Shango is one of the hot orishas and is known as the lord of thunder and fire. I have three of the seven powers already in my home: Ellegua, Ogun, and Obatala. How and where do I dispose of it? This lesson explained the major gods of Yoruba mythology and the important relationships between them. Western rules have made them hidden here too and we have to come back in touch with them, Am learning soot was helpful to me As Christianity became an influence in Africa, many regions blended historical African deities and gods with Christian beliefs. Obatala prefers people who control their emotions and are level-headed. I dreamt of a woman with her face covered from the top of her white glowing crown, long red dress with glowing white heart on the front . I would prefer to learn it also orally so I actually know the original sound and tonation of their name. And who from the 7 powers do I call out too? Obatala is an Orisha of the Seven African Powers known as a cool spirit of healing and peace. succeed. A note on online sources: Ive done considerable research on the Seven African Powers, and I find it interesting that because of the forced syncretization of the Seven African Powers with seven Catholic saints, some sources claim the original 7 were never Orishas. I really appreciate how your broke it down to where it help me understand. The second most important theme that we can attribute to the Yoruba religion and culture is the idea behind reincarnation. 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. He was considered the creator of the sun, moon, and stars, and thus controlled day and night. I started asking the question of who am I meaning all the way back to my roots in Africa. Voodoo Religions | Rituals, Beliefs, Practices & Symbols, Mythological Fire Creatures | Overview, Examples & Myths. He is one of the Seven African Powers whos a psychopomp (a guide for the dead) and also a guardian of travelers. Hello. Yemaya is the most powerful African goddess. Like the weathers unpredictability, she also commandeers the essence of constantly changing the natural world so it may continue flourishing. 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. They typically depict the 7 saints the Orishas are syncretized with but the power is the same. Her Slavic god counterpart in Slavic mythology would be Stribog. Havent really left Hebrewism as Im tribe of Dan. Obatala is the gentlest of the Seven African Powers and very patient. They believed ancestors are human spirits that exist after death and are still worshipped by their people. Oshun has appeared to me in mediation and even crown me. Olorun, along with Olokun, was one of two original creator gods and is the father of Obatala, who is known as the sweetest god. This power is often connected to dances conveying threatening gestures in rituals dedicated to this thunderous deity. 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! 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 - While many Orishas are imaged through physical manifestations such as lightning or rivers, some are connected to deep human affairs. The reason as to why she is the goddess of prostitution is because that is the most common practice in the Caribbean Islands. The oral traditions told by the griots often included powerful deities and gods, spirits, ancestors, and rulers and heroes. As such, it is meant to represent that there will always be more Orishas than you think, and while you can try to count them one by one you will always fall short before reaching the final number. Mythology #3: Nyame is the supreme sky god in Akan mythology. Being garbed in red, Ogun represents aggression in one narrative. Being involved in marine affairs also implies that she is engaged in rejuvenating the human mind, further solidifying her position. It is said that Ogo influences the male personality, the premature separation from the womb, and children often resemble him during play. Early River Valley Civilizations in the Americas, Comparing Historical Developments Across Time & Geography, Cambodian Civil War Lesson for Kids: Causes & Summary, Cambodia Lesson for Kids: History & Facts, The Gttingen Scholars, History & 19th-Century Historiography, Jacob Burckhardt's Impact on Cultural History, Auguste Comte's Views on Historical Development, Thomas Carlyle: The French Revolution & Impact on Historiography. Yemonja is the Orisha of the ocean. And what better tool to carry it out than the trusty old iron? To honor this, they are often given names such as Babatunde, which means father returns or Yetunde (mother returns). The concept of destiny is gazed upon in awe by all those who truly place their faith in it. Anansi Anansi was one of the sons of Nyame. Thanks in advance. Oko is the Yoruban god of agriculture who encourages the soil to produce bountiful crops. One thing is for sure, though, every Orisha is unique and has a specific cosmic purpose assigned to their wake. The belief in reincarnation is linked to ideas from their ancestors. This was very informative and easy to read thank you! Hes 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. Additionally, she is the guardian of the gates of death, as she helps the dead and looking to strengthen my practice. But if shes angered watch out! Going to start back most definitely, Mumbo Jumbo was a monotheistic African God who I could reference 60 years ago but has seemed to disappear since then..?? Oshun is depicted in the Yoruban religion as a protector and savior of the people. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Myth Nerd is our place for all things related to world mythology. Saraswati. She is often times referred to as the Goddess of wind, thunderbolt and fire, and she is by far the most feared goddess in the pantheon. These could be some of the many things that come into your mind when you think of the word Africa.. His authoritative use of raw power symbolizes typical masculinity, linking him to a more personal viewpoint for followers of the Orisha pantheon. 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. Still, He is believed to be more than capable of bringing adversity to those that do not take note of his presence. At the same time, we can assure you that if you do end up doing your own homework, youll find more than a handful of customs and traditions that you yourself may start adoring just as much as we do. The first African God on our list is the goddess Oya. i took my time to read it all. After the creation of the earth and people, Ogun is said to have climbed down to earth on a spiderweb with the other gods. As such, the more you look at it, the more interesting these African cultures get, as their religious beliefs are very different from ours. The 2nd of the Seven African Powers is Ogun, iron-working healing Orisha. Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. Learn about the Seven African Powers and how you can begin working with them in African spirituality and folk magic. 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! Greetings! Moreover, there are different ways to invoke the Seven African Powers including dance, chanting, prayer, candles, oils, and more. Asase Ya (also known as Asase, or Asase Yaa) was the goddess of Earth and fertility, specifically to the Ashanti people of Ghana. All rights reserved. In the Yoruban religion, Olokun is the wife of Oduduwa. The Seven African Powers are made up of the seven most prominent Orishas: Elegua, Yemaya, Oshun, Chango, Obatala, Oya, and Ogun. in Psychology with a minor in Diversity Studies from Michigan Technological University and her M.S. As a result, they are all controlled within the domains of the Orishas. 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. Accessed March 2, 2023. Im so proud of you. their all one, they each represent a different sense of being. In fact, it takes the form of Olodumare, a celestial being that transcends the boundaries of space, time, gender, and dimensions. Ty for your helpful guidance. Instead, he has solidified his position as a messenger between the realm of spirits and humankind, not unlike the Greek god Hermes.. This defense was a top priority in a hostile place like West Africa. Most African traditional religions are extraordinarily diverse and range over countless cultures and practices. 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 . These nine animals are the original inhabitants of Earth, and out of several combinations came humanity. Also commonly referred to as Mbombo, Bumba is actually the creator god of the Kuba people from Central Africa. Burn it every day for 7 days along with the prayer on the label. Ammon, the God of life. Id like a friend that wouldnt mind my questions, or be judgemental. Id like to invoke all 7 spirits to assist in my plight and once and for all rid myself of these spiritual attacks or at least be better prepared when adversity comes. Pick one side European saints /copies. Oba is the Yoruba goddess of the river. The Spaniards took slaves, and therefore we became immensely multiracial. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. This is why you will often times find Yoruba people named after their departed parents or grandparents in case they look alike. Bumba is represented as a giant, white-colored figure that has been ill for millions of years, which explains the use of vomit to create life on Earth. Questio , did u ware it while washing and bathing. I said all this from a chocolate bar? Baptism by water invokes her purifying essence. By Western interpretation of Eshu, though, he is not seen as this malicious spirit doomed to destroy humanity through psychological trickery. The Seven African Powers are seven of the most potent and venerated Orishas. 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. 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. Osanyin has his own herb garden where he can provide the appropriate plant for medical use or food consumption. She is also often times associated with fertility and childbirth, and it is said that she is the one that gives mothers the ability to do everything in their power to protect their children from dangers. 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