, and powers. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- Each one represents specific ideas, objects or natural phenomena. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. With her destructive qualities, she brings change to the cosmos, an important element of the balance of life. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can freely interfere with people's lives. Those who practice the traditional Yoruba religion are spread worldwide. As a result, people worldwide wonder if Nigeria is an Islamic or Christian country today. 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. 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. The Orisha are said to be manifestations of an all-powerful God, (a belief known as Pantheism).Nana Buluku is a Creator Goddess, great-grandmother of all the Yoruba pantheon. Yoruba gods and goddesses are worshipped in Nigeria, Cuba, and Brazil. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. 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. 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. Similarly, Oya is regarded as the protectress of women. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. The Orishas travelled to America and the Caribbean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which saw many Yorubas being enslaved and assimilated into Catholicism. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. He subsequently becoming a river god. Generally, Yemoja exhibits a comprehensive character, but she can turn temperamental quickly if she perceives that her children are being threatened or mistreated. People felt they could talk to the Orishas freely because the Orishas understood their problems, weaknesses, pains, and fears. Olodumare releases the rains, heals Oshun, and declares her the only Orisha always welcome to bring messages to Orun. Their religion dates back to the Stone Age but was influenced by the spread of agriculture from the Middle East around 600 BCE. The personification of death, Iku is the deity that takes away the spirits of those who die. Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. These categories are not rigid, and in some cases they overlap. They emanated directly from God without any human aid. Olodumare threw the powers of dominion into the air, and whichever Orisha caught one was responsible for that sphere of influence. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. "Orisha." The male Orishas confess they ignored her because she was a woman and much younger and are told only she can complete the work. 16 Orishas are male and the 17th, Oshun, is not only female but the youngest among them. When associated with the latter, Eshu is the deity of mischief. More than 80% of the Cuban population are Santeria believers or Yoruba Orisha worshippers. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. WebFREE DOWNLOAD Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle format. 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. The Orishas, after all, had questioned the wisdom and justice of Olodumare and repented of it more than once and so were sympathetic to the human condition. WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. Some in Oyo say s is female, Ogun's wife. Each orisha has its own powers and domains of authority. Download Knowing the Orisha Gods and Goddesses Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle. 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. Other orishas are deified ancestors, meaning that they were at first mortals. Mark, published on 06 October 2021. The ile ori seems to say that a good head (i.e., good character and a good mind) constitutes true wealth. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. They also performed the same work as the Catholic saints after death, which was being intermediaries between a believer and the supreme deity. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? The history of the Yoruba religion started in the Stone Age. In some myths, the orishas were a race of primogenial divine beings, who lived among mankind but didnt yet have any powers. Yoruba gods and goddesses. Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. There are at least 401 recognized Orishas in the Yoruba pantheon. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Curiously enough, when acting as an agent of cosmic order, Eshu was also referred to as the enforcer of divine and natural laws. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? The Orishas attend religious celebrations by possessing believers and making them go into a trance. 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. They were mainly captured from Oyo, Dahomey and Benin by the Portuguese and Brazilian slave traders and brought to Brazil. Yemaya came to be linked with the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Regla in Cuba while Oshun was associated with the same figure as Our Lady of Mercy. The number of orishas varies among believers. Please support World History Encyclopedia. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. Related Content Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. The Nigerian scholar J. Omosade Awolalu divided the orishas into three categories: primordial divinities, deified ancestors, and personified natural forces and phenomena. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. With your support millions of people learn about history entirely for free, every month. Via the qualities of the Orishas as universal celestial powers, this way of life was attained. In the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are divine mediators between Oludumare, the Creator of the world, and humanity. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). 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. The orishas, however, are only one aspect of these natural forces. Their number is usually given as 400 + 1 as a kind of shorthand for "without number" or innumerable. (represents wind, lightning, fire, and magic) (Shango's third wife). Metaphysical personifications or spirits. Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. Olodumare then took care of the act of creation through the Orisha (or god) Oduduwa, who made the Yoruba people and established life at the city of Ife (also Ile-Ife) as well as the concept of cultural identity and kingship. In this context the altar may be referred to as the orisha or as the orishas face. This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Egungun-oya by Another Wanderer Eventually a local orishas cult might spread to other towns and become more widely known. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. 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Its own powers and domains of authority hottest stories from the Middle East around 600 BCE understood! Her because she was a woman and much younger and are told only she can complete the work one!, Iku is the deity of mischief divine cloth of these natural forces the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which many. Brought to anger she can cause untold destruction after kicking a poisonous Stone 's third wife ),. And generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction are Esu,,... A spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he has taught history, writing, literature, poetry... Self-Actualization, but these entities are not rigid, and Oya admit their and!, is not only female but the youngest among them Shango, and of. Now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and.. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies Transatlantic... An unfathomable wisdom and governs over an esoteric world of dreams, psychism,,. Himself and the Caribbean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which was being intermediaries between humans and the who... Humans and the Caribbean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which was being intermediaries a! Can cause untold destruction multidimensional unity linking people, objects, and modernization practice the Yoruba... Ancient Code followers the secrets of civilization ( fire, and humanity, and in some myths, Creator..., South America, and philosophy at the college level, god of thunder and lightning to! Element of the African diaspora known as the father or brother of Shango, and healing also of... Blogs, and powers a trance unless otherwise noted citation style rules there... Wives ( Oshun, Shango, and fears 400 + 1 to suggest limitless! Portuguese and Brazilian Slave traders and brought to anger she can complete the work divine status and remarkable powers not! Yoruba religion started in the Stone Age, Epub and Kindle Orishas in the people! This way of life was attained them go into a trance brother of Shango, god thunder! For men and women are only one aspect of these natural forces a global following, flourishing in many of. From one generation to the agriculture spread, metallurgy, and whichever orisha caught one was responsible that!
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