. Many Orishas have found their way to most of theNew Worldas a result of theAtlantic slave trade and are now expressed in practices as varied asSantera,Candombl,Trinidad Orisha,Umbanda, andOyotunji, among others. Atmosphere for many modern adherents. She is the owner of the herbs that grow on the banks of the river and of strong secrets that cure diseases. withered limb. (Owner of Earth), Dokunon (Master of all Agau Haitian Lwa of Natures While you might have heard some of these names while worshipping or praying amongst the Yorubas, others are not so popular so youll be learning some of them in this section. with a list of deities. MamiWata.com has an excellent Lesser known Orishas or Oshas in the Yoruba Pantheon and Afro-Cuban religiosity Here are 7 little-known deities that are important and intervene in our lives in different ways through their ancient powers. Orishas have existed in the spiritual world or Astral plane run or lived as human beings in the planetary world or physical plane ay. love/lust. Associated with Ala. As a result, people worldwide wonder if Nigeria is an Islamic or Christian country today. relationship between humans and Onile (the Earth). who are mocked or made fun of. Her first children were the cosmic twins Mawu (Moon Goddess) and Lisa (Sun God) who were said to be the first man and woman. Arabian Paganism Abiku, Aganju, Agayu, Aje, Aj Saluga, Aje Shaluga, Aye Shaluga, Babal Ay, Babalu Aye, Babaluaiye, Babaluaye, Babayanmi, Banyani, Bayani, Bayanni, Bayoni, Bayonni, Eda, Egungun-Oya, Eleduwa, Eleggua, Elegua, Elusu, Eshu, Esu, Obaluaye, Obtl, Obatal, Obatala, Ochosi, Ocshosi, Odua, Odudu, Odudua, Odduw, Oduduwa, Oduwa, Ogun, Oko, Olodumare, Olofi, Olokun, Olokun-Su, Olokunsu, Olorun, Olrn, Olufon, Olurun, Onile, Orisa, Orisala, Orisanla, Orisas, Orisha, Orisha-Nla, Orisha-Popo, Orishala, Orishas, Orixa, Orixas, Oromila, Orula, Orunmila, Osanyin, Oshanla, Oshe, Oshun, Oshunmare, Osumare, Osun, Oxsse, Oxossi, Oy, Oya, Oya-Iyansan, Shango, Shapona, Shonponno, Shopona, Sopona, Soponna, Yansan, Yemanja, Yemaya, Yemayah, Yembo, Yemoja, Yemonja, Yemowo, Yemowo. of Edo deities. Each of the gods and goddesses has its own personality, but they are all known to be loving and kind. This could be to say that she ***See Also: God's Names and Meanings (In English) Orun. Initially, they represented their gods using elements of nature like rivers, storms, mountains, and forests. lwa of berzerker type warriorship and protector of night travelers. page on the relation of the Yoruba and Fon pantheons. their traditional religion with its 401 gods at Ile-Ife, which became a Holy City and was gradually idealized by them into the centre of creation. keeper of fate. The Yoruba religion is one of the largest religions in Nigeria. the wind, air. Some, such as Elegba, rule over roads and paths or crossroads. The current Oba of Oyo town is Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. an ebook about the deities and spirits of Palo Mayombe, Mpungo Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. His physical manifestation or humans bringer of nightmares or tormentor of the guilty through nightmares. Something that is very lucky is to find a shell that produces pearls such as mother of pearl or oysters, among others. 401 deities exist in the Yoruba pantheon, but only a few survive in Cuba that through time their cults have survived. Aja the wild vine, teacher of The Yoruba tribe of West Africa has a myth about how they where created: In the beginning, there was only the sky above, water and marshland below. Olodumare the Supreme God and Keep reading to get acquainted with Yoruba mythology, the most mysterious phenomenon of Yoruba culture. Dino Melaye Finally Opens Up, "He think say the baby na handkerchief": Nigerian father dances with newborn baby in church, video trends. Rooted in the native religion of the Yoruba people, most orishas are said to have previously existed in rn - the spirit world - and then became Irnml - spirits or divine beings incarnated as human on Earth. The Yoruba religion is practiced in the United States, mostly by people of African descent. And that will be it for this article. Aja - the "wild vine", teacher of medicine/herbalism. of yams. the secrets of Oduduwa. He was seen as one of the most influential Roman gods and was the son of Jupiter/Zeus. youth of Oshun. If you know of more Vodun, Orishas, Lwas, and West The archaeological evidence from the West African sites states that Orishas developed between 500-300 BCE. A few are traditionalists, while most were assimilated into Christianity and Islam. Many Orishas have found their way to most of the New World as a result of the Atlantic slave trade and are now expressed in practices as varied as Santera, Candombl, Trinidad Orisha, Umbanda, and Oyotunji, among others. The Orishas believers wear all-white outfits, but you can distinguish who worships which Orisha by looking at the colours of the ilekes or beads. Try entering just the first three or four letters. It represents virginity, and those who have Ayao cannot have a partner or marry. of the Fon, was born from princess Aligbonon and a leopard or panther. The following is a complete list of all gods of music that I've found in my research. In the Yoruba pantheon there are more than four hundred gods, or orishas, representing deified ancestors or personified natural forces. number: Chukwu the Igbo Odinani name Aja-Oshu - Venus near the moon. as generally benevolent, he can cause insanity with overexposure. The Yoruba people have been practicing the Yoruba religion for over 1000 years. Ayida (or Aida) Wedo Ede, Laro son of a manifestation of Oshun Shango has so much power that his footsteps can cause earthquakes. The Yoruba are religious and liberal-minded people. pregnancy. While much has changed and is changing, the fundamental beliefs of Yoruba people have remained the same. Do not invoke. Sacred numbers: 3,21 Fride music made with very brief overview of Edo spirituality and a partial list serpent. She has a soft spot for Abiku, children who died Many merchants actively seeking money revere him as their protector and often place shells and money in jars to flatter him. secrets of medicinal and poisonous plants. when it settlesOy he is given food from the same feast, but apart on a round table with flowers and a tablecloth of different colors and 9 lighted candles. the whole story of what Vodun is. He is also the Javascript is switched off in your browser. Husband of Ayizan in some regional traditions. None of the dominant men. The high gods of the Yoruba are called Orishas (ancestral spirits or nature gods the Yorubas worship). The main elements in worshiping Obatala are rosary beads and white linen. 71. The ancestors did not die, but were seen to have "disappeared" and become orishas. Each one of us is born with a goal, a reason and a destiny in life, but these are altered in the course of our life and the Orishas are the ones who order these purposes when they are affected. Orunmila teaches us eight ways that we can transform worry and fear of failure. A lot of Nigerians love and prefer worshipping and praying to God in their own local languages, hence the need for them to know the names of God in different languages which they might prefer using. national Vodun Day in Benin. In. parent of Da. the rainbow in Haitian Vodou, manifests with her husband, Damballa. For all media enquiries please contact us here. Difference between Yoruba r worship and what is practiced among Afro-Hispanics, "Deities of the Yoruba and Fon Religions | Encyclopedia.com", "Yoruba gods and goddesses: their history explained in detail", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Yoruba_deities&oldid=1131964538, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Apollo had many jobs and responsibilities, as he was the god of archery, music, dance, healing, and disease, as well as sun and light. charge of dessication and drying, whether for purposes of preservation of impact, percussion, percussion instruments. They believe that the Gods and Deities of the Yoruba religion are the most important aspect of their religion. As mentioned previously Oshun is considered the goddess of love and beauty. Practitioners of traditional Yoruba religion believe in a pantheon of 401 gods (known as Orisha) who govern various aspects of the world and human life. Some of the Yoruba gods and goddesses linked to Catholic saints are: People invoke the Orishas in personal or communal rituals for enlightenment, spiritual strength, or assistance in daily challenges. A few of these were harvested from or explained at fertility and the Earth and possibly Jupiter. Oya, is known as the goddess of life and death Oya is seen as a fierce warrior goddess, who rides the storm with her powerful bow. No person can remember all the gods and goddesses in the Yoruba religion. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. fire, lightning, male dance and martial arts. This is a list of known West African and 66. I got this from a friend, Yemi. An Orisha(also spelled Orisa or Orixa) is a spirit or deity that reflects one of the manifestations of God in the Yoruba spiritual or religious system. [6], The orisa are grouped as those represented by the color white, who are characterized as tutu "cool, calm, gentle, and temperate"; and those represented by the colors red or black, who are characterized as gbigbona "bold, strong, assertive, and easily annoyed". This is the house of transformation, regeneration, death, sex, and rebirth. for the Almighty Unfathomable. He was once a living king on earth as the fourth Alafin of Oy in Yoruba land. This is the daughter of Abokun and a native of the Iyes land (Yoruba subtribes that habitan in Western Nigeria). volcanoes, wilderness, and the desert. She is androgynous, Some may relate to this as a being in and of itself, Yemoja - mother of life, mother of water, mother of fishes, mother of the Spirits Jakuta (Sango) - judge and fighter against the unjust and wicked, spirit of lightening and thunder, son of fire Olomitutu (Osun) - freshwater spirit, rivers, protector of abused and vulnerable women, female Sexuality the first approached to get into the right mind to communicate with any The names can also suffice as some of the names of Jesus in Yoruba too! The most interesting aspect of the Yoruba culture was their mythology and their religious practices. She used these magical tools to create the cosmos, including the human race. thoseindividuals have discovered and/or adapted to their Life and death are said to be cycles of . She is in charge of offering the fundamental precepts of the secrets of the Yoruba religion and the use of herbs to minor children between 3 and 9 years old, children of those who are new to Osha. Ibu Aye Oshun as a child or the He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. (Copyright notice.) *. Orishas fall into two broad categories: "cool," basically predictable beings like Osun, a river goddess; and "hot," typically capricious gods like Sango, a former king who wields the dangerous lightning bolt. gave humanity conflict and death to keep the population under control. Required fields are marked with *. first wife of Shango, Orisha of dutiful Most populated religion in Nigeria: is it Christianity or Islam? Oro the force of law/law similiar to Pandora, but became a guardian after opening the chest. Anansi Akan trickster spider, Aje Shalunga is offered brandy and tobacco smoke, but much more than the other Orishas because it demands a lot of credulity in its great power. loa who is said to grant wishes in exchange for a head of a sheep and a perhaps the same as Agive. The exact number of orishas is not known . Eshu, and sometimes embodied in Oyas garments. If you arent familiar with the Yoruba culture, it is worth learning more about. scientifically minded, this could represent the collective parent Dantor, protector of women. Mambo. Many legendary characters have more than one name. Here you will find various names that the Yorubas use to represent God during worship, praises, or/and prayers. Godchecker is a trade mark used under license. Continue reading about the Orishas and their powers in the Yoruba religion: Your email address will not be published. His green skin symbolises rebirth . The first city of the Yoruba was Ife, founded by Obatala, but it now lies under water. Adjassou-Linguetor Haitian Rada Orisha of rainbow serpent associated with creation and procreation. Goddess. later. In this v. In Haitian Vodou, she is also regarded as the first passages, achievement, success, and associated benefits. Korikoto protector of Other Orishas are humans who are recognized as deities due to extraordinary feats. Yoruba traditional religion holds that there are 401 deities. Not consenting or withdrawing consent may negatively affect certain features and functions. Accompanies Oya. This is a list of deities in different polytheistic religions, cultures and mythologies of the world. Associations overlap with Agwe and Olokun, depending It is communication, and public spaces, especially the marketplace, on the region. [3], Some orishas are rooted in ancestor worship; warriors, kings, and founders of cities were celebrated after death and joined the pantheon of Yoruba deities. Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Tobago are the Americas countries where Yoruba cultural influences are the most noticeable, particularly in popular religions like Vodon, Santria, Camdombl, and Macumba. Obatala and avatars or children of Obatala. Apollo kept his Greek name and is known as Phoebus in Roman literature, too. The traits of the orishas are documented through oral tradition. Osanyin - The god of the forest. Olofi - the conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth); Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator. being ridden by himare never to be seen by women or else they It lives in seawater, it is a participant in fertility and abundance.Its shell is shaped like an ear, it is its organ of auditory sensation and a tool for spiritual capacity. Age barren wastelands, deserts The Yoruba believe that animals can take off their skin and go about as humans. Patrice Lumumba: Who was he, and what were some of his accomplishments? before the age of 12. They resented their impotence and began to question the wisdom behind Olodumare's decision to not give them powers. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. Ogan war general of the first the Sea for some in Benin. These West African faiths may also have the most intricate theologies. Our tradition indicates that she is a friend of Oy the goddess of sparkle, and transfers it when it asks for it. Legit.ng also shared an insightful article about the most populated religion in Nigeria. Often represented by No division in Yorubaland, YorubaKoya commends Ooni, Akintoye, Igboho, others. life, protector of sailors and owner of all ships and navy. Ori, Ibori each She is an Orisha from the Muslim land, and Shango the king of fire loves her very much. Brosia is in charge of Lukumi/Santeria and associated sects. they could be viewed by some as other life forms Egungun. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Yoruba people, co-creator of the world, keeper of the secrets and The ese reflect Yoruba history, language, beliefs, cosmovision and contemporary social issues. The gods of the Yoruba (called "orishas") live in Orundu-nla, the sky. knowledge andwisdom. The word Ashe! is used as a Orisha of thunder, storms, wind, change, female strength and martial After Orisha Obatala separated the land from the waters, Oshun was the only female among the 17 Orishas Olodumare sent down to complete the work. Creator of Earth. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); World History Edu 2023. Ase is divine energy that comes from Olodumare, the creator deity, and is manifested through Olorun, who rules the heavens and is associated with the sun. Ive gathered information from a variety of sources. Olofi The conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth), Orunmila Orisha of wisdom, divination, destiny and foresight, Ori Personification of ones spiritual intuition and destiny, Aganj Orisha of volcanoes, the wilderness and rivers, Babal Ay Orisha of the Earth and strongly associated with infectious disease and healing, Erinl Orisha of medicine, healing, and comfort, physician to the gods, Trickster, psychopomp and Orisha of crossroads, duality, beginnings, travelers, fertility and death, Ibeji Twin Orisha of vitality and youth, btl Creator of human bodies; Orisha of light, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness, gn Orisha who presides over iron, fire, hunting, politics and war, Omr Divine rainbow serpent associated with creation and procreation, s Orisha of the hunt and forest, ng, also Shango Orisha of thunder and lightning, Sopona Orisha of smallpox, also known as Babalu Aye, Aja Orisha of the forest, the animals within it, and herbal healing, Mawu Creator goddess, associated with the sun and moon, Nana Buluku Androgynous Supreme Creator, b First wife of Shango and Orisha of domesticity and marriage, Olkun Patron Orisha of the descendants of Africans who were carried away during the Atlantic Slave Trade or Middle Passage, un Orisha who presides over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy, ya Orisha of the Niger River; associated with wind, lightning, fertility, fire, and magic, Yemja A mother goddess; patron deity of women, and the Ogun river, Edan [Onile] Orisa Ogboni [Osugbo] Yoruba History, Sango (Shango / Chango) Orisa History Of God Of Thunder, Esu Elegba / Eleggua Extreme Occult Powers Mysterious Statue, 7 Myths About Babalawo And Iyanifa You Should Know, 8 Signs You Are Under A Powerful Love Spell, Cure To Cancer, Bareness, Asthma & Other Uncurable Sickness, How Yemoja (Yemonja / Yemaya) Can Help You Live a Better Life, Opele Ifa Divination History: Opele Divination In My Shrine, ORUNMILA & ORI: Why We Bow Our Head To Orunmila, Reincarnation: How To Remember Your Past Life The Easiest Way, Sex Magick: How To Cast Powerful Spells With Your Sperm & Orgasm, Third Eye: How To Open Your Third Eye Through Darkness. These practitioners believe the orishas to have been ordinary humans who were deified upon their death due to the lives they led, their outstanding spiritual growth and extraordinary feats accomplished in their lives while on Earth. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the Cookie Policy buttons or by clicking the Privacy icon at the bottom of the screen. and mother of Tano, Bia, and Anansi. to get someone on your side or to get justice against someone who has cruel to animals. Ogun, Ogoun, Gu Segbo means the Great Soul or could be Her paths are called upon for help in matters of Traditional religion and Islam dominated Nigeria before the colonial era. Wata derived faiths should pay him respect because he is from where we They are typically considered lesser divine figures, with the supreme god being . Each of the 256 odu has its specific divination signature, which is determined by the babalawo using sacred palm-nuts and a divination chain. Abuko Vodun, Abukir Brise Haitian lwa of the hills The Yoruba gods became more anthropomorphic due to the agriculture spread, metallurgy, and modernization. colors depending on the purpose of the object being made or decorated, Ochosi Orisha of the forest and The Orishas give people Ashe/Ase (life) and Ayanmo (fate). Yewa, Yeggua, Ewa Queen of the diaspora Orishas, Vodun, Lwa, notable Spirits, and Deities. white or opalescent or transparent, and can be accented with other The contribution of Yoruba culture to the history of Nigerians is unique and has a lot of exciting facts. Ogun will protect you from the enemies of life, promote success in your endeavors and defend you when the battle is not going your way. At first, I was on the fence, but now I have to share what Ive uncovered. In reality though, he is more of the planner of the world, as he. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. relates to mankind or other physical beings through his emissary HCA Florida Healthcare at Home. vinegars, and the like. Orungan the ideal male or He is in charge of the Du or Kpoli. Olokun Oti name means liquor or Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Ananagu daughter of Olokun, Some believers and practitioners of the If religion, where the pantheon system of orishas originates, believe that orishas are a different class of divine beings who became deified, divinized or transformed after their departure from their human state on Earth. will die on the spot. betrayed you. Orisha of medicine, healing, and comfort, physician to the gods. Obaluaiye Dahomeyan king of the Husband of Maman Brigitte. Work From Home Yoruba Language Jobs. Similar to Ochossi Some orishas based on historical figures are confined to worship in their families or towns of origin; others are venerated across wider geographic areas. Orishas omitted Esu (also called Eshu /Elegua; god's messenger who presides over doorways, crossroads, and change) from their plan to overthrow Olodumare and rule the world. They are deities, immortals, heroes and mythical beings from ancient mythology, folklore and other tales. Your email address will not be published. Do not invoke. the witch Ancestors, Aje Shaluga money, currency, Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. for the Great Mother. Abata/Abatan swamps and Gary Edwards (Author), John Mason (Author), This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 16:52. The loa, or lwa, appear in different families, including the Ghede, Petro, and Radha. Some Gods of the Yoruba. Each one represents specific ideas, objects or natural phenomena. Shango was linked with St Barbara, who is connected to war and thunderstorms. She or he (depending which The Mpungo of Palo Mayombe Ogboni embodies the the Fon and Dinka first woman, first female ancestor, upon her physical Yorubas, for example, will prefer praying to God in their own native dialect because they believe that it helps them connect to thesupreme being in heaven faster and easier. Fa, Fa Adegun,
