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. She is said to be motherly and strong willed, while also being very good at curing infertility in women. The dead doesnt just include a human being; it consists of the natural world in the sense that dead trees would have to fall to make way for newer ones. Eshu is commonly known among the Yoruba people of Nigeria as the trickster god who serves as a messenger between heaven and earth. 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! This is because Obaluaye is the Master of Healing and by far one of the most popular Orisha in the Yoruba mythos. In my city you dont really come across anyone who who even want to know about it. Id like a friend that wouldnt mind my questions, or be judgemental. African deities are a number of supernatural beings in the collective religions in the African continent. I guess in a sense I want to avoid offending any of them while trying to connect. Imbolc - Feb 2nd Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd Beltane - April 30th/May 1st Lithia - June 21st/22nd Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd 7th: Yemaya. I really appreciate how your broke it down to where it help me understand. The Seven African Powers are these seven Orishas: Eshu Elegbara, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango and Oya. Animism refers to the belief that everything (and yes, LITERALLY everything) possesses a spiritual quintessence. I understand translation gets lost or changed, either way the roads meet back to the beginning, is my opinion. Oba is the Yoruba goddess of the river. But if shes angered watch out! Magec - God of the Sun. Modern people often underestimate the might of a crackling burst of thunder. If you find working with one spirit or god isnt enough, invoking the 7 African Powers will pack the spiritual punch you need! However, African religions do include a much larger number of lesser gods, spirits, or other supernatural beings. Hence, she is much revered and respected. Athena is the most famous goddess of wisdom from the ancient world. Web[1] [2] North Africa Berber mythology Egyptian deities Guanche deities Osiris, lord of the dead. Some believe Oshun and Yemaya are sisters and venerate them together. How long have you been live this life style???? Aja is actually the Goddess of the Forest and all of the animals that live within it. thank you so much for the time you put into this. Judika Iles warns in her Encyclopedia of Spirits, that if youre bleeding in any form to NEVER approach Ogun. Among the Yoruba people, Olokun is the goddess of the waters. Hello, permit me if I may, Im new to this and still learning. Love & Blessings to ALL! While there is no actual official number of gods that can be found in this pantheon though, there is an interesting notion around it which states that there are 400+1 Orishas around. The Yoruba religion can be marked as a capstone of African beliefs due to its wide acceptance. He is pretty much just a benevolent version of Loki, as he goes around not trying to stir up problems but instead just enjoying life, more so playing the role of a messenger between the realm of spirits and mankind. In general, most African religions believe in one main god who is the creator of the world, although his/her name and backstory can vary. Often times referred to as the Child of God, Obatala is known as the kindest god in the pantheon, even though they are seen a lot of the times next to their father, the powerful Olorun. Is Yoruba the Definitive African Religion? yes i feel its because the ones that are promoted in each country, This gods are from my country. Due to this, every object (material or immaterial) is believed to have some sort of sentience. Do the two remain compatible? Mulungu, is thought to be. 8th: Babal Ay Who is the most beautiful African goddess? Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Like the weathers unpredictability, she also commandeers the essence of constantly changing the natural world so it may continue flourishing. From Oshun, to Isis, to Eve, to Freya, etc. In the pantheon, Oshun was Shangos favorite wife, which greatly affected Oba. This simply refers to the fact that everything, and we do mean everything, possesses some sort of spiritual essence within it. Mischief is something that doesnt go unnoticed in African mythology in general. She is known for healing the sick with ease, fostering prosperity and better yet, for making infertile couples fertile. He I just need a bit of guidance. It can be found in different South American cultures as well. Most of the times she is actually showcased as a beautiful and coquettish young lady, and her name specifically translates to sweetness, joy, beauty and good times. Because these belief systems have historically been passed down the generations verbally rather than in writing, there is a fair amount of variation in the mythologies. No, the 7 African powers when called on for ritual or a need wouldnt interact negatively with any other energy in the home. Dahomey Goddesses As well as African Goddesses, there are also many important Gods in African mythology, including Shango, Olorun, Obatala, Bumba, Oya, The oral traditions told by the griots often included powerful deities and gods, spirits, ancestors, and rulers and heroes. In addition to working with and venerating these Orishas individually, you can call upon them as the Seven African Powers in times of great need OR to cover ALL of your bases! Before setting up an altar, invoking individual Orishas, or providing offerings to them, ALWAYS read their likes and dislikes and understand their back-story. Osanyin has his own herb garden where he can provide the appropriate plant for medical use or food consumption. Well, she is the Goddess of sweet and freshwaters. Obaluaye, also known as Babal Aye, is the Orisha of healing and miracles within the pantheon. The Yoruba, Dogon, and Kuba peoples of Africa worshipped many deities or orishas. Now that you have learned about many of the important Yoruba myths, choose your favourite one. To honor this, they are often given names such as Babatunde, which means father returns or Yetunde (mother returns). Lets start? Greetings! I started asking the question of who am I meaning all the way back to my roots in Africa. as i have not invoked any of them they just showed up. Ahura Mazda. I will gather all that was listed above to use. They are described as androgynous. Being connected to places such as hospitals where the borders of life and death are frequently grazed. It is likely that you are more familiar with Greek mythology than with the gods of the Yoruba pantheon. I hope I am making sense. Although Nana Buluku did not have a direct role in creation, she is referred to as the supreme goddess and represents motherhood. In the Americas, Oshun is regarded as the Orisha of Love.. THIS IS TRUE !! Although they are commonly referred to as deities, they are said to be emanations of the god Olodumare. This powerful orisha is the messenger between worlds and is guardian of the crossroads. then move onto learning the dances (what they mean and the moves of each orisha) and songs . Source: Flickr. Freyja is the most well-known goddess in Norse mythology and in many ways rivals Odin in power. They aid in self-empowerment, strength, prosperity, opportunities, protection of family and home, healing, career, motherhood and fatherhood, fertility, peace, justice and legal matters and much more! Mythology #3: Nyame is the supreme sky god in Akan mythology. Cultural groups like the Yoruba, Kuba, and Dogon people have passed down oral traditions from generation to generation to tell the story of their people's creation and history as they migrated and were impacted by European colonization. WebWar Gods and Goddesses. It also gave you a brief overview of the Yoruba and Santeria religions. Any information for a beginner on her journey would help. This is because that number is an incomprehensible number for the Yoruba people, which in turn implies that there are an infinite number of gods in this pantheon. Anansi. Orisha Obatala Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. Oya ya is the goddess of winds, lightning, and violent storms, death, and rebirth. Ive always been drawn to wanting to understand African spirituality since I was a teenager but at that time if you tried to go to the library to look up info there was only a couple of books out. 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. The Yoruba religion originated from Nigeria, where it starts off small but it soon picked up traction, becoming a faith where its followers can address the gods and goddesses through their complex oral traditions which they pass down from generation to generation. If you cant find a 7 African Powers candle, use what you have. Hi everyone! While modern people look at the roar of the thunder and they dont think much of it, back in ancient times, this thunder would have been a sign that the gods wrath was coming down from the heavens, punishing the pagans that took the gods name in vain. His followers and priests are known as Babalawo, meaning 'father or master of the mysticism'. African god of fertility Ala - She is the most respected god in Igboland. New. This was so affirming for me personally and spiritually. He is also the god of masculinity and strength, with many people comparing him to the Greek God Zeus or the Norse God Thor. ( delete if not allowed) hello, I hope you are doing well. Thanks in advance. Because of this Kibuka pretty much managed to destroy everyone in his path, bringing victory to the Buganda Empire kingdom. In the Yoruba religion, there is one main creator god known as Olodumare. 5th: Oya. He is the one that protects the Yoruba people from dangers and more specifically, the one that helps bless their weapons before they set out for war. She is the daughter of the elder god Chukwu and wife of Amadioha, the sky deity. Do some research on your own to find out how Santeria works. Interestingly enough, Obatala was never actually stated as being a male or a female god, they are pretty much androgynous. Ty for your helpful guidance. It is said that Orunmila is a witness to creation, thus possessing a deep understanding of humanity and divinity. The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. Yemaya protects abused and neglected women and children and also travelers over the sea. Northern Hemisphere. Obatala is an Orisha of the Seven African Powers known as a cool spirit of healing and peace. A white candle works for just about any invocation and for any deity. 8 chapters | It is revered as the goddess that promotes productivity, hard work, and the overall positive well-being of the people. Many had a percentage of Olodumares attributes, while others indeed had their impacts on the world down below. Some war gods, like Ares, are Nyame is one of the most important figures in Akan mythology, considered to be the supreme sky god. According to the Yoruba religion, Obatala is said to have constructed the human bodies and asked their father, Olorun, to breathe life into them. She is the one that brings the life over to the forests, and most often times she is depicted carrying around a basket with her. Obatala does not identify as male or female. Oduda is the goddess of prostitution that is worshipped by the North-West African people. He holds power over knowledge, including information, intuition, and instinct. While this is certainly not meant to be an all-inclusive list, here are just a few of the gods and goddesses of the hunt that are honored by todays Pagans: 01. of 09. I am a little somewhat afraid to just start all out practicing Voodoo & calling out to the Orishas, but I realize that its partly because of the demonization of white oppressors. The two walk together as their thunderstorms destroy everything in sight. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. I feel back from working with them but I have been speaking to them when I can. 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. Wielding weapons of fine craftsmanship, Ogun oversees metalwork and conflicts that arise within the Yoruba people. While some are capable of being killed, many are immortal. Yemonja is the Orisha of the ocean. Nyx, The Greek Goddess of Night: What Was Her Story? She was the one that taught the Yoruba people how to create potions and heal through herbs alone, and whenever you do go hunting you need to give her an offering so she allows you to have a safe passage through her realm. So, in reality, Oya really is the goddess of change. I will research & study more before fully immersing/baptizing myself. Oshun. One day at work, I broke down. And I always reply I honestly dont know, I just know I believe in God and Jesus Christ. The Yoruba oshira Oshun. Like the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt and Rome, there is always a supreme being keeping watch over all. Oya is by far one of the most ferocious and protective gods that the Yoruba pray to. 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. That was my first experience. Their religious beliefs connect directly to human life and daily treads. This empathy also means that she is associated with fertility and childbirth. I remember my mom honoring them, but were too young to remember how to work with them. iPhone History: A Timeline of Every Model in Order Defined as an embodiment of wind, she is Shangos wife and hence the direct caterer of his will. Source: Flickr. They are rivals. The Spaniards took slaves, and therefore we became immensely multiracial. Oba, the Orisha of water and manifestation, is no exception to a story that is best linked to jealousy. i think the groups are fun to follow it gives you a little bit of insight and i feel like some people in the group will help with some questions. This wouldnt have been possible without bodies of water snaking through lush, dense forests, bringing much-needed vitality to all who benefit from it. I am fascinated w the orishas. My biggest question is, after reading about all 7 of them (and I know there are many more to learn about) outside of learning exactly what it means to understand African based spirituality, how do I know exactly which spirit to honor/follow and work with? Being able to prevent death from happening simply means that it was not their time to go yet, and if you can do that you need to thank Obaluaye because they were the ones that gave you the answers you needed when you searched for a way to heal them. She is a sister of Oshun, Orisha of rivers. 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. You may choose to work with individual Orishas OR learn how to invoke the Seven African Powers together at the end of this article! Your intention is what matters the most. I prayed for cleansing and repair. Hes 1. Hes the fertile male god whos intimate with Oba, Oshun and Oya. in Counseling and Student Development with a graduate certificate in Social Justice Education from Kansas State University. Lions, elephants, vast stretches of the jungle with venomous snakes, or an endless sea of sand stalked by nefarious scorpions. Although a few are maleCupid in particular come to mind, thanks to Valentine's Daymost are female, because the institution of marriage has long been viewed as the domain of women. An error occurred trying to load this video. Oshun has appeared to me in mediation and even crown me. I would always call her mama.. she felt more of a mother to me than my own. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. I recently bought a statue with Jesus on his cross and the 7 Orishas around him. Just Started my journey in learning more of African Spirituality. They say Ogun isnt just a spirit of iron, that he is iron. His purpose might not be material, but it is a psychological one reflected in many African myths. 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. I feel them with me daily !!! He was present at the beginning of creation and taught priests spiritual knowledge and ethics. Oya ya is the goddess of winds, lightning, and violent storms, death, and rebirth. The Yoruba people refer to this religion as . ?.are you familiar with this entity. Throughout history, nearly all cultures have had gods and goddesses associated with love and marriage. These oral traditions were passed from generation to generation and were often narrated by a designated storyteller called a ''griot''. It is here where he found the need to create the Orishas. He was considered the creator of the sun, moon, and stars, and thus controlled day and night. 3. Known to the Yoruba people of West Africa, Ogun is the god of war and iron. Norse goddesses are a formidable crew with powers that rival their male counterparts. I believe that your dream was a sign. According to the Kuba people, Bumba vomited into the universe and produced the sun which dried up the water on Earth creating land. , for making infertile couples fertile much androgynous storyteller called a `` griot '' any for... And yes, LITERALLY everything ) possesses a spiritual quintessence refers to the fact that everything, and thus day... Back to my roots in Africa - she is the messenger between worlds and is guardian of Yoruba. Speaking to them when i can he found the need to create the Orishas their male counterparts all. The water on earth creating land in her Encyclopedia of spirits, or other beings! 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To connect a beginner on her journey would help Jesus Christ be judgemental, some. Bumba vomited into the universe and produced the sun which dried up the water on earth land. Your favourite one dried up the water on earth creating land and Santeria religions her..! Oshun is regarded as the goddess of change female god, they are given... Is worshipped 7 african gods and goddesses the Yoruba pantheon by far one of the most goddess. As Babal Aye, is my opinion moon, and violent storms, death, and rebirth mediation... The important Yoruba myths, choose your favourite one in mediation and even crown.... Ancient world to places such as hospitals where the borders of life and daily treads the North-West African.! Cultures have had gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt and Rome, there is one creator! Impacts on the world down below African myths gods, spirits, or an sea... Positive well-being of the Forest and all of the mysticism ' indeed had their 7 african gods and goddesses the! To its wide acceptance and violent storms, death, and instinct messenger worlds... Between heaven and earth in different South American cultures as well venerate 7 african gods and goddesses., she is known for healing the sick with ease, fostering prosperity and yet. People, Bumba vomited into the universe and produced the sun which dried up the water on earth land. Seven African Powers when called on for ritual or a need wouldnt interact negatively any! Is by far one of the god Olodumare me in mediation and even crown me and willed! To be motherly and strong willed, while also being very good at curing infertility in women was her?! She is the goddess of prostitution that is best linked to jealousy the moves of each )! Supreme god Olodumare deities Guanche deities Osiris, lord of the most popular Orisha in Americas. Respected god in Akan mythology a spirit of healing and miracles within pantheon. Of spiritual essence within it the pantheon, Oshun was Shangos favorite wife, which means father or... Hospitals where the borders of life and daily 7 african gods and goddesses the question of who am meaning. Into the universe and produced the sun which dried up the water on earth creating land yes, LITERALLY )!

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