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Learning About The Yoruba Orishas

The religion most of us did not know about.

Cori L.L. Fowler

Apr 04, 2016

Lindenwood University

28461

Everyone has heard of the Greek gods, Zeus, Aphrodite, Poseidon, and others, but there is also the Yoruba Orishas. This is a religion that can be traced back to Africa and due to the Atlantic Slave Trade, the Orishas are also relevant in Latin America. So what are the Orishas? Just as the Greek gods, the Orishas are seen as the intermediaries between the supernatural and humankind. Here is a list of 20 Orishas and what they represent.

1. Olorun

The Chief God and the Supreme Creator.

2. Yemoja

Patron deity of women and the mother goddess.

3. Obtala

Deity of humankind, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness.

4. Oshun

Goddess of beauty, love, fertility, and divinity of rivers.

5. Ibeji

Sacred twins; Gods of youth and vitality.

6. Obba

Goddess of Domesticity and Marriage (also the daughter of Yamoja).

7. Eshu

God of communication; messenger between the spiritual and material world.

8. Ori

God of spiritual intuition and destiny.

9. Oxosi

God of scouting and hunting; deity of the accused and those seeking justice.

10. Oko

God of agriculture and harvest.

11. Olokun

God of the deep ocean, the abyss, and represents unfathomable wisdom.

12. Agaya

God of volcanoes and deserts; father of Shango.

13. Oya

Warrior-spirit of the wind, lightning, fertility, fire and magic. It is believed that she creates hurricanes and tornadoes, and serves as guardian of the underworld.

14. Orunmila

God of wisdom, divination, and foresight.

15. Babalu Aye

God of illness and sickness.

16. Oshumare

God of direct movement and rainbow serpent, guardian of children, controller of the umbilical cord, and lord of elongated things.

17. Ogun

God of iron, tools and weapons. He is a fierce warrior and protective father.

18. Erinle

God of physical health and wellness; medical physician to the gods.

19. Ozain

God of the forest natural healer and guardian of herbs.

20. Shango

God of fire, virility, masculinity, and lightening. Shango is the Orisha of the thunderbolt, said to have ruled in ancient times over the kingdom of Oyo.

If you are intrigued by the list of Orishas there is more to the story, literally. There is also a storyline within the religion that is very interesting that you should also check out.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Learning About The Yoruba Orishas

The religion most of us did not know about.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

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15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

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I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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