a look into the yoruba faith2

8/3/2019 A Look Into the Yoruba Faith2

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A look into the Yoruba Faith

Today December 28, 2011 Andrea Viana receives her sacred elekes from

the hands of her Iyatobi Belkys Negrin Okaniwe and her Yubona-kan

Kristine Negrin Oba Yoko

The people of Yoruba where enslaved and when they were broughtacross the seas to the New World they brought over the practices of

their Orishas to help live a better life for themselves and to keep

their practices alive. Out of these Orisha there is the Supreme Being

whom in every religion we know as God. The name that the people of

Yoruba called him is Olodumare, the Supreme Being, the father.

Olodumare is the creator of all life in our world and in space. He has

no direct contact with humans on earth but only through his other

manifestation known as Olorun (the sun). Through Olorun we can feel

Olodumare in all of his aspect feeding us the necessary energy and

resource that we need in our everyday life. Olorun is the owner of

Orun (heaven). Olofi who is Olodumare in his final manifestation is in

charge of the skies alongside with the heavens. He is in charge to look


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after humans behind the teachings of the Orishas. He seldom comes to

the earth to visit and when he does itd s an immense energy that

follows. Olofi tells the Orishas what is it that we need and to teach

us how to live healthful, moral and respectful lives.

The Orishas consist of semi gods that look over mankind and report allof our actions to Olofi. These Orishas contain Ashe (power) given by

Olofi to govern and maintain righteousness among the all that is living.

Their Ashe ranges from different nature aspects to emotional aspects.

These Orishas lived amongst the world and they lived everyday life

trials and tribulations. Olofi taught them within their own Ashe in which

they teach us humans and bestow knowledge on how to live a good

and better life.

The slaves fought their enslavers to continue to practice their beliefs.They noticed that the Catholic Church in which they were forced to

worship had some of the same qualities their Orishas contained. They

saw the similarity that each Orisha contained with each Catholic Saint

so they synchronized each of the Catholic Saints to their Orishas and

were able to secretly still worship their Orishas.

There is more than 700 Orishas but only a few made it from Africa tothe New World. And from those that came over you have Eleggua, the

owner of the crosswords, Yemaya, the goddess of the sea, Shango,

the god of thunder, Oya, the goddess of wind and the list goes on.

****Their characteristics, pataki (stories), and the way they interact with

humans.


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Eleggua

the Messenger

Eleggua is the orisha who opens and closes all paths to mankind. He is the divider

of heaven and earth. He travels between heaven and earth letting Olofi and

Olodumare know what goes on in this realm. Eleggua is a child orisha in some

aspects that loves to play tricks and tests the faith of man. He walks between

night and day searching for mankind to test their faith for the great Olofi and the

orishas. There is said to be 121 paths of Eleggua. He ranges from a young child to

an old man with lots of knowledge. There is also a path of Eleggua where the

essence is of a woman. In more than half of Elegua

s paths, he is a young chil

that sits on corners, mountain tops, seashores, hospital entrances, an

cemetery

gates an

so on. He has many names as he has been calle

Elegba, Elegbara, Legba,

Eshu or Exu. Eleggua is seen all aroun

the worl

. From continent to continent

Elegua

s presence is felt, praise

an

hear

. Inseparable frien

of Oggun an

Ochosi who the trio makes up the e Th

Warriors

irst s

t o

orishas to r

c

iv

in Sant

ria. El

ggua is any an

v

rywh

r

.

El

ggua is th

guar

ian o

th

a

also as thru him h

unlocks th

oor

or th

c

as

to walk through to r

ach Olo

i wh

r

th

y will r

st. In this path h

is

call

Eshu Alagwana. In oth

r r

ligions or b

li

s you can associat

him with th

Egyptian go

o

th

a

Osiris, who l

a

s th

a

through th

un

rworl

.


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Eleggua is the one that makes you play at your own risk. In that I mean, he is the

one that if you

re stuck at a crossroa

an

you

on

t know which way to go,

its him that testes you an

watches you make your

ecision. If you make the wrong

ecision, Eleggua will open the

oor with his garavato (hook stick ma

e from the

guava tree) to make you pay your consequence. While you are paying for your

mistakes, he testes you again to see if you will continue to

o wrong or take the

right path. If you succee

an

take the right path he will unlock the

oor to

happiness an

fortune. If you

ve hear

of a maze then you can associate it with

Eleggua. Our lives are shape

into mazes to see which path we go. Eleggua is the

guar

ian that sits at every corner an

turn of the maze. If you make the wrong

move, he will open the path to the wrong outcome. If you take the correct path,

he will open the path that you are seeking.

Eleggua knows an

sees all. There is nothing that Eleggua doesnd t know. He is the

messenger of Olodumare and Olofi, alongside with the orishas. Which means, he is

the one that takes the messages from humankind to the orishas and the messages

from the orishas to Olofi. This is why he is the first and last orisha to be praised

to in every ceremony done in Santeria.

A Pataki on Eleggua

One day Olofi was greatly ill and depressed on situations among the universe. He

was doing so much in the universe and here on Earth as in still creating life, giving

orishas their ache (powers) and so on. He was so tired that he grew frail. All of

the orishas were summoned to see if they can help cure Olofi from his dilemma. All

of the orishas gathered in the great hall of Olofi where the Supreme Being sat on

his throne with a lost look in his eye. You can tell his mind was going a mile a

minute and due to this he wasnd t feeling very good. As he sat slumped on his

throne, the orishas gathered around and were conversing amongst each other.

Obatala tried to clean him with his white cloth, Olofi remained the same. Orunla

prepared him a tonic to drink, and Olofi remained the same. Ozain tried to rub a

medical herb and the great Olofi stayed the same. Inle tried to clean Olofi with his

staff and still the same action. Every orisha tried and tried but were unsuccessful.

Eleggua was amongst the orishas but since he was a child the other orishas out

stood him. He shrugged on Yemayad s skirt to get her attention. He asked Yemaya

if he could try, Yemaya told him to behave and be quiet. He then shrugged on

Oyad s skirt and with the look that Oya gave him he ran under the legs of the


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other orishas that were standing nearby. He then shrugged on Agallud s pants and

Agallu told him to go outside and play that this was for the elder orishas and his

presence is not needed here. Elegua grew upset and ran to Obatala and asked him

why he couldnd t try to help and revive Olofi. Obatala looked at Elegua and began

to tell him in a soft voice that the ache that Elegua contained had no match to

heal Olofi. He went on to tell Elegua that all the other orishas are trying their best

to do what they can for Olofi. Elegua looked at Obatala and asked him to please

let him try. If he is also an orisha then he should be able to try as well. He said if

the others are trying, why cand t him. Obatala who contains the Ashe of peace and

knowledge raised his staff and ordered silence among the orishas. He told them to

step aside and let Elegua try and revive Olofi. All the orishas began to whimper

under their breath not to make Obatala hear them since he was the eldest and

father figure to all the orishas.

Elegua walked slowly to Olofid s throne and looked at him from head to toe. Olofi

still with a weak look in his eyes didnd t even pay attention to Eleguad s presence.

Elegua put his garavato on the floor, reached into his nap sack and pulled out 3

herbs. See Elegua was always roaming the woods and he has seen Ozain work with

the different herbs of the forest. So with the herbs that he picked up he grabbed

a leaf from each branch and placed it gently in the mouth of Olofi. Now all of the

orishas are seeing this young child on the lap of Olofi and are wondering how long

Obatala is going to make this mockery last. Elegua grabs the mouth of Olofi and

manually moves it so the Supreme Being can chew and swallow what he has placed.

After Olofi has swallowed the herbs, Elegua takes out a feather from his nap sackand passes it over the body of Olofi. After he is done he jumps off Olofid s lap

and starts to walk down from the throne. Obatala has grief in his eyes as Olofi is

still the same.

All of the orishas start to talk again on how Eleguad s tactics was unforgivable

and he should be reprimanded for it. While they are talking, thered s a slight glow

from Olofid s chest. The glow gets brighter an

brighter until the great Olofi is

stan

ing tall an

mighty on his throne with a light so powerful that all of the

orishas fall to their knees in respect. A lou

eep voice calls Elegua to the throne.Olofi thanks Elegua for what he has

one. He tells him that all have come an

trie

to revive him, but they all have faile

. He then aske

Elegua how he knew what to

use. Elegua looke

at Olofi an

tol

him that he stu

ie

every part of the forest

an

its secrets. He has seen how every orisha works

ifferently with their

elements. He went on an

tol

Olofi how he wante

to try but none of the orishas

woul

let him, only Obatala. Olofi smile

an

tol

Elegua that from this

ay forwar


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he would have the virtue to open all gates and doors and pathways. He gave Elegua

a gold key that unlocked Olofid s house and every door in the universe. He also

blessed his feather and told him with this feather you are able to walk through time

forward and backwards, through light and dark, through evil and good. Then Olofi

proclaime

in front of the orishas an

the universe that Elegua woul

be his

personal messenger, since he knows an

has seen all what the orishas are

oing on

Earth. He tol

them that they will always have to count first with Elegua in all that

they

o. If Elegua wasn

t appease

, then their work an

messages woul

not

reach his castle. He then went on an

tol

him that Elegua woul

also be the first

to eat in every ceremony. The first to be praye

to in every ceremony. With that

sai

an

one, Olofi touche

Elegua

s hea

an

a inner light shine

from within

Elegua.

Elegua as a ki

at heart turne

an

face

the court of orishas an

stuck his

tongue out at them as to say e ha haf . Olofi smile

at Elegua an

sent him on his

way to maintain or

er in the crossroa

s of humanity an

the orishas.

Elegua

s feast

ay is June 13th. His colors are re

an

black. In certain paths

white is also given to him. Elegua loves to play an

ance. He loves can

ies, cakes

an

all types of sweets. He watches over chil

ren of all ages an

races. He loves

games an

oing mischievous stuff. Even as a chil

orisha, Elegua loves to

rink oti

an

smoke cigars. I guess since you have the key to everything given by Olofi, you

can

o as you please. Elegua is a glut when it comes to foo

so he is never turns

own any type of foo

. His sacrificial foo

s are male goats, chickens, roosters an

possum rat. Elegua

oes not eat pigeon in the majority of his paths. Only in a

han

ful

oes him. Elegua

oes have chil

ren that he crowns. His chil

ren are very

intelligent,

riven in

ivi

uals. Th

y ar

ki

s at h

art. Th

y lov

chil

r

n an

ar

in

atuat

by a

v

ntur

s. In Palo Mayomb

El

gua is associat

with Luc

ro Mun

o,

th

oor op

n

r in Palo.

Th

i

r

nc

b

tw

n Eshu an

El

gua

Eshu an

El

gua ar

2

i

r

nt

ntiti

s that

orm a bon

. Eshu is th

orc

thatbrings th

trickst

r out an

th

n

gativ

n

rgi

s. Eshu is cons

crat

through I

a

an

h

is us

to s

n

th

i

r

nt o

rings to th

orishas. Th

i

r

nc

s you

can say b

tw

n th

s

2 ar

simpl

. El

gua always r

si

s insi

o

th

hous

b

hin

th

oor an

Eshu r

si

s outsi

o

th

hous

. An

this is b

caus

Eshu is

so complicat

that

v

ry tim

h

com

s insi

a hous

h

brings torm

nt an

argum

nts. El

gua was an orisha an

Eshu was not an orisha. Eshu woul

walk th


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streets to see what torment he could do to humans because they did not pay him

any homage. Elegua who is always attended to would always be seen eating

because thatd s what he loves to do. He saw Eshu one day and gave him some of

his offerings. Eshu and Elegua sat and ate and made fun of the people in the

streets. It was time for Elegua to go inside and Eshu to continue to roam the

streets. Eshu would always try to go inside the house of the humans but when he

did he would cause havoc until one day Oshun saw him and devised a plan. She saw

how Eshu would be controlled when he was fed so she made a pact with him. She

told him that as long as us humans put a plate of food for him outside the house he

promised he will not come in to cause havoc. Eshu agreed to the pact and they

shook on it. Elegua who was there said that he would walk alongside Eshu and

thatd s where the bond grew in between them. Obatala came down and gave Eshu

and Elegua a white bead so that they can wear together to overpower the havoc

and torments Eshu had. From that day Eshu Elegua would walk together side by

side as one. Eshu is given by babalows in Ifa and Eshu is not allowed on the head of

an initiate in the Yoruba belief. You must receive Elegua who is allowed to go to

the head of an initiate. Eshu will eat alongside Elegua and the table scraps will go

outside by the front door or by a tree in the front yard for Eshu. You should

place a wooden bowl (jicara) with the table scrapings, a tobacco or cigarette

standing up in the center and place it for Eshu so he will be content and not come

inside the house of the priest/ess.

Syncretized as Catholic Saint Anthony

Feast Date: June 12

Colors of Eleggua: red and black


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Eleggua Numbers: 3,7,13,21,33

Obatala

The Great Wizard

The orisha of the white cloth is Obatala. Obatala is the only orisha that has male and

female aspects. He is the orisha that is the owner of all heads whether crowned or not

crowned. Obatala is the orisha that Olofi entrusted to judge justice on the earth. Obatalais the purest of all orishas and one of the wisest orishas. He is said to vary from an old

man that is always trembling to a young person that is riding a horse. Depending on the

path, his main color is white with touches of other colors. Everything put to Obatala is

white. He lives in a white tureen that contains his secrets and mysteries. He is a

compassionate father and a good listener. He is the father that all that the orishas look

for.


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Obatala created mankind and its said that Olofi came and breathed life into his

creations. Obatala as much as he is the owner of peace and tranquility, he is also a great

and fierce warrior when he wants to. With his sword he battles against evil and triumphs

over all. But when he is summoned it is to bring order and peace. He is the white pigeon

that is seen flying over to announce peace is here. Obatala is associated with the

mountains and high elevated place.

Pataki of Obatala

Olofi was thinking one day in the heavens about the creation of life down on the planet

earth that he and Olodumare created. The planet earth was just water where Olokun

ruled. Olofi called his wise court to sit and discuss the creation. Orunla who was present

told Olofi that life can be created on Olokuns kingdom but an ebbo needed to be

performed. Orunla looked into the divination oracle that he had some knowledge of

and told Olofi that someone wise had to perform this ebbo so that life can be created.

Olofi told Obatala that he would be entrusted to perform this task. Orunla looked

deeper into the oracles and told Obatala that he had to descend with some items to

create the lands where civilization and life can exist. Orunla told Obatala that he had todescend on a long chain from the heavens with a hen and sand. Obatala asked Orunla if

that was all in which Orunla replied yes.

The day came and Obatala descended onto the watery domain of Olokun and

performed the ebbo that Orunla spoke to him about. Right before his eyes the land

started to appear right beneath his hanging feet. Obatala jumped down and was the first

orisha to hit land. When Obatala looked up Elegua was descending on the chain.

Obatala asked Elegua what was he doing and Elegua responded to him that he was

seeing if he needed any type of help. Obatala started to walk the lands that were created

from the heavens. Obatala and Elegua noticed how trees started to grow, grass started to

grow, flowers were springing out. Obatala was happy and told Elegua to go back and

tell Olofi that the work on earth is being done. Elegua climbed up the rope to tell Olofi

what was going on. Olofi pleased sent a white pigeon down to earth to Obatala which

this became his symbol.


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Olofi came to the earth and told Obatala that it was needed for some type of life form

to be on the earth. Olofi said that he wanted mankind to walk the earth but did not

want them to have the Ashe that the orishas have. Obatala agreed and told Olofi that he

would help him create mankind. Olofi told Obatala that he would give him that task as

he had other things to create within the heavens and space. Obatala bowed his head and

agreed to create mankind. Obatala asked how he should create mankind and Olofi told

him to make them in human form just as the orishas. Olofi told Obatala to form them

and when he was ready to call him and he would come down and breathe life into

them. Obatala agreed and with the sands of the earth he started to form and mold what

we are today. After a few hundred of molds Obatala called Olofi to come breath air and

life into the molds. Olofi came and saw miles upon miles of human molds lying on the

sands of the earth and proceeded to blow life into them. Once life was blown, these

humans stood up and were told to make prosperous and humble lives praising

Olodumare as the creator. They went in different directions and started to live their lives.

This went on for days and Obatala worked hard making human forms. The sun was hot

supplying light and energy to the land and it made the job hard to do. But one day

Obatala grew very tired and decided to take a break of his task that Olofi asked of him.

He walked over to a tree that was giving shade to the land and sat underneath it. He

took a breather and reached for his white pouch where he had his oti. Obatala sat under

the tree and started to drink his oti to quench his thirst. Without realizing, he drank all of

his oti and he had none left. Obatala stood up and staggered over to where his molds

were. He began again molding and shaping human forms. But without noticing, his

molds and creations were coming out a little weird. He made molds that were missinglimps, he made deformed bodies, he made molds with no type of pigmentation and so

forth. When he finished he did what he usually does and summoned Olofi to breathe life

into them.

Olofi came to the earth and saw the molds lying lifeless on the sands and since he trusted

and reviewed Obatalas work in the past he did not notice that these molds were

different. Olodumare proceeded to breathe life into these humans. When life was given

to them, they stood up and Olofi noticed that they all had different deformed bodies.

Olofi got upset and questioned Obatala on this creation he did. Obatala seeing this,knew that he did something wrong and disrespected Olofis overall dream. Obatala told

Olofi that he was drinking and it made his mind blurry and he did not mean to do this.

He begged Olofi for forgiveness and told Olofi that from this day forward he would take

all of those creations as children of him. He would take care of them and look after them

and keep them from harm. Olofi shook his head and accepted Obatalas apology and

request. Obatala also told Olofi that he would never drink again due to what he did


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with the creations of man.

Obatalas feast day is September 24th, the same day as the catholic image, The Virgin

Mary. His number is 8 and all multiples of it. Obatala is a loving and caring father not

only to his children but to the other orishas. The orishas seek advice and give a high

respect to the great orisha. Obatala which means father of the cloth is said to cover all

man and earth from harm. He loves all that is white and all of his offerings are made of

white, whether it is foods or animal sacrifice. He loves white yams, snails, fruits, white

cloths and etc. Everything given to him must be topped with efn (powdered egg shell)

or or (cocoa butter). Obatala walks with a tall walking staff and with his white iruke,

cleaning him and the world. Obatala does have children as said above and he is initiated

on their heads. His children are very smart and wise and they can also be very sneaky.

He is the patron orisha of all deformed humans such as albinos, Down syndrome

humans, and the medically challenged. He also has children that he created who do not

have any of these symptoms but he took their heads due to he loves them dearly.

Obatalas sacrificial animals are all white and they are female goats, hens, pigeons, guinea

hens. In some of his aspects he eats roosters and turtles as well. His abode is made up of

nothing but the finest and purest white cloths found. He is the owner of silver that the

orisha Boyuto found and gave to him. He is a swift and just judge. He is the one that

contains the key to his son Ochosis house. Whenever there is war or disagreement

amongst the orishas, humans or nations, Obatala is summoned to bring peace and

restore order.

Syncretized as Our Lady of Mercy


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Feast Date: September 24

Colors of Obatala: all white with few hints of red

Obatala Numbers: 8 and all multiples of 8

Oya

She who holds the winds

Oya is the orisha or storms and changes. She is a much feared

orisha due to her powers as she can create a storm so powerful that

she can destroy towns upon towns. The winds, tornadoes and

lighting are at her every command. Oya also known as Xansa, Oya

Yansa (Mother of Nine) was the wife of Oggun before Shango took


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her away from him. Oya is said to be a lovely tall amazonic woman

who is dressed in a wine color dress with a belt that holds a grass

skirt with 9 different color cloths. Oya is also the owner of the market

place where she would go and sell her goods to maintain her

children. Oya's main home or domain is the cemetery. Now a lot ofpeople say or believe that she is the owner of the cemetery. That's all

not true. Oya is the gatekeeper. She stands at the cemetery gates and

she lets the dead into the cemetery where her sisters Obba and Yewa

tends to the body.

Oya is a great warrior who loves to go to battle alongside her

husband Shango. Stories say the Oya would put on a pair of pants

and grow a beard just to fight like a man at war. Oya has ayounger sister named Ayao who is the orisha that resides in the

clouds in the sky. It is Ayao that gives her sister Oya the ability to

take the spirits of the dead to go fight alongside her which makes up

her powerful army.

Oya has brought down many men, many towns and many lands.

But as a warrior she protects her children with a strong look and

with her destruction she brings changes. Whenever there is a stormthat brings destruction, change is needed to rebuild. Sometimes the

land is expanded for new homes or new business. That's Oya. She has

helped all the orishas in one time or another. As well she has feuded

with the orishas at one time or another. Oya is the one that

convinced Obba to cut her ear to feed to Shango. Oya is the one that

brought down Osains gourd where he kept most of his secrets of the

herbs.

She also had a feud with her sister Yemaya in which she does not eat

ram anymore. At one time she did but due to that disagreement she

doesnt anymore. Let me clear something. Oya and Yemaya are not

enemies. The only dilemma between them is the ram. It is said that

one day Shango was eating with his mother Yemaya and Oya and


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with his court and Oya saw that he was giving all of his attention to

his mother and Oya became very jealous. Oya saw that Shango gave

his mother Yemaya first bite of the ram and since that day, Oya said

she will never eat it again. One of Oyas characteristics is the wind

that causes hurricanes. Hurricanes come off the coast of Africawhere her town is and logically, a hurricane needs the assistance

and strength of the ocean to come on shore to bring change.

Pataki of Oya

Shango was at a party one day having the time of his life. Shango

was drinking and dancing like no ever. He was swaying his hips

and showing all his sexual masculinity. His crown was kept firm on

his head as every moment he did, it did not move. That was to show

all that he is truly Shango, a king. Everyone in the party was

enjoying Shango and was cheering him on. The great king of Oyo

kept on drinking and did not realize that some of his enemies were

outside of the party noticing Shango.

The party was dying out and Shango decided to leave the function.

He went around the room giving his good bye to everyone. He was

eyeing some of his mistresses that were there to see if they would go

home with him. Shango staggered to one of the corners of the party

where his enemies were hiding. Within a minute, his enemies

grabbed him and tied him up. No one in the party saw and Shango

was taken to a cell where his enemies kept him.

Days passed by and Shango was nowhere to be found. Oya who was

married to Oggun already had left Oggun and had a fling with

Shango. Oya also did not hear anything from Shango. She did

notice that Shango had left his pilon (a wooden pillar that Shango

sits on) and his mortar (where Shango hides his secrets) in her

house. Oya grew very weary and was worried about Shango. But


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besides her worries Oya was very inquisitive and wondered what was

so special about Shangos pilon and mortar. She moved the red cloth

that was covering his pilon and mortar and saw nothing special

about it. When she touched the mortar she noticed that it had a

gleam to it. Inside the mortar there was some kind of clear liquidthat vibrated. She looked closer and an image started to form in the

liquid.

In the image in the mortar was the face and body of Shango. Oya

saw that Shango was being held captive by his enemies. She saw that

he was locked in a cage fit for a dog and his enemies were

surrounding the cage making mockery of him. Oya looked harder

into the mortar and saw that Shango was in a rage but he couldntdo anything because he didnt have his osh and his powers. Oya

grew upset and lighting sparks started to form in her hair. She

yelled up in the sky and called for a centella (lighting) to come and

help her and she would ride it to find Shango. With that the image

of Shangos face reflected in the liquid and Oya grabbed the liquid

and put it to her lips, as in to kiss the face of her loved Shango.

In that instant Oyas lips and mouth started to burn her furiously.She staggered back and forth wondering where the heat was coming

from. She ran outside of her house to where she had a well to grab

some water. The water did not do anything to ease the pain. She

finally opened her mouth as she could not stand the burning

sensation and when she did a huge fireball came from her mouth.

Everywhere she turned and screamed out, fire was released from her

mouth and everything was burned on fire. At this moment a

centella crackled in the sky and fell right to her feet. Oya screamedand stepped onto the centella. The centella rose to the sky and Oya

was standing on it and the centella proceeded to take her to where

Shango was held captive.

In a second the centella was above the place where Shango was kept


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and when the centella started to come down, Oya who was riding it

screamed a war cry and fire was released from her mouth. Another

centella came from the sky that broke the locks that were holding

Shango. When Shangos enemies saw Oya coming down on a

centella breathing fire they all ran for cover. Shango waswondering how was he released and when he ran outside he

grabbed his osh and he saw his mistress Oya standing in the fields

surrounded by centellas that crackled around her and that she was

breathing fire. Shango was reluctant to run the other way because

he never saw Oya in this state. Oya sent another centella to grab

Shango and him to be standing on a centella alongside with Oya.

Shango started to throw thunderbolts with the help of his osh while

Oya was throwing lighting and fire upon the enemies of Shango asthey rose into the sky together.

They both arrived at Oyas place safe and Shango was still in

amazement of Oyas actions. He told her that the only one who knew

the secret of him throwing aia (fire) was him and that secret was

kept with his pilon and mortar. Oya turned to her lover and told

him that she looked into his mortar and tasted the secret that he

had there. Shango was upset that she discovered his secret but he wasgrateful that she saved him. From that day when Shango goes into

battle, his mistress Oya goes in alongside him fighting.

Oyas feast day is February 2nd. She is associated with Our Lady

Teresa and Our Lady of Candelmas. Her number is 9 and all its

association. Her color is maroon or a dark wine. Oya also takes 9

other colors that are her children. Those children make up the

rainbow and they live in the skies making the crown of the orishaOchumare. She is the queen of the dead. Oya is the official secretary

of Olofi. She knows when life is being born and when life is dying.

She is the air we breathe every day. Oya stands at the cemetery gates

and she marks down every body that comes through the gates of ile

iku (cemetery). In the house of the priest, Oya lives in a brown or


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wine color tureen where her secrets and mysteries are kept. Some

houses have her with water and some do not. I believe she shouldnt

be with water. The only time I put water on her is to calm her down

when she is upset and to refresh her. She also takes an iruke that she

uses to clean the dead and clean new paths.

Her crown is made up of copper in which that is her main metal. All

of her tools and weapons are made up of copper. Oyas sacrificial

animals are black female goats, hens, pigeons and guinea hens.

Oyas children are very outgoing and strong willed people. There are

very spiritual individuals at they have the gift if used correctly, to

communicate with the dead. She is initiated on the heads of her

followers in which is a lengthy and mysterious procedure. Herceremonies are one of the most gorgeous due to all of the many

colors that are used. Her zarasa (the throne of the dead) is made up

of multiple plates that are placed for the dead. These plates range

from 29 all the way to 209 plates of different offerings to the dead of

her initiate and the spirits that her initiate collects to walk

alongside her.

Oya is the owner of the mask as she at times is wearing one. Somepeople say that no one can stand to look at the face of Oya because

it is too horrific to look at. I dont believe so. I believe that she is a

beautiful woman; she just doesnt like to be messed with or fooled

with. She is good to use to take masks off of people who you believe

that are being two faced with you. She is also good to use when one

wants change in their lives. She is a good healer but she loves to

defend and be at war when war is present.

Syncretized with Our Lady of Candelmas


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OshunDeity of Love and Motherhood

Oshun is the orisha of love and

happiness. She is the one that makes the spirit

full of life and love. Oshun also known as Ochun, Iyalorde, and Oxum is also

Feast Date: February 2

Color of Oya: caramel,

red, wood, and dark

striped mahogany

Oya Numbers: all

multiples of 9


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known for her aide in maternity alongside with her sister Yemaya. Oshun is seen

as a fair skin bronzed color woman who has a body and a smile to die for.

Oshun is always seen with her revealing dresses and cocky and flirtatious ways.

In the house of the priest or priestess she lives in a yellow or gold looking

tureen where her secrets are kept. Her metal is of gold and she is adorned with

lots of it. She is one of the happiest orishas as that is one of the attributes

that she beholds. She loves the finest things in life and sometimes she is never

satisfied.

Oshun had many relationships with the male orishas. These included from

Shango, Orunla, Oggun, Inle, Agallu and Asojano (San Lazaro). With her sensual

and sexual ways, Oshun would conquer any man or obstacle that laid in her

way. This orisha is not or was not a whore, it is that Oshun loved to take what

she wanted and if by having a relationship with a man was one of them, and

then she would get what she wanted. Oshun is the owner of the sweet riverwaters in which her sister Yemaya gave to her. She was watched over by the

mighty orisha Nana Buruku when she was young. She shared a close connection

with Ochanla and she was very close to Olofi.

Her father is the great Obatala. He raised her since she was a little girl. One

small pataki Im going to tell you is that one day Obatala would always sing a

particular song to his little girl Oshun. Day and night he would sing her this

song and one day Oshun left the house and never returned. Years passed along

and the great Obatala, who was still depressed about the loss of his daughterOshun, was walking through the woods near the riverbank. He was walking and

he overheard a voice singing this particular song that brought memories back

to him. Obatala said that there was only one person who knew that song and it

was his daughter Oshun. He glimpsed by the river water and saw a young

beautiful woman singing Sawani Ibo Eleri, Leriche Oka Di Pola (ceremonial

song) and he walked up to her and asked her where did she hear that song.

Oshun told him that when she was young, her father would sing that song to

her every day and every night. Obatala with a tear told Oshun that he was

Obatala, her father, the same orisha that taught her that song. They both

hugged and cried and were never separated thereafter.

Oshuns color is yellow now and when I say now I mean that is the color that

represents her in this time life. When Oshun was first born she had on a white

dress. This was the only dress that Oshun had and owned. But everyday Oshun

would go to the river and wash her only white dress. After a while Oshun


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noticed that her white dress was starting to fade into a bright yellow. Oshun

was amazed and happy that she had a yellow dress because none of the adult

orishas owned or had anything with the color yellow. From that day forward,

yellow became the primary color to the orisha Oshun.

Pataki on Oshun

One day Oshun was at the river where she dwelled and was sitting at the

bottom of it getting her garments ready to go to a party. She gathered all of

her gold and yellow scarves and her glamorous head wrap. She grabbed her

jewels and perfumes and headed to the surface of the river. She sat down and

started to wrap her body in her silky scarves. She perfumed her body from head

to toe and put her gold bangles and other jewelries on. She braided her hair

and decorated it with shells and placed her head wrap in a fashion form thather hair style showed. All of this was done looking at her beautiful reflection in

the mirror of the river water.

After she was dressed Oshun started to walk through the village heading

towards the party. She noticed the little children that were playing, jumping

and laughing with each other and that brought a great smile and happiness to

her. Oshun walked pass them and sprinkled some honey on them and they

became happier and they bowed to the orisha Oshun. Oshun missed the

company of children as she saw how her sister Yemaya raise the divine twins.

She kept walking and now she was heading through the forest. Her thoughtsbecame deep with the fact that she wanted some type of youth activity and

she sat down near Iroko (the cieba tree). She sat there and a tear came from

her eye. Iroko looked at Oshun and asked her what was wrong. Oshun went and

told Iroko of how she missed having children around her. How she loved the

laughter and smile in a childs heart. Iroko agreed and told her that the

children of the world are truly something special to all of us. She asked Iroko

to help her bare a child that she could raise own her own and love. Iroko who

was magical told Oshun that he would help her indeed and she could pay him by

coming by and spending time with Iroko as no one ever came by to keep the bigIroko company. Oshun said that she promise to keep him company and converse

with him if she did bare a child.

Time went on and Oshun had a little boy. She loved and raised this young little

bundle of joy and he was the center of her eye. Oshun one day was walking

through the forest and came upon where Iroko was standing. Iroko greeted


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Oshun and told her that he heard that she bared a child. Oshun responded yes

to Iroko and started to walk away, forgetting that Iroko helped her. Iroko

asked Oshun if she was going to stay and keep him company and Oshun said

politely no that she had something else pending. Iroko told Oshun that she had

promised to keep him company and now she was not sticking to her deal. Oshun

walking off turned and told Iroko that she was sorry and that she will bring him

a goat to keep him company. Iroko agreed.

A year passes by and Oshun is again walking through the forest and stumbles on

Iroko. She sits for 2 minutes to fix her scarves. Iroko was happy that Oshun

was sitting with him and maybe they can have some type of conversation. As

the minute he thought that, Oshun stood up and was gathering her things to

start walking again. Iroko asked Oshun if she was going to stay and talk. Oshun

said softly no and apologized. Iroko told Oshun that he thought she was going

to sit and talk with him. He also told her that he was still waiting for the goatthat she was going to bring him to keep him company. Iroko was bothered and

Oshun noticing this told him that she would come back later on and bring him

some amala (cornmeal). Iroko agreed once again.

Another year passes by and Oshun was heading to the market place and she

passed by her good old friend Iroko. She was in a hurry due to the market was

closing. So walking by Iroko, she saluted him and gave him a smile. Iroko told

Oshun that he was tired of waiting because he did her a favor and now she

couldnt live up to her words. Oshun baffled asked Iroko what words he wastalking about. Iroko told Oshun that she had promised him a goat to keep him

company, she promised him some amala as an offering and she has not bothered

to bring neither or. Oshun hearing this felt very bad for the great Iroko and

told him that she promise to bring him the child that he helped her conceive to

spend some time with him. Iroko already knew how Oshun was but was gracious

that she was one of the only orishas that spoke to him and with that Iroko

agreed.

It has been a total of 5 years now and Elegua was walking through the forest

and saw his friend Iroko standing at the same spot as usual. So Elegua walked

over and greeted the great Iroko. Elegua sat under the shade of Iroko for

hours talking and listening to Irokos stories that he has seen in the forest.

Elegua who is always noisy sat there drank his rum and played with 5 precious

stones that he had in his bag. Iroko then started to tell Elegua how happy he

was that he stopped and talked with him. Iroko was very grateful and told


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Elegua that he loved for people to sit under his shade, in where he Iroko would

give magical dreams to all. But Iroko started to tell Elegua how Oshun would

also come by but she hasnt been in a while. He also told Elegua how she

promised to bring him a goat and some amala and she hasnt brought it neither.

Elegua who knows how his friend Oshun is told the great Iroko not to worry

that he was there to keep him company but with that said and done, Elegua

heard some juicy gossip in the winds that was coming from a nearby town. Iroko

who knew how Elegua was, smiled and told Elegua to go about his journey and

to stop by whenever he wanted to.

A couple of weeks later Elegua was walking through a village and saw some kids

playing. So the childish orisha stopped to play with the kids. He saw one of

them who was dressed in yellow with a red slash leave the company of the other

kids and started headed towards the roads that lead out of the town. Elegua

followed and stopped the kid and noticed that it was Oshuns son Ideu. Heasked Ideu where was he going and the little one said that he was going to meet

his mother at the market place. Elegua told him that he was going the long way

and showed him a short cut through the forest. Elegua also gave him 5 precious

stones to give to his mother Oshun. He laid him a path and Ideu was on his way.

Ideu was walking and came across a big tree that was standing in the middle of

the forest alongside with the other trees. He sat under it and started to play

with the stones that Elegua gave him. When Iroko opened his eyes he saw a

young boy sitting at his roots playing with 5 precious stones. He rememberedwhen Elegua was sitting there only a couple of weeks ago playing with the same

stones. Iroko grew happy as he thought that he had another friend that came

to hear his knowledge and share the shade of his leaves. Iroko spoke to Ideu

and the little one was amazed of the great cieba tree. Ideu told Iroko that he

was the son of Oshun. Iroko hearing this thought that Oshun finally gave word

and sent her son to spend time with Iroko. Iroko started to tell the little one

stories and Ideu was intrigued. He told Iroko not to stop to continue and Iroko

brought his roots from under the earth and brought Ideu to his domain to

continue his story telling.

When Oshun came home she noticed that Ideu was not in the house and she

wondered where he was. Days and months passed by and there was still no sign

of Ideu. Oshun was frantic and searched everywhere she could possibly think

of where he would be at.


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5 years later Oshun who was still depressed, was walking through the forest and

walked past Iroko. Iroko noticed that she didnt speak to him as to her mind

has been in the disappearance of her son. The look was written all over her

face and Iroko knew why the happy orisha was not happy no more. He decided

to do something about it.

The next morning Oshun was making her way through the forest and noticed

Iroko was standing there happy as can be. She stopped and greeted him but not

with the happiness as she had in the past decade. Iroko asks Oshun if she

found her son and Oshun told her no. Iroko told her that she should always

stay to her word and not promise something and dont pay for it. Oshun nodded

her head as she indeed understood what Iroko was saying. Iroko looked at

Oshun and told her that he had a gift that she would love. And by him saying

that, the earth opened and a hill was rising from it. This was no ordinary hill,

this was a hill full of gold, jewels, money and riches. On top of the hill was thejoyous Ideu. While Ideu was under the earth with Iroko, time went by very slow

and he did not realize it. Iroko told him many stories and showed him lots of

riches of the earth. Oshun seeing her son cried and grabbed him. Ideu told

Oshun all the stories Iroko told him and the riches of Iroko. Oshun told Ideu

that he would now guard her riches the same way he guarded the riches of

Iroko from beneath. Oshun looked at Iroko and thanked him but she told him

that he shouldnt have done that. So from now on her children go nowhere

near Iroko as she remembers what happened to Ideu.

Oshuns feast day is September 8th. She is synchronized with Our Lady of

Charity. Her number is 5 and all multiples of it. She loves all kinds of sweets,

fine wines and champagnes. She loves all aromatic flowers and perfumes. She is

the essence of flirt and seduce in both men and woman. Oshun has many

children and her children are well protected under her power. She does

consecrate on the head. With her main attribute the honey, she dominates

everything in her path. She is an orisha that is always feared. It is said that she

is sweet as honey but when you give someone too much honey what happens,

they get repugnant. Oshun is an orisha to have on your good side because if she

crosses your path in the wrong way, she will bring havoc to your lives. She rules

the lower abdomen and the blood that runs through your veins. In Palo

Mayombe Oshun is associated with Mama Chola.

Syncretized as Our Lady of Charity


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YemayaUniversal Mother

Yemaya is the ultimate universal mother. Yemaya also known as Yemoja, Yemanja Yemalla

or The Siren is the orisha of the ocean and all that inhabits in it. She is the water that pushesup against the seashores. She gives life in all aspects. Yemayas domain is all waters, the sea,

Feast Date: September 8

Colors of Oshun: honey yellow

with markings of red, green, and

black

Oshun Numbers: all multiples of 5


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rivers, lakes, lagoons all that is water she it. She is even the water that babies are held in for 9months inside of their mothers womb. Yemaya is seen to be a woman that has big breast as

she nurtures and tends to all existence. Her color is blue and all shades of it. The fishes areher children and messengers.

She is the patron orisha of all women and women that bare children. She is called upon awoman who is pregnant to ensure the safety of the embryo. During pregnancy a woman

calls upon the orisha to make sure that the baby is safe and flows through the vaginal wallsand becomes into existence into the human world. Yemaya is said to have nurtured andraised almost all the orisha. Her followers worship her all across the globe. From Africa to

Brazil. All have gone and spoken with Yemaya. Even if you dont think so, we have all atleast once in our life gone to the ocean and dipped in and spoken with the ocean. ThatsYemaya and she hears all.

Yemaya is that celestial being that when one wants to be held, they can feel her grasps as amother. She is that mother figure that you can talk to and explain or pour your heart out to

and she will always listen. When one doesnt have a mother to talk to, you can always speakto her by going to the ocean and sitting down by the seashore or lighting a blue candle at

your place of dwelling and call upon her. You will feel that warmth embrace hover over you,thats Yemaya. Also as a mother, she is a warrior and she will defend her children veryquickly. She can be stern and punish her children as well. The same way a mother gives and

teaches her children, the same way she can punish and teach you a lesson.

Pataki on Yemaya

One day Olofi was having a party in ara onu. He invited all of the orisha to come to the gala.So he sent word out with Elegua to invite all of the orishas. Elegua ran with the word asOlofi was having a party and he knew there would be lots of sweets for him to pick on. So

Elegua came to earth and went to each orisha and gave the invitation on the party. House tohouse Elegua went spreading the news and of course getting paid for it by receiving candy,oti and smoked fish.

The orishas decided to take Olofi a gift as it was an honor to go to the palace of Olofi. Each

orisha went on their way looking for gifts to take to Olofi. Obatala decided to take Olofi awhite staff made out of pearls and gold. Oshun decided to take Olofi perfumes so the greatking can perfume his body. Each orisha went picking up what they thought would be a nice

gift for Olofi.

Yemaya received the invitation from Elegua but she had so much work to do in the seas and

all parts of the world. She was still maintaining life on the lands and bearing gifts to herfollowers. Time went on and the date of the party was near and the orisha of the ocean stilldid not get her gift for Olofi. While attending to her domain, Elegua popped in and askedher what was she getting for Olofi. Yemaya looked at Elegua and asked him in what was hetalking about. Elegua reminded her that Olofi was having a party in the heavens and that all


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of the orishas were required to attend and that they should all bring a gift. Yemaya with ashocked look on her face, called for one of her fishes to immediately take her to the shore so

she can get something for Olofi. Her fastest fish came and rushed her to the shore whereYemaya proceeded to look for a gift that was honorable for Olofi.

Yemaya though and though and she did not have any idea of what to get Olofi. She went tothe only thing that was open which was the market to see what she can get. Once she

arrived at the market place she noticed that Oya was still there tending to the market. Sheasked Oya what was she getting Olofi and Oya replied that she was getting Olofi baskets ofmost beautiful fruits so that he may feast upon them. Oya told Yemaya to look around and

hurry up and pick something as the party was just in an hour or so. Yemaya ran to everymerchant in the market place and everywhere she went either they were closed or theydidnt have anything that would suit a king. Yemaya was very upset at herself because she

had ample enough time to get a gift but she was tending to her children of the sea andchildren on land. Finally Yemaya came to the last merchant and asked him what he had.The merchant replied to Yemaya that the only thing he had was the head of 3 fishes and

that was it. Yemaya looked at him with dismay and told him that she would take it. Sheknew she couldnt walk into the palace of Olofi empty handed. The merchant wrapped up

the 3 heads and gave it to Yemaya.

Yemaya went back home to the oceans and she proceeded to get dressed with her most

luxurious blue dress. She adorned herself with all of her cowrie shells and pearls with corals.The great orisha had to look her best as she would be in the presence of Olofi. But in theback of her mind she still wasnt content on the gift she got Olofi. There was no more time

and nothing she can do. Yemaya took off to the sky to attend the party with her gift in abasket.

Yemaya arrived at the party and saw all the orishas with their best clothes on. She wassaluted at the door by Elegua as the orisha of the sea. All orishas who were present bowedand paid Yemaya her honor. She mingled with all the orishas and started to ease her mindabout the gift she bought to Olofi.

The trumpet sounded and Olofi entered the room and every orisha, animal and treesstopped to bow their heads to the great Olofi. Olofi sat on his golden throne and started to

greet his court one by one. Each orisha started to bring their gift to Olofi. The great king,very happy and surprised accepted their gifts and blessed each and every one of them.Yemaya stood all the way to the back as she did not want to be making of mockery of her

gift. After the last orisha gave Olofi his gift, Olofi called out to Yemaya and asked her forhers. She walked over to Olofi and told him that she was very sorry that she did not bringhim a gift as she was tending to her children in the sea. Olofi looked at Yemaya and told herhe understood but since he is Olofi he knows all and asked her what was it that she broughtin that basket. Yemaya bashful told Olofi that it was nothing and Olofi told her in a soft

voice to give him what she had in the basket. Yemaya opened the basket and there came out,a white plate with 3 heads of a fish. She was so embarrassed because first it was Olofi andsecond because what would all the other orishas think of her. She bowed and gave it to


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Olofi.

Olofi looked at it and asked Yemaya if this was the gift that she brought to him. Yemayaresponded to him that yes it was. Olofi asked Yemaya if this is the sort of gift you give to aking. Yemaya started to respond when Olofi sat back in his chair and started to laugh. All

the orisha silently started to laugh at Yemaya while she put her head down. Olofi told her tokeep her head straight as this was no ordinary gift. He told her that the other orishas brought

him gifts of great vain and beauty but she Yemaya brought him something that hadsignificant meaning. Yemaya wondered what he was talking about while she raised her head.Olofi stood up and walked off his throne towards Yemaya. He took the plate that held the

head of the 3 fishes and told Yemaya that the same way she brought him a head, he wouldmake her head of all waters. While he said that the head of the 3 fishes turned into 3 separatebeautiful crowns made of nothing but silver and gems. He placed one crown on top of

Yemaya and told her that from this day forward she will be queen of the oceans. He placedthe other crown on her head and told her that from this day forward she will be queen of thelands and he placed the last crown on her head and told her that from this day forward she

will be queen of the heavens. The 3 crowns glowed and became one big crown. Olofi thenproceeded to tell her that her crown will always be recognized in every ceremonial birth.

Her color blue cannot be excluded from any ceremonial births as she is a queen. She as anorisha does not have to wear her crown because it is not forever bestowed on her and she isalways to be known as royalty.

Yemaya saluted Olofi in the tradition of lying side by side and Olofi picked her up. He thentold her to face the court and had everyone come and salute the new queen of the ocean,

land and heaven. One by one all the orishas came and paid respect to Yemaya. After theparty she was escorted back to the seas by Olofis high court with trumpets that sounded as

she entered the ocean and saw her new castle that was given to her by Olofi. She looked up

into the heavens and saw Olofi looking down on her and she crossed her hands asking forblessings. Olofi blessed her and she asked him why he bestowed her that honor as a triplequeen. Olofi told her that he did it since she is always tending to her children of the seas andof the lands. He told her that she catered to her children so much that she didnt have time

to even get him a gift that he did not require for anyone to bring. Olofi told her that each giftbrought to him was a gift from the heart and he sees where her heart lies. Yemaya sat on hergigantic throne flushed with gold, silver, pearls and corals and all the fishes of the sea came

to pay respect to the new queen of the sea

Yemayas feast day is September 7. Her color is blue and all tones of it. She is synchronized

with Our lady of Regla. Her number is 7 and all multiples of it. In the home of her followersshe resides in a blue and white tureen where her tools and mysteries are kept. Yemaya hastraveled all around the world as why she has many paths. Yemaya loves everything that ismotherly. She loves jewelry, sea rocks, corals and mirrors. Her sacrificial foods are rams,roosters, ducks, guinea hens, swans and gooses. In some paths she loves turtles as well.

Yemaya loves all types of fruits and sweet cakes. Plantain chips fried pork chunks are herfavorite. She loves the sweetness of oni (honey) as that is he sisters gift to the world but sheloves the taste of her own syrup which is melao (cane syrup). All of her offerings are taken to


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the ocean where she dwells. Her children are said to be mother figures in the world. Theycan be very loving and can be very stern. They can be very appeasing and very hostile in

their warrior aspects of their mother Yemaya. You can call on Yemaya when you needadvice, female powering, having children and wealth. Also being a warrior, Yemaya is also asmart and great witch. Her spells and magic vast far and beyond and as quick as the oceans

wave move, her magic is quicker. You can use her for love spells and money spells. In PaloMayombe Yemaya is associated with Madre Agua, a fierce water deity who is a witch not to

be denied.

When Yemaya makes her appearance at a festival, she mimics the ocean waves at its best

and its worse. She is said to continuously spin in circles as a whirlpool. Its said that she doesthis because she is looking for the crown that Olofi gave her. Elegua was in her domainsvisiting the queen orisha and he knocked over her crown that began to fall to the bottom of

her waters. She started to spin and spin looking for her crown. Once she did not find it, shewent on land seeing if her son Elegua took it on land. She is the sister of Oshun in whoYemaya gave Oshun some of her riches. She is the mother in different aspects to all of the

orishas. She is the orisha that raised the divine twins of Shango.

Yemaya is also the protector of all fishermen. When they are out to sea, it is said that shewatched over them and give them her children so that humankind can survive. When theydisrespect Yemaya, she causes gigantic waves that come aboard there vessel sometimes even

turning it over. It is said that her domain is also an enormous cemetery as there is so manydeaths that happen at sea.

Syncretized as Our Lady of Rule

Feast Date: September 7Colors of Yemaya: light blue, clear, and light green

Yemaya Numbers: all multiples of 7


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Shango

God of Thunder


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Shango is one of the most talked about and most favorable orisha of Santeria. Shango also

known as Chango, Sango, Alufina, Xango in Brazil, was a great warrior. He is the orisha of

the thunder and thunderbolt. He is the thunderbolt that falls from the sky upon the land.

When you hear the loud sound of thunder roaring through the heavens, it is Shango that isriding his white horse looking to serve justice. Shango is seen as a tall handsome man with

an extreme physique. He is always dressed in satin outfits with his tiger skin wrapped

around him. His crown is always firm on his head and it is always shining. His colors are

red and white and in the home of a priest, he lives in a wooden batea (vessel), where his

secrets and implements are kept. Shango loves to dance and he knows how to hype up a

party. When he arrives, the party has just begun as he will dance and impress everyone

that is there. He is also the owner of the bt drums (the double headed drums in Santeria).

When he finishes his dance, he is quick to grab the drums to show his skills.

Shango is a womanizer. He loves to flirt with all women. His dance is very seductive in

which he uses to seduce his woman onlookers. Shango had many relations with females from

every village. Maybe out of all the orishas he had the most with all and any woman. He had

3 wives that he loved dearly, each for their own special characteristics. Oshun, Obba and

Oya. He loved Oshun for her flirtatious and cunning ways, as she kept the lust between

them. Whenever Shango needed that spark for lust he will look for Oshun sometimes at a


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festival where should we be dancing and flirting amongst all the orishas. Oshun would

bedazzle him with her exotic dance.

Obba he loved dearly for she was the way a wife is idolized. The relation he had with Obba

was so pure that he made her his legitimate wife and queen of his village in Oyo. She wasthe one who tended to his every need and made sure that the king was satisfied as the way

he should be as well with her cooking as she knew how to get to a mans stomach. She kept

the castle clean and organized and for that Olofi created the first marriage to be recognized.

Due to a trick by his jealous mistress Oya (before Oya and Shango were married), Obba did

something so disgusting that the king never forgave her and that ended their marriage.

Last Oya, who he stole from his brother Oggun, loved because she did not fear anyone. Oya

was the one that gave him that life and spark that he needed. She always surprised him.

She was a warrior that could stand right next to the king Shango. She would go with himinto any and all battles that Shango had. It is said that Oya would ride on her horse first

before any battle that Shango had. If you look today, when a storm is approaching, lightning

which is also Oya, flashes across the sky, then soon after you will hear the sounds of

Shangos horse galloping through the skies which is the thunder. If youre lucky enough, you

will also see Shango throwing a thunderbolt down to the earth.

Pataki of Shango

One day the great orisha Shango was playing the bt drums in a nearby village. Shango asusual was beating the drums and he had the party going. He would take a heavy drink of

his oti and beat harder and faster on the drums. Everyone was dancing and enjoying

themselves. Yemaya came to the festivities and she was dancing and enjoying herself

alongside with everyone present at the party, while Elegua who was already there was

talking and playing tricks on the villagers. Elegua left the party for a moment and arrived

back as it was finishing with some gossip that he had seen. When the party finished he

called his good friend Shango over and told him the gossip that he saw.

Elegua told Shango that he left and stopped at Obatala and Yembos house to see how theywere doing. He told him that he was talking to Osun (the last orisha received alongside with

The Warriors represented by a rooster standing on a silver stick) about situations that were

occurring in Obatalas house. Elegua as devious as he is started to give Osun oti to see if he

could keep talking. Just as he planned, Osun talked and talked and told Elegua what was

going on. He told him that Oggun would come to the house drunk when Baba (another form

to call a father orisha) was not there and speak rough to his mother Yembo. Osun went to


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say that this has been happening for a while now and that today out of all days, Oggun

came very drunk. As the two were conversing Oggun came by staggering and swaying his

machete. He walked right past Elegua and Osun and did not even see them. He barged into

the house and grabbed Yembo. He started to rip off her clothes and threw her onto the bed

where she and Obatala lay. Yembo, who was helpless, screamed and called for help. Rightbefore Oggun could mount her, the great Osagrinan (a path of Obatala) appeared. He

screamed out to Oggun to stop and to get out. Oggun out of shame left to the woods never to

stop working for his actions that he did. Elegua who saw this was very upset that Oggun

violated Yembo and the great Obatala.

Shango hearing all of this from Elegua was in a rage and he knew that his friend Elegua

wouldnt lie about this as he knew that Elegua knew all. His rage turned into fury to hear

the disrespect Oggun did to their mother Yembo. He immediately jumped on his horse and

rode to the house of Oggun. When he arrived he saw that Oggun was not there but he didsee the beautiful Oya wielding the new sword that her husband Oggun made for her. He has

seen her in many festivals and at the marketplace but never spoke to her because of the

relationship she had with his brother Oggun. Shango had a spark in his eye and proceeded

to walk up to Oya. When Oya saw Shango she kept her eyes off of him as she too was

infatuated with Shango but never dear follow the situation, because she was faithful to

Oggun. Shango fixed his shirt and moustache and approached Oya with a great swag.

Oya could not resist his swag and she looked at him directly into his eyes. She was in a

trance as she noticed the gleam in the irresistible Shango. Shango asked for his brother in

which Oya told him that he has not been home for hours. Shango asked Oya for a drink of

oti and Oya immediately ran and gave it to him. She knew that he was a king and

whatever the king wanted he must have. Oya gave him his drink and Shango took a sip of

it and placed in on the table. Oya asked him if there was anything else that he requested.

Shango smiled and grabbed Oya very softly and gave her a kiss. Shangos passion rose from

within him straight to his lips that now caressed the lips of Oya and she fell at that

moment in the arms of Shango. The great king made passionate love to Oya in Ogguns

house. The same disrespect that he tried to perform on his mother Yembo would be the same

disrespect he would perform in the house of his brother Oggun.

Hours later Oggun arrived to his house, ashamed of his actions toward his mother and

father. He was picking up his tools to begin work as that was his punishment he put on

himself in front of his father Obatala and Olofi. He noticed that the house was empty and

his wife Oya was nowhere in sight. He called for her but there was no answer. He noticed

that there was an empty cup on the table with some left over oti in it and wondered whose


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it was. Oggun baffled, went to his room and noticed the bed was in a mess. Since he had

been drinking heavily he did not register on what he was seeing. When he came out of the

room, he saw his friend Elegua sitting by the door. He asked Elegua what happened and

Elegua with a stern voice reminded him on the shameful act that he did today. Oggun who

was hung over did not want to remember what happened earlier but wanted to know whathappened to his wife Oya. Elegua smirked and told him a tooth for a tooth and an eye for

an eye. Oggun did not know what Elegua was saying asked him what was he talking about.

Elegua told Oggun that where ever Shango is at, Oya is very near. Oggun now put the

pieces together, grabbed his machete and charged out of his house running to the house of

his brother Shango.

Oggun ran and ran all the way to the gates of Shangos castle. He demanded to be let into

the kingdom. Shangos guards notified Shango of the noise that Oggun was making outside.

Shango stepped on his balcony and asked Oggun what was the ruckus and disrespect he wasdoing outside of his house. Oggun said the disrespect was he Shango coming to his house and

taking his wife Oya. Shango brought Oya onto the balcony and showed her to her husband.

Ogguns rage grew more and demanded Shango to release her. Oya told Oggun that she was

not there by force but on her own will. Oggun stated to her that she was under a potion that

Shango gave her. Oya told Oggun that Shango did not give her a potion and this was a day

that she yearned for since the first time she saw Shango. Oggun repeated to her that

Shango did something to her. Oggun turned and looked at Shango and asked him why did

he disrespect him for, come to his house and take his wife. Shango with a roar told Oggun

that the same way he barged into the house of his parents and violated his mother, this was

pay back. And with that said and done Shango leaped from the balcony that was high up in

his castle straight to where Oggun was at. Before Shango touched the floor a thunderbolt

landed right next to Oggun that made him fall back quite a few feet. Shango and Oggun

started a battle that lasted for hours. As Shangos guards watched in confusion because they

did not want to get involved between these 2 brothers wrath. The 2 orishas fought against

each other. Shango threw thunderbolt after thunderbolt hitting the ground where Ogguns

feet were. Oggun with each leap got close to Shango and swayed his machete hitting

Shango. These 2 orishas gave each other bruise after bruise. Oya seeing all of this wanted

this to stop, so she blew her winds so far and fast until her cries reached to the ears of

Obatala. She then glided on towards them both.

Obatala who heard Oyas cries came fast on his horse to see what was going on. When he

reached Shangos castle he saw the 2 orishas fighting each other with Oya in the middle.

Oya stood in the middle of them both trying to stop the battle but they both did not listen to

her. The great Obatala approached them both and as he is the king and orisha of peace, his


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soft voice brought a silence over the kingdom of Shango. He demanded both of them to stop

the brawl. Shango seeing his father threw himself at the great orisha of the white cloth in

homage. Obatala lifted Shango up and gave him a hug. Oggun asked his father Obatala that

why he was being so nice and humble to Shango when it was Shango that started all of this.

Obatala asked Oggun in what way did Shango disrespect him. Oggun went and told himthat Shango went to his house and took his wife Oya from him and now she is with him.

Obatala turned and asked Shango if this was true and Shango proclaimed that it was.

Shango then turned and told Obatala that it was revenge. Oggun screamed revenge and

brought his machete high over his head to strike Shango. Immediately Shango raised his

osh to strike back. Obatala raised his hands and both orishas brought down their weapons.

Shango told Oggun that it was revenge for him going to their fathers house and taking

advantage on their mother Yembo. Shango said the same way you went in and took

advantage, I went to your house and took advantage on your wife in which now she is

mines.

Obatala turned to Shango and told him that 2 wrongs dont make a right and that was

wrong on what he did. He continued to tell him that he shouldnt have gone and barged into

Ogguns house and take Oya from him. Elegua who was present as usual bowed his head to

Obatala and told him that Shango did not barge in that Oya let him in with no problem.

Oya stated that it was true. She turned to her former husband Oggun and told him that she

always loved and respected him but that Shango brought to her a wild fire passion that she

has been yearning for a long time and it is with Shango she is going to stay with. Obatala

told Shango to take Oya inside and he told Oggun to go back home and think of all the

defects that he did today. Shango asked Obatala why was he so easy on his brother Oggun.

Shango asked where was his punishment in which Obatala said Oggun already has received

his punishment. Shango turned and took Oya inside and peace was brought back to the

kingdom of Shango.

Shangos feast day is December 4th. He is the owner of fire and passion as well. Shango

loves to drink, dance and eat. His sacrificial animals are rams, roosters, turtles, Cornish

hens and guinea hens. His favorite food is cornmeal with okra and he loves red apples and

green bananas. He is the orisha that brings justice to mankind. Shango rides day and night

looking to bring justice to his father Obatala and Olofi. The drums beat in his heart. He

loves everything perfect and nothing deformed. His children are very outgoing people. They

love to drink and party and they have a passion and fire on their tongues that they conquer

all battles when they use their head. Shango is friends to all the orishas except to his

brother Oggun that they are constantly in battle whenever they are in front of each. But

never the less, Shango aides and loves the children of Oggun and vice versa. Shango is a


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great friend and ally to have in your corner. He keeps a close eye on his children and he

protects them to the fullest from everything.

Shango is able to breathe fire from his mouth. He found out the secret from the herb orisha

Ozain who gave him Abocun which is the secret of the fire. Shango keeps Abocun deep inhis mortar locked in a safe room. When Shango is going to battle he first goes to Abocun to

gain the secret of the fire. He puts it on his tongue and is instantly able to blow fire from

his mouth. He then rides out with his daughter Aia, who is the heat of the fire. Abocun

was found by Oya who was snooping around Shangos castle and saw the lock door. As the

air we breathe she passed right through and put the secret of Abocun on her tongue and

from that day she was able to breathe fire from her mouth.

In the religion Palo Mayombe, Shango is represented by the palo deity Siete Rayos who

share the same characteristics as the orisha Shango. They are not the same but the share alot of similarities.

While a storm is going on where there is lightning and thunder, you should always salute

Shango with his salutations. Kabi O Sile The great king. If you see a thunderbolt hit the

ground, after the rain has subdued, go to where the bolt hit and dig a hole. It is said that

he leaves traces of his thunderbolt through a black stone that is called and odu ara

(lightning bolt stone). He loves this stone and all of his followers wear this stone around

their necks or on them to represent the orisha.

Syncretized with Saint Barbara of the Thunder

Feast Date: December 4

Color of Shango: red and white

Shango Number: 4 and multiples

of 6

a look into the yoruba faith2

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