A vast and diverse continent, Africa is rich in religion and mythology. The African gods and goddesses that make up these belief systems are worshipped in many ways by millions of people around the world. These deities, known as Orishas, originate from Yorubaland, a region spanning Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
The Yoruba religion, which is today found throughout Southern Nigeria, forms the basis of many religions practiced by members of the African diaspora. These gods and goddesses are some of the more well-known in Africa yet some of the lesser known by people of the the rest of the world. In Yorubaland, the Orishas are a group of spirits or deities that act as the emissaries of Olodumare, the supreme God. So, what roles do they play and why are they important?
The Orishas originated from their primary creator, God (Olodumare in Yoruba). They act as demi-deities or demi-gods or in a capacity like Archangels. And the demi-gods rule over the forces of nature and endeavors of humanity. Even though there are several Orishas, some are more potent than others. These powerful Orishas create the seven African powers.
The Seven African Powers, or as they are known in Spanish, "Las Siete Potencias Africanas", are made up of seven Orishas, revered figures in Santeria, Candomble, Vodou, and Umbanda religions. These came to the United States and elsewhere through the African diaspora, as enslaved people tried to maintain ties to their ancestral religion.
The Orishas are more than human, but not quite gods themselves. They originated with the Yoruba people, who have a primary creator God: Olodumare. The Orishas act as demi-deities, or in a capacity similar to Archangels. There's no real equivalent to this in English, so they are simply called "Orishas," or, occasionally, "deities."
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It should be noted that while these seven Orishas are particularly important, they do not represent the entirety of the Orisha pantheon. There are hundreds of Orishas, each governing various aspects of nature, human endeavors, and life events. While some Orishas are well-known and widely worshipped, other Orishas are more regional or have a more specialized focus. The Seven African Powers are the seven most powerful and popular Orishas.
These are Elegua, Yemaya, Oshun, Shango, Obatala, Oya (sometimes Orunmila or Ochossi), and Ogun. They are found in several different religions and traditions that descend from the African diaspora, including Santeria, Candomble, Hoodoo, and Arara.
The pantheon of Orishas (traditionally followed by the Yoruba people) is a sequence of divine spirits dispatched by the supreme god Olodumare. Though a specific number can’t be placed on the amount of Orishas, there is an exciting notion around it. There isn’t an exact number, but sometimes it goes up to 700, 900, or even 1440 Orishas. As for the “400+1” concept, the 1 is an incredibly sacred number that tells you that there are countless Orishas, but you will always be one count short if you try to comprehend it.
In African Mythology, the Yoruba people very well received the notion of an omnipotent sky god looking over all things that live on Earth. Olodumare is also known as Olorun, which means “the Almighty.” Although his omnipotence strikes a profound sense of existential authority, the Yoruba people do not have any dedicated shrines or places of worship for him.
It is believed that at one point in time, Olodumare was close to Earth. However, the constant need by human beings for basic things from the sky, such as food, seemed to frustrate him, so he began his journey away from the planet. It is here where he found the need to create the Orishas.
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Most African traditional religions are extraordinarily diverse and range over countless cultures and practices. The Yoruba religion can be marked as a capstone of African beliefs due to its wide acceptance. Of all the African religions, this remains one of the few on the rise. The Yoruba people refer to this religion as Ìṣẹ̀ṣẹ.
A relatively common theme integrated into the Yoruba religion is Animism. Animism refers to the belief that everything (and yes, LITERALLY everything) possesses a spiritual quintessence. As a result, they are all controlled within the domains of the Orishas.
Another belief revolves around reincarnation. The belief in reincarnation is linked to ideas from their ancestors. As a direct result, Yoruba people can sometimes be identified as their departed imprints through visions and likenesses in appearances. These reincarnated figures are usually there to assist their progeny with everyday life and general faith.
The Seven African Powers rule over all things humans need -- including love, fertility, power, justice, healing, and opportunity. People are starting to reject hegemonic Christian society and learning more about their ancestral beliefs. African, Afro-Caribbean, African American, and South American people are now practicing the ways of the Orishas and the Seven African Powers.
7 African Powers Orisha Tribal Meditation Music | Protection, Healing, Guidance, Breakthrough
Let's delve into the roles and powers of these significant Orishas:
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1. Eshu Elegbara
Eshu (also referred to as Elegua, Exu, Eshu and Legba) is the messenger between worlds and is the guardian of the crossroads. Elegua is the Orisha of the Crossroads, ruling over the juncture where two or more roads meet. Elegua is believed to have the power to open and close roads for humanity, both in the physical and spiritual sense.
According to traditional beliefs, nearly all spirits linked to the crossroads are tricksters, and Elegbara is no exception. Mischief is something that doesn’t go unnoticed in African mythology in general. Trickster gods are present in many cultures around the world. Eshu, otherwise known as Elegba, is the Trickster of the Orisha Pantheon.
By Western interpretation of Eshu, though, he is not seen as this malicious spirit doomed to destroy humanity through psychological trickery. He is not depicted as the devil himself. Still, He is believed to be more than capable of bringing adversity to those that do not take note of his presence.
Eshu operates as a psychopomp (someone who guides the spirits of the dead) and protector of travelers, living or dead. Therefore, among the 7 African powers, Eshu’s is one of the most significant, considering its relevance and reliance by virtually everyone.
All prayers must pass through him before reaching any other Orisha. Therefore, he acts as the intermediary link between the other Orishas and humans. The deity's favorite offerings are tobacco, rum, candy, toys, and spicy foods.
Eshu has over 200 manifestations depending on tradition. He is most associated with the colours red and black or white.
2. Ogun
Ogun is the god of iron; hence, he rules over metalworking and alchemy. The deity is also the owner of technology. While Eshu Elegbara opens the road, Ogun clears it with his machete.
No settlement can be complete without an armory. An armory provides the means to defend oneself from the dangers of the outside world. Being abundant in the region, iron was a vital resource. Ogun is the Giver of Iron in the Orisha Pantheon. Alongside mastering the delivery of this world-building resource, Ogun is also dubbed the Warrior God of War.
However, he refuses to interfere in what individuals choose to do with the weapons he blesses the productions of. The destiny of the weapon is left in the hands of the human who possesses it.
Being garbed in red, Ogun represents aggression in one narrative. Hence, his being is deeply rooted in the Yoruba people’s psychology.
The deity is associated with the colours green, red, white, black, and blue. Ogun's favourite offerings include cigars, rum, wine, red palm oil, candles, metal, metal tools, chains, weapons, red beans, and spicy foods.
3. Obatala
Obatala is the eldest of the Orishas. The deity's most outstanding characteristics include patience and gentleness. Obatala rules over legal matters, serenity and peace. The demi-god is also a remarkable spirit of healing and peace. Obatala is also credited with sculpturing human bodies, more so with imperfections like blindness and other defects.
Garbed in white, the King of Peace Obatala is a merciful Orisha dispatching purity. His symbols include a white dove and, in more modern times, wreaths of olives due to them becoming a universal sign of peace.
Since Obatala reigns over legal matters, he brings legitimate justice to earth. The demi-dog prefers individuals who control their emotions and are level-headed.
Obatala's favorite offerings include cascarilla powder, sugar, shea butter, water, milk, white rice, banana, and white flowers. Obatala is the only deity with no permanent gender, and the demi-god is androgynous. Obatala is married to Yemaya, the goddess of oceans and godmother of Orishas.
4. Yemaya
Yemaya is a water Orisha presiding over the oceans. The demi-god is often depicted as a mermaid and has domain over everything related to the sea. On top of the ocean, Yemaya rules over maternity in people's lives as she is the Mother of All. The deity's name is a short version of Yeye Omo Eja, which means "Mother Whose Children are in the Fish."
The ocean is vast and seldom cruel, and it is impossible to predict what lies beneath deep waves and endless stretches of water. Yemonja is the Orisha of the ocean. Not only does she hold control over it, but she also radiates the power of compassion and love. Speaking of which, Yemonja is the metaphysical mother of all the other gods in the Orisha pantheon.
Yemaya is the sister of Oshun, the deity of rivers. The god dresses in seven skirts of blue and white, and like the seas and deep lakes, she is deep and unknowable. Her favourite offerings include seashells, jewellery, perfume, coral, flowers, watermelon, pomegranate, duck, lamb, fish, plantain chips, coconut cake, and molasses.
5. Oshun
She is the Orisha of rivers, and baptism over water invokes her purifying essence. The deity is the most approached to assist in money matters. Also, she is the youngest among the female Orishas but retains the title of Iyolode or great queen.
The natural world generally flourishes with life. This wouldn’t have been possible without bodies of water snaking through lush, dense forests, bringing much-needed vitality to all who benefit from it. Nearly every culture associates rivers with something benevolent. Being the Goddess of Rivers, Oshun is often attributed to being the lifeblood of the Niger River.
In fact, her name comes from ‘Orisun,’ which was referred to as being the source of the Niger River. Oshun’s aquatic finesse over the rivers of West Africa immortalized her spot as one of the most critical Orishas.
This empathy also means that she is associated with fertility and childbirth. She is strikingly similar to Dionysus, the Greek goddess of wine and fertility. Being involved in marine affairs also implies that she is engaged in rejuvenating the human mind, further solidifying her position.
Oshun is one of the most popular and beloved Orishas in the Yoruba religion, known for her beauty, grace, and sensuality. As the goddess of love and desire, Oshun is often called upon for help with matters of the heart, including finding love, enhancing relationships, and even increasing fertility.
Oshun recognizes herself in yellow and gold; her number is five. The deity's favourite offerings include mirrors, rosemary, lantana, marigold, pumpkin, makeup, brushes, perfumes, oils, flowers, fans, sandalwood, honey, chamomile tea, shrimp and spinach, yellow and orange fruits and veggies, cinnamon, river stones, amber, coral.
6. Shango
Shango is the most popular of the seven African powers, and the deity rules over lightning, thunder, fire, drums, and dance. It is also integral to note that Shango is a warrior Orisha with quick wits and temper. He is also married to Obba but has relations with Oya and Oshun.
Modern people often underestimate the might of a crackling burst of thunder. In the Orisha pantheon, the supreme god meant existence through Olodumare, and the Yoruba storm god Shango was its bane. Sharing a commonplace with other famous gods such as the Greek Zeus and the Norse Thor, his prowess remained dominant with a chaotic sky.
Shango has three wives, Oshun, Oya, and Oba. General African myths deal with confusion by introducing a force that counters it. Orishas, too, have emotions that flow gracefully like the river.
You want Ogun and Shango to interact as they are rivals. Shango will bring justice through lightning and protect his followers against evil. Another vital thing to note is that the deity loves good music and women.
Shango’s favourite offerings include copper, mugwort, conqueror root, lots of spicy food, red foods and red palm oil, liquor like red wine and rum, sugar, and cascarilla.
7. Oya
Oya is the ruler of the whirlwind and the gates of the cemetery. The deity is sometimes substituted with Ochossi or Orunmila. Oya's number is nine, and her domain is in the Niger River. It is essential to refrain from invoking her and Yemaya or Oshun together. The only exception is when you are invoking the seven African powers together.
Good weather brings peace to mind momentarily. A great, lasting one makes way for a civilization to flourish. Crops may live or die due to changes in the skies above, and stomachs may be quenched for hunger or thirst. Oya is the Orisha of the weather. Defined as an embodiment of wind, she is Shango’s wife and hence the direct caterer of his will.
Besides shifting the clouds, Oya is also connected to tending to the dead. The ‘dead’ doesn’t just include a human being; it consists of the natural world in the sense that dead trees would have to fall to make way for newer ones. So, in reality, Oya really is the goddess of change.
Like the weather’s unpredictability, she also commandeers the essence of constantly changing the natural world so it may continue flourishing.
Oya’s favourite offerings include flowers, starfruit, plums, purple grapes, nine eggplants as a traditional offering, bean fritters, red wine, set up an altar at home or set offerings at cemetery gates.
Oya is a strong warrior who rides to battle with Shango (sharing lightning and fire with him). The deity was once the wife of Ogun.
These Seven African Powers (Orishas) are interpreted differently in various cultures, so getting in touch with your roots is also integral to learning more. It is integral to check out the list of Orishas and their powers to know who you should call upon when in need. The seven African powers are interpreted differently in various cultures, so getting in touch with your roots is also integral to learning more.
