Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Ogun by Eran Fowler 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. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. She protects women, children, and fishermen. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. they are of one heart. The many, many Orishas cover all aspects of life, and can be pretty specialized. 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. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. But not a river or an ocean. they rule over. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. She tried a bit. roads. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. Omulu got happy! The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. After this, she fled to the top of a mountain, but he followed her. numbers four and six. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. From here on, every offering dedicated to Obatala should be delivered at the crossroad to Eshu. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. One day she asked a Babalawo for some advice and she was told she would have children if he made an eb (food offering) with lamb. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. Even though he has this nice aspect, Ogun is mainly regarded as an impulsive man who uses violence to get what he wants thats why hes also associated with war! with Oy and Oshn. wife of Ogn. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. When the pilgrims who traveled to this land entered in conflict with the native beasts that lived on it, the Originators, the heroes that rose among the humans were ascended to gods on faith. Nothing can be Obatala felt reluctant but eventually agreed with her. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. Everyone got surprised because he was looking handsome. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens After trials and errors, he finally managed to create human beings who populated the land and worshiped the Orishas as their creators and natural sources of power. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Firstly because of the eb she prepared to become a mother. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Thanks! The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. It was a strange red powder. When they were all amazed by the situation, the man exchanged the baked yams for proper yams. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears Omissions? Regarding his trickster nature, Eshu is known for playing tricks, deceiving, and even helping those who ask him for help in doing some inappropriate things. To acknowledge the It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. As you roads and doors in this world. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Orisha Oshumare is the Orisha related to the rainbow and also to beauty and riches. He then shouted: Is the king a king even when he wears no clothes?. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. One day, Shango Oguns brother wanted to have Oya as a wife. So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. Eshu did it. Smart! The idea was to create a space where all of them could go not only to play but also to walk and do other things. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. Orunmila was impressed! The Orishas. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. Through the Table of If We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and All the touched ones became severely sick! He is a man, he sometimes becomes a woman, and sometimes he becomes a snake. And, of course, he got mad. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. He learned how to impress others with his beauty as a woman and also as a man; he also learned how to scare people as a snake or even as a snake-monster being. 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. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. A common divination tool is called bzios (In English it is called Cowrie Shells reading) which consists of 16 shells that are thrown on a prepared surface. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. Madonna. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. they are about to do. He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. So, today were talking about African Pantheons. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. Anyway, Oshun wanted to learn at all costs, but Obatala always said no to her. As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. 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. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. He is the repository of ash. she is the queen of witches carrying within her deep and dark secrets. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. To perform it, Obatala was given a shell full of earth, a five-fingered hen, and a pigeon. He is not associated with volcanoes in Yorbland in West Africa, contrary to what is believed in Cuban-style practice of orisa. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. In a form merged with the sun god Re, he became the most powerful deity in Egypt, a position he retained for most of the New Kingdom. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. Oya, however, started to dance with him. most often approach to aid us in money matters. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. The other two members of the triad were Ptahs wife, the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, and the god Nefertem, who may have been the couples son. He calmed down and Oya went back home. Youd be right. He is an extremely hot blooded and Shes also associated with riches, pregnancy, and fertility. world) and with Oshn, who is his apetev with whom he white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to She usually holds a mirror in one hand. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. Her element is fire and she wears red clothes. the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of Although Im not a practitioner of any religion, I have already worked many times with their energy and I also know people who are deeply connected to them. He was usually represented as a jackal or as a man with the head of a jackal. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Now, you. Learn Religions. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. He also taught humans agriculture. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. His color is She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. He continues going. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. His colors are blue and yellow. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Soon after, she had 9 children, earning the name Ians. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. divination and the accompanying arts. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. has an extremely close relationship. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. The number of orishas varies among believers. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. 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. Copyright Ancient Code. He is a warrior orisha Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. The number of orishas varies among believers. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. It's just spreading historical, mythological and magical information. Because the right and left eyes of Horus were associated, respectively, with the sun and the moon, the loss and restoration of Horuss left eye gave a mythical explanation for the phases of the moon. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. This fight was mainly a physical fight, no magic was involved. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. 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. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. He took his clothes off and hang them on a tree. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). White is most appropriate for humanity. Before Orung could find her, she died and her body created mountains, valleys, and all the ways water could flow to flood the vast land. What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. different colors. Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. In the end, he finds Ochossi and peacefully brings him back home. Oya is her main name. Even knives must be made of wood. In the Greco-Roman period she was identified with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and her cult spread as far west as Great Britain and as far east as Afghanistan. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. Never metal ones! The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). Today its known as Yorubaland. 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. Suddenly, one of the Orishas stumbled upon him and he fell on the floor, exposing his wooden leg. Identity. 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. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. done in either world without his permission. All the others laughed at him. Thanks! Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. The party was over. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. Anubis. A central feature of the festivals during the late period was the construction of the Osiris garden, a mold in the shape of Osiris, filled with soil. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. 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. He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshn. She also rules Eshu did it differently. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. offerings and come to our aid. Later, the sprouting grain symbolized the vital strength of Osiris. with quick wits, quick temper and is the epitomy of virility. 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. As Elegba opens the roads, it is creator of the world and humanity. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. He knows all the occult powers and rules. 12. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. No life existed in this water, though. 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. 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. Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. Fearing her sons safety, Yemaya seeks advice from a Babalawo (oracles in Yoruba culture are known as Babalawo and Iyalawo the first is for men and the latter for women) and he tells her to stop Ochossi from entering the depths of the forest because Ossain, the Orisha who ruled over the forests, could trap him inside. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. The origins of Isis are obscure. Ptah was the head of a triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. anting him with a profound wisdom. The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cows ears. almost always used first for war. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. 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. And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. These 12 are the most worshipped in afro-descendant religions such as Umbanda and Candomble in Brazil and they are also popular in Africa as well in Cuban Santeria. Oshn rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? Simply water. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. Eventually, Isis and her sister Nephthys found and buried all the pieces, except the phallus, thereby giving new life to Osiris, who thenceforth remained in the underworld as ruler and judge. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. And he spat more fire. Oshn is knowledge, for wisdom without knowledge is useless, and This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. Thanks. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. Shango returned home. As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. Ossain became known as a doctor! Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. 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.) He wears light green and blue clothes. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. You can support us directly by signing up at http://www.patreon.com/crashcourseThanks to the following Patrons for their generous monthly contributions that help keep Crash Course free for everyone forever:Mark, Les Aker, Bob Kunz, Mark Austin, William McGraw, Jeffrey Thompson, Ruth Perez, Jason A Saslow, Eric Prestemon, Malcolm Callis, Steve Marshall, Advait Shinde, Rachel Bright, Ian Dundore, Tim Curwick, Ken Penttinen, Dominic Dos Santos, Caleb Weeks, Frantic Gonzalez, Kathrin Janen, Nathan Taylor, Yana Leonor, Andrei Krishkevich, Brian Thomas Gossett, Chris Peters, Kathy \u0026 Tim Philip, Mayumi Maeda, Eric Kitchen, SR Foxley, Tom Trval, Andrea Bareis, Moritz Schmidt, Jessica Wode, Daniel Baulig, Jirat--Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/YouTubeCrashCourseTwitter - http://www.twitter.com/TheCrashCourseTumblr - http://thecrashcourse.tumblr.com Support Crash Course on Patreon: http://patreon.com/crashcourseCC Kids: http://www.youtube.com/crashcoursekids In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. Erinle by Mod Nomad At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. 11. The next step was the creation of all life. He also demanded that these seven backed yams should be planted in front of everyone. One day he reached Obatalas house. He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. This dual role was combined with the Egyptian concept of divine kingship: the king at death became Osiris, though the living king was identified with Horus, a god of the sky. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Creation". As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. 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. Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. All life started in the sea, the amneotic fluid inside the Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay Osiris and Horus were thus father and son. They were here long before we came. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. He refused. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. though through which he enforces justice in the world. Umbanda, Candombl, Islam, Buddhism, and others belong to this group. In his early days, he was very hostile, inflicting disease upon those who transgressed him. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath.
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