She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshn. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. Ossain started roaming the lands. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. 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. Part of this comes from the fact that these stories come from a variety of different African cities, each of which had their own ideas about the nature of the orishas. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. 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. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. Nothing can be Also observe how the though through which he enforces justice in the world. She protects women, children, and fishermen. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. Even knives must be made of wood. Oya is her main name. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. She is He also taught humans agriculture. streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. He knows all the occult powers and rules. Simply water. Beyer, Catherine. He is married to Obba but has relations 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. He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. 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. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. 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. Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. Never metal ones! Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Orisha Omulu is quiet and vengeful. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. propitiated and always called first before any other orisha as he opens It is said she had some children, but two of them symbolize opposite aspects of life. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. The idea that rebirth in the next life could be gained by following Osiris was maintained through certain cult forms. has an extremely close relationship. Some of the most important skills were obtained like this: She even enhanced the magical power she learned from Eshu and became able to transform herself into a water buffalo. His element is wind. Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. Using these sacred materials, he created fields, forests, hills, and valleys. Along with her sister Nephthys, Isis acted as a divine mourner, and her maternal care was often depicted as extending to the dead in the underworld. Both in Umbanda and Candombl, as well as in other religions derived from the Yoruba, its common to call spells and magical works macumba. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). 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. and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. ARTWORK: Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. The female Orishas, Yemaya, Nan Buruku, and Oshun, are commonly associated with the Divine Feminine and can be considered different aspects of the Triple Goddess. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. As a prize, he took Eshus gourd for him. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. witness to our destinies in the making as well. He is an extremely hot blooded and Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. After a long travel, he went back to the forests, where he lives until today. 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. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two Orisha Nana wears purple dresses. When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. 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. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close 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. Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. The person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. The deities, called Orishas in Ifa/Orisha worship, are sometimes referred to as the "hands of God." They are heavenly intercessors in the lives of humans who may be engaged for blessings or . Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. Erinle by Mod Nomad Her name, a Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. 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. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. opportunity to meet the orishas face to face during a bemb After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. It says that he initially had nothing. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. roads. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. 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! Though he traded the Hes a healer who rules over the forests. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. name. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. 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.) 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. He was the only orisha He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed. As such, these stories give multiple origin stories for the orishas. He stayed at Obatalas for 16 years! Osiris and Horus were thus father and son. 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. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. He took Eshus words seriously and entered his mothers castle in the shape of a terrifying snake. his title of Eleri Ipin or "Witness to Destiny in its Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. One day, Obatala and Eshu argued about who was the oldest Orisha of all. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over There are more than 400 Orishas out there. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . It was believed that he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and then made a passage through the underworld each night, during which he would have to defeat the snake god Apopis in order to rise again. It says she wanted to become powerful and stronger than men. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. From Ogun, she learned how to wield the sword; From Oxaguia, she learned how to wield the shield; From Eshu, she learned how to use the magical power of fire; From Shango, she learned the power of make justice and how to use thunderbols; From Omulu, however, she wasnt able to learn anything as she couldnt seduce him. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. 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. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. She also rules The party was over. After the rulers of Thebes rebelled against a dynasty of foreign rulers known as the Hyksos and reestablished native Egyptian rule throughout Egypt, Amon received credit for their victory. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. Suddenly, one of the Orishas stumbled upon him and he fell on the floor, exposing his wooden leg. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and himself and is recognised by the numbers 3 and 21. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Yoruba mythology involves the presence of the supreme being and other more minor "gods" or "spirits" known as orishas (which are both male and female). 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. 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 Ancient Rome, Anubis was combined with Hermes (since both play a part in . They teased him so much, that he stood up and danced a bit. He represents the power of fortune. Identity. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. All my work here is free. Today its known as Yorubaland. numbers four and six. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. Oshn rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. Learn Religions. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his gain a better understanding of them and their ways. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. The plantation was a success! Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. represent his/her different paths. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. Aganju by Robert Love Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. drumming, women, song and eating. All had to be rebuilt again. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the Oshn is knowledge, for wisdom without knowledge is useless, and 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. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. Oya, however, started to dance with him. Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. Crash Course is on Patreon! Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . He calmed down and Oya went back home. As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. She is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. 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. Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. humanity. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. He never asked a single question. He is recognised in The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. Lambs are sacred to her. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. Everything consists of songs, stories, and practices. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. divination and the accompanying arts. He lived inside a forest and he would have sexual relations with any woman who entered the woods. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. Kokou by Assasin Monkey 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). Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. Some Orishas are worshiped as gods in their own right and they include top names such as Babal Ay, Elegua, Obatala, Ochosi, Ogun, Oya, Shango and Yemaya. The Santeria faith teaches that every individual has a destiny from God, a destiny fulfilled with the aid and energy of the orishas.The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal . He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. Misc/Uncertain of locality One day, Orunmila ordered Ossain to prepare a huge portion of land because he wanted to start planting and cultivating the soil. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America. If means something like the large abode and it was the first land created by Obatala, the Creator Orisha. The Orishas. 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. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. 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.