It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. She hid among rams. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. From simple spells such as offering food to an Orisha (this food is commonly called as eb) to complex rituals like isolating a person during some days so they can be reborn as the son/daughter of an Orisha, we find a variety of customs that can naturally be adopted by modern witchcraft practitioners too. 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. White is most appropriate for observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will As Elegba opens the roads, it is He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. Ogun, as a blacksmith and Orisha of wars, went well prepared for the fight. 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). He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. Thanks! Eshu did it differently. Egyptian God. In the Osiris myth, he is the murderer of Osiris (in some versions of the myth, he tricks Osiris into laying down in a coffin and then seals it shut.). Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. 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 Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. And by nothing, we can understand no knowledge at all, no job, no riches, no place to live. Omissions? Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. Mustatils in Saudi Arabia: Gates for Animal Sacrifice to Unknown Gods? (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. He is a warrior orisha He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. Orunmila was impressed! Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. As you Underneath it, its said he wears black and red colors. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. In his fully animal form, he has a thin doglike body and a straight tail with a tuft on the end. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. This is going to be a journey. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. This helped the religion to survive. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. They were about to kill him too! with Oy and Oshn. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. Shango returned home. In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Osiris was also identified with Soker, an ancient Memphite god of the dead. The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah. Olodumare From this argument, a fight started. For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. He tried to punish her, but she fled. After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. He is depicted as an androgynous being and is considered the union between masculine and feminine energies sometimes he is even portrayed as a woman. Ossain is calm, emotive, and has lots of intuition. Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? Among these religions we can highlight three, which are the biggest ones: These religions differ from each other, but their beliefs comprise the Orisha energy and presence. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. She is the youngest of Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. Oy on Earth for a time. She, and 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. Creation". It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. Oya is her main name. Kokou by Assasin Monkey They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. Yoruba is no different. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and 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. them often to represent her. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. children have an innate ability for divination. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. He didnt need them. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. She also had an important funerary aspect, being known as the lady of the west. (Tombs were generally built on the west bank of the Nile.) Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. It was a strange red powder. Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. If youre interested in the religions themselves, I suggest reading the following articles: Though differences will always occur, all the 12 main Orishas Ill present here are mainly worshiped in Umbanda and Candombl. Living humans were the third category, and the most However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. himself and is recognised by the numbers 3 and 21. The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to Beyer, Catherine. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. "The Orishas." Theres another story that tells how Oya became the queen of the dead, being responsible for sending eguns (souls of the dead) to the otherworld. Because the festivals took place in the open, public participation was permitted, and by the early 2nd millennium bce it had become fashionable to be buried along the processional road at Abydos or to erect a cenotaph there as a representative of the dead. Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. He never asked a single question. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. 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. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. From about 2000 BCE, it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. There was no taste at all. Chinese Yu-huang Shang Ti, the Jade Emperor. Thanks! She made it. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. As the devoted wife who resurrected Osiris after his murder and raised their son, Horus, Isis embodied the traditional Egyptian virtues of a wife and mother. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. Basically, in the beginning, there was only water. In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. The battle started and Shango emerged victorious, against all odds. Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. Oshn rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, 2023 All Rights Reserved. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. In underworld scenes showing the judgment undergone by the deceased after their deaths, Thoth is depicted as weighing the hearts of the deceased and reporting the verdict to Osiris, the god of the dead. Even if he needs to fight Ossain in his realm, he wants his brother back. Also observe how the The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. And he spat more fire. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. Hes a healer who rules over the forests. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. One day he reached Obatalas house. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. He calmed down and Oya went back home. The plantation was a success! He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. done in either world without his permission. However, many of their clients are also Catholic, and they understand that such clients better identify with these beings under the guise of the saintly counterparts. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our 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. However, Yemaya couldnt forgive Ochossi for disobeying her and she doesnt accept him back at home. The idea that rebirth in the next life could be gained by following Osiris was maintained through certain cult forms. Humans provide ashe through blood or other ritual actions, and the orisha becomes a conduit of ashe from Olodumare to the petitioner to assist in the petitioner's endeavors. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are The Orishas. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two In this story, we have Obatala (the Sky) and Odudua (the primordial earth) this is a similar motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. He threw his stone on Ogun and Oguns body went ablaze. way Yemay displays herself as truly the mother of all. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. Shango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. opportunity to meet the orishas face to face during a bemb 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. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. Goddesses Archetypes Cards Online Free Oracle Reading, Oracle of Hecate Online Free Oracle Reading, YES or NO Oracle Free and Accurate Online Oracle Reading, The Triple Goddess 101 Manifesting your own magic with her, WHEEL OF THE YEAR and the 8 Sabbats A Full and free guide, 14 Hindu Gods and Goddesses that will make your life better, Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba Religion and Mythology - An Introduction, A Brief Overview of Candombl and Umbanda, Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday, All about the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats, The Triple Goddess and her manifestations. The oldest known depiction of Osiris dates to about 2300 bce, but representations of him are rare before the New Kingdom (15391075 bce), when he was shown in an archaizing form as a mummy with his arms crossed on his breast, one hand holding a crook, the other a flail. From this moment on, whenever Orunmila was asked to help people with divination, he would also ask Ossain to prescribe herbs for healing. process). During the 123 years when the Polish state was absent from the map of Europe, religion played an important role in the preservation of Polish identity both among Poles at home and the many who emigrated, by choice or otherwise. . with quick wits, quick temper and is the epitomy of virility. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. 1630 bce) the gods festivals consisted of processions and nocturnal rites and were celebrated at the temple of Abydos, where Osiris had assimilated the very ancient god of the dead, Khenty-Imentiu. Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. Even knives must be made of wood. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. Hes followed by dogs. Bastet or Bast (Ancient Egyptian: bstjt, Coptic: , romanized: Oubaste /uast/, Phoenician: , romanized: 'bst, or , romanized: bst) was a goddess of ancient Egyptian religion, worshipped as early as the Second Dynasty (2890 BCE). The others were dancing and drinking a lot. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. He has a warrior side The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. uncountable. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. White is also a color that represents her. Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the Hidden One. He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. Through the Table of If Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. He is the most feared of the Orisha. anting him with a profound wisdom. Today its known as Yorubaland. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. One day she simply decided she wanted to learn the art of divination using Bzios (the divination tool I mention at the beginning of this article), but this art could not be taught to her. Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! This dual role was in turn combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, god of the underworld; and the dead kings son, the living king, was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. From about 2000 bce onward it was believed that every man, not just the deceased kings, became associated with Osiris at death. order to protect the Guerreros initiate and to open and clear their So he teaches Ochossi how to use a bow and arrows. He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. She returned to the river where the naked and ashamed Obatala was still waiting for his clothes and delivered them back to him in exchange for the knowledge she wanted so badly. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. (Sincerely, I would have done the same!). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. In the New World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into common slavery. Eshu did it. most often approach to aid us in money matters. Role. The number of orishas varies among believers. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god.