Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. Yoruba is no different. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with Olokun presides over this watery abyss, an aquatic realm populated by sea spirits. 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. Crash Course is on Patreon! He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. Yemaya found, healed, and adopted him. The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya - Learn Religions Catholic. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. And,in her Beyer, Catherine. He knows all the occult powers and rules. So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. She He was usually represented as a jackal or as a man with the head of a jackal. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all No life existed in this water, though. 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. In later periods she was often represented as a regal-looking seated cat, sometimes wearing rings in her ears or nose. He didnt need them. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. his priests unfold the secrets of the universe and the secrets of the The Orishas - Indiana University Bloomington Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. She lives on the riverbed. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. She also is the one we She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. She recognises herself in the colors yellow and Ill briefly write about the creation of the world according to the Yoruba so we can be more prepared to get to know the 12 main Orishas. 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. African Pantheons and the Orishas: Crash Course World - YouTube He is recognised in The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. Role. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. In the forest. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! All the touched ones became severely sick! Yemay lives and rules over the seas and lakes. The gods of the land keep the peace and the people in check. T. Her name, a Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. "The Orishas." Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close One day, Orunmila ordered Ossain to prepare a huge portion of land because he wanted to start planting and cultivating the soil. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. The Egyptian Goddess List These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal who is the Ogn that clears the roads with his machete. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu He calmed down and Oya went back home. 12. In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. Revisiting the Yoruba Ethnogenesis: a Religio- Cultural Hermeneutics of Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. All was lost. So he tried a bit more. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. Corresponding Orishas and Saints Chart | | Orisha, Santeria, African If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! humanity. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. Eshu did it. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. Interestingly, most of them share things in common in one way or another. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. 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. OBATALA - The Yoruba Religious Concepts - Google He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Some say Shango had 3 wives. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. By symbolically placing these two double axes on the chest, one can summon Shango for protection. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. She never ate lamb after these occasions. She tried a bit. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. 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 The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. To start, Yoruba is a name that encompasses a group of people who live in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. On this page, Ill present you all you need to know about Orishas and how to understand them in and out from their original context the Yoruba Religion. Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. different colors. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. Are the Egyptian historical references in Stargate SG-1 based on actual Orunmila's relationship with Osayn (the secrets of the plant Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. Explore the Osiris shaft, a symbolic tomb of the god Osiris. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. 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. Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. Amaunet - The Ogdoad Goddess of the North wind, this carried the rain, she was the female form of the originally androgynous God Amun. His element is the earth. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature His element is water. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. 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. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Olorun by Sanjana Baijnath Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. White is most appropriate for She uses this transformation to attack those who threaten her children and the ones she protects. Ogun by Eran Fowler He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. Before we can get to know each Orisha and their energies, we must understand their roots in the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. In this Goddesses Archetypes Cards Online Free Oracle Reading, Oracle of Hecate Online Free Oracle Reading, YES or NO Oracle Free and Accurate Online Oracle Reading, The Triple Goddess 101 Manifesting your own magic with her, WHEEL OF THE YEAR and the 8 Sabbats A Full and free guide, 14 Hindu Gods and Goddesses that will make your life better, Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba Religion and Mythology - An Introduction, A Brief Overview of Candombl and Umbanda, Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday, All about the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats, The Triple Goddess and her manifestations. though through which he enforces justice in the world. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears (Amonet, Amentet, Amentit, Imentet, Imentit, and Ament) Anuket - A water Goddess whose name means "embracer." Her waters lapped the sacred island, Seheil. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. The plantation was a success! Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. Corrections? People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. All the others laughed at him. 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. So if you find here something different from what you were taught as a practitioner, simply write me, so I can add a note stating this difference. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). Her element is fire and she wears red clothes. It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. above them. 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. shortened version of Yey Omo Eja means "Mother Whose Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. She took the less ferocious form of a domestic cat in the first millennium BCE. Madonna. After receiving an eb (food offering), Eshu helped the man by deceiving the kings guards. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. Chinese Yu-huang Shang Ti, the Jade Emperor. As a prize, he took Eshus gourd for him. 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). Youd be right. However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Obatala felt reluctant but eventually agreed with her. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. Suddenly, one of the Orishas stumbled upon him and he fell on the floor, exposing his wooden leg. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Oy on Earth for a time. Omissions? The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Shango called Eshu, then. The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). According to the Osiris myth, Anubis embalmed and wrapped the body of the murdered king, becoming the patron god for embalmers. Oshn is knowledge, for wisdom without knowledge is useless, and In the end, he finds Ochossi and peacefully brings him back home. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Copyright Ancient Code. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his represent his/her different paths. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. 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. Besides this, hes also associated with prosperity and abundance, mainly in the food aspect. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. Soon after, she had 9 children, earning the name Ians. complex, but no more so than any other living being such as you or I. 12 Most Popular Yoruba Gods and Goddesses - World History Edu During the 123 years when the Polish state was absent from the map of Europe, religion played an important role in the preservation of Polish identity both among Poles at home and the many who emigrated, by choice or otherwise. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. Shes also the wife of Obatala, the Creator. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. For instance, you can learn much about Oshn and This fight was mainly a physical fight, no magic was involved. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. He is the owner of all While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay 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. Obatal as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is and female paths. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. Orunmila is wisdom and He could see the entire empire from there.