orishas and egyptian gods

They used to take the old Orisha some offerings, gifts, and also ask for guidance. Ossain started roaming the lands. He ordered all the sorcerers of the empire to produce some kind of magical potion for him, but all of them failed. Whenever he was in love with someone, he would become a monster and lose his lover. He can see into the distant past and the far-flung future, granting him with a profound wisdom. Are the Egyptian historical references in Stargate SG-1 based on actual In the Osiris myth, he is the murderer of Osiris (in some versions of the myth, he tricks Osiris into laying down in a coffin and then seals it shut.). Sometimes they are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who were elevated by Olodumare to divinity. So she challenged him by saying she wouldnt use a knife anymore and her children and followers would not use them either. Some say Shango had 3 wives. Aganju and Yemaya have a child called Orung. Orisha Yemaya, also known as Yemanja or Janaina, is one of the most popular Orisha of all. He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. I write this page as a way to honor these forces. Yoruba is no different. 2023 All Rights Reserved. Orisha Omulu is quiet and vengeful. Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are The shell contained a magical soil and a divine cloth. These macumbas can be done with the energies of the Orishas too, though this is not a requirement. Ochossi develops such a passion for hunting and feeding others, that he enters the forest every day. As such, these stories give multiple origin stories for the orishas. Even if a priest of one orisha died, there would be others in the community trained to work with that same orisha. When they were all amazed by the situation, the man exchanged the baked yams for proper yams. Today its known as Yorubaland. His son Horus successfully fought against Seth, avenging Osiris and becoming the new king of Egypt. Besides his apparent ugliness, Omulu also had many skin diseases, including smallpox which contributed to his ugly appearance. Theres a story explaining how she became so powerful and able to wield weapons and magic. over the forces of nature and the endeavors of humanity. The idea was to create a space where all of them could go not only to play but also to walk and do other things. offerings and come to our aid. The Sky god finished building the city of Ife and made himself the king of the Yoruba. All the touched ones became severely sick! However, hes known for being vengeful and aggressive, mainly against women. Shango threw thunderbolts in all directions, killing the rams. List of Yoruba deities | Religion Wiki | Fandom They recognise themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and colors which are their marks, and each has their own favorite foods and other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. There was a time when they conducted a power struggle against Olorun and tried to persuade him to abdicate for sixteen years. Ochossi was saved! His element is water. Orisha Sango wears red clothes and carries two double axes in his hands. There are several stories about Yemaya and some of them have some conflicting pieces of information. gain a better understanding of them and their ways. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-are-the-orishas-95922. Oya hid below the dead rams and managed to escape Shangos wrath. Orisha Eshu, also known as Esu or Bar is the trickster one and also the most popular Orisha out there. She tells her son to avoid going to the forest, but he doesnt listen to her. Their union gives birth to Aganju (earth . Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatal who is the the human and the divine, as he is child-like messenger between the two ORISHAS - the Yoruba Spirits of Many Things (Yoruba mythology) - Godchecker the femme fatale of the orishas and once saved the world by luring Amaunet - The Ogdoad Goddess of the North wind, this carried the rain, she was the female form of the originally androgynous God Amun. The orishas are often best understood by observing the forces of nature He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. Obatala became aware of the situation and decided to punish Omulu for spreading the disease among the Orishas. The purpose of these stories today is to teach lessons rather than relate some literal truth. Today we can find them, alongside branches of their cult and worship practices, outside from Africa. In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. way we make our offerings in the manner they are accustomed to, in the The intention of this site is not to indoctrinate anyone. According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. She returned to the river where the naked and ashamed Obatala was still waiting for his clothes and delivered them back to him in exchange for the knowledge she wanted so badly. The next step was the creation of all life. Orisha Obatala always wears white clothes. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. She was the one who gave mud to Obatala when he was creating humans. BBC - Religions - Santeria: Santeria deities He is envisioned as an extremely wealthy deity, dressed in refined garments, adorned with coral beads and plumage from a hunted game. Black Gods In The 21st Century: A Cautionary Tale About Folks Egyptian God. Africa isnt a single place with a single pantheon, and wed be fools to try and cover all that in an eleven minute video. the numbers 7 and the colors green and black. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. At a specific moment, they got drunk and they started teasing Omulu to get up and dance too. The rest of the population follows Catholicism, Protestantism, Spiritism, or no religion at all. When humans die, they must return to her dwelling and become mud again. themselves and are recognised through their different numbers and 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. Hes a healer who knows all the herbs and their properties, as well as how to perform spells and incantations. She is the youngest of Osiris festivals symbolically reenacting the gods fate were celebrated annually in various towns throughout ancient Egypt. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Both are fighters who protect their followers. People who can play Buzios are actually asking the Orishas for answers. Orisha Yemaya wears white and blue dresses. allowed to witness the creation of the universe by Olorun and bears Orisha Nana Buruku, also known as Nana Buruque or simply as Nan, is the most respected Orisha of all. It says that he initially had nothing. Shango asked her if Eshu gave instructions on how to use that powder. Aganju was the next Orisha to manifest on earth. The Egyptian Goddess List He taught his followers the secrets of civilization (fire, smithing, hunting, politics, and war). Other stories tell that Ogum was married to Oya. From simple spells such as offering food to an Orisha (this food is commonly called as eb) to complex rituals like isolating a person during some days so they can be reborn as the son/daughter of an Orisha, we find a variety of customs that can naturally be adopted by modern witchcraft practitioners too. It is said that Ogun had many lovers. creator of the world and humanity. The party was over. For instance, you can learn much about Oshn and In order to do so, Ossain should remove the native plants. Humans themselves dont have the power or knowledge to play alone. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the Hidden One. He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. Eshu was so focused on observing Obatala that he learned everything from him. the role of translator for Obatal with whom he has a very close Obatal as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus. One story suggests that Osumare disliked this changing nature because he couldnt have any stable relationships. We also have lots of syncretism involved which contributed to the spread of their worship inside Christian beliefs too. they are of one heart. 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. The truth is that macumba is a collection of rites and spells that may be performed to attract, banish, bind or release energies, spirits, material goods, and whatever the practitioner desires. Ochossi and Ogun are brothers. It is said their scars strike fear into their enemy, who see the scars of Kokou as a sign of their potency. For example, theres a story in which a king sent a man to trial for making gossip and spreading misinformation inside the kingdom. 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. Oguns permission would not be requested to make offerings to Nana. Orunmila is the orisha of wisdom and divination. Now, Oshun became the first woman able to play the Bzios and to obtain the power of divination! (the Sea) she does so on her own circuitous route. One thing that is common among all religions derived from the Yoruba one is the presence of spells, divination methods, and rituals. He is revered by all the hunting communities and is often employed by the Orishas as a scout, helping them to locate lost items. His most notable role is that of the psychopomp (guardian of the dead). Eshu used to roam free with no destination at all. What is very important to know now is that these people shared common beliefs and customs. She never ate lamb after these occasions. Shango, the impulsive, only had a stone. With her dance, she causes winds and shakes the iruquer, her baton with buffalo (or horse) tail capable of sending eguns away. She usually holds a mirror in one hand. He talked to Obatala and assigned him the task of creating land. Oshun went after Eshu and, when she found him, she asked the clothes back. Of course, he drinks it! The Orishas - Gods of Santeria - Learn Religions Although she is mostly related to the sea and the salty waters, she is also worshiped by people who live far from the oceans. Deep in his heart, he didnt believe Oshun would be able to get something back from Eshu. Warriors, and is received along with Elegba, Ogn and Osun in He tried to create humans from air (his element), from wood, and from many other types of material, but he was not successful. The goddess Isis was the mother of the king and was thus the mother of Horus and consort of Osiris. Omulu was considered to be the ugly one, while his brother Oxumare was the beautiful one. Hes related to death and also to magic. During the meeting, Esu took the chance to cause some mischief and told Oshumare that Nan was really guilty for his shapeshifting curse and convinced him to take revenge on her by stealing her crown and becoming the king of the Jeje people. Aganju by Robert Love These supernatural entities usually referred to as deities are actually emanations or avatars of the supreme being Olodumare. He rules over the fire element, but hes also related to storms and thunderbolts, like his wife Ians (Oya). Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcons head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. And then Ill follow with the female ones, the Orisha Goddesses. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon. This is the list of orisha youll find more information below: Orisha Obatala is also known as Oshala, Orishanla, and Oshaluf. 11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses | Britannica Instead were going to focus on Yoruba religion from west Africa, and the Orishas that populate Yoruba stories. He is often viewed as a solitary figure who lives in the wilderness, practicing the ancient craft of shamanism. If youre interested in the religions themselves, I suggest reading the following articles: Though differences will always occur, all the 12 main Orishas Ill present here are mainly worshiped in Umbanda and Candombl. He is not associated with volcanoes in Yorbland in West Africa, contrary to what is believed in Cuban-style practice of orisa. Copyright Ancient Code. worlds. In this story, we have Obatala (the Sky) and Odudua (the primordial earth) this is a similar motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. Shes impulsive, aggressive, and cant be controlled. Both continued fighting and Obatala eventually won it. Elegba (also referred to Eleggua or Eleggu) is the owner of the One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. She lives on the riverbed. One day, Olorun, the supreme creator, thought about creating firm land. Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. In Shango's case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. In the Old Kingdom (c. 25752130 BCE), before Osiris rose to prominence as the lord of the underworld, Anubis was considered the principal god of the dead. The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cows ears. They were originally divine spirits who incarnated as earthly human-like beings and became heroes of their people. However, Yemaya couldnt forgive Ochossi for disobeying her and she doesnt accept him back at home. The Orishas already existed and they lived in the sky, above this watery space. 12 Most Popular Yoruba Gods and Goddesses - World History Edu The mold was moistened with the water of the Nile and sown with grain. Eshu would gather them and eventually take them to Obatala in great numbers, not individually. He got a job, a house, and everything he wished for. For example, one of the most famous ones tells how the seas and oceans were created. His colors are red and white and he recognises himself in the As master of the deep, he has a great insight into the mysteries of nature. This way, offerings to Nana go directly to her. I hope you could get a clearer picture of them and now youre able to familiarise yourself with these forces. Mustatils in Saudi Arabia: Gates for Animal Sacrifice to Unknown Gods? Simply water. It is said she couldnt have any child of her own. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries. The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah. Article written by Simon E. Davies, Contributor to Ancient Code. Once possessed by his spirit, the devotee experiences a frenzied blood-lust. Beyer, Catherine. Irish Morrigan appears to have been a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignity, although she was not referred to as a goddess in the mythology. Goddesses Archetypes Cards Online Free Oracle Reading, Oracle of Hecate Online Free Oracle Reading, YES or NO Oracle Free and Accurate Online Oracle Reading, The Triple Goddess 101 Manifesting your own magic with her, WHEEL OF THE YEAR and the 8 Sabbats A Full and free guide, 14 Hindu Gods and Goddesses that will make your life better, Orisha: the 12 most powerful Gods from Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba Religion and Mythology - An Introduction, A Brief Overview of Candombl and Umbanda, Orishas and the Balance Between Life and Death for Folklore Thursday, All about the Wheel of the Year and the 8 Sabbats, The Triple Goddess and her manifestations. When one sees the quickness with which lightning In any form, hes a wise one. 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. Luckily, Obatala exiled him to the wilderness, where he has lived as an outcast. makes short work of a tree or a fire rage through an area, one has Ptah was the head of a triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. People asked him to calm down and forgive Oya. Res cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. Anubis. To acknowledge the In later periods she was often represented as a regal-looking seated cat, sometimes wearing rings in her ears or nose. Eshu is intrusive and sometimes aggressive. 12. Olodumare In many ways, therefore, understanding an orisha is like understanding another human being. List of Yoruba deities - Wikipedia greatness of this king, all in the religion raise up on the toes of our Revisiting the Yoruba Ethnogenesis: a Religio- Cultural Hermeneutics of Although Im not a practitioner of any religion, I have already worked many times with their energy and I also know people who are deeply connected to them. This empire has mythical origins related to the last prince of the If kingdom. Ossain became so famous that he was asked to heal a king. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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. Oy on Earth for a time. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. The 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). Smart! Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. She is able to heal wounds and diseases, as well as cast curses and plagues. One day, Ogun arrives from a battle and finds Ochossi scared and isolated. The battle started and Shango emerged victorious, against all odds. An Orisha is a God or a Goddess from the Yoruba Religion and Mythology. Oya is married to Shango, a warrior Orisha who also has fire as an element. People from other religions usually have some prejudice against macumba, stating it is a form of so-called black magic. divination and the accompanying arts. Theres a story stating about how Nana forbade her children and followers from using knives and metals in general during rituals and ceremonies. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Osiris, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. Ogun created many things that helped mankind to flourish. that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. However, many of their clients are also Catholic, and they understand that such clients better identify with these beings under the guise of the saintly counterparts. Today, we refer to these areas as Yorubaland. Kokou by Assasin Monkey Ochossi leaves again and, this time, he decides by himself to live with Ossain. Ochossi learns it quickly from his brother and becomes a great hunter! One day, in the depths of the forest, he eventually meets Ossain who gives him a potion to drink. Only Obatala knew how to use it because he was taught by Orunmila, the one responsible for divination, advice, and general knowledge. On his head was the atef-crown, composed of the white crown of Upper Egypt and two ostrich feathers. The stone was actually a thunderstone known as edum ar. This name, meaning Foremost of the Westerners, was adopted by Osiris as an epithet. 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. Possible Greek/Roman Equivalent (s) Other. Bastet or Bast (Ancient Egyptian: bstjt, Coptic: , romanized: Oubaste /uast/, Phoenician: , romanized: 'bst, or , romanized: bst) was a goddess of ancient Egyptian religion, worshipped as early as the Second Dynasty (2890 BCE). There are different stories to explain how Omulu got his clothes that cover all his body and face, but one of the most common is that Nana felt so sorry for him that she decided to cover it all to avoid him suffering. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. She made it. He knows all the occult powers and rules. This is the source of She caused strong winds that lifted Omulus clothes, revealing his appearance. https://www.britannica.com/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses, largest and most complex pantheons of gods. Nana didnt like the idea of having the permission of Ogun for her works or for being praised. Obatala became albine. relationship. The Orisha And The 12 Gods Of Yoruba Mythology. From now on, Ill bring the Orisha list with the 12 most important ones. She always holds a mirror to admire her own beauty and to teach her children to love themselves above all. Orisha Oya, also commonly known as Ians, is the Orisha of storms, thunder, and strong winds. This is going to be a journey. On this page, Ill present you all you need to know about Orishas and how to understand them in and out from their original context the Yoruba Religion. way Yemay displays herself as truly the mother of all. It is said he was the emperor of Oyo, today Nigeria. Obatala descended from the sky and flipped the seashell on the water. Learn Religions, Mar. You pay nothing extra for it and you help to keep the website alive! The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty. While some really wanted to be with him, others were only victims of his desires. Madonna. He got a gourd and opened it, spreading a mysterious white smoke over Obatala. He is married to Obba but has relations He calmed down and Oya went back home. These gods, the Orisha, were Thoth, Kokou, Mujaji, Ptah, Nyami and Bast . He is a warrior orisha (2021, March 4). Thanks! Obatala was enraged at his brother for usurping his position, but he eventually conceded to his Oduduwas divine authority. He got uncontrollable as usual and when he noticed, the entire empire was burning. Their tales and beliefs are as old as time, predating our common era. He made some oxen appear on the roofs of cattle sheds. Olorun had two sons, Obatala and Oduduwa, who helped him develop the features of the Earth. path or manifestation of Ib Ikol she saved the world But these could change over time as gods rose and fell in importance and evolved in ways that corresponded to developments in Egyptian society. Now, you might say, thats ridiculous. Perhaps the most 'popular' of the orishas, Shang rules over Oy is the ruler of the winds, the whirlwind and the gates of As the goddess of the sky, Nut engulfed the sun at night and brought it back again at the beginning of the day. and female paths. He is renowned for his skills in witchcraft and is a good friend to the nature spirits of Africa. The Orishas - Indiana University Bloomington Explore the Osiris shaft, a symbolic tomb of the god Osiris. heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. With time, he felt like this was a curse imposed by his mother, Nan. Oshosi is the third member of the group known as the Guerreros or and others. lightning, thunder, fire, the drums and dance. other things which they like to receive as offerings and gifts. The man asked the king to plant seven baked yams and promised that, in twelve days, all of them would have flourished. observing that though she always heads toward her sister Yemay As such, the orishas came to be regarded as roughly equals as cultures mixed. Essentially, Orishas represent the powers of nature, as well as time, life, death, and rebirth. The first step he took on this realm became known as Ile-Ife (the capital of the Yorubaland). From this argument, a fight started. with Oy and Oshn. It's just spreading historical, mythological and magical information. According to the form of the myth reported by the Greek author Plutarch, Osiris was slain or drowned by Seth, who tore the corpse into 14 pieces and flung them over Egypt. He is a patron of sexual diversity, celebrating lesbian, gay and bisexual people. The earth which was inside the seashell fell on it and covered a small space. motif found in many other mythologies such as the story of Gaia and Uranos in Greek Mythology and Nut and Geb and Egyptian Mythology. She, and Theres a story explaining how Ossain become knowledgeable about the power of plants and eventually became a great healer. Those who worship him often seek personal empowerment, in order to make themselves better leaders. Updates? It somehow reminds the method of divination with Runes by the Norse people. Omulu got happy! 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. Ogun becomes aware of the situation. For 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). She is also known for the colors of maroon, flowery patterns and nine He is also the creator of rainbows and a rainbow can also be the personification of Oshumare. Yes, they are Orisha Ogun is the blacksmith, the one who creates weapons for the other Orishas. Orunmila is wisdom and Table of If to Orunmila in exchange for the gift of dance, his He lived with his mother, Yemaya. In this region, the powerful Oyo Empire flourished. gold and her number is five. He threatened to kill people there until his mother intervened and offered him the crown as a way to make him stop. I wont enter in details about each one of them as this is not the focus of this article. They were about to kill him too! Eshu stood at a crossroad and stopped everyone on Obatalas behalf. He didnt need them. In this Immediately after drinking it, Ochossi loses his memory and from this moment on he started living with Ossain in the depths of the forests. Anyway, Orisha Omulu used to be a quiet one. Many countries in the Americas feature the Orishas in their religions. The orishas are the emissaries of Olodumare or God almighty.

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