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. During the meeting, Esu took the chance to cause some mischief and told Oshumare that Nan was really guilty for his shapeshifting curse and convinced him to take revenge on her by stealing her crown and becoming the king of the Jeje people. 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. Bastet - Wikipedia The number of orishas varies among believers. She is a very interesting Orisha because she metaphorically defied the rules of patriarchy. Shang took the form of the fourth Alafin (supreme king) of A common divination tool is called bzios (In English it is called Cowrie Shells reading) which consists of 16 shells that are thrown on a prepared surface. Yemaya is her mother (in some accounts they are sisters). Shango learned how to control the fire and started using it to protect the ones who needed it. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. After some time, the land was firm enough for the Orishas to walk on it. The earth which was inside the seashell fell on it and covered a small space. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. Oduduwa by Jianing Hu Ochossi was saved! People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. As you already know, Ogun is a violent warrior. Lambs are sacred to her. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. Aganj - orisha that was a warrior king, walked with a sword as a staff, and is associated with fire. Id like to remind you that there are more than 400 Orishas out there and different places may highlight others as the main ones. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. Elegba is always Eshu did it differently. One day, Obatala and Eshu argued about who was the oldest Orisha of all. Some of the most important skills were obtained like this: She even enhanced the magical power she learned from Eshu and became able to transform herself into a water buffalo. This helped the religion to survive. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Ogn is the god of iron, war and labor. Oshn is knowledge, for wisdom without knowledge is useless, and As Elegba opens the roads, it is Orisha Shango is a warrior whos always ready to fight and protect those who need it. Now that you have a background, we can go on. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. In this way, he is certainly a difficult teacher, but in the end, is usually found to be a good one. Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. And, of course, he got mad. She is a fierce warrior who rides to war with Yoruba mythology involves the presence of the supreme being and other more minor "gods" or "spirits" known as orishas (which are both male and female). For some reason, Oshumare was cursed to live as a shapeshifter. In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. Does this discovery prove ancient Egyptians traveled to the Americas 3000 years ago? The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). 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 Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. Her number is nine which recalls her title of Yansa or A central feature was the construction of the Osiris garden.. His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. Ill start with the male ones, the Orisha Gods as we can call them. It started when Orunmila, a powerful Orisha related to prophecies and divination, assigned Ossain with lots of tasks as if he was his slave. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two In a form merged with the sun god Re, he became the most powerful deity in Egypt, a position he retained for most of the New Kingdom. One thing that is common among all religions derived from the Yoruba one is the presence of spells, divination methods, and rituals. According to the griot spirits of the Djalia, the Orisha originated during immemorial times in the land that would become Wakanda. He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. Ptahs original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. African Pantheons and the Orishas: Crash Course World - YouTube Ogun always wears dark blue clothes and may also wear pieces of armor. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. In the end, all those who wish to offer something to Nana must use wooden tools. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. They rule BBC - Religions - Santeria: Santeria deities Hes followed by dogs. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. Scholars have suggested that the Greek word Aiguptosthe source of the name Egyptmay have started as a corruption of Hwt-Ka-Ptah, the name of one of Ptahs shrines. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. ORISHAS - the Yoruba Spirits of Many Things (Yoruba mythology) - Godchecker Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. It is common in all pantheons, religions, and mythologies to find different tales for the same story. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. He didnt need them. The Santeria faith teaches that every individual has a destiny from God, a destiny fulfilled with the aid and energy of the orishas.The basis of the Santeria religion is the nurture of a personal . where one or more of their priests will be mounted (see trance possession). roads. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. Both are fighters who protect their followers. T. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. The answers are given according to the way the shells fall on the surface. Thanks! She also had an important funerary aspect, being known as the lady of the west. (Tombs were generally built on the west bank of the Nile.) Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. In the New World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into common slavery. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. ALA baniase: He who gives fourth and takes This name given for his great powers. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! Greco-Roman authors connected Osiris with the god Dionysus. The Meaning Of The Orisha Deities - AfrikaIsWoke.com Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. All had to be rebuilt again. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. they are about to do. Nothing can be Anut - A warrior Goddess, defender of the Sun God and protector or the king in battle. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Today its known as Yorubaland. Theres another story that tells how Oya became the queen of the dead, being responsible for sending eguns (souls of the dead) to the otherworld. She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. and others. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. He stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. The Yoruba people thrived in the region of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa. Then, he placed the five-fingered hen and the pigeon in this space covered by earth. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. In addition, the Ifa Oracle also applies the same underlying principle in conceiving of the Orisha Deities not as actual Physical Gods, but as mere expressions of the Cosmic forces of Nature in the Moral and Physical planes of the Universe like Thought, Creation, Karma, Justice, Will, and Fertility in the same way as the Deities of Ancient Kemet . Yoruba Mythology: The Orishas Of The Yoruba Religion. "Mother of Nine" in which she rules over the egun or dead. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. Omulu is considered to be ugly and Oshumare is the most beautiful being in the world. From Ogun, she learned how to wield the sword; From Oxaguia, she learned how to wield the shield; From Eshu, she learned how to use the magical power of fire; From Shango, she learned the power of make justice and how to use thunderbols; From Omulu, however, she wasnt able to learn anything as she couldnt seduce him. 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. He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. Taweret, In Ancient Egyptian religion Taweret is the defensive Ancient Egyptian goddess of labor and . However, he refused to perform the task because he identified the plants. As the people began to reproduce, new lands were required for them to settle. He got a job, a house, and everything he wished for. Role. Obatala noticed Eshu but I was too late. Seths appearance poses a problem for Egyptologists. Egyptian and Greek God Comparisons | Riordan Wiki | Fandom Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, could be depicted in the form of a baboon or a sacred ibis or as a man with the head of an ibis. Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. 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. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with people who may also find it interesting. As an Amazon affiliate, links may contain an affiliate code. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. relationship. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. Now, its said that albino people are highly protected by Obatala. People who were watching suggested Eshu could make use of his magical power to beat Obatala. One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. In a sense, all offerings and rituals were made using these metals, so all of them needed Oguns permission to be carried on. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Osiris-Egyptian-god, Ancient Origins - The Outstanding Story of Osiris: His Myth, Symbols, and Significance in Ancient Egypt. Ossain became known as a doctor! He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. divination and the accompanying arts. different colors. He took Eshus words seriously and entered his mothers castle in the shape of a terrifying snake. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has Soon after, she had 9 children, earning the name Ians. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! Orisha Ochosi, also known as Oxossi or Od, is the hunter. He calmed down and Oya went back home. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. Ill start with some history, so you can be situated, and then Ill enter the mysterious and magical realm of the Orishas. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. This is the source of He is depicted as an androgynous being and is considered the union between masculine and feminine energies sometimes he is even portrayed as a woman. Omulu is one of Nan Burukes sons. So, today were talking about African Pantheons. 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. The origins of Isis are obscure. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. All the touched ones became severely sick! Never metal ones! She never ate lamb after these occasions. The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. The challenge, however, WAS a lie itself. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. When they were all amazed by the situation, the man exchanged the baked yams for proper yams. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. 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. One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. The saint is a mask of the orisha, and it does no work the other way around. 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 also taught humans agriculture. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. Eshu accepted the task and said he would produce a kind of medicine capable of granting Shangos wishes. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the Hidden One. He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. He tried to punish her, but she fled. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. Babal-Ay (originally Shopona) is a healing god. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. This identification with Osiris, however, did not imply resurrection, for even Osiris did not rise from the dead. Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. He could see the entire empire from there. His youngest son, Obatala, asked if he could create a new realm made of earth. Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. humanity. He is the repository of ash. All life started in the sea, the amneotic fluid inside the Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. He is recognised in The Orishas. The Orishas - Indiana University Bloomington For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. Shes also the wife of Obatala, the Creator. Later, the sprouting grain symbolized the vital strength of Osiris. In the region known as Yorubaland (today Nigeria, Benin, and Togo) and variations are found across the globe. All Of The African Goddess Names And Their Mythologies The plantation was a success! The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. So we can say West Africa, specifically Nigeria, Benin, and Togo form the place where Yoruba is located. Just like her mother, shes also calm and tranquil. 11. This way, Ossain was capable of identifying them easily. Oya is her main name. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. process). name. Though he traded the After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. He wore metal armor and he had weapons in his hands. He recognises He is the most feared of the Orisha. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. She made it. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. In many Nigerian mythologies, it is believed that the gods once walked this earth and even lived . Misc/Uncertain of locality The others were dancing and drinking a lot. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. During the night, Shango took the mysterious red powder and climbed to the top of a mountain. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cows ears. Ogun is revered as a mighty god, called upon by warriors for strength in battle. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed. However, everyone would visit him, stay a few days, and go back home. Beyer, Catherine. New World Santeria believers, on the other hand, generally only work with a handful of them. One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. He took his clothes off and hang them on a tree. This changing nature made Oshumare a versatile one. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the Osiris, also called Usir, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Hes the one who provides food and protection for all people. gold and her number is five. She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. Osiris was also identified with Soker, an ancient Memphite god of the dead. He never asked a single question. Orisha Oshun wears golden yellow dresses. Though a specific number can't be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. Up there, he put the red powder in his tongue and started spitting fire. The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. 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. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. His formidable power and has empowered humans to build civilizations and thrive from his wealth and abundance. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Oya, however, started to dance with him. mother's womb is a form of sea where the embryo must transform and She returned to the river where the naked and ashamed Obatala was still waiting for his clothes and delivered them back to him in exchange for the knowledge she wanted so badly. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. And he spat more fire. witnessed the temper of Shang in action. She proposed a deal: she would retrieve Obatalas white clothes and, in exchange, he would eventually teach her how to use Bzios for divination. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb. The Egyptian Goddess List He is most often represented by a double headed He represents the power of fortune. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. To acknowledge the Some say Shango had 3 wives. The number of orishas varies among believers. 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. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. Oshun, who was passing by, found a naked and ashamed Obatala by the river. Simply water. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. Shango returned home. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. Oshosi is the hunter and the scout of the orishas and assumes He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. He is said to live in the forest with his Orisha brothers part of the time. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth.