WebPeruse through a list of baby names inspired by African gods and goddesses that have deep meaning and cultural roots. Discover the various gods and goddesses of West African mythology. Be it Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Chinese, Japanese, Aztec, Mayan, you name it. Instead, we can refer to the Yoruba religion as its most popular religion simply due to how widespread it is. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Gods of Death Human spirits exist within the mind, and hence, tending to its development is what Orunmila really does. She is an orisha too right? Aj Shaluga is responsible for providing fair wages to their people for work activities and money to cover the needs of Yoruba families. In this article, we will be looking at the traditional beliefs of the Yoruba people, a West African ethnic group with a brimming crucible of history to their name. I understand translation gets lost or changed, either way the roads meet back to the beginning, is my opinion. Oya can bring forth any conditions she wants like tornadoes, earthquakes, and storms.

Kibuka would then go ahead of the warriors to clear their paths and ensure their victory. At least the ones I know of, and some tarot cards are written with 2 or 3 translations of the orishas. She uses her abilities to Oya is the last of the Seven African Powers, though sometimes shes substituted with Ochossi or Orunmila. And I always reply I honestly dont know, I just know I believe in God and Jesus Christ. Igbo is one of the oldest African religions around, with Ala being one of their oldest and most popular goddesses. Orishas, too, have emotions that flow gracefully like the river. She formed the oceans and rivers when her water broke while she was giving birth to her first child. WebMami Wata continues to be an important part of African mythology today, representing the power of the natural world and the mysteries that lie beneath its surface. 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. Obatala practices a more specific approach to humankind, taking deep care of their psychology while enforcing justice within their affairs. Yoruba. Dialogue Institute, Dialogue Institute, 16 Sept. 2020, https://dialogueinstitute.org/afrocaribbean-and-african-religion-information/2020/9/16/yoruba . It is a fantastic place to start taking in the sheer size of the beliefs of the ancient civilizations living on such a diverse continent. I renounce Asa, also known as father god or the strong lord, that rules over mercy, help His authoritative use of raw power symbolizes typical masculinity, linking him to a more personal viewpoint for followers of the Orisha pantheon. 6th: Bumba. When it comes to the Yoruba people, Oshun is the one most commonly referred to as the Goddess of Rivers, but besides this she is also often times known as the Lifeblood of the Niger River and the mother of all rivers. She is the daughter of the elder god Chukwu and wife of Amadioha, the sky deity. African mythology has hundreds if not thousands of other gods and goddesses that we have yet to mention in this article alone. 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. 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. As I grow older Im wanting more and more info even joined groups on fb but afraid to say anything because everyone who most talk in the groups are practicing already and I dont understand some of their post. Her name literally translates to Earth, which is meant to indicate that she is the creator of our planet and the one that controls its every move. I renounce Anayaroli, the river demon that rules over wealth;. African deities are numerous and include Aj Shaluga, Babal Ay, Bumba, Nana Buluku, Obatala, Olorun, Ogo, Oko, Olokun, the Orishas, Orunmila, Oshun, Oya, Shango, and Yemaya, as well as the following: Some gods and goddesses may be more or less powerful or known, but each holds some importance to the different cultural and religious groups of West Africa. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Yesterday I learned Oya likes chocolate. Hence, dead ancestors remain as relevant as they can ever be even after death. CARD DECK!! Where do they live? The most popular African gods 1st: The Orishas. Ala. Igbo is one of the oldest African religions around, with Ala being one of Whenever she does lose her temper though she causes the waters to be violent, attacking and taking down even the mightiest ships because of her sorrows. She is also the Hi i am new to this i am just seeking information on the seven African Powers because and was told many times to call on my ancestors for help and not sure how to call on them and i really think i need if because my financial life is not good, my husband health has taken a dip and he was the bread winner in the home , right now i cannot pay my tuition as i am a Nursing student , i have four boy to support and cannot even afford to even purchase books for school sometimes i really need guidance. My manifestations were super strong bc Ive met Davido, Tekno among other artists and several Nollywood actors and directors! I love the fact that we are getting back to what has been taking from us. Ala is a goddess in Igbo mythology from eastern Nigeria. Spirits are less grand, less powerful, and less like humans than the gods, who often have weaknesses and emotions. Thanks a lot for this. African deities are a number of supernatural beings in the collective religions in the African continent. Goddesses can be found in the historical beliefs or current day observances of most cultures and religions. i think the groups are fun to follow it gives you a little bit of insight and i feel like some people in the group will help with some questions. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for Aphrodite Goddess Statue made of Marble Greek Roman Mythology Sculpture at the best online prices at eBay! Consequently, because of his knowledge, Orunmila is said to know the ways of the world and the fate of humankind. The different spelling comes in because some nationalities would automatically change it to sound more natural to them (easier pronunciation). While many Orishas are imaged through physical manifestations such as lightning or rivers, some are connected to deep human affairs. Olokun - God of the Sea. He is the one that protects the Yoruba people from dangers and more specifically, the one that helps bless their weapons before they set out for war. In the pantheon, Oshun was Shangos favorite wife, which greatly affected Oba. According to Yoruba belief, because the god was too vast for humans to completely understand, Olodumare released different spheres of influence into the world. as i have not invoked any of them they just showed up. thank you so much for the time you put into this. It should go without saying that if you plan to invoke and work with the Seven African Powers for healing, abundance, fertility, etc. Can a deceased sibling still be spoken with if you put up a alter for them in the form of an ancestor?? And what better tool to carry it out than the trusty old iron? Their brother, Oduduwa, created the world instead. Orunmila is a prime example of it. South American Mythology | Gods, Creatures & Stories, Egyptian Mythological Creatures | List, Folklore & Symbolism, Slavic Mythology | Gods, Symbols & Stories, West Africa: People, Culture & History | West African Countries, Mexican Mythology | Monsters, Mythical Creatures & Folklore. The deeper connection to where I truly come from and everything they embodied and never got a chance to learn and experience. when i got down to the last 3 colors i started questioning myself ,but it was too late i was already in too deep to not stay dedicated lhaahahahha A great, lasting one makes way for a civilization to flourish. Peace, honesty, and creativity are just some of them. Oshuns aquatic finesse over the rivers of West Africa immortalized her spot as one of the most critical Orishas. Along with Ochosi and Osun, the rooster sentinel, not the Orisha of Love, Oshun, I mean, as well as a shrine to my Dad. It is said that Obatala was the one that created the human bodies, and as they finished up their job, they demanded of their father to breathe life into the soulless bodies in front of them. She is often times referred to as the Goddess of wind, thunderbolt and fire, and she is by far the most feared goddess in the pantheon. Chaac, Mayan Rain God | Mythology, Images & Facts, African Religions & Spirituality | History, Beliefs & Gods, Atum Egyptian God | Story, Creation & Facts, Ancient Egyptian God Khepri | Mythology, Symbol & Facts. Write a short story retelling the myth in your own words. She is believed to be the daughter of Yemaya and the first wife of Shango. But before that, I could hear my ancestors say, I am from Bantu lineage. lol I guess I was half asleep when i read how to use the candle because everyday for 7 days i would wake up , light the candle, say the prayer, then before bed i would turn it off. She is well known for taking mortal lovers. In the Yoruban religion, Olorun is considered the creator of the universe and the ruler of heaven. I recently bought a statue with Jesus on his cross and the 7 Orishas around him. I hope I am making sense. Athena. In Shangos case, he was considered the grandson of the Orisha Oduduwa in Yoruba mythology. WebMami Wata continues to be an important part of African mythology today, representing the power of the natural world and the mysteries that lie beneath its surface. Bumba didnt stop there though as he also vomited up the sun, the night and nine animals in total. Some recollections tell us that there are as many as 700, 900 or even 1,440 Orishas around. While there is no actual official number of gods that can be found in this pantheon though, there is an interesting notion around it which states that there are 400+1 Orishas around. What about gods or stories in other religions? in Psychology with a minor in Diversity Studies from Michigan Technological University and her M.S. The nine animals produced more species to live on Earth, and eventually, humans came into creation. To cite this article in an academic-style article or paper, use: Syed Rafid Kabir, "12 African Gods and Goddesses: The Orisha Pantheon", History Cooperative, July 2, 2022, https://historycooperative.org/african-gods-and-goddesses/. He is pretty much just a benevolent version of Loki, as he goes around not trying to stir up problems but instead just enjoying life, more so playing the role of a messenger between the realm of spirits and mankind. My biggest question is, after reading about all 7 of them (and I know there are many more to learn about) outside of learning exactly what it means to understand African based spirituality, how do I know exactly which spirit to honor/follow and work with? There is no official African religion out there, and that is because there are countless cultures and practices that are spread all across the continent. As they migrated and settled in new homelands, they created myths and legends to tell the story of the history of their people. Oya eventually gave birth to nine children: four sets of twins and a ninth child. Id lime to learn more about my ancestors beliefs etc. Due to this, every object (material or immaterial) is believed to have some sort of sentience. Also known as mother of nine history mentions this name was derived due to giving birth to all 9 children as stillborn, with her being barren all her lifetime.

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