Kibuka would then go ahead of the warriors to clear their paths and ensure their victory. The Orishas that caught a sphere of influence were responsible for that sphere. After all, they are essential natural resources giving way to life thriving within its banks. His purpose might not be material, but it is a psychological one reflected in many African myths. 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. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The Goddess Cybele in Mythology | Who Was Cybele? Anansi Anansi was one of the sons of Nyame. Oya ya is the goddess of winds, lightning, and violent storms, death, and rebirth. One thing is for sure, though, every Orisha is unique and has a specific cosmic purpose assigned to their wake. Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. If you cant find a 7 African Powers candle, use what you have. The second most important theme that we can attribute to the Yoruba religion and culture is the idea behind reincarnation. Because of their genderless identity, Obatala is a god for all and values fairness, forgiveness, and compassion. Webgod and goddess, generic terms for the many deities of ancient and modern polytheistic religions. It is said that Orunmila is a witness to creation, thus possessing a deep understanding of humanity and divinity. As a direct result, Yoruba people can sometimes be identified as their departed imprints through visions and likenesses in appearances. In the Yoruban religion, Olokun is the wife of Oduduwa. While some are capable of being killed, many are immortal. Her name translates to The Black One, and she is most often times showcased as a serpent. I hope I am making sense. In the Orisha pantheon, the supreme god meant existence through Olodumare, and the Yoruba storm god Shango was its bane. I started gaining an interest in the Orishas kind of out of nowhere. There are three different ways you can cite this article. Aja is actually the Goddess of the Forest and all of the animals that live within it. Thanks a lot for this. Being the Goddess of Rivers, Oshun is often attributed to being the lifeblood of the Niger River. The Seven African Powers, also known as the Orishas, are spirits from the Supreme Creator in African religion. Most African traditional religions are extraordinarily diverse and range over countless cultures and practices. Ive seen a few in Audible. 4th: Obatala. And what better tool to carry it out than the trusty old iron? It is likely that you are more familiar with Greek mythology than with the gods of the Yoruba pantheon. Do some research to find more details about the myth than are included here, and add them to your story. Alongside mastering the delivery of this world-building resource, Ogun is also dubbed the Warrior God of War. African mythology, in general, stretches over a vast array of gods and goddesses. Always heard Nana buruku when I was little. 5th: Oya. We all know that no matter which religion you look into, chances are that they consider rivers to be a benevolent gift from the gods. These deities and orishas rule over various elements and are part of cultural beliefs: Among the Yoruba people, Aj Shaluga is the orisha of money and treasures. I dont have an answer but just want to share with you. She may have also been the patron of County Cork. as i have not invoked any of them they just showed up. Hello. I see more that i s imperative to my calling. However, its all the same. However, this somewhat stereotypical vision doesnt spring out of the blue. Weather is a fundamental aspect of any significant settlement. The reason for this is because she is most often times depicted admiring her own beauty in the water. Magec ("possesses radiance") is a God of the Sun and the light. that you should approach them with respect and reverence. Among the Yoruba people, Oduduwa is the creator of the Yoruba race and religion. Igbo is one of the oldest African religions around, with Ala being one of their oldest and most popular goddesses. And who from the 7 powers do I call out too? Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. After that, it appears that Oya became my patron because I could only focus on her. Rest assured that we are ALL children of The Divine, and the form that It chooses to present Itself is only to appease us as human beings for our limited capacity of understanding the unknown. That is when people started to do their research about the Goddess, shining light on this Yoruba deity for the first time in the states. You need to cover all of your magical bases or you have a great need. While death is never considered to be the final frontier in most any African culture, that doesnt mean that you should welcome death no matter what. 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. I felt like water had come over me and I was breathing under the water. He is one of the Seven African Powers whos a psychopomp (a guide for the dead) and also a guardian of travelers. But who exactly is Oshun? It is something that adds that bit of extra tanginess to a stew of divine righteousness. Olorun is active in the affairs of heaven and sky which explains his other titles like ''Lord of Heaven'', ''King of the Sky'', and ''Almighty''. There isnt an exact number, but sometimes it goes up to 700, 900, or even 1440 Orishas. Just Started my journey in learning more of African Spirituality. She is known for healing the sick with ease, fostering prosperity and better yet, for making infertile couples fertile. I felt Yemaya and Oyas presence about me. I need help on my spiritual journey, any suggestions? George Bancroft & 19th Century Historiography in the U.S. Dunning School's Approach to the U.S. Civil War & the Lost Cause, Historical Application: The Civil War & 19th Century Historiography, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. So I follow a lot of people practicing spirituality / Orisha but Ive only passed their descriptions briefly out of interest. And just pay attention to everything that is happening to you for awhile. He actually has three different wives, Oshun, Oya and Oba, and he is often times depicted with either one of them or all three being by his side. This power is often connected to dances conveying threatening gestures in rituals dedicated to this thunderous deity. Hello. He was chained to the bottom of the ocean by Obatala with 7 chains. Oko is an orisha who was born of Yemaya. Some examples of his manifestations are Air, Agodo, Afonja, Obomin, and Lub. Apr 17, 2019 - Explore King Jefferson's board "African Gods and Goddesses" on Pinterest. Ogo is represented as the ''pale fox''. Ogo's purpose was to be one of the founders and overseers of life on Earth. Where could I start on finding a real guide so I get the right guidance and proper information. When I did my DNA, it did confirm Banta, Nigeria, and Congo. Bumba himself however is represented as a giant white-colored humanoid creature. Ogo is the son of Amma, who is the creator of the Dogon people. He even commented on my blonde/yellow hair and that yellow is one of her colors. Shango, the Bringer of When you burn the candle and pray over it, youre invoking ALL the Orishas powers and covering all of your bases for prosperity and protection. Oshun is the Goddess of love, freedom, fertility, and water. A great, lasting one makes way for a civilization to flourish. Eshu is said to be a protective and benevolent spirit who needs to receive constant appeasement in order out fulfill his assigned functions. Thank you for sharing. Source: Flickr. --~Attributes and African mythology and legends are an important aspect of some cultural groups and religious practices in the different regions of Africa. Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells by Judika Illes. Her domain is the Niger River, fertility, secrets, shapeshifting, spirits, cemeteries, etc. An error occurred trying to load this video. I need to dispose of it PROPERLY. Consequently, because of his knowledge, Orunmila is said to know the ways of the world and the fate of humankind. Learn about the Seven African Powers and how you can begin working with them in African spirituality and folk magic. According to the Kuba people, Bumba vomited into the universe and produced the sun which dried up the water on Earth creating land. Oya can bring forth any conditions she wants like tornadoes, earthquakes, and storms. Hes the fertile male god whos intimate with Oba, Oshun and Oya. Webgod and goddess, generic terms for the many deities of ancient and modern polytheistic religions. Shango directs the destination of thunder and lightning depending on what goes on in the world down below. Being the third and the most senior wife of Shango, Oba was one of his consorts. Anansi. Mythical figures are used to explain the creation of the world, life after death, and the continent's very own history. 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. Similar to a shaman or guide who called upon a deity into a small baby black figurine that was standing on a chest. His healing powers range from epidemics to skin diseases and inflammations. It goes as far back as the 9th century, way before the first Europeans set sail on the countrys shores. The first African God on our list is the goddess Oya. This simply refers to the fact that everything, and we do mean everything, possesses some sort of spiritual essence within it. Oya eventually gave birth to nine children: four sets of twins and a ninth child. He was considered the creator of the sun, moon, and stars, and thus controlled day and night. I would prefer to learn it also orally so I actually know the original sound and tonation of their name. Orunmila is a God of wisdom, knowledge and divination. Goddess Xochiquetzal Mythology & Symbol | Who is Xochiquetzal? WebSee more ideas about gods and goddesses, african, african mythology. Although Nana Buluku did not have a direct role in creation, she is referred to as the supreme goddess and represents motherhood. 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. If you're doing a working relating to love, or if Using oils, incense and soaps specifically created with the energy of the 7 African Powers will bless any ritual or spell you do. Im interested in this. It is said that Bumba vomited the universe during its inception, creating the sun then drying up the water on Earth creating the land. Established in the Yoruba religion as the ''Mother of the Sea'', the goddess Yemaya, but known among the Yoruba people of Africa as Yemonja, is said to rule over the seas, lakes, and rivers, and is the patron of women. Whichever way she is depicted, she is always shown to be a motherly being with nothing but divine power at her fingertips. I prayed for cleansing and repair. Does one have to be initialed into the Yoruba religion in order to call on the Orisas or 7 African Powers? Her blessings ensure that the water remains clean and fishes remain plenty, giving the people a peek into her somewhat empathetic side. He is often noted as being the master behind shaping every child when they are within the womb. Ala. Igbo is one of the oldest African religions around, with Ala being one of His green skin symbolizes rebirth Sub-Saharan Africa African deities Alusi Yoruba deities Afro-American religion Loa Orisha Asia [ edit] Caucasus Armenian deities Georgian deities Vainakh deities Central Asia Turkic deities East Asia Chinese deities According to the Yoruba religion, Obatala is said to have constructed the human bodies and asked their father, Olorun, to breathe life into them. 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