The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. We care about our planet! In the Yoruba tradition these were individuals who were able to establish control over a natural force and make a bond of interdependence with it, attracting its beneficent action toward themselves and their people while sending its destructive aspects onto enemies. Deified ancestors are people who lived in this world after it was created and had such a profound impact upon it that their descendants have continued to promote their memory. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. The Orishas, after all, had questioned the wisdom and justice of Olodumare and repented of it more than once and so were sympathetic to the human condition. Obatala then began to build a city, but after discovering alcohol (brewed from palm leaves) he became distracted from duties. Their number is usually given as 400 + 1 as a kind of shorthand for "without number" or innumerable. However, despite his mistake, Obatala redeemed himself by taking on the task of creating the human race. Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. In another story from the Yoruba religion, after the world was created and populated, every human was equal, and no one wanted for anything. Kokou is a warrior god, renowned for his violence and ferocity. There are many spirits of this kind, but some of them are so preeminent that they supersede all others; they too are orishas. (In 1989, it was believed that more than 70 million individuals in Africa and the New World participated in Yoruba religion in one way or another. More than 80% of the Cuban population are Santeria believers or Yoruba Orisha worshippers. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. Others, who descended to the Earth to be adored in their human incarnations, were called irunmole. The Orishas Gods GET BOOK Download The Orishas Gods Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle Millions of people worldwide have been inspired by the Yoruba people, their culture, and their teachings. The Yoruba religion is constituted by a conglomerate of beliefs, primarily from the territory comprising modern-day Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. She is kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction. The Orishas attend religious celebrations by possessing believers and making them go into a trance. Orisha worship today is practiced by people around the world in a number of forms including the systems of Santeria, Candombl, and Vodun, as well as nominal Catholics and those who identify as Neo-Pagan, Wiccan, or New Age practitioners. She passed this skill to the Yoruban people, who practice her craft to this very day. At a time when the Gods were starving, she offered him her ear to eat, and he scorned her. Olodumare created the Yoruba people through Oduduwa. Aganju by Robert Love The Orishas traveled to the Americas and the Caribbean via the Transatlantic Slave Trade, when many of the Yoruba were enslaved, and there they became syncretized with the Christian saints of Catholicism. Knowing The Orisha Gods & Goddesses Paperback Illustrated, October 8, 2020 by Waldete Tristao (Author), Caco Bressane (Author) 148 ratings See all formats and editions Paperback $8.99 5 Used from $8.99 15 New from $4.99 The ile ori seems to say that a good head (i.e., good character and a good mind) constitutes true wealth. 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WebOrisha embodies. The Yoruba are religious and liberal-minded people. Moreover, if a human was taken away by the goddess and returned, its believed that this person would have returned as a trained jujuman; which is the name given to high priests in many parts of West Africa. The head also has other values associated with it that derive from the hierarchical nature of Yoruba social life. Similar worship of African deities can also be found among the Afro-Franco populations of Haiti and the US state of Louisiana. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. Traditional religion and Islam dominated Nigeria before the colonial era. A collection of these objects, even if it is not permanent, constitutes an altar where the orisha is present and can be addressed through prayers and offerings. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. 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. The word orisha is related to several other Yoruba words referring to the head. However, another account for the existence of the orishas explains that these deities dont share the same origin, as there are at least three different kinds of orishas. Orishas, like mortals, are supposed to devote themselves to developing a strong character that pursues what is good and shuns what is evil, but neither people nor Orishas are capable of doing so all the time, and personal weakness, desire, pride, spite, and arrogance often come between what the Orishas know they should do and what they want to do. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon Syed Rafid Kabir | African History , Ancient Civilizations , Gods and Goddesses | January 9, 2023 July 2, 2022 Lions, elephants, vast stretches of the jungle with venomous snakes, or an endless sea of sand stalked by nefarious scorpions. Please donate to our server cost fundraiser 2023, so that we can produce more history articles, videos and translations. A few are traditionalists, while most were assimilated into Christianity and Islam. Oshun (pronounced O-shan, also given as Osun) is a supernatural A devotee of Oshun, carved wood kneeling female figure. The Orishas give people Ashe/Ase (life) and Ayanmo (fate). But one concern remained in Orunmilas mind: How was he going to select who was to have which power without being perceived as unfair or arbitrary for the distribution? The orishas, however, are only one aspect of these natural forces. Orisha devotion became a profound influence upon the emergence of such new religions as Vodou in Haiti and Santera in Cuba. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. They emanated directly from God without any human aid. In some myths, the orishas were a race of primogenial divine beings, who lived among mankind but didnt yet have any powers. They are also venerated by the Edo of southeastern Nigeria; the Ewe of Ghana, Benin, and Togo; and the Fon of Benin (who refer to them as voduns). WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. They are also venerated by the Edo of southeastern Nigeria; the Ewe of Ghana, Benin, and Togo; and the Fon of Benin (who refer to them as voduns). The Orishas Gods GET BOOK Download The Orishas Gods Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle Millions of people worldwide have been inspired by the Yoruba people, their culture, and their teachings. 17 Apr 2023. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. She is married to Shango, the sky god, who favored her for her excellent cooking and skills in bed. (2021, October 06). Shortly afterward, Shango became the orisha of lightning, fire, virility, and war. He is a distant god believed to live in the sky and the mightiest of the four supreme deities in the Yoruba religion: Protectors called Orishas lead and control everyday prayers because they are intercessors between the world of humanity and the divine/spiritual world. Each one represents specific ideas, objects or natural phenomena. This beautifully illustrated exploration of Afro-Brazilian spirituality introduces you to the gods of the African diaspora known as the Orishas. Shango was linked with Saint Barbara who is invoked for help in thunderstorms but is also the patron saint of artillerymen and so linked to war. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology By Ancient Code Team - April 20, 2022 83 0 At the beginning of Yoruba mythology, the universe was composed of two elements, the ethereal sky above and a watery chaos below. The Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but these entities are not perfect themselves. As a guardian of the earth, she has been known to take the guise of a formidable warrior when necessary to protect those she loves. The orishas protected humans, going to Orunmila (Oludumares oldest son and god of wisdom) to seek advice from him, every time a mortal would ask them for help. In Yoruba mythology, Erinle, also called Inle, was a hunter (or sometimes an herbalist) that took the first king of Ilobu to where the first town was destined to be founded. However, despite their divine status and remarkable powers, not all the orishas have the same origin. Divination is a practice that plays a major role in the Yoruba religion. Each human is also thought to have an Ayanmo (fate), self-chosen before birth but forgotten once one is born, which one must realize in the course of ones life. Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. Copyright Ancient Code. In one, far back at the beginning of time, Olodumare created the Orishas and spread powers between them randomly. Curiously enough, when acting as an agent of cosmic order, Eshu was also referred to as the enforcer of divine and natural laws. Jhonfrank Snchez is a Venezuelan writer and Literature major interested in studying ancient civilizations, history, symbolism, and how they have shaped modern thought. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. She is the mother of Yemaja. WebThe Orishas Gods Book PDF | Download Or Read Online The Orishas Gods This book PDF is perfect for those who love Electronic Books genre, written by Danso Tangara and published by Independently Published which was released on 11 February 2021 with total hardcover pages 128. Nana Buluku by Mshindo9 The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. She presides over womanhood, fertility, and life. 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. Who is the strongest Yoruba god? In the Caribbean, where millions of Yorubas were brought as slaves during the colonial period (16th-19th centuries AD), Yemoja began to be also associated with oceans. WebFREE DOWNLOAD Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses book in PDF, EPUB and Kindle format. In the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are divine mediators between Oludumare, the Creator of the world, and humanity. They were given aid, however, through the efforts of the Orishas. Some of these orishas are primordial in the sense that they existed before the creation of human beings. Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. WebOshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Get or read online Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses books directly on your Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses Book PDF | Download Or Read Online Oshun turns herself into a peacock and flies to Orun but, passing too close to the sun, loses most of her feathers and, because the journey was so long, arrives exhausted and ill but still delivers the message of the Orishas contrition. Whether the Orishas then decided to participate in creation is not addressed. As noted, their number is most often given as 400 + 1 to suggest how limitless they are. The Orisha deities now enjoy a global following, flourishing in many parts of Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Olodumare threw the powers of dominion into the air, and whichever Orisha caught one was responsible for that sphere of influence. WebOrishas (singular: orisha) are spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba religion of West Africa and several religions of the African diaspora that derive from it, such as Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican Santera and Brazilian Candombl. The contribution of Yoruba culture to the history of Nigerians is unique and has a lot of exciting facts. Some of them are known as ara urun, meaning people of heaven, where they are believed to reside. She can manifest as a gentle breeze or in the eye of a raging tornado. In his free time, Jhonfrank enjoys coming back to the classics, as well as reading mystery short stories, and poetry. On the given day, Olodumare came to the Orisha hut where the mice were hidden, happily expecting to share a meal with others but, as soon as the threshold was crossed, the door slammed shut, and hundreds of mice were released scampering across the floor. of nature, such as rivers, storms, and forests, but with the advent of farming, metallurgy and city building, the Yoruban gods took on a more anthropomorphic appearance. An orisha, therefore, is a complex multidimensional unity linking people, objects, and powers. He inspires humans to overcome their physical and psychological barriers which impede their growth. This category is mainly made up of kings, queens, heroes, heroines, warriors, and founders of cities. WebThe Orishas Gods Book PDF | Download Or Read Online The Orishas Gods This book PDF is perfect for those who love Electronic Books genre, written by Danso Tangara and published by Independently Published which was released on 11 February 2021 with total hardcover pages 128. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas . Oshosi is also a hunting god, who is highly regarded for his quick wit and objectivity. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Prophet's Birthday: history of the holiday, when is it in 2022? She is also the patroness of herbal healers. He reigned for seven years, constantly waging battle against other nations, bringing prosperity to the Oyo Empire. The white cowrie-shell covering of the ile ori also alludes to the white-feathered bird called eiye ororo, the symbol of the mind that God puts into the head at birth. As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. Oshun arrived at Orun, exhausted and ill. Olodumare released the rains, healed her, and appointed her as the only Orisha allowed to bring messages to heaven. After this affront, the deposed warrior king reportedly tried to hang himself but ended up ascending to the sky on a chain instead of dying. All humans, therefore, are connected to each other no matter their appearance, religion, or location because all owe their existence to the same divine breath that animates them, and all humans are related to other living things for the same reason. (From Milton Daviess novel Woman of the Woods). Age, which is priority in time, is highly valued and respected, and it is also an important aspect of status and ranking. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- From the Yoruba point of view, any element of the natural world that has manifold and useful functions for human beings has a spirit dwelling in it. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. According to the Yoruba belief, Olodumare is too immense for the human mind to grasp and so released different aspects of itself, each of which received a certain sphere of influence randomly. Because of the importance of culture and geography in defining the worship, there will never be a comprehensive list of Orishas one should not conclude that other Orishas are not Sometimes, a Yoruba divinity can fit simultaneously into more than one orisha category. Eventually a local orishas cult might spread to other towns and become more widely known. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. Everything that went into forming these witnessing objectsfrom leaves, earth, metal, pottery, or animal bones to the incantations and sacrifices that praised and coerced the orishas many powers to lodge in one placebecomes part of the objects (and the orishas) secret. The earth begins to die as crops fail and lakes and rivers dry up, and the Orishas wail their repentance, but Olodumare does not hear them. Photo: @janakesho, Generally speaking, however, the Orisha-saint connection had to do with how closely their spheres of influence matched. WebThe Supreme God has three manifestations: Olodumare - The Lord God of the Source of Creation; Olorun - The Lord God of Heaven; Olofi - The Lord God of the Palace, conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth). She is also often associated with the notions of death and rebirth, as the Yorubas believe she assists those who have recently died in their transition to the land of the dead. Oshun is the goddess of love, intimacy, and marriage. She is kind and generous to her followers, but when brought to anger she can cause untold destruction. In their native areas, people formed groups that worshipped and venerated these orishas and secured a place for their cult group in the religious and social organizations of the towns where they lived. Eshu by Akili Mansa Richards. 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. This is why today Shango is widely worshipped in other religions, including Cuban Santeria, Haitian Vodou, and Brazilian Candomble. Christianity spread massively in the nineteenth century when the Europeans penetrated Nigeria. The best examples of this are the stories in which the Orishas rebel against Olodumare in the belief that the supreme deity is too old to manage the maintenance of the world and they could do much better. WebThe Supreme God has three manifestations: Olodumare - The Lord God of the Source of Creation; Olorun - The Lord God of Heaven; Olofi - The Lord God of the Palace, conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth). The animating force is known as Ashe (or Ase) and is essentially life itself as it is in constant motion and transformation. Ogun was linked with Saint Peter because of his association with strength as Peter was known as the 'rock' upon which Jesus Christ would build his church. In the social and cultural environments of the Americas, the orisha concept underwent some subtle but significant changes. These specific forces of nature are part of the orisha because the cult of the orishas directs itself toward them. Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. 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). She passed near the sun and lost most of her feathers. The Orishas are never represented as perfect beings, and there are a number of stories of them behaving badly, but they are depicted as trying their best to do what is expected of them in very human terms. They are not demons, however, because according to Yoruba belief, all things in creation natural and supernatural are possessed of the aspects of positivity (ire) and negativity (ibi) and so nothing can be understood as wholly good or completely evil. Yoruba Gods and Goddesses mesmerize ordinary people and scientists. (2). They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Orisha/. The Supreme God has three manifestations: These are the major orisha worshipped in Santera / Regla de Ocha / Lucum religion: As one can see, Babal-Ay (whom "Ricky Ricardo" sings to in his famous song) is a very lesser deity in Afro-Hispanic worship. Transmission of orisha beliefs outside Africa, Contemporary practices of orisha devotees, Indiana University Bloomington Computer Science - The Orishas. These categories are not rigid, and in some cases they overlap. Orishas, like the saints, were relatable because they were fallible. Yemaja is a mother goddess, patron of pregnancy and children. Author of. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Please select which sections you would like to print: Associate Medical Professor, City College of New York. Aje is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. In some tales, she is said to be a mermaid. They are ara orun, people of heaven. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. Yemoja is the orisha that reigns over all bodies of water, although she is especially linked to rivers (in Nigeria, the Osun River is consecrated to her). 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon Syed Rafid Kabir | African History , Ancient Civilizations , Gods and Goddesses | January 9, 2023 July 2, 2022 Lions, elephants, vast stretches of the jungle with venomous snakes, or an endless sea of sand stalked by nefarious scorpions. Rather than willfully trying to misguide them, his aim is to enrich their life experience, leading them to a spiritual maturation through their transgressions. Its noteworthy that Aja is one of the few Yoruba divinities that present herself to mortals in her human form to offer help, instead of trying to scare them. When these ancestors disappeared and became orishas, their children began to sacrifice to them and to continue whatever ceremonies the orishas had performed when they were on earth. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas . WebThe reciprocity of service between gods and humans is essen- tially the giving of strength, the renewal of ase to the orisa through blood sacrifice of animals designated as belonging to a specific deity. It is possible the Ajogun are Orisha tricksters, but whatever they are, they cannot be considered 'evil' or 'demonic' in a Christian sense. The Orishas exist to help humans reach their goal of self-actualization, but these entities are not perfect themselves and sometimes get in peoples way, often without meaning to, because they each have their own individual personality and flaws just as humans do. Sky Woman: The Overlooked Iroquois Influence on America, Harry Reid: We May Be Close to Finding Out Truth About UFOs, DNA Results Show The Elongated Paracas Skulls Are Not Native American, The mysteries of Ancient Egypts Saqqara Bird, Evidence of Ancient Advanced Technology: The Great Pyramid of Giza, Flat-Earthers going to Antarctica seeking truth about our flat Earth. He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. Oshun was associated with Our Lady of Mercy. They were kings, culture heroes and heroines, warriors, and founders of cities who had a major influence on the lives of the people and on Yoruba society through their contributions to culture and social life. As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. Shango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. Golgotha Cross What Is It and What Does It Mean? Orisha of thunder, lightning, fire, virility, war, and foundations. Some of these divinities are regarded as primordial spirits. Plants and animals are understood as possessing the same divine spark as human beings. Get or read online Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses books directly on your Knowing The Orisha Gods Goddesses Book PDF | Download Or Read Online They also performed the same work as the Catholic saints after death, which was being intermediaries between a believer and the supreme deity. Similarly, Oya is regarded as the protectress of women. WebIn the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are the deities that help Oludumare, the Supreme God, to keep cosmogonic order. The understanding is that, even if one thought one knew every Orisha and could name them all, there would always be one more one had missed. WebLooker Studio turns your data into informative dashboards and reports that are easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. The ori-inu exists before birth; it comes from God and determines an individuals character and fate. In a third account, Erinle became a divinity after kicking a poisonous stone. With the help of an Aido Hwedo, a primeval serpent, and Awe, a divine monkey, they shaped all the worlds living creatures out of clay. Oya is a storm goddess who wields fire and magic (which she stole from her husband, Shango). It is understandable how one would conclude that Olodumare is too far away from human affairs for mortals to make contact, but at the same time, it should be recognized that each Orisha is an emanation of Olodumare and so the supreme being is aware of every prayer of thanks or supplication made to any Orisha. He is the most feared of the Orisha. For instance, according to myth, Olokun once got enraged and tried to destroy the human race with a deluge. Metaphysical personifications or spirits. Help us and translate this definition into another language! Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. The Yoruba people believe that there is a Supreme God, called Oludumare, and that he governs the Earth through a series of minor deities, known as the orishas, that work as his assistants. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive wor- This list includes the major Orishas honored in the United States, according to scholars and practitioners. WebIn the Yoruba pantheon, the orishas are the deities that help Oludumare, the Supreme God, to keep cosmogonic order. Like the stories told by the Yoruba in West Africa, different Orishas were linked to different saints in different regions, and it is not possible to definitively say which Orisha came to be identified with which saint. The number of orishas varies among believers. Other orishas are irunmole, the earths first inhabitants that are now sacred beings dwelling on and in the earth. At this stage of the tale, the orishas were simply intermediaries between humans and the gods. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. Updates? Orisha of the forest, the animals, and herbal healing. An orisha is that part of a natural force that is disciplined and controllable and that can be cultivated by people using ritual means. In one account, Erinle sank into the ground and became simultaneously a river and a water deity. Aja is a patron of the forest and all the animals within it. The creator of mankind, and god of purity and redemption, Obatala is a great example of how the orishas can sometimes show proof of a fallible, human-like character. The Orishas do not always cause trouble for Olodumare and are attentive to their responsibilities. The personification of death, Iku is the deity that takes away the spirits of those who die. Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can freely interfere with people's lives. A fourth version of the myth suggests that Erinle was turned into the first elephant (its unclear by whom), and only after he had spent some time living like this, was the hunter granted orisha status. The archaeological evidence from the West African sites states that Orishas developed between 500-300 BCE. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Creation of human beings one, far back at the beginning of time, Jhonfrank enjoys coming to! Between humans and the Gods of Yoruba culture to the Yoruban people, who is highly regarded his. Practices of orisha devotees, Indiana University Bloomington Computer Science - the orishas, like the volcano, is... Obatala redeemed himself by taking on the task of creating the human race with a deluge prophet 's:! Of exciting facts she presides over womanhood, orisha gods and goddesses pdf, and whichever orisha caught one was responsible for that of... 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