The Orishas are a group of spirits originating from Yorubaland, which is a region in Africa spanning Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Can you guide me as to how to proceed. WebBaganda Bahumono Dahomey Dinka Efik Fang Fulani Gikuyu Hausa Igbo Ijo Kissi Khoikhoi Kongo Krachi Lotuko Lugbara Maasai Mbundu Nuer Nyanga Lunda Pygmy Sawar Serer in my opinion think its a great idea to learn a lot about orishas and the practice before taking further steps . Oya is the goddess of weather, especially tornadoes, lightning, destructive rainstorms, and fire. WebWar Gods and Goddesses. Known to the Yoruba people of West Africa, Ogun is the god of war and iron. I have a legal matter Im fighting in court and I really need some guidance, protection and exoneration. Hi i am new to this i am just seeking information on the seven African Powers because and was told many times to call on my ancestors for help and not sure how to call on them and i really think i need if because my financial life is not good, my husband health has taken a dip and he was the bread winner in the home , right now i cannot pay my tuition as i am a Nursing student , i have four boy to support and cannot even afford to even purchase books for school sometimes i really need guidance. He does not normally interact with people or their ceremonies or answer their prayers. And what better tool to carry it out than the trusty old iron? One of my passengers was African American PhD doctor who had studied or had some familiarity with western African religion said I had a Osun type energy and/or vibe. She is the daughter of the elder god Chukwu and wife of Amadioha, the sky deity. Being connected to places such as hospitals where the borders of life and death are frequently grazed. I really appreciate how your broke it down to where it help me understand. Some believe Oshun and Yemaya are sisters and venerate them together. If you ever need a job as a Yoruba follower, you just need to pray to Aj Shaluga and they will grant you your wishes. The Yoruba people refer to this religion as . 2. No, the 7 African powers when called on for ritual or a need wouldnt interact negatively with any other energy in the home. It is said that Obatala was the one that created the human bodies, and as they finished up their job, they demanded of their father to breathe life into the soulless bodies in front of them. He even commented on my blonde/yellow hair and that yellow is one of her colors. He actually has three different wives, Oshun, Oya and Oba, and he is often times depicted with either one of them or all three being by his side. Her name translates to The Black One, and she is most often times showcased as a serpent. In this article, we will be looking at the traditional beliefs of the Yoruba people, a West African ethnic group with a brimming crucible of history to their name. The History of Guns, Greek Mythology: Stories, Characters, Gods, and Culture, Aztec Mythology: Important Stories and Characters, Greek Gods and Goddesses: Family Tree and Fun Facts, Roman Gods and Goddesses: The Names and Stories of 29 Ancient Roman Gods, Olodumare and his Journey Away from Earth, The Trojan War: Ancient Historys Famed Conflict, iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order, US History Timeline: The Dates of Americas Journey, Ancient Civilizations Timeline: 16 Oldest Known Cultures From Around The World, Why Are Hot Dogs Called Hot Dogs? However, he refuses to interfere in what individuals choose to do with the weapons he blesses the productions of. This lesson explained the major gods of Yoruba mythology and the important relationships between them. Nyame is one of the most important figures in Akan mythology, considered to be the supreme sky god. He is said to be half man, half fish. The reason for this is because she is most often times depicted admiring her own beauty in the water. George Bancroft & 19th Century Historiography in the U.S. Dunning School's Approach to the U.S. Civil War & the Lost Cause, Historical Application: The Civil War & 19th Century Historiography, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. He is the benevolent version of Loki in African mythology and a wandering trickster spirit generally concerned with probability and elusiveness. If you do actually spot him and decide not to give him an offering, he is definitely going to play tricks on you, but for the most part he just wants to have fun and be left to his own whims instead. Orisha Obatala Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. Even though the guide (?) Peace and blessings may eye ask you a questionare you from the mother land if so how can eye contact you, Isnt it cultural translation? Yemonja is the Orisha of the ocean. The oral traditions told by the griots often included powerful deities and gods, spirits, ancestors, and rulers and heroes. Did they appear to you during meditation? Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. Orunmila, the Orisha of knowledge, omniscience, and wisdom, is the embodiment of destiny. He is also the god of masculinity and strength, with many people comparing him to the Greek God Zeus or the Norse God Thor. Yemaya has no meaning in Yoruba. Olokun is often feared by the Yoruba people due to her anger causing rifts and chops in the waters making it dangerous for fishermen and sailors. Such is the need for a motherly figure to watch over all the uncertainty of this blue domain. Among the Yoruba people, Nana Buluku is regarded as the grandmother of the orishas and represents the ancestral memory of their ethnicity. In Shangos case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. Athena. in Psychology with a minor in Diversity Studies from Michigan Technological University and her M.S. If you dont have respect for the African diaspora and culture, the Seven African Powers will not have respect for you! Invoke her at the beach. Be it Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Chinese, Japanese, Aztec, Mayan, you name it. Aja is actually the Goddess of the Forest and all of the animals that live within it. If you try to dwell on it too much, you will lose the message that is trying to be sent to you. SPHINX Greek Mythical Woman Headed Lion Hi how come Aja is not part of the orishas? Anansi. So I follow a lot of people practicing spirituality / Orisha but Ive only passed their descriptions briefly out of interest. This isnt to say that she mistreats her followers, quite the contrary actually, but it is something to keep in mind if you choose to pray to her. More and more people are being drawn to their pre-Christian ancestral ways. However, African religions do include a much larger number of lesser gods, spirits, or other supernatural beings. Established in the Yoruba religion as the ''Mother of the Sea'', the goddess Yemaya, but known among the Yoruba people of Africa as Yemonja, is said to rule over the seas, lakes, and rivers, and is the patron of women. WebMami Wata continues to be an important part of African mythology today, representing the power of the natural world and the mysteries that lie beneath its surface. WebSee more ideas about gods and goddesses, african, african mythology. Most of the time they are depicted as both a male and a female orisha, and their followers are always thanking them for providing them with fair wages and plenty of work opportunities to keep their families fed and happy. These deities, who This basket is full of potions and healing herbs, since she is also often times referred to as the Goddess of Botany. Nearly every spirit associated with the crossroads is a trickster, and Eshu Elegbara is no exception. The old man had two young children, a boy and a girl. Obatala practices a more specific approach to humankind, taking deep care of their psychology while enforcing justice within their affairs. Oshun - She is one of the Be smart and respectful. I dont have an answer but just want to share with you. While it may seem the war god is a single purpose deity, war gods and goddesses are varied in their functions. Also known as mother of nine history mentions this name was derived due That was my first experience. Webgod and goddess, generic terms for the many deities of ancient and modern polytheistic religions. I said all this from a chocolate bar? Shango will brings justice via lightning and he protects his followers from evil. At the same time, we can assure you that if you do end up doing your own homework, youll find more than a handful of customs and traditions that you yourself may start adoring just as much as we do. Chaac, Mayan Rain God | Mythology, Images & Facts, African Religions & Spirituality | History, Beliefs & Gods, Atum Egyptian God | Story, Creation & Facts, Ancient Egyptian God Khepri | Mythology, Symbol & Facts. WebAfrican Myths and Egyptian Gods: A Captivating Guide to African Mythology and Gods of Ancient Egypt (World Mythologies) Part of: World Mythologies (7 books) | by Matt Clayton She was the one that taught the Yoruba people how to create potions and heal through herbs alone, and whenever you do go hunting you need to give her an offering so she allows you to have a safe passage through her realm. The Yoruba, Dogon, and Kuba peoples of Africa worshipped many deities or orishas. Consequently, because of his knowledge, Orunmila is said to know the ways of the world and the fate of humankind. It is revered as the goddess that promotes productivity, hard work, and the overall positive well-being of the people. She is a sister of Oshun, Orisha of rivers. This defense was a top priority in a hostile place like West Africa. She manifests as a horned water buffalo or a beautiful woman. Am Nigeria am have the five of orisha powerful these are:obatala,sango,ogun,osun and esu. Known as the spirit who never rests, Ogun is a shaman and healer and has close ties to blood. These are the Benin, Yoruba and Dahomey tribes, and despite the fact that prostitution is considered to be a taboo by most modern people, it is often times cited as a necessity by these tribes. Whenever she shows up, she is usually accompanied by her husband, Shango, the God of Storms. There are a few thats not listed. She is also the Eshu is said to be a protective and benevolent spirit who needs to receive constant appeasement in order out fulfill his assigned functions. Often times referred to as the Child of God, Obatala is known as the kindest god in the pantheon, even though they are seen a lot of the times next to their father, the powerful Olorun. Yemaya is the most powerful African goddess. i took my time to read it all. I love all of them!! The baby doll starting moving and crawling towards me, which startled me but at the same fascinated me so much that this was even happening. The Yoruba oshira Oshun. Especially among women, Oshun holds a great significance. During ancient times, a slap of thunder signaled the onset of danger, or the gods wrath hurtling down from the heavens. I would like to share a picture that was revealed to me from Oshun. According to the Kuba people, Bumba vomited into the universe and produced the sun which dried up the water on Earth creating land. South American Mythology | Gods, Creatures & Stories, Egyptian Mythological Creatures | List, Folklore & Symbolism, Slavic Mythology | Gods, Symbols & Stories, West Africa: People, Culture & History | West African Countries, Mexican Mythology | Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Folklore. I hope I am making sense. 1. Pick one side European saints /copies. I recently bought a statue with Jesus on his cross and the 7 Orishas around him. Her name literally translates to Earth, which is meant to indicate that she is the creator of our planet and the one that controls its every move. Keep he and Ogun far away from each other! After his death, he was deified as an orisha. Mason-Dixon Line The reason as to why there is a +1 Orisha in that list is because the +1 is meant to represent the extra one you didnt account for, or the one that you never even considered in the first place. 106 lessons. I started asking the question of who am I meaning all the way back to my roots in Africa. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket One day at work, I broke down. Although different myths and legends have slowly faded out from cultures around the world, African mythology and legends remain an important part of many cultural groups. Because of his fear of being separated from his twin sister, Ogo rebelled against his father causing himself to be muted and wander alone on the outskirts of human society. He is the one that has the cure for any illness around and if you ever happen to grow sick and weary you need to pray to Obaluaye if you wish to be healed as soon as possible. Could anyone point me in the right direction? Ammon, the God of life. She is an orisha too right? She is often times referred to as the Goddess of wind, thunderbolt and fire, and she is by far the most feared goddess in the pantheon. Africa is easily one of the most diverse and beautiful places on our planet, but its not exactly as popular as other tourist destinations around the world. Oduda is the goddess of prostitution that is worshipped by the North-West African people. Bumba vomited two more times, creating the moon and night and nine animals. Ogun is the Giver of Iron in the Orisha Pantheon. YES MA AM !! After all, they are essential natural resources giving way to life thriving within its banks. 77 sold. I felt Yemaya and Oyas presence about me. Their androgynous trait is actually meant to represent fairness, forgiveness and compassion all at once. Thank you for this article and my help you could give. Yesterday I learned Oya likes chocolate. Nabu. Im a black woman just beginning my journey into African Spirituality. I am a little somewhat afraid to just start all out practicing Voodoo & calling out to the Orishas, but I realize that its partly because of the demonization of white oppressors. At least the ones I know of, and some tarot cards are written with 2 or 3 translations of the orishas. Although there are countless Orishnas, twelve stand out for their role in Yoruba mythology. Good weather brings peace to mind momentarily. While many Orishas are imaged through physical manifestations such as lightning or rivers, some are connected to deep human affairs. You may choose to work with individual Orishas OR learn how to invoke the Seven African Powers together at the end of this article! Her blessings ensure that the water remains clean and fishes remain plenty, giving the people a peek into her somewhat empathetic side. Olorun, along with Olokun, was one of two original creator gods and is the father of Obatala, who is known as the sweetest god. Besides shifting the clouds, Oya is also connected to tending to the dead. She is well known for taking mortal lovers. The destiny of the weapon is left in the hands of the human who possesses it. These spirits, the Orishas, were brought to the Americas on the backs of the enslaved Africans. Orishas are a group of spirits originating from Yorubaland, which is a shaman and healer and has close to! Group of spirits originating from Yorubaland, which is a single purpose deity, war gods and goddesses, religions... With the crossroads is a trickster, and Oshaluf, is the daughter of the important! Too much, you name it ceremonies or answer their prayers have respect you. 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