Such is the need for a motherly figure to watch over all the uncertainty of this blue domain. The ocean is vast and seldom cruel, and it is impossible to predict what lies beneath deep waves and endless stretches of water. So, you should never disrespect anything because chances are, they are controlled by the Orishas and disrespecting them is akin to disrespecting the Orisha gods. Osanyin has his own herb garden where he can provide the appropriate plant for medical use or food consumption. 6th: Bumba. Dialogue Institute. According to the Yoruba religion, Obatala is said to have constructed the human bodies and asked their father, Olorun, to breathe life into them. 2. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. As the emissaries of his power and will, the Orishas were each assigned unique functions, ensuring total order within the planet of Earth. The Orishas, https://legacy.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/205/santeria2.html. Whenever you think of Africa, you most likely think of lions, elephants, and the endless stretches of jungles, filled to the brim with venomous creatures that cant be found anywhere else on this planet. There isnt an exact number, but sometimes it goes up to 700, 900, or even 1440 Orishas. The company was so impressed at my score results that they called immediately and offered employment! Another belief revolves around reincarnation. 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. 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. In the Yoruban religion, Olorun is considered the creator of the universe and the ruler of heaven. He even commented on my blonde/yellow hair and that yellow is one of her colors. Yemaya has been portrayed as the wife of Obatala and the mother of other powerful orishas like Shango and Oya. His purpose might not be material, but it is a psychological one reflected in many African myths. She is believed to be the daughter of Yemaya and the first wife of Shango. Which til this day Im more than blessed to have even been another orisha came to me as an elder woman more like grandmother with the colors red, yellow and black with an African design protecting me from evil. This belief has been with the Yoruba religion for many generations now, and it refers to the idea that deceased family members will be reborn as babies after their passing. They believed ancestors are human spirits that exist after death and are still worshipped by their people. Eshu, otherwise known as Elegba, is the Trickster of the Orisha Pantheon. Use the following activities to learn more. Ogo, as known to the Dogon people of Mali, is the ''Chaos God''. Id like a friend that wouldnt mind my questions, or be judgemental. I have the utmost respect for ALL the ORISHAs! Alongside mastering the delivery of this world-building resource, Ogun is also dubbed the Warrior God of War. I love the fact that we are getting back to what has been taking from us. African gods is a series on the mythology of African gods and goddesses. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Maiolica Dish Polesden Lacey Naked Gods Goddesses The National Trust Postcard P2 at the best online prices at eBay! Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. He is often noted as being the master behind shaping every child when they are within the womb. The Seven African Powers are seven of the most potent and venerated Orishas. These deities and orishas rule over various elements and are part of cultural beliefs: Among the Yoruba people, Aj Shaluga is the orisha of money and treasures. ARES MARS Greek Roman God of War Handmade Statue Sculpture figure 7.09in/18cm. It is said that Orunmila is a witness to creation, thus possessing a deep understanding of humanity and divinity. This is why you will often times find Yoruba people named after their departed parents or grandparents in case they look alike. Even though the guide (?) Although Nana Buluku did not have a direct role in creation, she is referred to as the supreme goddess and represents motherhood. 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. We all know that no matter which religion you look into, chances are that they consider rivers to be a benevolent gift from the gods. You are the source/GOD the power flows through you, you have the ability to heal and create/manifest. Hence, the material having a specific personality induced a sense of wonder and natural instinct among those who believed in its smithing magic. While some are capable of being killed, many are immortal. Shango. Hera, queen of the gods, prominently wields her scepter, while Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and sensuality, holds the just-presented wreath of victory. After the creation of the earth and people, Ogun is said to have climbed down to earth on a spiderweb with the other gods. It is said that Ogo influences the male personality, the premature separation from the womb, and children often resemble him during play. He is also the god of masculinity and strength, with many people comparing him to the Greek God Zeus or the Norse God Thor. I am fascinated w the orishas. Babal Ay is recognized among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin as the ''Healer God''. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order Another of the female Seven African Powers, Oshun is the Orisha of the rivers. So I follow a lot of people practicing spirituality / Orisha but Ive only passed their descriptions briefly out of interest. Never invoke her and Yemaya or Oshun together (the only exception is when invoking the 7 African Powers!). Ive been Christian and Hebrew. An armory provides the means to defend oneself from the dangers of the outside world. While it is nowhere near as popular as the Norse or Greek mythologies, African mythology can be just as fun to research if you have the time and passion to do so. As for the 400+1 concept, the 1 is an incredibly sacred number that tells you that there are countless Orishas, but you will always be one count short if you try to comprehend it. And what better tool to carry it out than the trusty old iron? 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. I have question that I hope you wont mind answering. Anansi. She is the goddess of fertility, morality, creativity and land, and she is often times seen next to Amadioha, her husband and the God of the Sky. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. She uses her abilities to 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. Anyhoot, I started immersing myself in Nigerian culture, 1st with the Nollywood movies and the AfroBeats music and eventually with some of the food. Due to this, she also holds domain over psychological qualities such as intuition and clairvoyance. He is the benevolent version of Loki in African mythology and a wandering trickster spirit generally concerned with probability and elusiveness. I was trying to find out more, and then stopped. Rulers and heroes are sometimes transformed into minor deities, as they are seen as people who have done great things for their communities and upheld values that are important to the group. The Orishas are a group of spirits originating from Yorubaland, which is a region in Africa spanning Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Nyx, The Greek Goddess of Night: What Was Her Story? It can be found in different South American cultures as well. While many Orishas are imaged through physical manifestations such as lightning or rivers, some are connected to deep human affairs. I renounce Akuj, that rules over divination;. Goddesses can be found in the historical beliefs or current day observances of most cultures and religions. Obatala also values forgiveness and compassion as they once made a mistake and neglected their duties. The Great Mother and protects motherhood as well as female sexuality. The first African God on our list is the goddess Oya. According to legend, Magec was captured by Guayota and held prisoner inside the Teide volcano. What about gods or stories in other religions? The reason for this is because she is most often times depicted admiring her own beauty in the water. Webbtl - creator of human bodies; orisha of light, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness Odduw - progenitor orisha of the Yorubas gn - orisha who presides over iron, fire, hunting, agriculture and war Ok - a hunter and farmer Osanyin - Same with Yemaya. These oral traditions were passed from generation to generation and were often narrated by a designated storyteller called a ''griot''. Perhaps he knew variety is necessary for human evolution! 1. The ''Yemaya'' iteration of Yemonja's name was creolized in Cuba. Hes also credited with the job of creating human bodies particularly with imperfections like blindness and other defects. Ive seen a few in Audible. There are thousands upon thousands of cultures to explore here, to the point where you could actually spend your whole life researching everything that Africa has in store for you and youd still fail to capture it in its entirety. Mythology #3: Their androgynous trait is actually meant to represent fairness, forgiveness and compassion all at once. Eshu Elegbara is also known as Elegua, Exu, Eshu and Legba (or Papa Legba), depending on the tradition. He is also commonly seen having two dogs to help sniff out infections. As I grow older Im wanting more and more info even joined groups on fb but afraid to say anything because everyone who most talk in the groups are practicing already and I dont understand some of their post. Described as a powerful deity with a voice like thunder and a mouth that spewed fire, Shango (also called Chango) is a major deity of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Her name translates to The Black One, and she is most often times showcased as a serpent. 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. She is well known for taking mortal lovers. I just know its enate of my ancestral DNA and mixed with many racial ethnicities due to slavery and genocide. According to Yoruba belief, because the god was too vast for humans to completely understand, Olodumare released different spheres of influence into the world. The lush continent of Africa is in fact home to numerous animals and insects found only on the continent, as well as beautifully diverse groups of people, each retaining their breathtaking cultures of yore. For the Yoruba people, becoming one with Olorun is the goal of life and provides a place in the spiritual realm after death. When you cannot find a detail, invent it, but be sure to use West African culture as your starting point. Im not sure how enveloping into continuing my studies or intuition into this. And as far as you being Asian, that has nothing to do with The Divine trying to make contact with you. Anu The Sumerian God of Sky and Heavens Enlil The Sumerian God of Air and Power Enki The Sumerian God of Wisdom and Earth Ninhursag The Sumerian Mother Goddess of Mountains and Nurturing Nisaba The Sumerian Goddess of Writing Marduk The Babylonian Storm God Sin The Akkadian Moon God 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. I ran outside and started calling the feminine Orishas I learned about in this book by Lillth Dorsey, Orishas Goddesses and Voodoo Queens. Shango has three wives, Oshun, Oya, and Oba. While some are capable of being killed, many are immortal. Now that we are accustomed to the most popular religion in Africa, lets just talk about the 15 Gods and Goddesses that we have in store for you today, starting off with: Interestingly enough, Oshun was actually not that popular in western media until a while ago, when Beyonce mentioned her in her Lemonade music video. Modern Santeria, Voodoo, and other Caribbean traditions still value this practice today. Thank you so much for this. Destiny is an important notion to believe in because it continually shapes the lifestyle of the individual who lives in its belief. To honor this, they are often given names such as Babatunde, which means father returns or Yetunde (mother returns). This lesson touched on Santeria, a religion that mixes Yoruba gods with Christian saints. Yes you do have to be initiated to have a serious connection , any other who calls on our Orishas are seen as strangers to the religion , wouldnt be able to attend ceremonies or anything involving the Orishas . The different spelling comes in because some nationalities would automatically change it to sound more natural to them (easier pronunciation). African goddess of love and beauty Oshun is the African goddess of love and sweet waters. THIS IS TRUE !! When mischief and trickery can be converted into an orb of power controlled by a celestial spirit, it makes way for a relatively powerful narrative that strikes awe within its believers. Each culture has a different creator god or goddess, which explains the creation of humans and the lands. The Seven African Powers, also known as the Orishas, are spirits from the Supreme Creator in African religion. All rights reserved. Oshun. Orunmila - God of wisdom, knowledge and divination. Filtering the very essence of wrath and fury, he was the bringer of thunder and brimming masculinity. Be smart and respectful. Oya eventually gave birth to nine children: four sets of twins and a ninth child. Could anyone point me in the right direction? WebAbassi African God. And just pay attention to everything that is happening to you for awhile. Before setting up an altar, invoking individual Orishas, or providing offerings to them, ALWAYS read their likes and dislikes and understand their back-story.
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