Orisha

One of the minor African goddesses, is Oya. Her name, Oya, in the Yoruban culture means “she who tore”. Oya is a Great Yoruban Orisha. An Orisha is any of several minor gods in southern Nigeria. The term is also used in various religious cults of South America and the Caribbean. She is the goddess of storms and winds, but her realm ranges from a gentle breeze to thunder and lightning. One reason why she is feared by many people, is because she brings sudden changes in people and landscapes, etc. Oya can destroys building structures with her strong winds. She is the Queen of the Winds of change. Goddesses like Oya, are referred to as Dark goddesses, because they not only guide you through the darkness; but they point you to the light of hope. She will help you understand the truth and to get justice. Oya is a boundary between life and death. Because Oya also rules in the cemetery, she can choose bring forth death or not. Oya’s favorite number is 9 because of her 9 children. Her planet is Uranus and her day is Wednesday. Colors connected to Oya are maroon, purple, red and black. And her offering plant is an eggplant.…

three levels, but a participant can stop at any one. The steps or roles are: 1. Receiving Elekes Elekes are beaded necklaces and are made up of different colors and patterns that correspond to the preferences of the orisha of the santero or santera who conducts the initiation. The necklaces are draped around the neck of the initiate. Elekes are sacred and are a sign of the orishas presence and protection. Santerians say the necklace ceremony is equivalent to the ceremony of baptism and is the…

Yoruba religion Santeria, thanks to popular culture. There have been many artists that have created records dedicated to the African diasporic religion, for example Ricky Ricardo’s very own “Babalu Aye” and Sublimes “Santeria”. Santeria a religion of peace, nature, and respect to the orishas. It is not only a religion but a way of life, and a culture for many people that practice it. According to the Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, “Santeria is a religion originating in West Africa, it was…

People thought I was crazy, but when it's Beyoncé, you don't question it.” Loala said. He continued that So I was asked to do my Sacred Art of the Ori for the dancers, and what that essentially means is Sacred Art of the Essence. The dancers were my canvas, my muses. I would watch and listen to their dance, body movements, energy smiles and strength and try to bring out what they were capturing with the movements in my paint. The paint is a white ink with very spiritual meaning in Yoruba…

creation. Eleggua is responsible for communicating to and for the Orishas and Olodumare on behalf of those on earth. Eleggua is the first orisha received by a person in the Santería faith. Although Eleggua was the first orisha created, Obatala is the eldest. Obatala is the king of Santería in heaven and is father to many of the other orishas. His shrine is always placed higher than those of the other orishas. He is tasked with preserving peace among the orishas if any fights break out.…

formal word for ¨saint¨ had Orishas. The enslaved Africans slowly began to fuse both aspects of the religions substituting a certain Orisha for a specific saint; while also combining the beliefs of French Spiritism in the equation. Santeria is a religion that hinders on traditional practices and rituals, and modern Santeria practitioners rely on the elements of the original Yoruba religion and French Spiritualism in their modern depiction of the faith. The officially recognized organization of…

It is a belief system like shamanism in which the practitioners believed each and everything in life was an “Orisha” an aspect of god. I was familiar…

five-toed chicken. Both the chicken and the shell are used in the same way as Obatala’s story. Eventually Oduduwa became king of Ife, which is what the place is named after he landed there from his decent from heaven (Belcher 2005). After some times, Oduduwa passes away and he leaves his possessions to his children, six boys, the youngest one being named Oranmiyan. Of Oduduwa’s possessions only earth and iron are left, so Oranmiyan takes those. Unfortunately for his older brothers because…

(Iroquois). According to the Iroquois myth, the Earth is created because of a woman who failed to obey the rules; in other words the creation of Earth was a mistake. In contrast, when Obtala makes the discovery of new world below the Obatala's, he immediately grows curious and asks the God of the Orishas, Olorun, for permission to explore it. “Touched by Obatala's desire to do something constructive,” Olorun helps prepare for Obatala's mission (Yoruba). Differing between the myths, Obtala…

promising life in which they are brought into. Their duties on earth are forgotten, and must wonder without being subjected into malicious activities that are looked down upon. Like many religions, the Yoruba’s do have a sacred called Olodumare. This sacred is known to be the highest god of them all and the Yoruba people do pray to him; However this sacred isn’t merged into any activities such as praising, sacrificing, or preforming rituals (William A. Young). Olodumare may be the highest god of…