There are currently 125 playable gods in the game. keeper of fate. God of the sea for Bini people in Benin, he Minona Fon protector Goddess, Baron Samedi Haitian Vodou Lwa Obatala and Dan (who became known as Damballa Others are universal in Yoruba belief and maintain vigorous cults in Nigeria and in Cuba and Brazil as well. He is an energy force that will influence you to do good. Mawu Lisa The dual Daxome The Yoruba tribe of West Africa has a myth about how they where created: In the beginning, there was only the sky above, water and marshland below. 71. blog of deities worshiped in Nigeria and surrounding areas. fertility/reproduction Goddess. Ayizan, Aizan speech, [4][5][6], Practitioners traditionally believe that daily life depends on proper alignment and knowledge of one's Or. In traditional Yoruba beliefs, the number of Yoruba gods, referred to as "orisa" is 401, or in yoruba (mokanleirinwo). Difference between Yoruba r worship and what is practiced among Afro-Hispanics, "Deities of the Yoruba and Fon Religions | Encyclopedia.com", "Yoruba gods and goddesses: their history explained in detail", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Yoruba_deities&oldid=1131964538, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The tradition was conceptualized by the Yoruba people of Nigeria in West Africa and has been in practice for over eight thousand years, thus considered one of the oldest monotheist practices on the globe. As a result, people worldwide wonder if Nigeria is an Islamic or Christian country today. The creator cannot be seen. Son of Aganju. http://www.ochareo.com/articles/articles6.htm anthropos, youth, reflection, and the love that comes from admiration. Associations overlap with Agwe and Olokun, depending Oshun transformed into a peacock and flew to Orun/Orunmilla (Heaven) to tell Olodumare that the Orishas were remorseful. He/She provided for Oshun during an incarnation or time of her life Continue reading about the Orishas and their powers in the Yoruba religion: Your email address will not be published. a good idea to ask for their blessing when making floor washes, Worldhistoryedu is not responsible for the content of external sites. Olorun, in many regards is the Zeus or Jehovah of the Yoruba pantheon. He is also the 401 deities exist in the Yoruba pantheon, but only a few survive in Cuba that through time their cults have survived. betrayed you. Often represented by Get the hottest stories from the largest news site in Nigeria. Gods is the term used to refer to the playable characters in SMITE. Yoruba gods and goddesses are worshipped in Nigeria, Cuba, and Brazil. white or opalescent or transparent, and can be accented with other For instance, the Yoruba are thought to have a pantheon of up to 6,000 deities.[3]. Apollo had many jobs and responsibilities, as he was the god of archery, music, dance, healing, and disease, as well as sun and light. of death. of Nyawe-Ananu who is also his wife. Do you really know what the Christian Nationalist movement seeks to achieve? They may not perform rituals and other practices in foreign countries but uphold some of their traditional beliefs. . Yemoja - mother of life, mother of water, mother of fishes, mother of the Spirits Jakuta (Sango) - judge and fighter against the unjust and wicked, spirit of lightening and thunder, son of fire Olomitutu (Osun) - freshwater spirit, rivers, protector of abused and vulnerable women, female Sexuality mere mortals, it relates to the world via the Alusi. Norse and Meitei versions of similar gods and goddesses. while others view it as the divine thread that connects all types of It is an affirmation that is used in greetings and prayers, as well as a concept of spiritual growth. 69. He is stubborn, changeable and unstable, always choosing at random those he blesses and favors and always with great monetary abundance. Oluwa Awon Oluwa - The Lord of lords, the king of kings. The current Oba of Oyo town is Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. If you know of more Vodun, Orishas, Lwas, and West Orishas omitted Esu (also called Eshu /Elegua; god's messenger who presides over doorways, crossroads, and change) from their plan to overthrow Olodumare and rule the world. The Yoruba people occupy southwestern Nigeria. Damballa Wedo the powerful sky While you might have heard some of these names while worshipping or praying amongst the Yorubas, others are not so popular so youll be learning some of them in this section. Nicole Lasher and respective guest authors. Olofi The conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth), Orunmila Orisha of wisdom, divination, destiny and foresight, Ori Personification of ones spiritual intuition and destiny, Aganj Orisha of volcanoes, the wilderness and rivers, Babal Ay Orisha of the Earth and strongly associated with infectious disease and healing, Erinl Orisha of medicine, healing, and comfort, physician to the gods, Trickster, psychopomp and Orisha of crossroads, duality, beginnings, travelers, fertility and death, Ibeji Twin Orisha of vitality and youth, btl Creator of human bodies; Orisha of light, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness, gn Orisha who presides over iron, fire, hunting, politics and war, Omr Divine rainbow serpent associated with creation and procreation, s Orisha of the hunt and forest, ng, also Shango Orisha of thunder and lightning, Sopona Orisha of smallpox, also known as Babalu Aye, Aja Orisha of the forest, the animals within it, and herbal healing, Mawu Creator goddess, associated with the sun and moon, Nana Buluku Androgynous Supreme Creator, b First wife of Shango and Orisha of domesticity and marriage, Olkun Patron Orisha of the descendants of Africans who were carried away during the Atlantic Slave Trade or Middle Passage, un Orisha who presides over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy, ya Orisha of the Niger River; associated with wind, lightning, fertility, fire, and magic, Yemja A mother goddess; patron deity of women, and the Ogun river, Edan [Onile] Orisa Ogboni [Osugbo] Yoruba History, Sango (Shango / Chango) Orisa History Of God Of Thunder, Esu Elegba / Eleggua Extreme Occult Powers Mysterious Statue, 7 Myths About Babalawo And Iyanifa You Should Know, 8 Signs You Are Under A Powerful Love Spell, Cure To Cancer, Bareness, Asthma & Other Uncurable Sickness, How Yemoja (Yemonja / Yemaya) Can Help You Live a Better Life, Opele Ifa Divination History: Opele Divination In My Shrine, ORUNMILA & ORI: Why We Bow Our Head To Orunmila, Reincarnation: How To Remember Your Past Life The Easiest Way, Sex Magick: How To Cast Powerful Spells With Your Sperm & Orgasm, Third Eye: How To Open Your Third Eye Through Darkness. They told him that they ignored Oshun for being young and a woman. Ede, Laro son of a manifestation of Oshun Dada growth, newborns, and It is by of divination. Ayida (or Aida) Wedo His physical manifestation or humans They believe in the primordial deities Olodumare and Orunla. Chango is the orisha of drumming, dancing, thunder, fire, male virility, and leadership. Aje - Aje is a traditional goddess of abundance and wealth, often associated with the business of the marketplace in the Yoruba religion. Traditional religion and Islam dominated Nigeria before the colonial era. The first city of the Yoruba was Ife, founded by Obatala, but it now lies under water. The people who resisted all-conquering . Sango -The god of thunder. marshlands, wife of Erinle. being ridden by himare never to be seen by women or else they Our daily life depends on proper alignment and knowledge of ones ori. She has a soft spot for Abiku, children who died The following is a complete list of all gods of music that I've found in my research. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more an innumerable number". Abata/Abatan swamps and Agu one armed or one legged or anything/anyone that is gestating, from negative energy brought by wealth, material prosperity, and dyeing (coloring), so perhaps melanin, Though he is thought of Boronisa thecompanion or twin guardians of (missing: Elegba and Oshosi), Elegba, Yemay (Yemja), Osn, Shang (Sang), Obatal, Oya, and Oshoshi. Determines and guards legitimate kings. As mentioned previously Oshun is considered the goddess of love and beauty. fertility and the Earth and possibly Jupiter. In brief, it holds that all human beings possess what is known as "Ayanmo" (destiny, fate) and are expected to eventually become one in spirit with Olodumare (Olorun, the divine creator and source of all energy). Orun. She taught Oshun to cook, and as the story Followers of Yemaya can have great luck and protection from her, but they are said to be prone to anger or gambling. There are 401 Orishas which is associated with a sacred number. Americas. Yorubas believe that Olodumare created the Orishas and threw powers of dominion into the air. national Vodun Day in Benin. Adjassou-Linguetor Haitian Rada Yeye Lembo mistress of the The trickster god has two sides. She is an Orisha from the Muslim land, and Shango the king of fire loves her very much. Eshu, the trickster orisha (Yoruba gods) of the Yoruba people of Western Africa, is the mischievous divinity well-known in Yoruba mythology. She is the powerful force in nature that can change the face of the Earth. known for their medicinal properties. number: There is also a sizable population of Yoruba people in some parts of Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana. One such cultural practice is the use of yahooja (pronounced yah-wha), which is a cross between palm wine and animal blood. mankind, the spirit and physical realms. Osara waterfalls, cascades, Rooted in the native religion of the Yoruba people, most orishas are said to have previously existed in rn - the spirit world - and then became Irnml - spirits or divine beings incarnated as human on Earth. More than 80% of the Cuban population are Santeria believers or Yoruba Orisha worshippers. He loves attending different events and enjoys boxing. He is in the rumbling of storms and the with a list of deities. For all media enquiries please contact us here. Odudua, Oduduwa father of the Gods. He takes an active role in the affairs of both heaven and earth. Osanyin, the Yoruba God of medicine, herbs and forests. when it settlesOy he is given food from the same feast, but apart on a round table with flowers and a tablecloth of different colors and 9 lighted candles. Chief Awodele Ifayemi comes from a long line of reputable Babalawos. the gatekeeper, guardian of crossroads and doorways, and of course Nwoyeh-Ananu suffering, more Olorun Awon Olorun - The God of all other gods Kabiyeesi - The King of the world Oba Awon Oba - King of kings Olodumare, Atobiju - The Almighty God Arugbo Ojo - Ancient of days, the beginning and the end. The Orishas travelled to America and the Caribbean during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, which saw many Yorubas being enslaved and assimilated into Catholicism. of yams. Odduw is the first ever Oni to rule Ife. Prophet's Birthday: history of the holiday, when is it in 2022? The Yoruba are most likely the most well-known West African ethnic group in the world due to their vast population in West Africa and broad dispersion through enslavement in the Americas. of unity and social transactions. add them to the list. Orisha devotees strive to obtain Ashe through iwa-pele or gentle and good character and in turn they experience alignment with the ori, what others might call inner peace and satisfaction with life. (represents wind, lightning, fire, and magic) (Shango's third wife). Lists Osiris, lord of the dead. It is an important read for anyone who suspects they may not be getting Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. first child of Gbadu. PRN Speech Pathologist Home Health music made with wind/air and wind instruments. Oshun was associated with Our Lady of Mercy. The mind is, Read More Four Positive Mental States To Counter Negative Thinking Part I of IVContinue, Fate and free will do not form a dichotomy in my view. Their ancestral father, Oduduwa, migrated from the ancient city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to Africa. Below is the Yoruba gods' family tree: The Yoruba creation story has different versions. The Mpungo of Palo Mayombe wealth/riches), or Dada (The He created the Orishas to be mediators between himself and the people. Ogun, Ogoun, Gu 1. The Yoruba religion is a monotheistic religion with a pantheon of deities. Oro the force of law/law forest Orisha and owner of omiero. Last modified April 11, 2022, Your email address will not be published. Olodumare created the Yoruba people through Oduduwa. she would no longer need to sell herself. Said to originally be the Goddess of the Ogun river, but since she is consort of Exu. Eshu is considered a trickster or mischief-maker. 8 Tu Er ShenChinese Mythology. As Oshun washed Although Olorun does not have any sorts of statues or shrines in his name, it is common among the people to give him thanks and blessing for all that he has provided them. Through the forest meanders the river Osun, the spiritual abode of the river goddess Osun. Yoruba Gods and Goddesses mesmerize ordinary people and scientists. Osanyin healer. Saying that someone "has ax" in capoeira is complimenting their energy, fighting spirit, and attitude. No person can remember all the gods and goddesses in the Yoruba religion. Gary Edwards (Author), John Mason (Author), This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 16:52. respected and called upon to find creative recipes as well as to charm If you wish to use our material in your essay, book, article, website or project, please consult our permissions page. This could be to say that she According to the teachings of these religions, the orishas are spirits sent by the supreme creator, Olodumare, to assist humanity and to teach them to be successful on Ay (Earth). Olofi - the conduit between Orn (Heaven) and Ay (Earth); Nana Buluku - androgynous Supreme Creator. mother of the Earth, depending where you are. Abiku, Aganju, Agayu, Aje, Aj Saluga, Aje Shaluga, Aye Shaluga, Babal Ay, Babalu Aye, Babaluaiye, Babaluaye, Babayanmi, Banyani, Bayani, Bayanni, Bayoni, Bayonni, Eda, Egungun-Oya, Eleduwa, Eleggua, Elegua, Elusu, Eshu, Esu, Obaluaye, Obtl, Obatal, Obatala, Ochosi, Ocshosi, Odua, Odudu, Odudua, Odduw, Oduduwa, Oduwa, Ogun, Oko, Olodumare, Olofi, Olokun, Olokun-Su, Olokunsu, Olorun, Olrn, Olufon, Olurun, Onile, Orisa, Orisala, Orisanla, Orisas, Orisha, Orisha-Nla, Orisha-Popo, Orishala, Orishas, Orixa, Orixas, Oromila, Orula, Orunmila, Osanyin, Oshanla, Oshe, Oshun, Oshunmare, Osumare, Osun, Oxsse, Oxossi, Oy, Oya, Oya-Iyansan, Shango, Shapona, Shonponno, Shopona, Sopona, Soponna, Yansan, Yemanja, Yemaya, Yemayah, Yembo, Yemoja, Yemonja, Yemowo, Yemowo. litre of whisky. The god Eshu also goes by several other. It is an affirmation that is used in greetings and prayers as well as a concept of spiritual growth. This deity is cared for in caves that contain rivers in the subsoils. when she had to sell her body to survive. )[2] The most prevalent West African religions, both in Africa and the Americas, are likely those of the Yoruba people or those that were influenced by them. Olokun The Yoruba gods became more anthropomorphic due to the agriculture spread, metallurgy, and modernization. She is dressed in a pink pearl and jet necklace. They were made from different combinations of the four original elements of air, water, fire, and earth. The following is a list of Yoruba orisha (r), or deities. How can I learn yoruba pls? Shokponna/Babalu Aye/Sakpata Chukwu the Igbo Odinani name (missing: Elegua and Ogn), This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 16:46. in Haiti). the Irish Brigitte, wife of Baron Samedi, Haitian Vodou Lwa of the name is used to describe the Supreme Being. The number is as many as you can think of, plus one more an innumerable number. and lives inside of the crown of cowries worn by priests protect the children of Oy, because it is this Orisha who calms Oy. Ashe is divine energy that comes from Olodumare, the almighty God and is manifested through Olorun, who rules the heavens and is associated with the sun. Mother of life on Earth, guardian of the seas. herself and her clothing in the river, Aje Shaluga colored them an Many Orishas have found their way to most of theNew Worldas a result of theAtlantic slave trade and are now expressed in practices as varied asSantera,Candombl,Trinidad Orisha,Umbanda, andOyotunji, among others. She is the sister of Aagui (healer and witch) and woman of the I guess Orunmila in Otura Meyi. 67. Copyright 2018 - 2023 TheNigerianInfo. first wife of Shango, Orisha of dutiful Abokun and Abokeye always go togetheraaGoing to Eggun Ni Shang ("horses" that is, the people that Shang uses to transport himself to earth). In charge If you arent familiar with the Yoruba culture, it is worth learning more about. Jakuta the original, Each Orisha has an associated color. Also known as Brom, it symbolizes the bones of the spirits, habita in the desert and live with Oduduwa.In the cemetery Yew is the one who teaches him the oracle and wisdom, he is his messenger and also his secret. Chang (also spelled Shang, ango, or Xango) is one of the most popular orishas in Santeria and is the king of our religion on earth. Please mention Godchecker.com when praying to the Gods. Born during the Qing dynasty, Hu Tianbao found himself attracted to an official of the local government, spying on him naked through a hole in his bathroom wall. [7] For practitioners, ashe represents a link to the eternal presence of the supreme deity, the orishas, and the ancestors. In this v. We're a team of experienced content creators in Nigeria who help to keep this website updated with valuable and verified information.View Author posts. recommendations of licensed medical or other health professionals. Ashe is the life force that runs through all things, living and inanimate. They practice the art of Ebo (spiritual work) which is done to inflame the psyche of a person. In many aspects, their practices can be compared to that of other nearby tribes that share the same religious beliefs. Exorcises evil Spirits, Also known as Kpoli. arts. 50+ fashionable Yoruba native dress styles for men and women. Afa Anlo Ewe of the sacredness Cuban African worship, sometimes referred to as Santera, is still widely practiced in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Tobago/Trinidad and Brazil, a number of practitioners are Yoruba descendants to certain degrees. Something that is very lucky is to find a shell that produces pearls such as mother of pearl or oysters, among others. embodies the liquid confidence women get when they are intoxicated. the Sea for some in Benin. In Haitian Vodou, she is also regarded as the first Oduduwa put them in the city of Ife (also Ile-Ife) and established the concept of cultural identity and kingship. PetroLwa of ruin and misfortune. Brise Haitian lwa of the hills wives, marital obligation, nurturing, motherhood, and marriage. Recommended for you who gave birth to the celestial bodies. Some of the most well-known are Ogun, the god of iron and warfare, Obatala, the god of peace and purity, and Ifa, the god of divination. The Yoruba believe that animals can take off their skin and go about as humans. Apollo (Greek) The Muses (Greek) Pan (Greek) Canens (Roman) Meret (Egyptian) Ihy (Egyptian) Hathor (Egyptian) Bes (Egyptian) Bragi (Norse) Inuaria (Celtic) Cerridwen (Celtic) Taliesin (Celtic) Ogma (Celtic) Ikenga - Ikenga is a personal god of human endeavor, achievement, success, and victory. The archaeological evidence from the West African sites states that Orishas developed between 500-300 BCE. Alternative name for the Creator (Fon). serpent. They are thought to have control over certain parts of human life and the natural world. The God of the Yoruba religion is called Olodumare (The Creator) who created himself. Legit.ng also shared an insightful article about the most populated religion in Nigeria. civilization. Life and death are said to be cycles of . Asase Yaa Akan Goddess of The world acknowledges the Yoruba community of Nigeria for preserving their culture to date. Orunmila teaches us eight ways that we can transform worry and fear of failure. Pomba Gira Brazilian Candomble and (fraternal) twin of Zodji. Olodumare stopped the rains. Ori literally means the head but in spiritual matters, it is taken to mean a portion of the soul that determines personal destiny and success. Egungun the collective spirit Brother and/or consort of Yemaya, an Orisha of the sea for some Yoruba mythology states that Olodumare is the most powerful god. Erinle, Inle The Discuss the list on Orisha Aje (as in The Aje) Here you will find various names that the Yorubas use to represent God during worship, praises, or/and prayers. The Yoruba kingdom was at the height of its power about the end of the seventeenth century, though even as late as 1818 the Dahomi were . Oduduwa - The god of humans. The seven most popular Orishas are Esu, Ogun, Obatala, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, and Oya. but by more African minded folk its probably heavier on the B and T. Loko also called Papa Loko, the culinary arts. photos of Santeria style shrines for many Orishas. Odede father of Ochossi, father to speak prophetically (afudashe) and cowrie divination. This is the house of transformation, regeneration, death, sex, and rebirth. She also defends women who have been raped or abandoned during They are deities, immortals, heroes and mythical beings from ancient mythology, folklore and other tales. Nanu a female manifestation of Babalu About 78% of Brazil's population are Yorubas. The Supreme Deity of the Yoruba is called Oldmar. Orisha of beauty, romantic love, prosperity, fun, and feminine dance. vinegars, and the like. He is a powerful and compassionate supreme deity, yet can be somewhat irresponsible at times. was born from Olorun. Fa, Fa Adegun, children. The purpose of their worship was to ensure prosperity for the community. According to the Yoruba Ifa Corpus there are 401 Yoruba gods (orisa). Yemaya was linked with the V*irgin Mary, Our Lady of Regla, in Cuba. dominant men. Also in charge of still waters including water in jars. Ashe is the power to make things happen. Iya first woman, the Yoruba or mummification or sucking of energy through the evil eye or other Olodumare the Supreme God and Orisha of rainbow serpent associated with creation and procreation. Olodumare, is the divine Yoruba God of creation. Each Orisha rules over a part of nature, with some connected to trees, others rivers, or rocks. The contribution of Yoruba culture to the history of Nigerians is unique and has a lot of exciting facts. Haitian Lwa of the sea and sea life, protector of sailors and owner of all ships and navy. Required fields are marked *. Yemaya. He shares his knowledge of If with whoever is seeking to find their truth in life. Orisha of domesticity and marriage (Shango's first wife), Patron Orisha of the descendants of Africans. Anansi Akan trickster spider, Bromu is the child of Yewa and in Aja - the "wild vine", teacher of medicine/herbalism. charge of dessication and drying, whether for purposes of preservation Bromu, Boromu and Brosia, serpent of Haitian Vodou, husband of Ayida. Aye. bilirumin, chlorophyll and other natural pigments as well. Yoruba peoples. comforting or protective aspect of death and the immune system. The Godchecker Holy Database currently contains 100 Yoruba deity names these are listed below. wherein there are no plants. owns all plants, master of herbal medicine and magic. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Otin (maybe same as Oti) with the land or mass of the Earth than the water. the nursing and practical care professions. Copyright 1999-2023 Godchecker, Inc. All rights reserved. The Yoruba pantheon consists of hundreds of gods, worshipped for an immense variety of purposes, each repre-sentative of some natural element or human emotion. Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Tobago are the Americas countries where Yoruba cultural influences are the most noticeable, particularly in popular religions like Vodon, Santria, Camdombl, and Macumba. One of his children, Lajodogun succeeded him as an Oni. There are many different religious rites and ceremonies that can be performed to appease the Orishas, like Santeria and Candombl. first man. Like humans, orishas may have a preferred color, food, or object. Orun the sun or the home of the ESHU is the messenger god, acting as a link between humans and the Yoruba deities (Orishas). These necklaces are five bead collars, each of which is consecrated to one major Orisha (high spirit or divinity) from the Yoruba pantheon: Obatala, Yemoja, Elegua, Oshun, and Shango. Esu saved Olodumare and received the gift of becoming a trickster figure that can freely interfere with people's lives.