orishas and egyptian gods

Some describe the orishas as being manifestations or aspects of Olodumare. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. uncountable. He refused. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. According to the Osiris myth, Anubis embalmed and wrapped the body of the murdered king, becoming the patron god for embalmers. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. The plantation was a success! Wherever he would go, his fame was already there. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus. The Orishas. During his lifetime, he was married to three wives (Oshun, Oba, and Oya). 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. Shes also the wife of Obatala, the Creator. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. 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). Oya wears a red dress and holds a sword in one of her hands. 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. name. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. In this (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. Crash Course is on Patreon! List of Popular Orishas (Yoruba) - Symbol Sage 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. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. Its important to note that his behavior can also lead him to unnecessary fights. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. Two gods rule over both these primordial realms. Orisha | Myths and Folklore Wiki | Fandom Oya is her main name. Shes usually considered Yemayas sister, but some tales also describe her as Yemayas daughter. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. 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. 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. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. 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. 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. He embodies the power of the sun, essential for the growth. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. Now, its said that albino people are highly protected by Obatala. His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). 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 . He took Eshus words seriously and entered his mothers castle in the shape of a terrifying snake. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. Her name also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, Ubaste, and Baset. He is recognised in (Sincerely, I would have done the same!). Kokou by Assasin Monkey 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. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. He represents the power of fortune. In the original African belief system from which Santeria originates, there are hundreds of orishas. Ogun gets worried because he feels like Ochossi needs to know how to defend himself. It says that he initially had nothing. Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. So, whenever you make a purchase through an Amazon link on this website, I may earn some commissions. The saint is a mask of the orisha, and it does no work the other way around. The origins of Isis are obscure. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. This was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion. Rituals invoking his spirit require the rapid beating of drums, which often cause his followers to fall into a deep trance. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. Egyptian God. Ancient Egyptians celebrated Osiris with festivals that consisted of processions and nocturnal rites at the temple of Abydos. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. The party was over. Forever. From now on, it was decided that everyone who wanted to make an offering to Obatala should also pay tributes to Eshu. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Bastet - Wikipedia And also, everyone who visited Obatala should pay tributes to Eshu when leaving. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility. Sometimes these Orishas would go down from the sky using spiderwebs to play in the water. Today the massive temple complex devoted to Amon-Re at Karnak is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. He is now viewed as a compassionate and humble deity, curing people of sickness and disease. She tried a bit. Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. Creation". He wears light-green and light-blue clothes and he also has the seven colors of the rainbow around him. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. A central feature of the festivals during the late period was the construction of the Osiris garden, a mold in the shape of Osiris, filled with soil. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. Obatala created trees, animals, and many other things. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. Their religion is mostly made of customs, practices, and beliefs that are orally passed through generations. In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. African Pantheons and the Orishas: Crash Course World - YouTube Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. It says the Orisha threw a party and Omulu went wearing his traditional straw clothes. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature they are about to do. 1630 bce) the gods festivals consisted of processions and nocturnal rites and were celebrated at the temple of Abydos, where Osiris had assimilated the very ancient god of the dead, Khenty-Imentiu. Agemo - the chameleon servant of the supreme god Olorun. All Of The African Goddess Names And Their Mythologies What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. The others were dancing and drinking a lot. Back to Oyo, Oya delivered Shango the red powder. Because the right and left eyes of Horus were associated, respectively, with the sun and the moon, the loss and restoration of Horuss left eye gave a mythical explanation for the phases of the moon. It is understood that the orishas wear many masks in order for people to better understand them. His colors are blue and yellow. They may not participate in all the customs, but they do know and praise these Gods too. her children by watching the rivers and streams she rules over and represent his/her different paths. evolve through the form of a fish before becoming a human baby. Apart from this story, Oshumares stories are usually less dramatic as he is usually more associated with beauty and riches. Instead, it signified the renewal of life both in the next world and through ones descendants on Earth. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. And he spat more fire. The rest is spent in the farm with Oko (a farming god). 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. they are of one heart. Orisana : the great orisha OBA ba. He ran off with the clothes and left Obatala naked. Obatala felt reluctant but eventually agreed with her. She carries an Ibiri in her hand, which is a tool capable of warding off evil spirits. There is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly the same way. The One powerful talisman of Polish Catholicism. The Orishas - Indiana University Bloomington The idea that rebirth in the next life could be gained by following Osiris was maintained through certain cult forms. The number of orishas varies among believers. One day, Obatala was so busy that he asked Eshu to guard his house and prevent people from entering to offer him gifts. She asked what had happened and he told her how Eshu had tricked him. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the 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. Secrets" must devote themselves entirely to the practice of Like the volcano, Aganju is noted for his legendary strength and his ability to bring about drastic change. Many people, including Orisha and humans, used to visit Obatalas house. BBC - Religions - Santeria: Santeria deities colors red and black or white and black are his and codify his He saw plants capable of healing different kinds of pain, hemorrhages, fever, and much more. Definition and Examples, Haile Selassie Biography: Ethiopian Emperor and Rastafari Messiah, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. In some traditions, Aganju is seen as the father or brother of Shango, god of thunder and lightning. Just like her mother, shes also calm and tranquil. After playtime, they would simply return to the sky. The two animals started to spread the earth, covering a large area. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. He is ocanani with Elegba, meaning Slavic Svarog, Possibly god of celestial fire and blacksmithing. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. Everything consists of songs, stories, and practices. Yoruba is no different. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. She never ate lamb after these occasions. You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! One day, Orung waited for his father to be absent and raped Yemaya. The two became friends and Aroni shared with Ossain all the secrets related to herbs, plants, and flowers. Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. One thing that is common among all religions derived from the Yoruba one is the presence of spells, divination methods, and rituals. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. 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. 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. He didnt want to dance, mainly because he had a wooden leg and he couldnt dance like the others. Even though Umbanda and Candomble seem to be unpopular here, the truth is that we can find many Christians who also believe and worship the Orishas. Once, he wanted to enhance his powers in an absurd way. Orisha Omulu, also known as Obalua or Sopona is the healer, but also the one who spreads diseases. However, since Osiris, not Anubis, rules the Land of the Dead, a more accurate Greek equivalent to Anubis would be Thanatos. Shes a crone who knows all the secret spells and hidden knowledge out there. Today its known as Yorubaland. The patakis, or stories of the orishas, are not standardized and are frequently contradictory. He is not associated with volcanoes in Yorbland in West Africa, contrary to what is believed in Cuban-style practice of orisa. Because the festivals took place in the open, public participation was permitted, and by the early 2nd millennium bce it had become fashionable to be buried along the processional road at Abydos or to erect a cenotaph there as a representative of the dead. technology and because this technology shares in his nature, it is 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. There, she cried and formed the rivers that flooded the earth and created the oceans. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. 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. streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. drumming, women, song and eating. Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. Peacocks and vultures are hers and we use He was hiding because invaders had conquered most of the village he lived in and killed lots of people. relationship with the orisha of divination, Orunmila. The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. Each African city-state had its own single, patron deity. Ogn that clears the roads with his machete. Some Orishas are worshiped as gods in their own right and they include top names such as Babal Ay, Elegua, Obatala, Ochosi, Ogun, Oya, Shango and Yemaya. Ochossi is intuitive and emotional. As such, these stories give multiple origin stories for 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. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. divination and the accompanying arts. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his In any form, hes a wise one. This way, Eshu not only became knowledgeable but also rich and prosperous. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. Olorun was responsible for having the idea of creating firm land. So happy that he decided to share the realm of the dead with her. Oya, however, started to dance with him. Ogun, as I explained above, is a warrior and he creates weapons. When she started to speak, fire came out of her mouth. It is said he punishes all those who lie and deceive others. Aganju by Robert Love However, it was not enough to make him free of problems or curses. world) and with Oshn, who is his apetev with whom he If you wish to support me,please use the button below and buy me a ko-fi! orisha rules their head, must go to the river and give account of what He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). Shango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to White is also a color that represents her. For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. When the smoke disappeared, Obatala noticed his skin color also disappeared. Here are a few of the most important deities to know. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon. 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 stood up using his walking stick and touched each one with it. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. Oshun is also considered a Mother Goddess and its very common for her worshipers to be known as children of Oshun. 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). I write this page as a way to honor these forces. Were going to focus on a dozen or so. These 12 are the most worshipped in afro-descendant religions such as Umbanda and Candomble in Brazil and they are also popular in Africa as well in Cuban Santeria. Orisha Ossain is the Orisha who rules over the forests. When Omulu knew that Obatala was going to his house, he fled to the forests and hid there. 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. Although she controls storms, her main element is fire. way Yemay displays herself as truly the mother of all. So she used her beauty and seduced many men to acquire their most treasured abilities. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. So these are the 12 most powerful and important Orishas, Gods from Yoruba Mythology and religions derived from this amazing culture. He lived with his mother, Yemaya. most often approach to aid us in money matters. Obatal is also the only orisha that has both male But not a river or an ocean. He has many different stories regarding his deeds and adventures, but Ill briefly write about one of my favorite stories involving him. By about 2400 bce, however, Osiris clearly played a double role: he was both a god of fertility and the embodiment of the dead and resurrected king. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Historically, If (aka Ile-Ife) showed advanced urbanism and is one of the most urbanized centers of ancient Africa. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. Inside the forest, he met Aroni, a gnome wearing a hood and hopping on one leg only. 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. In this universalized form Osiriss cult spread throughout Egypt, often joining with the cults of local fertility and underworld deities. Oshumare met Eshu, the trickster Orisha. Of course, he drinks it! It is said that Ogun had many lovers. 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. Ogun by Eran Fowler The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. Anubis. His element is wind. humanity. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient 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. He didnt need them. This land received the name If (large abode). This man proposed a challenge to the king to prove he was no lier. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. When the pilgrims who traveled to this land entered in conflict with the native beasts that lived on it, the Originators, the heroes that rose among the humans were ascended to gods on faith. Horus was raised to avenge his fathers murder. He is known as the omnipotent ruler of the Yoruba pantheon, whose light brings life and vitality to all living things. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. Finally, there is Eshu, a trickster God, and patron of crossroads. Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. In the New World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into common slavery. He is the most feared of the Orisha. Beyer, Catherine. Santeros (Santeria priests) do not believe that the orishas and the saints are identical. After trials and errors, he finally managed to create human beings who populated the land and worshiped the Orishas as their creators and natural sources of power. Learn Religions. Osiris | Description, Myth, Symbols, & Facts | Britannica He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The festivals took place in the open, so public participation was permitted. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. One was the gods, another was the spirits of deceased humans, who existed in the divine realm and possessed many of the gods' abilities. 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.) The god Seth was considered the murderer of Osiris and adversary of Horus. Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. As a prize, he took Eshus gourd for him. To get Oya, Shango entered a battle against Ogun. She also rules Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two As you Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. All was lost. Ossain is calm, emotive, and has lots of intuition. they rule over. One day he reached Obatalas house. In particular, Elegba stands at the crossroads of Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. Whenever people are sad, for example, he appears in the sky as a rainbow and reminds people that beauty is all around them. Obatal is the kindly father of all the orishas and all "The Orishas." Oshn rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, In that sense, they work more like Western pantheons like those of the Greeks or Romans. Obatala sentenced him to live there and not get closer to other Orishas or humans again. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. Olodumare Each region has their own main Orishas and stories may also vary. They were here long before we came. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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 . He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. These devotees often commit violent acts of self-harm to demonstrate their tolerance to pain. Talisman. It was believed that he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and then made a passage through the underworld each night, during which he would have to defeat the snake god Apopis in order to rise again. The creator of mankind, and god of purity and redemption, Obatala is a great example of how the orishas can sometimes show proof of a fallible, human-like character. There is also a more removed being known as Olodumare, who created the orishas but later retreated from his creations. Orisa ojenia: the orisha that made and created life and existence to mankind.

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