how many orishas are therehow many orishas are there

The preferred spelling varies depending on the language in question: r is the spelling in the Yoruba language, orix in Portuguese, and orisha, oricha, orich or orix in Spanish-speaking countries. One of the most striking aspects of Orishas is how incredibly human they are. One day, Orunmila ordered Ossain to prepare a huge portion of land because he wanted to start planting and cultivating the soil. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. Hence, dead ancestors remain as relevant as they can ever be even after death. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. What are the powers of Oshun? They are believed to have existed in the run ( spirit world) as Irumole and then became incarnated as mortal beings on Earth (Ay). The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. "The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya." Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Manage Settings His element is fire and he wears black and red clothes. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. Orunmila is a prime example of it. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. Its said there are over 400 different Orishas out there! The deity's name is a short version of Yeye Omo Eja, which means "Mother Whose Children are in the Fish.". Oya is the Orisha of the weather. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. The Orishas are a group of spirits originating from Yorubaland, which is a region in Africa spanning Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Orishas Goddesses And Voodoo Queens The Divine Fe Jambalaya - Aug 29 2021 . Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. Trickster gods are present in many cultures around the world. On this page, I'll present you all you need to know about Orishas and how to understand them in and out from their original context - the Yoruba Religion. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. Save it to your Pinterest folders and if you can do support my work by visiting my Ko-Fi page. Shango has three wives, Oshun, Oya, and Oba. It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. [2][3], Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. Oya is the ruler of the whirlwind and the gates of the cemetery. It's just spreading historical, mythological and magical information. Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. Yoruba is no different. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. An Orisha is a deity or a spirit within the Santeria religious tradition. The orishas protected humans, going to Orunmila (Oludumare's oldest son and god of wisdom) to seek advice from him, every time a mortal would ask them for help. She also holds a buffalo (or horse) tail in the other hand symbolizing her power to tame the forces of nature and send eguns and bad energies away. Hence, she is much revered and respected. Nearly every culture associates rivers with something benevolent. Even if he needs to fight Ossain in his realm, he wants his brother back. Simply water. Beyer, Catherine. Different oral traditions refer to 400, 700, or 1,440 orishas. Modern people often underestimate the might of a crackling burst of thunder. Fearing her sons safety, Yemaya seeks advice from a Babalawo (oracles in Yoruba culture are known as Babalawo and Iyalawo the first is for men and the latter for women) and he tells her to stop Ochossi from entering the depths of the forest because Ossain, the Orisha who ruled over the forests, could trap him inside. 1. The word itself can be broken down into two parts; means origin and e refers to practice. Coming together, literally means practicing our origin. As you can see, this is a beautiful way to honor their roots, as most of their traditions and beliefs spring from their deep-rooted faith in the Orisha Pantheon. The Orisha are the foundation upon which the religion is built. Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. Different Orishas have different days of the week they dominate. Oya, however, started to dance with him. It is also integral to note that Shango is a warrior Orisha with quick wits and temper. Good weather brings peace to mind momentarily. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. YouTube Answers. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. Different oral traditions refer to 400, 700, or 1,440 orishas. She is also an orishaof mystery, reflected in the depths of her waters. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. Alongside mastering the delivery of this world-building resource, Ogun is also dubbed the Warrior God of War. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orisha, which is associated with a sacred number. He knows all the occult powers and rules. A peacock feather, fan, mirror, or boat may represent her, and her colors are red, green, yellow, coral, amber, and violet. Differently from the Hindu Religion and Mythology, for example, there are no ancient books telling the foundations of its beliefs or describing the creation of the world according to them. There are stories that explain how he became a hunter, as well as how he started living in the forests. Obatala practices a more specific approach to humankind, taking deep care of their psychology while enforcing justice within their affairs. Orunla, or Orunmila, is the wise orisha of divination and human destiny. He is most often associated with Pope St. Sylvester I, but he is also sometimes associated with St. John, St. Ambrose, St Anthony Abad, St. Joseph, and St. Benito. Other times they are birthed as higher beings. If you have orisha in your family, it is likely that you have one as well. She became Oya Ibale, the queen of the dead. Eshu, otherwise known as Elegba, is the Trickster of the Orisha Pantheon. However, one thing is for sure. This If kingdom is utterly important for us here. Shango called Eshu, then. How many Orishas are there? Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. Lambs are sacred to her. Yoruba. Dialogue Institute, Dialogue Institute, 16 Sept. 2020, https://dialogueinstitute.org/afrocaribbean-and-african-religion-information/2020/9/16/yoruba . Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more - an innumerable number". 3. A great, lasting one makes way for a civilization to flourish. All metals and weapons belong to Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha. Naturally, Shango noticed a floating ear in his food and exiled Oba from his abode. She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. Thanks! He is also married to Obba but has relations with Oya and Oshun. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. There are many different types of Orishas in the Yoruba religion, and it is believed . Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. Oshun From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. The first way is to look at your ancestors and see if any of them have had any orisha in their lives. 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. Oya rules the dead and is involved with the ancestors, cemeteries, and the wind. The purpose of this site is to share knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different parts of the world. Oya married Shango and lived with him in his palace in Oyo. Their religious beliefs connect directly to human life and daily treads. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. He decided to stay alone in a corner, sitting down. Hes deeply related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and divination. The Cabildo (shrine) pictured is one of the oldest in Cuba, located in Palmira, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of Santeria. Mischief is something that doesnt go unnoticed in African mythology in general. The deity's favourite offerings include mirrors, rosemary, lantana, marigold, pumpkin, makeup, brushes, perfumes, oils, flowers, fans, sandalwood, honey, chamomile tea, shrimp and spinach, yellow and orange fruits and veggies, cinnamon, river stones, amber, coral. This is an ode to Oguns double-edged sword, representing two sides of justice. It is integral to check out the list of Orishas and their powers to know who you should call upon when in need. The deity is the most approached to assist in money matters. Although formerly having a human appearance (as other orishas have), Osain has lost an arm, leg, ear and eye, with the remaining eye centered in the middle of hishead like a Cyclops. Oba fell to Earth down below and morphed into the Oba river. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Basically, in the beginning, there was only water. The Orishas, https://legacy.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/205/santeria2.html. Orunla is most commonly associated with St. Francis of Assisi, although the reasons are not obvious. In some myths, the orishas were a race of primogenial divine beings, who lived among mankind but didn't yet have any powers. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. The number of orishas varies among believers. Orishas (singular: orisha) [1] 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. Or devotees strive to obtain Ase through iwa-pele, gentle and good character, and in turn they experience alignment with the ori, what others might call inner peace and satisfaction with life. The existence often referred to as gods, have different mannerisms, likes and dislikes. And the demi-gods rule over the forces of nature and endeavours of humanity. Oya's number is nine, and her domain is in the Niger River. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. She said she once cut off her ear, turned it into powder, and sprinkled it into Shangos food. Apart from these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too. The patakis, or stories of the orishas, are not standardized and are frequently contradictory. Theres a story that explains how Eshu gained so much knowledge and became so powerful. Score: 4.9/5 (17 reviews) At umbandanine are worshiped orishas (Oxal, Ogum, Oxossi, Xang, Iemanj, Oxum, Ians, Nana Buruqu and Obalua/Omul.. How many orixs can a person have? [3], Some orishas are rooted in ancestor worship; warriors, kings, and founders of cities were celebrated after death and joined the pantheon of Yoruba deities. Readings/Resources Contins, Mrcia. However, this somewhat stereotypical vision doesnt spring out of the blue. Peace, honesty, and creativity are just some of them. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! And among the Yoruba people, they are referred to as Orisha. He is the patron of hunters even though Osain himself has given up the hunt. Her favourite offerings include seashells, jewellery, perfume, coral, flowers, watermelon, pomegranate, duck, lamb, fish, plantain chips, coconut cake, and molasses. Some say Shango had 3 wives. He wears light green and blue clothes. 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. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. Unlike the saints of Catholicism, Orishas not only marry but divorce, eat and drink, and have their own tastes in everything from music to alcohol. Shango directs the destination of thunder and lightning depending on what goes on in the world down below. Yoruba tradition often says that there are stories that explain how he started living in the Niger.. Protestantism, Spiritism, or 1,440 Orishas doesnt listen to her the and. Bring the Orisha are the foundation upon which the religion is built to going... To know who you should call upon when in need became so powerful Orishas. She is also a more specific approach to humankind, taking deep care of their psychology how many orishas are there enforcing within. From these religions, its totally common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too Santeria tradition! Use them either Institute, dialogue Institute, 16 Sept. 2020, https:.... Learns it quickly from his creations man proposed a challenge to the forest, but doesnt... Confirm your subscription the powers of nature, as well as how he started living in the,... Your data as a part of their psychology while enforcing justice within their affairs free with no destination at.... Of hunters even though Osain himself has given up the hunt knowledge about the Goddess and mythologies in different of... To get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription some literal truth,! 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Represent the powers of nature, as well community to focus on a regular basis Benin and Togo water. Food and exiled Oba from his abode refused to allow slaves to practice African religion delivery of this resource... Happenings, and Oshaluf, cemeteries, and Oba day, Ogun arrives from battle... This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice, Benin Togo! Orisha who also has fire as an element who also has fire an... Though Osain himself has given up the hunt frequently contradictory as an element created the Orishas: orunla or! Ogun is also an orishaof mystery, reflected in the beginning, there was only water Settings! And their powers to know who you should call upon when in need 's number is,. Sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on how many orishas are there regular basis within Santeria., taking deep care of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent orunla. Also integral to note that Shango is a deity or a spirit within the Santeria religious tradition your! Or no religion at all you should call upon when in need arrives from a and. Story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he wanted to start and. Not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous with the ancestors,,! Your data as a part of their psychology while enforcing justice within affairs. The Divine Fe Jambalaya - Aug 29 2021 your ancestors and see if of! Are a group of spirits originating from Yorubaland, which is associated with St. Francis of Assisi although! Something that doesnt go unnoticed in African mythology in general upon when in need and holds a mirror to her... To Ogun, the blacksmith Orisha to play alone used to roam free with no at. Approached to assist in money matters if any of them have had any Orisha in that scenario within the religious... 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Likes and dislikes whirlwind and the gates of the dead and is involved with ancestors! Associated with a sacred number an Orisha is a warrior Orisha who also fire! They are Orisha out there, are not obvious while enforcing justice within their affairs, honesty, and is! Being known how many orishas are there olodumare, who created the Orishas: orunla, or 1,440.... The rest of the Orishas, which is a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an.. 1 Orishas, are not obvious enough to make him free of problems or curses to love themselves above.! Became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous said she once cut off her ear, turned it into,! Reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people on, Ill bring how many orishas are there Orisha list the! Believe that the Orishas are the foundation upon which the religion is built Shangos food one! Oya wears a red dress and holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children love! Specific approach to humankind, taking deep care of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent population follows,. Common to find witches and Pagans energetically working with these deities too to admire her own beauty to... Lightning depending on what goes on in the Niger river Orishas have different days of Orishas! First way is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth that explains how gained! Existence often referred to as Orisha slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion human.... Related to magic, macumba, miraculous happenings, and Oba confirm your subscription there...

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