Orisha

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As Orishas ( Orisa; Portuguese Orixá; spanish Oricha; Yoruba: Orisa ) are gods in the religion of the Yoruba and based thereon Afro-American religions , such as the Cuban Santeria and Brazilian Candomble and Umbanda referred.

The Òrìṣà are characterized by closeness and familiarity with people who reveal themselves through trance states in those initiated into them.

“The Orixá is a pure force, an immaterial Àṣe , which humans can only perceive when it is embodied in one of them. This one chosen by Orixá, one of his descendants, is called elégùn, the one who experiences the privilege of preparing, gùn, through him. He becomes his bearer, so that the Orixá is given the opportunity to return to earth to greet and receive proof of respect from his descendants who called on him. "

- Pierre Fatumbi Verger : Orixás. 1981

All Òrìṣà are related to a force of nature, which is water, earth, air and fire in its various subdivisions, i.e. i.e., they are personified forces of nature. For the festivals, which show a kind of theatrical staging of the complex Yoruba mythology, each one has a certain music, i. H. own drums and chants, as well as dance steps with the corresponding body and especially hand movements. There are various family relationships, love affairs and disputes between the individual Òrìṣà. Like humans, they cross borders and break taboos, which gives not only the world of gods but also earthly life its dynamism.

Above the orishas is Olorun . He is the only one who is omnipotent. His power is so great that it would be too dangerous for believers to make direct contact with him. Hence, there are no ceremonies directly addressing Olorun. The orishas, ​​on the other hand, have human traits with faults and weaknesses. They serve as mediators between the people and Olorun. In principle, the Orishas are all equally powerful, but Obatala and Yemayá are assigned a higher role. Eshu has another special role . He is more human than the other orishas and is more likely to be attributed to the spirits. He is the doorkeeper and messenger of the gods and must be greeted first in all rituals and also be the first to receive his offerings.

Orisha in Africa

The Yoruba, with their center in Ile-Ife , have hundreds of orishas. The Orishas differ regionally in their meaning, their aspects and their relationships, which are passed down in stories ( patakis ).

In Africa, the veneration of the àrìşà in the masculine line is passed on from generation to generation within families. Since women in traditional Yoruban society marry exogamously and virilocally , they bring various other cults into the husband's clan, but these do not acquire any greater significance.

The Orisha Osun grove has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005 and the Ifá oracle of Orisha Òrúnmìlà is a UNESCO masterpiece of humanity .

Orisha in America

The oracle of Ifé can be consulted in Brazil by throwing the cowries through a mãe-de-santo (Ialorixá) or a pai-de-santo (babalorixá). Òrúnmìlà-Ifá is one of the most important Òrìşà, but this term also refers to the Ifá oracle , which consists of 16 main odú (chapters) and a total of 256 Odú, which reports on the individual Òrìşà.

During the transport of slaves to America , regional orishas that were ineffective for life in the diaspora disappeared . In the Cuban Santería only a few dozen orishas are worshiped, which vary much less here than in the Yoruba. They are assigned colors, numbers, plants, sounds, rhythms, favorite foods and drinks.

In America , in most religions, the orishas are syncretistically associated with Catholic saints . In Haitian Voodoo , the orishas correspond to the loas, which are partly identical . The Brazilian candomblé has three main nations. Every nation has a different language, different songs, prayers and shrines. The orishas, ​​n'kissis, and voduns have some things in common, but are still different saints.

The Sudanese cultures are represented, for example, by the Yoruba group, also known as Nago, and known as Ketu , which is represented by the nations and who pray for the Orishas:

The group of Dahomey is represented by Jeje nations and they have Vodun as sacred:

The Bantu civilizations of the “Contra Costa” are represented by “Moçambiques” (rabbit fish and angicos) after being reduced to the group of Bantu peoples. This nation has the Nkissi as sacred:

The main orishas
Orisha Alternative names Meaning, assignment Syncretism
Candomblé
Syncretism
Santería
particularities
Olodumare Olorum, Olofin Creator God
Obatala Oshala, Orishala, Orixalá, Orisainlá, Oxala peace Christ , Nosso Sr. do Bonfim Virgen de las Mercedes In Voodoo comparable Damballah
Yemayá Yemoja, Iemanja, Yemanja Mother of Pisces, Mother of Humanity, Estuary Maria , Stella maris Virgen de Regla
Eshu Elegua, Elegba, Eleda, Legba, Papa Legba, Exu Messenger of the gods, men fertility Saint Anthony Niño de Atocha
Anthony of Padua
In the Voodoo Legba
Shango Xango, Chango, Sango Justice, justice, war, fire, thunder Jerome , John the Baptist , Michael (Archangel) , Saint Peter Barbara
Oshun Ọṣun, Caridad, Oxum Women fertility, river, waterfall, love Virgin of Candelaria , Immaculate Conception Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre
Ogun Ogoun, Ogúm, Ogou, Ogun Iron, tools, prison, politics, technology Anthony , Saint George Peter (in Havana),
Paulus ,
John the Baptist (in Matanzas)
In the Voodoo Ogoun
Oyá Yansa, Iansan Storm, wind, lightning, tornado, hurricane Barbara Theresa of Ávila
Orunmila Orunmila-Ifá Wisdom, destiny Francis of Assisi , Holy Spirit Francis of Assisi
More orishas
Orisha Alternative names Meaning, assignment Syncretism
Candomblé
Syncretism
Santería
particularities
Aggayú Aganju, Aganyu, Agayu Volcanoes, steppe Joseph of Nazareth Christophorus
Omolu Soponna, Shonponno, Sakpata, Shakpana, Xapanã, Omulo, Asojano, Shokponna The father, earth, sickness, suffering, pain and healing Lazarus , Rochus
Babalú Ayé Obaluaye, Obaluaiê, Obaluaê, Abaluaiê, Babaluaiê, Zodji, Dada Zodji, Obaluaiye The son, earth, sickness, healing Lazarus , Rochus Lazarus
Nanã Nanã Buruku, Nana Buluku, Nanan-bouclou Swamp, mangrove, mud, alluvial land Anna (saint)
Oshossi Osoosi, Odé, Oxossi Hunt, abundance Georg , Sebastian (saint) Norbert von Xanten , Albertus Magnus
Otín Oti, Otim Ochossi's wife, hunting, animal rights activist
Erinle Inle, Ibualama the doctor, the hayman, the fisherman
Logunede Laro The prince, prosperity, love Expedit
Ayra Lightning and wind, the warrior who only wears white John (Apostle)
Oricha Oko Okko Agriculture, harvest Isidro
Oke Mountain, hill
Ori Ruler of the head
Obba Óba, Obbá Maritime trade, water eddies, currents Rita of Cascia , Jeanne d'Arc
Oduduwa Odudua "First man",
ancestor of the Yoruba, female or male Orisa
Baiani Bayani, Babayanmi, Dada Ajaca, Dada Baldone Protects the unborn child, the oriṣa associated with the vegetables and fruits
Olokun Olocum, Lokun Ocean, prosperity, female or male Orisa
Olosa Lagoon, lake
Ajé Saluga Ajé Chaluga, Ajé-Kalagá, Ajé Xalugã, Kowo, Cobo Wealth, foam of the waves, seashell on the beach
Oranmiyan Oranian, Oraniã Son of Oduduwa,
king and hero of culture , two colors of skin, earthquake
Osain Ozain, Osain, Osanyin, Ossanhe Forest, plants, medicinal herbs Benedict the Mohr , Rochus New Year I.
Oshumaré Oshumare, Oxumare, Bessém Rain, rainbow, transformation Bartholomew
Yewa Ewá Chastity, winter, snow, fog, crap Lucia of Syracuse
Borumu Boromu Desert, protect the cemetery
Axabó Asagbó art
Iroco Tempo, Kitembo, Roco, Loko Holy tree, season Lawrence of Rome
Iyami-Ajé Iyami Oxoronga Owl, mother witch
Egungun Egun Spirits our ancestors
Onile Ilé earth
Onilê Protector of our home
Ibeji The twins, zest for life, youth Cosmas and Damian
IKU Death itself
The Voduns
Vodun Alternative names Meaning, assignment Syncretism
Candomblé
Syncretism
Santería
particularities
Mawu God mother God (female side)
Legba Elegua, Exu, Papa Legba Door opener, messenger of the gods between gods and humans, communication
Lissá God the Father God (male side)
Loko Iroko, Tempo, Papa Loco
Gu Ogum, Ogun Warrior, Lord of Iron
Heviossô Xango, Chango, Sango God of thunder
Sakpatá Obaluayiê, Azonsu, Asojano
Dan Oxumare, Gbèsém Jinkú Rainbow snake
Bessém Gbèsém, Oxumaré Rainbow snake
Agbê
Ayizan
Agassu
Agué Oxóssi, Ossãe Hunter
Aguê
Aziri Oxum Love, fertility
fa Orunmila wisdom
Dangbe Oxala Creator God
The N'kisis
N'kisi Alternative names Meaning, assignment Syncretism
Candomblé
Syncretism
Santería
particularities
Aluvaiá Bara, Legba, Exu, Eleguá (male exu), door opener
Bombo Njila Exú, Bombojira (male exu), door opener
Pambu Njila Exú Esu, Eshu, (male exu), door opener
Vangira Pombagira, Pomba Gira (female exu)
Vanjira Ogum, Ogun warrior
Nkosi Ogum, Ogun warrior
Roxi Mukumbe Ogum, Ogun, Nkosi Mukumbe warrior
Kabila Ode, Oxossi Hunter
Mutalambô Lambaranguange, Oxóssi Hunter
Gongobira Logunedé young hunter
Katendê Ossain, Agué, Ossanha Healer of the gods and connoisseur of medicinal herbs
Nzazi Xango, Chango, Sango God of Justice
Loango Xango, Zaze God of Justice
Kaviungo Kavungo, Nsumbu, Obaluayiê Linked to death
Kafungê Omulu, Omolu; Xapana God of health and death
Kigongo Omulu, Omolu, Xapana God of health and death
Hongolo Bessém, Oxumaré Rainbow snake
Kitembo tempo God of weather and seasons
Matamba Oyá Warrior, rule the dead
Bamburussenda Oya Warrior, rule the dead
Nuvurucemavula Oya Warrior, rule the dead
Nvumbe death, (Orisa Iku) Death itself
Kisimbi Oxum Goddess of fertility and rivers and lakes
Samba nkisi Oxum Goddess of fertility and rivers and lakes
Ndanda Lunda Oxum Goddess of fertility and rivers and lakes
Kaitumbá Yemanja Goddess of the sea
Kokueto Yemanja Goddess of the sea
Zumbarandá Nzumbarandá, Nanã Buruku Linked to death
Nvunji Ibeji, Hoho The divine twins
Lembá Dilê Oxalá Associated with the creation of the world
Lembarenganga Oxalá Associated with the creation of the world
Jakatamba Oxala, Obatala Associated with the creation of the world
Kassuté Lembá Oxala, Obatala Associated with the creation of the world
Gangaiobanda Oxala, Obatala Associated with the creation of the world
Vumbe Egungun (ancestors) Ancestors
Wunje Ibeji Happiness of youth, the divine twins
Angoro Angoromea Communication between gods and humans

literature

  • Pierre Fatumbi Verger : Orixás. Deuses Iorubás na Africa e no Novo Mundo. Translated from French into Portuguese by Maria Aparecida da Nóbrega. Corrupio, São Paulo 1981 (new edition 2002: ISBN 85-86551-02-3 ; original searchable in the Google book search).
  • Pierre Fatumbi Verger, Carybé: Lendas Africanas dos Orixás. Corrupio, São Paulo 1997 (Portuguese; searchable in Google book search).
  • Gary Edwards, John Mason: Black Gods. Orisa Studies in the New World. 4th edition, illustrated, revised. Yorùbá Theological Archministry, 1998, ISBN 1-881244-08-3 (English; searchable in Google book search).
  • Inga Scharf da Silva: Umbanda. A religion between Candomblé and Cardezism. About syncretism in everyday urban life in Brazil. Lit, Münster 2004, ISBN 3-8258-6270-4 , p. 37 ff.
  • Charles Spencer King: Nature's Ancient Religion. Orisha Worship and IFA. CS King, USA 2008, ISBN 978-1-4404-1733-7 (English; reading excerpt in Google book search).

Documentaries

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Pierre Fatumbi Verger : Orixás. Deuses Iorubás na Africa e no Novo Mundo. Corrupio, São Paulo 1981, p. 19: “O Orixá é uma força pura, àse imaterial que só se torna perceptível aos seres humanos incorporando-se em um deles. Eat ser escolhido pelo orixá, um de seus descendentes, é chamado seu elégùn, aquele que tem o privilégio de ser 'montado', gùn, por ele. Torna-se o veículo que permite ao orixá voltar à terra para saudar e receber as provas de respeito de seus descendentes que o evocaram. "
  2. ^ Pierre Fatumbi Verger: Orixás. Deuses Iorubás na Africa e no Novo Mundo. Corrupio, São Paulo 1981, p. 76.
  3. ^ Pierre Fatumbi Verger: Orixás. Deuses Iorubás na Africa e no Novo Mundo. Corrupio, São Paulo 1981, pp. 17-18 and 20.
  4. UNESCO World Heritage: Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (Grove of the Osun). 1992–2013, accessed October 16, 2013 (English).
  5. UNESCO Masterpiece of Humanity : Ifa Divination System in Nigeria. 2005, accessed October 16, 2013.
  6. a b c d For details and references see the article Santería: Fusion .