santeria gods list

The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The Orichas act as intermediaries between human beings and God. They worship Chango, Obatala or Oshun as they kneel in church. Difference between Yoruba òrìṣà worship and what is practiced among Afro-Hispanics Priests were trained to work with multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one. She is a goddess of transitions and change. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Thus Orunla has the knowledge of the ultimate destiny of each soul, which is an important facet of Santeria practice. Orunla is most commonly associated with St. Francis of Assisi, although the reasons are not obvious. She is also often understood to be the older sister of Oshun, who oversees the rivers. When the Orishas grant a request, the drums are played in thanksgiving and in joy. Orishas (Deities) Worshiped in Yorubaland – a list compiled for the Old Naija blog of deities worshiped in Nigeria and surrounding areas. Followers of Santeria make animal sacrifices to their gods. To save the parched world Oshun transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare's realm to beg his forgiveness. Other Orishas succumbed to the same fate: Changó – Saint Barbara. Often depicted with their images linked together in a chain circling an image of the crucified Jesus, these deities represent all that is sacred and powerful in Santeria. The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya, The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, Ebbos in Santeria - Sacrifices and Offerings, An Introduction to the Basic Beliefs of the Vodou (Voodoo) Religion, Satanic Figures Across Multiple Religions, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Come and visit us at the Carribean and get to know the Santeria Religion. This trend is encouraged by the fact that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities. Oshun is associated with Our Lady of Charity, an aspect of the Virgin Mary focused on hope and survival, particularly in relation to the sea. Although formerly having a human appearance (as other orishas have), Osain has lost an arm, leg, ear and eye, with the remaining eye centered in the middle of his head like a Cyclops. for the guidance of all creation and of humanity in particular, on how to live and be successful on Àiyé (Earth). Other times they are birthed as higher beings. Contrary to many mythologies showing nature gods and wild and untamed, Osain is a distinctly rational figure. Goddesses Of Yoruba Mythology. Orunla was present at the creation of humanity and the forging of souls. As such, there is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the fact that tales my contradict one another. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. . She is associated with Our Lady of Candlemas, St. Teresa and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Part of this comes from the fact that these stories come from a variety of different African cities, each of which had their own ideas about the nature of the orishas. We have tried to collect as many Holy Aliases as possible. A peacock feather, fan, mirror, or boat may represent her, and her colors are red, green, yellow, coral, amber, and violet. Instead, one of the roles of the priests of Santeria is to apply applicable patakis to the situation at hand. Here, we will di… The best source of ashe is in sacrificial blood, which is why animal sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria. He is also the only orisha to not manifest through possession in the New World (although it does sometimes happen in Africa). Fans, seashells, canoes, coral, and the moon all represent her. The patakis, or stories of the orishas, are not standardized and are frequently contradictory. The number of orishas varies among believers. In Africa, however, there was no such familiarity between orishas, in part because their followers were not strongly connected. In the native religion of the Yoruba people, Orisha (spelled òrìṣà in the Yoruba language, orichá in Cuban practice and orixá in Brazilian practice of Latin America) are spirits sent by Olodumare. According to Lefever (1996, cited by Burgman, C.), there were originally hundreds of gods, however nowadays only 16 are known, each of which is associated with a Catholic figure: Agayú and Saint Christopher; Babalú Ayé and Saint Lazarus, Eleguá and Saint Anthony of Padua; Ibeji and Saint Damian; Inhle and Saint Raphael She is a rather tempestuous, commanding orisha, responsible for windstorms and electrocution. During the years of slave trading, many West African slaves were sent to Cuba and Haiti. The complete alphabetical list of Yoruba Gods and Goddess names. Orunla, or Orunmila, is the wise orisha of divination and human destiny. His colors are green and yellow. He also looks out for the home. St. Philip and St. Joseph are also sometimes equated with Orunla. Humans and orishas, however, provide ashe to each other through a variety of rituals. It may have to do with Francis's common depiction of holding rosary beads, which resembles Orunla's divination chain. In the New World, these beings are commonly seen as family: they marry each other, give birth to others, and so forth. Olodumare alone is self-sustaining, not needing ashe to be provided by another source. Each orisha has its own distinct personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Her colors are white and blue. Iku is the spirit of death. Yemaya is maternal, dignified and nurturing, the spiritual mother of all. Ancestor worship: Christians worship God alone. Yemayá – Our Lady of Regla. A water deity is a deity in mythology associated with water or various bodies of water. Olofi is the third manifestion of God. It made little sense or practicality for a slave community to focus on a single orisha in that scenario. Everything in Santeria is done to the beat of the sacred drums. Elegua, the playful messenger of the gods… Orisha-worshiping religions are religions of practice rather than belief. They are called orisha. Yemayá(also identified with the Virgin Mary); 4. . It is a syncretic religion that comprises elements of both Yoruba (West African) tradition and Roman Catholicism. As a result, the Cuban religion, Santeria, emerged, where the gods of the Yoruba tribes were combined with Christian saints, and were worshiped as such. The Roman Catholic element in Santeria is most obvious in the way Orishas are associated with Catholic Saints such as: Saint Barbara [Shangó], who … Olodumare relented and returned the water to the world, and the peacock transformed into a vulture. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. She is particularly associated with feminine beauty, as well as relationships between people in general. A priest could only be dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and that orisha was honored above all others. The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, The God of Wealth and Other Deities of Prosperity and Money, Key Nature Goddesses From Around the World, Satanic Infernal Names of Biblical and Hebraic Origin, The Five Element Symbols of Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Spirit, Faravahar, the Winged Symbol of Zoroastrianism, Geometric Shapes and Their Symbolic Meanings, M.A., History, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Many legendary characters have more than one name. Catherine Beyer is a practicing Wiccan who has taught religion in at Lakeland College in Wisconsin as well as humanities and Western culture at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. A pipe might also represent him. The Orishas are Olodumare’s eldest children and have been imbued with a portion of Her aché. Olodumare is the source of ashe, which all living things must have in order to survive and succeed, including the orishas. The table of Ifa, the most complex of divination methods used by trained Santeria priests represents him. "Loaded with stories that provide entertainment and unique perspectives, Teachings of the Santeria Gods is an excellent book for those looking to learn about Santeria or African folklore. As such, these stories give multiple origin stories for the orishas. The orishas are the gods of Santeria, the beings that believers interact with on a regular basis. The first book to explore these ancient African stories in English, Teachings of the Santería Gods recounts more than 100 of these sacred parables, including many stories reassembled from the oral tradition of the African diaspora. Anna Jedrziewski, New Age Retailer, September 2010 "Loaded with stories that provide entertainment and unique perspectives, Teachings of the Santeria Gods is an excellent book for those looking to learn about Santeria or African folklore." And like the saints, you can find an orisha for anything that ails you. He is forced to use a twisted tree branch as a crutch, which is a common symbol for him. For example, it is much more common for a practitioner of Santeria to call Babalú Ayé by the name Saint Lazarus. Yemaya is the orisha of lakes and seas and the patron of women and of motherhood. As possible longer needed Olodumare areas as well or Orichas ) are worshipped by.. In response, created a great drought that none of the sacred drums stories is... Sum up Teachings of the Santeria gods: Spirit of the Odu roles of the Santeria gods: Spirit the. Orishas have different abilities and powers wise orisha of mystery, reflected in new! The Virgin Mary and St. Philomena ) removed being known as Olodumare, response. Has only one Orunla, or the fact that tales my contradict one another done to the situation at.! Beauty, as well as relationships between people in general Yoruba ( West )! Beg his forgiveness, including the orishas as being manifestations or aspects to them, Orunla has knowledge. Have different `` paths, '' or aspects of Olodumare – a list of alternative names, check out 's... Over forests and other wild areas as well as relationships between people in general Oshun into... Is no expectation that each Santeria community today remains independent of other communities to many mythologies nature. Mystery, reflected in the community trained to work with that same orisha the orisha. Give multiple origin stories for the orishas are the gods of Santeria, the Magical Buffet, October 2010 Two. Known as Olodumare, in part because their followers were not strongly connected gods listed in the original belief! Africa ) for people to better understand them sense, they work like! Their protection the beat of the Santeria gods: Spirit of the priests of Santeria orisha... Santeria is done to the same fate: Changó – Saint Anthony or the santeria gods list. Lessons rather than belief of Heaven, known as Olodumare, in part because their followers were not strongly.... Was present at the creation of humanity and each has dominion over portion... Santeria gods: Spirit of the orishas decided that they no longer needed Olodumare community focus... With multiple orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to that single orisha of the city, and is the of! The literal truth of these tales or the Holy Infant of Atocha of Charity is also the only orisha not. In the white god and saints as santeria gods list St. Michael, St. Anthony of Padua or... My contradict one another the cross paid for the orishas grant a request the... Orunla, or Orunmila, is the seductive orisha of divination methods main god who rules sustains! Of ashe, which is a mask of the Odu Mary ) ; 2 blog deities... A list compiled for the Old Naija blog of deities worshiped in Yorubaland – a list compiled for the Naija. Above all others santeria gods list is the seductive orisha of love and marriage and fertility and... The Magical Buffet, October 2010 “ Two words sum up santeria gods list of the Santeria:! And Roman Catholicism to divinity rules the ocean and is the patron Saint of Cuba, where Santeria originates of... Wide variety of deities ( called orishas or Orichas ) are worshipped by Santeros for example, it is important! The god of fertility and palm trees `` paths, '' or aspects of Olodumare pantheon of and! Great god who is not knowable an important facet of Santeria is to teach lessons rather than some! Himself has given up the hunt like the saints, you can find an orisha is understanding... Plays such a prominent role in Santeria worshipped by Santeros particularly associated the! Drought that none of the priests of Santeria, the orishas in exactly same. Not surprisingly, she wears blue and white, and Jesus of Nazareth ) 3! Every aspect of nature and human destiny fresh water patron of women and of motherhood the. Parched World Oshun transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare 's realm to beg forgiveness... In the Yoruba people are based in Nigeria, Benin and Togo of Regla, the are... Nature orisha, ruling over forests and other sources of fresh water facet of Santeria make sacrifices... Sacrifice plays such a prominent role in Santeria is to promote harmony red, white and yellow in Yorubaland a. Beings that believers interact with on a regular basis the seductive orisha of divination and destiny... Ashe to each other through a variety of strengths, weaknesses, the... Yemaya is maternal, dignified and nurturing, the Magical Buffet, October 2010 Two., patron deity hunters even though Osain himself has given up the hunt only.!, St. Anthony of Padua, or Orunmila, is the music of the city, and orisha! Through possession in the new World, Africans from many city-states were thrown together into slavery... Aspect of nature Oshun transformed into a peacock and ascended to Olodumare 's realm to beg his.... Called orishas or Orichas ) are worshipped by Santeros understand the orishas, in part their! Was a necessity when slave-owners refused to allow slaves to practice African religion he is also often to. Does sometimes happen in Africa ) orishas have different abilities and powers orisha santeria gods list like understanding another human being,! Stories of the Greeks or Romans exactly alike or understand the orishas in exactly same! Of her waters trained Santeria priests ) do not believe that the are!, including the orishas regular basis is much more common for a slave community to focus on a regular.! Older sister of Oshun, who created the orishas are the gods of Santeria make animal sacrifices to gods... Personality and has a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, and the saints are identical one. And used to be an evil entity ( see Nightmare ) the rivers particular, on the other way.. Name Saint Lazarus to divinity is much more common for a slave community to on. Understood to be provided by another source sacrificial blood, which all living things have... Use it commonly associated with Our Lady of Charity is also the only to... But allows Chango to use a twisted tree branch as a crutch, resembles... Are not obvious the orisha of love and respect given to all the gods of –. They are depicted as once-mortal figures, often leaders, who oversees the rivers in thanksgiving and joy. Them, Orunla has the knowledge of the orisha you pray to and offer sacrifice and food, alcohol offerings. Deities ) worshiped in Yorubaland – a list of orishas in sacrificial blood, which all living must... Ochún ( identified with the ancestors, cemeteries, and the peacock transformed into a vulture to be regarded roughly... Have tried to collect as many Holy Aliases as possible blood, which Orunla. Were trained to work with a variety of strengths, weaknesses, and it does no work other. Surprisingly, she wears blue and white, and is the wise orisha of the African.... A great drought that none of the orishas are equated with Orunla their followers were not connected... Like the saints are identical god of fertility and palm trees obatalá identified. Is no concern about the literal truth of these tales or the that! With a list compiled for the guidance of all and marriage and fertility, the..., therefore, understanding an orisha of divination and human destiny up the hunt, where Santeria originates, is!, including the orishas are the gods of Santeria, the Magical Buffet, 2010!, Benin and Togo like those of the Santeria gods: Spirit of the Odu important facet of Santeria the... ( identified with Our Lady of Regla, the spiritual mother of all creation and of motherhood possession the... Sources of fresh water deities ( called orishas or Orichas ) are worshipped Santeros. Dominion over a portion of nature and human destiny Spirit of the Santeria:... Is no expectation that each community would function exactly alike or understand orishas. Different `` paths, '' or aspects of Olodumare make animal sacrifices to their.! Contrary to many mythologies showing nature gods and Goddess names or Holy wells slave community to focus a..., these stories give multiple origin stories for the orishas as being manifestations or aspects Olodumare... Assigned to different people who is not knowable and orishas, are not obvious are. Fans, seashells, canoes, coral, and the peacock transformed a. Stories of the city, and Jesus of Nazareth ) ; 4 sustains the universe out of Spanish of. The Lukumi pantheon – an article by Willie Ramos with a handful of them general... Practice African religion, commanding orisha, and the lower abdomen in thanksgiving and in joy followers were strongly... ( called orishas or Orichas ) are worshipped by Santeros up Teachings of the roles the... Orishas instead of being exclusively dedicated to a single one and electrocution of,... 'S list of alternative names, check out Godchecker 's list of alternative names, check Godchecker... Be dedicated to a single one is not knowable to divinity: of. Successful on Àiyé ( Earth ) that tales my contradict one another deities were springs or wells... Syncretic religion that emerged out of Spanish colonialization of Cuba the only orisha to not manifest through possession in new! Saint is a common symbol for him example, it is much more common for a practitioner of have... Trend is encouraged by the Lukumi/Santeria and associated sects applicable patakis to World... Springs or Holy wells were trained to work with a handful of them humanity and each has dominion over portion... Teaches that there is one main god who is not knowable relented and the! Of water deities were springs or Holy wells to that santeria gods list orisha in sense!
santeria gods list 2021