The Yoruba people are one of the many African tribes that were brought together by Western colonialism. Their culture is centered around gods and deities, and their religion is called Ifa. They believe in the primordial deities Olodumare and Orunla.
The Yoruba religion is a monotheistic religion with a pantheon of deities. The Gods And Deities Of The Yoruba Religion are known as Orishas. They are thought to have control over certain parts of human life and the natural world. There are many different religious rites and ceremonies that can be performed to appease the Orishas, like Santeria and Candomblé.
The Yoruba religion has many gods and goddesses.
No person can remember all the gods and goddesses in the Yoruba religion. Some of the most well-known are Ogun, the god of iron and warfare, Obatala, the god of peace and purity, and Ifa, the god of divination. Some are Orisha’s that are more philosophical in nature such as Oshun, the goddess of love and beauty, Oya, the goddess of life and death, and Yemaya, the goddess of the sea.
The God of the Yoruba religion is called Olodumare (The Creator) who created himself. The creator cannot be seen. He is an energy force that will influence you to do good.
Shango (also spelled Sango), is the god of thunder and lightning. Shango has so much power that his footsteps can cause earthquakes. Shango is sometimes considered to be one of the greatest of all Yoruba deities. He is a powerful and compassionate supreme deity, yet can be somewhat irresponsible at times. Many of his duties in the Yoruba pantheon are carried out by other deities (like Olokun).
Ogun is the god of iron and warfare. Ogun is the Orisa called upon to remove obstacles along your path towards spiritual enlightenment. Ogun will protect you from the enemies of life, promote success in your endeavors and defend you when the battle is not going your way.
Eshu is considered a trickster or mischief-maker. He is often confused with the devil, Satan or Lucifer. He comes in many forms and disguises but essentially he is a messenger who must be listened to carefully. The trickster god has two sides. He is neutral energy who gives us both good and bad. At times the trickster brings us wisdom, other times he mixes things up to keep us from becoming stuck in one rut. He brings us help, advice, and insight when we ask him.
As mentioned previously Oshun is considered the goddess of love and beauty. Each Orisha has an associated color. Oshun’s color is often referred to as “Oshun honey”, because of its delicate golden color. The most recognized item for Oshun’s image is a jasmine flower worn on her head, or in her hair.
Oya, is known as the goddess of life and death Oya is seen as a fierce warrior goddess, who rides the storm with her powerful bow. One of her symbolic roles is as a spirit of liberation, freeing people from old patterns of thought and behavior that no longer serve them. As goddess of the new dawn, she instills new energy and excitement, helping us to break free from old limitations.
Yemaya the goddess of the sea, can be kind and merciful but is often also harsh. She is said to favor those who are great warriors or pirates. Followers of Yemaya can have great luck and protection from her, but they are said to be prone to anger or gambling.
Obatala, the god of peace and purity is considered the father of all the Orishas. His presence is known in every Orisha ceremony. He will always appear with Oshun, the Orisha of love and peace. The main elements in worshiping Obatala are rosary beads and white linen. His color is white.
Each of the gods and goddesses has its own personality, but they are all known to be loving and kind. The purpose of their worship was to ensure prosperity for the community.
Yoruba religion origin is in Nigeria.
The Yoruba religion is one of the largest religions in Nigeria. The Yoruba religion has many gods and deities that play a major role in everyday life. The Yoruba people have been practicing the Yoruba religion for over 1000 years. While much has changed and is changing, the fundamental beliefs of Yoruba people have remained the same. The Orisha are the foundation upon which the religion is built. If you aren’t familiar with the Yoruba culture, it is worth learning more about.
Olodumare (The Creator), Olorun (The Sky God), and Olofi (The Supreme God). Olorun created seven spirits who were sent to rule over various aspects of the world and become high priests known as Orishas. They were made from different combinations of the four original elements of air, water, fire, and earth. Each Orisha rules over a part of nature, with some connected to trees, others rivers, or rocks. Some, such as Elegba, rule over roads and paths or crossroads.
Some of the Yoruba religious practices are sacrifice and prayer.
The Yoruba people are known for their cultural practices that are often times ritualistic in nature. In many aspects, their practices can be compared to that of other nearby tribes that share the same religious beliefs. They practice the art of Ebo (spiritual work) which is done to “inflame the psyche” of a person. This would help a person be “powerful and ready to achieve one’s desires”. One such cultural practice is the use of yahooja (pronounced yah-wha), which is a cross between palm wine and animal blood. Oftentimes, the Yoruba people offer sacrifices and pray.
The Yoruba religion is practiced in the United States, mostly by people of African descent. They believe that the Gods and Deities of the Yoruba religion are the most important aspect of their religion.
Synopsis
The Yoruba people worship many different primordial deities, including Olodumare, Orunla, and Obatala. They practice their religion in parts of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Senegal. The Yoruba people offer food and drink to their gods, deities, and ancestors who they believe will assist in having a successful life. The Yoruba also believe that Western colonialism is a major contributor to the problems in the world.
