Known as the sweetest god for their compassion towards humans, Obatala is considered the ''Child of God'' due to their father being the powerful Olorun. Eshu is commonly known among the Yoruba people of Nigeria as the trickster god who serves as a messenger between heaven and earth. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Nyame is one of the most important figures in Akan mythology, considered to be the supreme sky god. Very in depth. Magec - God of the Sun. Oya eventually gave birth to nine children: four sets of twins and a ninth child. The first African God on our list is the goddess Oya. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Yemaya is known as the Patron Spirit of the Ocean and the Rivers, and she is the main deity that the Yoruba people pray to when they set sail. The Alaafin was the head of one of the largest Yoruba states. WebSee more ideas about gods and goddesses, african, african mythology. I love the fact that we are getting back to what has been taking from us. I thought her name was spelled differently depending on the particular sect. Ive found a few 7 African Powers candles at Walmart in the candle aisle for a dollar a piece. WebBaganda Bahumono Dahomey Dinka Efik Fang Fulani Gikuyu Hausa Igbo Ijo Kissi Khoikhoi Kongo Krachi Lotuko Lugbara Maasai Mbundu Nuer Nyanga Lunda Pygmy Sawar Serer However, this somewhat stereotypical vision doesnt spring out of the blue. 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. when i got down to the last 3 colors i started questioning myself ,but it was too late i was already in too deep to not stay dedicated lhaahahahha DONT WORRY JESUS WAS MORE SPIRITUAL THAN RELIGIOUS AND HE CERTAINLY WASNT A CHRISTIAN! If you find working with one spirit or god isnt enough, invoking the 7 African Powers will pack the spiritual punch you need! Am Nigeria am have the five of orisha powerful these are:obatala,sango,ogun,osun and esu. Just write down the key points of your dream that stood out to you and the date. The destiny of the weapon is left in the hands of the human who possesses it. Officially, African gods and belief systems have been replaced by Islam and Christianity over the past century according to statistics (90%), but it is often an So, you should never disrespect anything because chances are,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. Eshu, the Divine Trickster. Now, depending on who you ask, the 7th (Oya) is sometimes substituted with Orunmila or Ochossi. Each culture has a different creator god or goddess, which explains the creation of humans and the lands. He loves music, women, and fun. While the Yoruba mythology is by far the most popular, we also recommend checking out some of the other religions here if you have the time for it. I feel back from working with them but I have been speaking to them when I can. Part of this is due to the belief that Olodumare is so deific; his mere distance from the human world makes him incredibly detached from their daily affairs. I was trying to find out more, and then stopped. Saraswati. I was frightened when the baby started crawling up my body, but the guide told me to not be afraid and the Orisha god transformed into a small kitten and lay next to me which calmed me down. Osanyin has his own herb garden where he can provide the appropriate plant for medical use or food consumption. 1. 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! The natural world generally flourishes with life. When Oshun calls to you, its like a gentle river enveloping you. The company was so impressed at my score results that they called immediately and offered employment! Whenever you think of Africa, you most likely think of lions, elephants, and the endless stretches of jungles, filled to the brim with venomous creatures that cant be found anywhere else on this planet. Hence, she is much revered and respected. He is said to be half man, half fish. theyre is yorba and santaria when it comes to orisha practices and for both the storys are diffrent so i would justmake sure youre following someone who is yorba or santaria depending on what you desires . thank you so much for the time you put into this. Be smart and respectful. What do you advice I do about the statue? General African myths deal with confusion by introducing a force that counters it. We are all connected. Athena. Offer of flowers, fresh fruit, pigeons, and necklaces made of coins and shells are given to Aje Shaluga. Area of Influence: But I disagree and believe this is a dogmatic and patriarchal way to shut out indigenous original religion. These deities, who Eshu is said to be a protective and benevolent spirit who needs to receive constant appeasement in order out fulfill his assigned functions. Always heard Nana buruku when I was little. --~Attributes and Correspondences~--. 12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon. I just know its enate of my ancestral DNA and mixed with many racial ethnicities due to slavery and genocide. Many had a percentage of Olodumares attributes, while others indeed had their impacts on the world down below. African people, however, do not have a single unified belief about a supreme god. I have three of the seven powers already in my home: Ellegua, Ogun, and Obatala. If your web page requires an HTML link, please insert this code: . The ''Yemaya'' iteration of Yemonja's name was creolized in Cuba. 2. Igbo is one of the oldest African religions around, with Ala being one of their oldest and most popular goddesses. Now that you have learned about many of the important Yoruba myths, choose your favourite one. Oya ya is the goddess of winds, lightning, and violent storms, death, and rebirth. 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. Modern Santeria, Voodoo, and other Caribbean traditions still value this practice today. Shango is said to be a deified ancestor who was the fourth king of the town of Oyo. His followers and priests are known as Babalawo, meaning 'father or master of the mysticism'. According to Yoruba mythology, Oba gave Shango her ear to eat, which eventually leads to their separation. Hello. While fables offer imaginative explanations, there is no doubt that the Orisha pantheons followers make it their lifestyle to uphold the norms and practices imposed by these deities. He was considered the creator of the sun, moon, and stars, and thus controlled day and night. 15 African Gods and Goddesses You Should Know. Fire and thunder are associated with Shango and the oshe, a double-headed battleaxe, is his most prominent ritual symbol. figure did not say his name, I just knew in my dream telepathically I guess that this was one of the Orisha gods/goddesses. Im interested in this. These nine animals are the original inhabitants of Earth, and out of several combinations came humanity. Mason-Dixon Line If you're doing a working relating to love, or if And as far as you being Asian, that has nothing to do with The Divine trying to make contact with you. I just need a bit of guidance. in my opinion think its a great idea to learn a lot about orishas and the practice before taking further steps . ARES MARS Greek Roman God of War Handmade Statue Sculpture figure 7.09in/18cm. Then there are Christians who calls it witchcraft like my church, to be honest I always get asked are you Christian, baptise, what is your religion? 3. Shango, the Bringer of It is said that after the Bugandan people were terrorized by a series of attacks, their king decided to have a meeting with Mukasa, the Creator of all things, to ask him how he can defeat his enemies. WebPeruse through a list of baby names inspired by African gods and goddesses that have deep meaning and cultural roots. After that, it appears that Oya became my patron because I could only focus on her. The Seven African Powers are made up of the seven most prominent Orishas: Elegua, Yemaya, Oshun, Chango, Obatala, Oya, and Ogun. Nearly every culture associates rivers with something benevolent. Distraught, Oba became the Oba River which intersects with the Osun River, named for another wife of Shango. Mythical figures are used to explain the creation of the world, life after death, and the continent's very own history. Her watch over the seas sustains life as it is and seals her importance as a motherly figure in the pantheon and the entirety of African mythology. He holds power over knowledge, including information, intuition, and instinct. WebThe ,Nyamwezi people of Tanzania in East Africa worship Mulungu as the god who created all things and who watches over the earth. Daedalus and Icarus Story Was it a Myth or Reality. Acting as the intermediates between Olodumare and humanity, the Orishas were direct emissaries of this supreme being. The Yoruba oshira Oshun. Athena is the most famous goddess of wisdom from the ancient world. He is often noted as being the master behind shaping every child when they are within the womb. Also known as mother of nine history mentions this name was derived due to giving birth to all 9 children as stillborn, with her being barren all her lifetime. She has been teaching English in Canada and Taiwan for seven years. Anu The Sumerian God of Sky and Heavens Enlil The Sumerian God of Air and Power Enki The Sumerian God of Wisdom and Earth Ninhursag The Sumerian Mother Goddess of Mountains and Nurturing Nisaba The Sumerian Goddess of Writing Marduk The Babylonian Storm God Sin The Akkadian Moon God I would always call her mama.. she felt more of a mother to me than my own. He is most often times showcased sick, since he did vomit up the Earth back in the day. Understand the culture and people from whence the Seven African Powers came. I presented it along with incense for her. African deities are a number of supernatural beings in the collective religions in the African continent. Oshun has appeared to me in mediation and even crown me. In the pantheon, Oshun was Shangos favorite wife, which greatly affected Oba. In fact, her name comes from Orisun, which was referred to as being the source of the Niger River. Oshuns aquatic finesse over the rivers of West Africa immortalized her spot as one of the most critical Orishas. Nearly every spirit associated with the crossroads is a trickster, and Eshu Elegbara is no exception. He is also commonly seen having two dogs to help sniff out infections. Use the oil to anoint doorways, wallets, candles, your car, and your body to invoke their blessings and protection. A white candle works for just about any invocation and for any deity. There are three different ways you can cite this article. African mythology and legends are an important aspect of some cultural groups and religious practices in the different regions of Africa. West Africa is anything but peaceful, as war can break out at any point between tribes, which is why steel is a more useful keeper of peace than words will ever be. I felt Yemaya and Oyas presence about me. The Orishas, https://legacy.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/205/santeria2.html. All rights reserved. This wrath was represented by Shango, the bringer of thunder, as he would showcase the true power of the Gods through his own wrath and fury. Human spirits exist within the mind, and hence, tending to its development is what Orunmila really does. Yes, just keep their altars separate and dont invoke them at the same time unless youre invoking the 7 powers altogether. Bumba, also known as Mbombo, is the creator god of the Kuba people in Central Africa. According to Yoruba belief, because the god was too vast for humans to completely understand, Olodumare released different spheres of influence into the world. Baptism by water invokes her purifying essence. Oba, the Orisha of water and manifestation, is no exception to a story that is best linked to jealousy. From Oshun, to Isis, to Eve, to Freya, etc. The Orishas are a group of spirits originating from Yorubaland, which is a region in Africa spanning Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Oya is the goddess of weather, especially tornadoes, lightning, destructive rainstorms, and fire. I renounce Anayaroli, the river demon that rules over wealth;. Shango directs the destination of thunder and lightning depending on what goes on in the world down below. Oko is the Yoruban god of agriculture who encourages the soil to produce bountiful crops. Dont be scared sound very direct try to have an old item of your siblings and white candles. I want to learn, Im reading a book by Lilith Dorsey and its good. They believed ancestors are human spirits that exist after death and are still worshipped by their people. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. African mythology has hundreds if not thousands of other gods and goddesses that we have yet to mention in this article alone. I have a question I am worshiping both Oya and Oshun, From this, I have learned that they do not like each other is it okay that Im Worshiping both-? 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. Ogo's purpose was to be one of the founders and overseers of life on Earth. Shango. I started crying out to God for help on this earth because I was experiencing what youre experiencing. Filtering the very essence of wrath and fury, he was the bringer of thunder and brimming masculinity. I prayed for cleansing and repair. Im kind of confused because I dont think about Orisha and the religion at all, if not barely except for the time I see it mentioned once or twice in a while on twitter- but I think this dream must be significant? Most of the time they are depicted as both a male and a female orisha, and their followers are always thanking them for providing them with fair wages and plenty of work opportunities to keep their families fed and happy. Hi everyone! She has inspired numerous artists, allegorists, writers, etc. After his death, he was deified as an orisha. Thank you for sharing. They are described as androgynous. 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. Oshun is typically associated with water, purity, love, and sensuality. Invoke her at the beach. Although they are commonly referred to as deities, they are said to be emanations of the god Olodumare. His role also extends to the natural world as he knows everything that takes place within it. To clarify you DO NOT have to be initiated in order to connect with the spirits of the Orishas. The Lord of the Heavens was not always this distant from the planet riddled with human beings. African deities are numerous and include Aj Shaluga, Babal Ay, Bumba, Nana Buluku, Obatala, Olorun, Ogo, Oko, Olokun, the Orishas, Orunmila, Oshun, Oya, Shango, and Yemaya, as well as the following: Some gods and goddesses may be more or less powerful or known, but each holds some importance to the different cultural and religious groups of West Africa. Both revered and feared, Obaluaye is well respected by the followers, and he is said to curse you as quickly as he can heal you. There are a few thats not listed. Okay! Have a respect and understanding of what the Orishas people endured and henceforth survived. He I would like to share a picture that was revealed to me from Oshun. Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech I grew up in a christian church and I am at an age where I have decided to embark on my journey to learn and explore spirituality as my ancestors did prior to being brought over to America. Interestingly enough, Obatala was never actually stated as being a male or a female god, they are pretty much androgynous. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. She is actually often times honored and celebrated by the Igbo people, especially so during the yearly yam festival. It will break sooner or later, especially if made w silk thread. Questio , did u ware it while washing and bathing. Neffertia received her B.S. Oya is also known as the ''Mother of Nine''. I need to dispose of it PROPERLY. The baby doll starting moving and crawling towards me, which startled me but at the same fascinated me so much that this was even happening. 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! 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. If they share the same likeness, they will be called something like Babatunde which pretty much just translates to father returns or Yetunde or mother returns. Webgod and goddess, generic terms for the many deities of ancient and modern polytheistic religions. What about gods or stories in other religions? Ammon, the God of life. Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. Her domain is over all things that flow like water, love, milk, money, honey, etc. O shun has been with me since I was about 10 years old. Since his abode was the skies, he separated them and himself from the Earth and hence controlled the world from a cosmic distance. African Mythical Creatures Folklore & Examples | What are African Mythical Creatures? Especially among women, Oshun holds a great significance. They called to me around 96 or 97,98. Temi Iwalaiye Temi Iwalaiye is a lifestyle Reporter at Pulse. According to the Kuba people, Bumba vomited into the universe and produced the sun which dried up the water on Earth creating land. While ours are more so based around a unified belief in a supreme deity, theirs are a lot more closely related to the human life and their daily treads. And when steel becomes your only means of protection, it isnt too uncommon to find gods based around the armory for the warriors to pray to. You should never take her name in vain as if you dare to disrespect her, she will convince her husband to stop the rain from coming down, causing the people to suffer tremendously because of it. He does require tobacco offerings though, but once you do receive his blessing you are pretty much set for life. 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. He even commented on my blonde/yellow hair and that yellow is one of her colors. Thanks so much for reading this lengthy post!! The 2nd of the Seven African Powers is Ogun, iron-working healing Orisha. Anansi the Spider: Stories & Mythology | Who is Anansi? 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. The belief in reincarnation is linked to ideas from their ancestors. WebAfrican Supreme God Tore African God of Hunting Abaluyia (Vugusu) mythology Wele Abaluyia (Vugusu) God of Creation Alur and Dinka mythology Jok Alur and Dinka God of Rain Ambundu mythology Kabundungulu Ambundu Hero God Sudika-mbambi Ambundu God of Thunder Ankore mythology Rugaba Ankore God of Creation Anuak and Shilluk Yemonja is the Orisha of the ocean. The reason as to why there is a +1 Orisha in that list is because the +1 is meant to represent the extra one you didnt account for, or the one that you never even considered in the first place. 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. I dont even think I want to know which one has my head. Northern Hemisphere. These spirits, the Orishas, were brought to the Americas on the backs of the enslaved Africans. Using oils, incense and soaps specifically created with the energy of the 7 African Powers will bless any ritual or spell you do. Their brother, Oduduwa, created the world instead. Web10 prominent goddess in Norse mythology are: Freyja, Frigg, Skadi, Sif, Jord, Ran, Idun, Saga, Eir, and Hel. There isnt an exact number, but sometimes it goes up to 700, 900, or even 1440 Orishas. i very much appreciate this information, thank you. To cite this article in an academic-style article or paper, use: Syed Rafid Kabir, "12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon", History Cooperative, July 2, 2022, https://historycooperative.org/african-gods-and-goddesses/. Apr 17, 2019 - Explore King Jefferson's board "African Gods and Goddesses" on Pinterest. 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! I went to whole foods and got her a good bar of organic chocolate. Where could I start on finding a real guide so I get the right guidance and proper information. Create your account. Oba is the Yoruba goddess of the river. Most African traditional religions are extraordinarily diverse and range over countless cultures and practices. How old is the United States of America? Although they are always more Ive been Christian and Hebrew. Ala. Igbo is one of the oldest African religions around, with Ala being one of These are the Benin, Yoruba and Dahomey tribes, and despite the fact that prostitution is considered to be a taboo by most modern people, it is often times cited as a necessity by these tribes. I love all of them!! Obaluaye is also connected to rituals that promote the cure for illnesses. How long have you been live this life style???? However, one thing is for sure. Olokun ("Owner of Oceans") is a God of the Sea. She is said to be motherly and strong willed, while also being very good at curing infertility in women. Be it Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Chinese, Japanese, Aztec, Mayan, you name it. One day at work, I broke down. Ive been trying to learn my cultural roo Wouldnt. The other gods and Ogun noticed that humans needed to clear more land to build and expand. Oshun is also associated with fertility, so women who want children and are infertile will call upon Oshun for assistance. Thanks in advance. When Obatala was unable to create, Oduduwa stepped in as creator. She is a sister of Oshun, Orisha of rivers. 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. According to Fon mythology, Nana Buluku played an important in the creation of the world as she gave birth to twins Mawu (African moon goddess) and Lisa (African sun god), who joined forces to create the world. I dont have an answer but just want to share with you. Oshun is also Shangos favorite wife. No human being is immune to all diseases; however, when there is a chance to heal, it is always welcomed. Hi i am new to this i am just seeking information on the seven African Powers because and was told many times to call on my ancestors for help and not sure how to call on them and i really think i need if because my financial life is not good, my husband health has taken a dip and he was the bread winner in the home , right now i cannot pay my tuition as i am a Nursing student , i have four boy to support and cannot even afford to even purchase books for school sometimes i really need guidance. Some recollections tell us that there are as many as 700, 900 or even 1,440 Orishas around. As a direct result, Yoruba people can sometimes be identified as their departed imprints through visions and likenesses in appearances. Oguns polarity is present in his healing abilities and his ability to destroy. By far the most important theme that we need to mention about the Yoruba religion is the idea of Animism. She is believed to be the daughter of Yemaya and the first wife of Shango. Im currently on an ATR spiritual path and have an amazing Padrino; however, in order to practice our invoke the spirits of that religion I have to be initiated. Obatala practices a more specific approach to humankind, taking deep care of their psychology while enforcing justice within their affairs. Followers of Babal Ay offer him things like white wine and grains. Lets start? So I follow a lot of people practicing spirituality / Orisha but Ive only passed their descriptions briefly out of interest. You may choose to work with individual Orishas OR learn how to invoke the Seven African Powers together at the end of this article! Anansi, the spider god, can be found in the stories The Yoruba religion and its beliefs influence human life in both the African continent and other regions. Youre correct. The two walk together as their thunderstorms destroy everything in sight. She is crowned the Queen of the river Niger. Voodoo Religions | Rituals, Beliefs, Practices & Symbols, Mythological Fire Creatures | Overview, Examples & Myths. She is a specific deity among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. 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. 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. He was malicious and dark and in the form of a poisonous snake. 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 - The oral traditions told by the griots often included powerful deities and gods, spirits, ancestors, and rulers and heroes. 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. In African Mythology, the Yoruba people very well received the notion of an omnipotent sky god looking over all things that live on Earth. 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. The most popular African gods 1st: The Orishas. #2 Apophis (Apep), Serpent God of the Underworld. The Yoruba, Dogon, and Kuba peoples of Africa worshipped many deities or orishas. The old man had two young children, a boy and a girl. One thing is for sure, though, every Orisha is unique and has a specific cosmic purpose assigned to their wake. They are all mentioned within this list. Goddess Xochiquetzal Mythology & Symbol | Who is Xochiquetzal? Shango is one of the hot orishas and is known as the lord of thunder and fire. The notion of reincarnation is that deceased family members make their journey back to life as a new baby in the same family they once departed from. She loves to write - about anything and everything. Mythology #3: Nyame is the supreme sky god in Akan mythology. that you should approach them with respect and reverence. When I did my DNA, it did confirm Banta, Nigeria, and Congo. This healing power is said to be catered more toward people closer to death. Intention is energy, spirit is energy. The deeper connection to where I truly come from and everything they embodied and never got a chance to learn and experience. Such deities may correspond to earthly and celestial phenomena or to human values, pastimes, and institutions, including love, marriage, hunting, war, and the arts. You are faithful In your journey. 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. Among the Yoruba people, Oduduwa is the creator of the Yoruba race and religion. Deities and gods represented the religious beliefs of the group. Is the letter y even in our native language? 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Hes also credited with the job of creating human bodies particularly with imperfections like blindness and other defects. Eshu Elegbara is also known as Elegua, Exu, Eshu and Legba (or Papa Legba), depending on the tradition. South American Mythology | Gods, Creatures & Stories, Egyptian Mythological Creatures | List, Folklore & Symbolism, Slavic Mythology | Gods, Symbols & Stories, West Africa: People, Culture & History | West African Countries, Mexican Mythology | Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Folklore.