Obatala created the first man and woman out of clay, earning him the title of Alamorere, "Owner of the best clay," and because he kneaded the clay himself, he is known as Orisha kpokpo, "Owner of the best clay." Obatala is thus a sky-god, but in a more anthropomorphic form than Olorun, and fulfills functions that have nothing to do with the firmament. The god is always depicted wearing a white robe.Īccording to the priests, Obatala was created by Olorun, who then delegated control of the firmament and the world to him and retreated to slumber. "Lord of the White Cloth," on the other hand, is the most widely used and appears to be the proper translation. Another derivation is Oba-ti-ala, "Lord of Visions," which gains some credence from the fact that Obatala is known as Orisha oj'enia, "The Orisha who enters man," and Alabalese (Al-ba-ni-ase), "He who predicts the future," because he inspires oracles and priests and reveals the future through visions. The name Obatala (Oba-ti-ala.) means "Lord of the White Cloth," which is explained by the fact that white is the color devoted to Obatala, whose temples, figures, and paraphernalia are always painted white, and whose followers wear white cloths. It is said that Obatala is the god of creation and also the Yorubas' chief god. Many people turn to the Orisa for guidance and protection. The Orisa are revered and are thought to be able to help humans in their everyday lives. These four gods represent the elements of earth, air, water, and fire respectively. ![]() Yoruba mythology teaches that there are four main Orisa: Obatala, Olorun, Oshun, and Shango. They are also said to be able to transform into animals or other forms. The Orisa are often depicted as human-like beings with superhuman strength and abilities. Each god has their own unique personality and domain, and they work together to maintain balance in the world. In Yoruba mythology, the Orisa are deities who rule over various aspects of the natural and spiritual world. They are all revered by the Yoruba people, who believe that they have an important part to play in their lives. These include the Orisha, which are guardian spirits that protect individuals or groups the Iyami Aje, which are evil witches and the Alugbati, mischievous water sprites.Įach god in the Yoruba pantheon has their own unique story and role to play in the world. ![]() ![]() The Yoruba pantheon also includes a host of other lesser gods and spirits. Other major gods include Obatala, the god of fertility Oshun, the goddess of love and beauty and Shango, the god of thunder and lightning. He is often depicted as a sun god responsible for everything that happens in the world. The most important god in the Yoruba pantheon is Olorun, who is the creator god.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |