Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. Shango called Eshu, then. He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. Shes also associated with riches, pregnancy, and fertility. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, What Is Mysticism? Firstly because of the eb she prepared to become a mother. She lives on the riverbed. witness to our destinies in the making as well. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. observe the orishas at work in the world and in your own lives you will She is the youngest of One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. Hes a healer who rules over the forests. Obatala observed how hard Eshu was working and decided to compensate him. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. has an extremely close relationship. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Orisha View source The Orisha are a pantheon deities worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. She never ate lamb after these occasions. Osiris was not only the ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. this reason all who are to be initiated as priests, no matter what However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. Olodumare Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. Beyer, Catherine. So he tried a bit more. She seduced Eshu, slept with him, and took Obatalas clothes back. 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. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. They recognise above them. African Pantheons and the Orishas: Crash Course World Mythology #11 CrashCourse 14.5M subscribers 1.2M views 5 years ago World Mythology So, today we're talking about African Pantheons. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. 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. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. 11. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. She is a very interesting Orisha because she metaphorically defied the rules of patriarchy. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. Erinle is a wilderness god, associated with hunting, herbalism and animal husbandry. Egyptian God. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. Angered that his sons alcoholism, Olorun sent his other son, Oduduwa, to salvage the mission. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. creator of the world and humanity. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922 (accessed March 5, 2023). In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. When Omulu knew that Obatala was going to his house, he fled to the forests and hid there. 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. Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! Hes followed by dogs. Hes related to death and also to magic. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. 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. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. Creation". It was a strange red powder. Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. White is most appropriate for Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. they rule over. After this, she fled to the top of a mountain, but he followed her. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Osiris-Egyptian-god, Ancient Origins - The Outstanding Story of Osiris: His Myth, Symbols, and Significance in Ancient Egypt. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. He didnt need them. 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. Umbanda, Candombl, Islam, Buddhism, and others belong to this group. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. Her other name, Iansa or Ians, means mother to 9 children. Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. And, of course, he got mad. She tried a bit. As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. He is the most feared of the Orisha. 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). One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. According to the Osiris myth, Anubis embalmed and wrapped the body of the murdered king, becoming the patron god for embalmers. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. He is an extremely hot blooded and He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. 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. He is recognised in Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. technology and because this technology shares in his nature, it is Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. 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. In this role, it is not surprising that he has a very close 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 Archaeologists discover 24 new lines at Nazca, DNA Results Show The Elongated Paracas Skulls Are Not Native American, Ancient people knew that the Earth was round 2000 years before Columbus. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . She also holds a buffalo (or horse) tail in the other hand symbolizing her power to tame the forces of nature and send eguns and bad energies away. one who has knowledge without wisdom is merely a danger to themselves Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. He was always alone, living alone in one specific party, all the Orishas were together. 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). Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. I hope you could get a clearer picture of them and now youre able to familiarise yourself with these forces. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. The number of orishas varies among believers. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). represent his/her different paths. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. Obatala became albine. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. Obatal as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is Seths appearance poses a problem for Egyptologists. Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. 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. As an immortal, he was unable to die, so he chose instead to descend into the earths surface, in a place named Ire-Ekiti. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. The plantation was a success! Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. They were here long before we came. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. It's just spreading historical, mythological and magical information. (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. himself and is recognised by the numbers 3 and 21. Thanks! Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. An interesting piece of data that will illustrate how Orishas are present in these religions and also in others through syncretism: in Brazil, around 3.2% of the population follow the so-called other religions. All life started in the sea, the amneotic fluid inside the He lived with his mother, Yemaya. In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. Since Anubis is the god of the dead, his Greek equivalent would be Hades. 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.). He tried to punish her, but she fled. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. 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. 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. 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 . She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. Of course, he drinks it! His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. they are of one heart. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. strong-willed orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, The exact number of orishas is not known . Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. they are about to do. As you White is also a color that represents her. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. Obatal is the source of all Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. She is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. feet (or rise out our chairs if we are sitting) at the mention of his Osiris, one of Egypts most important deities, was god of the underworld. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. When one sees the quickness with which lightning Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. He is the repository of ash. all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshn. Today its known as Yorubaland. T. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the All my work here is free. She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. name. roads. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. No life existed in this water, though. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. 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. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! Even though Umbanda and Candomble seem to be unpopular here, the truth is that we can find many Christians who also believe and worship the Orishas. them often to represent her. 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. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. 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. As a spirit of Chaos and Trickery, he frequently tempts mortals from their moral path. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. Yes, they are Orunmila's relationship with Osayn (the secrets of the plant Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. 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. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. anting him with a profound wisdom. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. 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. There are more than 400 Orishas out there. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. Both are fighters who protect their followers. process). Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! 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. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. Here are a few of the most important deities to know. In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. Madonna. Oy is the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of gain a better understanding of them and their ways. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Other times they are birthed as higher beings. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. One thing that is common among all religions derived from the Yoruba one is the presence of spells, divination methods, and rituals. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. This was not enough, he continued to be teased and provoked. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. After passing on his secrets and guiding humanity for many years, Ogun grew old. She, and 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. He continues going. path or manifestation of Ib Ikol she saved the world Her name, a Kokou by Assasin Monkey The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. In the New World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into common slavery. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. Olokun presides over this watery abyss, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits. They rule Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. This fight was mainly a physical fight, no magic was involved. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. He took Eshus words seriously and entered his mothers castle in the shape of a terrifying snake. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. numbers four and six. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. 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. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. Ikol means Messenger of the House (of Olodumare). 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. He got a job, a house, and everything he wished for. He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. Shango returned home. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. He is most often represented by a double headed way Yemay displays herself as truly the mother of all. She can bring destruction and also prepare the soil for a new beginning. Ogn out of the forests using her feminine wiles. People would wait for him to heal them.