11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses | Britannica Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. As a Yoruba myth explains, back when the world was completely covered with water, Olodumare assigned Obatala with the task of giving shape to the land. Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. She took the less ferocious form of a domestic cat in the first millennium BCE. Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. 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. Revisiting the Yoruba Ethnogenesis: a Religio- Cultural Hermeneutics of He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning Osiris was not only ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from sprouting vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. Ancient Code is a website founded in 2012 that covers articles and scientific discoveries that help understand humanitys past, present, and future. 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. the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. though through which he enforces justice in the world. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. To acknowledge the Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth . List of Popular Orishas (Yoruba) - Symbol Sage He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. But they cant figure out what animal hes supposed to be. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. The exact number of orishas is not known . Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. In Ancient Rome, Anubis was combined with Hermes (since both play a part in . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. When she offered mud, he was finally able to create perfect human beings. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. them often to represent her. Catholic. Ogn that clears the roads with his machete. Orisha Omulu is quiet and vengeful. Oya is her main name. the root of all the paths or manifestations, Olokun is the source of So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. Obatala created the world, all the living things, and human beings. 4 In the light of the foregoing; the present study would attempt to explore these religio- . The heaven realm is the domain of Olorun, a sun god. Just like a storm. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. Olorun agreed and gave Obatala a shell to help fashion this new world. Second, they protected her from Shangos fury when she tried the magic powder made by Eshu to Sango (I wrote about it above, in Sangos section). She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. offerings and come to our aid. worlds. In the Middle Kingdom (1938c. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Orunla Eventually, Isis and her sister Nephthys found and buried all the pieces, except the phallus, thereby giving new life to Osiris, who thenceforth remained in the underworld as ruler and judge. Beyer, Catherine. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. The oldest known depiction of Osiris dates to about 2300 bce, but representations of him are rare before the New Kingdom (15391075 bce), when he was shown in an archaizing form as a mummy with his arms crossed on his breast, one hand holding a crook, the other a flail. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. Unlike many gods, she cant be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. However, many of their clients are also Catholic, and they understand that such clients better identify with these beings under the guise of the saintly counterparts. In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. In his fully animal form, he has a thin doglike body and a straight tail with a tuft on the end. She protects women, children, and fishermen. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. He did so and the king offered him lots of riches. Updates? Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. This helped the religion to survive. It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. his title of Eleri Ipin or "Witness to Destiny in its Hes a healer who rules over the forests. Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. (2021, March 4). The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. Part of this comes from the fact that these stories come from a variety of different African cities, each of which had their own ideas about the nature of the orishas. He decided to stay alone in a corner, sitting down. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth, in a way we can walk upon it) and Yemaya (water). It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. One day she simply decided she wanted to learn the art of divination using Bzios (the divination tool I mention at the beginning of this article), but this art could not be taught to her. He is an extremely hot blooded and The idea was to create a space where all of them could go not only to play but also to walk and do other things. He wears clothes made of straw that cover his whole body and face. Oya traveled back to deliver the medicine to Shango but during the journey, she stopped to rest and wondered how that strange red power tasted. He is not associated with volcanoes in Yorbland in West Africa, contrary to what is believed in Cuban-style practice of orisa. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. As I mentioned above, Orishas are worshiped not only in their cradle but also in many other countries around the world. Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. and female paths. It's just spreading historical, mythological and magical information. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. The origin of Osiris is obscure; he was a local god of Busiris, in Lower Egypt, and may have been a personification of chthonic (underworld) fertility. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use He just observed how Obatala used to work, how he used to create humans from clay. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? Oguns permission would not be requested to make offerings to Nana. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. Thanks for reading! Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout Egypt. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. Yoruba is no different. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . Olorun sent them Ogun, god of crafts, to find a suitable habitat. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. It is said that Omulu and Osumare are brothers. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. Hes related to death and also to magic. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 15391292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. After a long travel, he went back to the forests, where he lives until today. Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. In the end, he finds Ochossi and peacefully brings him back home. Some say Shango had 3 wives. Orisha Oshumare is calm and tranquil. The Orisha are spirits/deities that reflect one aspect of god. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the Obatal is the source of all This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. Role. One day, Obatala decided to bathe in a river. We are also blessed from time to time in the religion with the The Orishas - Gods of Santeria - Learn Religions The orishas are equated with a variety of Catholic saints. that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. After the rulers of Thebes rebelled against a dynasty of foreign rulers known as the Hyksos and reestablished native Egyptian rule throughout Egypt, Amon received credit for their victory. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. over maternity in our lives as she is the Mother of All. Be sure to check my YouTube Channel and follow me on Twitter too! He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. All the touched ones became severely sick! According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. Actually, she lives wherever earth meets water and forms mud. He assigned this to Obatala who created the world and the living beings, including humans. Shango noticed she had taken the medicine and he got mad at her. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. Osiris was not only the ruler of the dead but also the power that granted all life from the underworld, from vegetation to the annual flood of the Nile River. predynastic and dynastic periods in ancient Egypt. Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. He understands the secrets of dreaming, meditation, psychic ability and healing. I write this because I was already literally attacked on Twitter because of these differences. Ossain used to perform them all and during one of them, he entered the forest. He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. So he tried a bit more. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Hes also the one whos responsible for work in general. 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 Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. No one wanted to dance with him as usual. Secrets" must devote themselves entirely to the practice of Seven days after, Shangos wife Oya (Ians) traveled to Eshus house to get the medicine. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. He is a warrior orisha greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. Later, the sprouting grain symbolized the vital strength of Osiris. Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. contradictory nature. axe. divination and the accompanying arts. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Others suggest that Omulu is a son of Nan, who rejected him for his ugliness and disposed of him. However, a deal was made. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. Chinese Yu-huang Shang Ti, the Jade Emperor. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. Shango called Eshu, then. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Copyright Ancient Code. The number of orishas varies among believers. 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. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. Beyer, Catherine. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. So he teaches Ochossi how to use a bow and arrows. Living humans were the third category, and the most Gods of Wakanda (Earth-616) | Marvel Database | Fandom From now on, Ochossi was not only able to hunt but also capable of defending himself and others with his bow and arrows. He recognises Obatal as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is "The Orishas." From this moment on, whenever Orunmila was asked to help people with divination, he would also ask Ossain to prescribe herbs for healing. The Meaning Of The Orisha Deities - AfrikaIsWoke.com Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. His reign ended when he inadvertently destroyed his palace with lightning. She lives on the riverbed. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. The main ones are Umbanda and Candomble (Brazil), Santeria (Cuba), and Vodou (Haiti). He can be represented as an old man or as a young one. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite. The person salutes the Orishas and talks to them during the session. Corresponding Orishas and Saints Chart | | Orisha, Santeria, African While he was bathing, Eshu, the trickster, appeared and saw the situation. He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. The saint is a mask of the orisha, and it does no work the other way around. He got a job, a house, and everything he wished for. creator of the world and humanity. As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Creation". 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). One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. All the others laughed at him. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. Now, you. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. His element is the earth. Eshu did it differently. (Sincerely, I would have done the same!). 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 tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. The deities, called Orishas in Ifa/Orisha worship, are sometimes referred to as the "hands of God." They are heavenly intercessors in the lives of humans who may be engaged for blessings or . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. At Memphis the holy bull, Apis, was linked with Osiris, becoming Osiris-Apis, which eventually became the name of the Hellenistic god Serapis. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. Shango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. She also rules In her path of Okutti During the night, Shango took the mysterious red powder and climbed to the top of a mountain. Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. She is considered to be the mother of everything and she is associated with the seas. What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! Ossain became known as a doctor! The truth is that macumba is a collection of rites and spells that may be performed to attract, banish, bind or release energies, spirits, material goods, and whatever the practitioner desires. They rule Osiris and Horus were thus father and son. Immediately, Ogun, even though he was tired, initiates a fight against all the invaders and defeats them all! The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth. It is said she had some children, but two of them symbolize opposite aspects of life. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. In isolation he learned humility, becoming Babal-Ay. from draught by flying up to heaven (turning into a vulture in the Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. Anyway, Oshun wanted to learn at all costs, but Obatala always said no to her. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. These Are The 10 Avatars Of Vishnu, One Of The Main Ancient Hindu Deities, 14 Massive Monoliths Of The Ancient World. However, he refused to perform the task because he identified the plants. I also wrote about it, focusing on the aspect of life and death, in the article Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. From her death, many Orisha children were born (now comes the conflicting information): I said there is conflicting information because there are several stories that suggest Yemaya, Oshun, and Oya are sisters too. Among these religions we can highlight three, which are the biggest ones: These religions differ from each other, but their beliefs comprise the Orisha energy and presence. Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination.