What is Oshun the god of?
Oshun is the Mother of the African sweet or fresh waters. In her form as the mother of salt waters, she is known as Yemaya. Like Egyptian Isis and later Greek Diana, Osun is the goddess of love and is widely beloved.
What does Oshun mean in Yoruba religion?
One of the most important roles that Oshun plays is that of the goddess of the sweet waters and the protective deity of the River Oshun in Nigeria. Alongside this river is a sacred grove, probably the last in Yoruba Culture , dedicated to Oshun. The Celtic Goddess Epona that Rode Swiftly Across the Ancient Roman Empire.
Why is Oshun called the favourite of all Orishas?
Oshun is an African River Goddess. The Goddess of life, fertility, love, sensuality, prosperity, water and purity. She is a Mother and gives life through the waters, the life blood that flows through our veins and the rivers that flow through the Earth. Associated with Yemaya, she is the fresh water Mother, while Yemaya is the salt water Mother ...
Who are the African goddesses in mythology?
Oshun, or Ọ̀ṣun in Yorùbá, is an Òrìṣà goddess associated with rivers and the marketplace. Medicines for fertility, wealth, love and intimacy are often attributed to her. Whilst generally harmonious and peace-loving she can be fiercely destructive when angered, thus certain forms of witchcraft fall under her providence.
Who is the most powerful African goddess?
Ọṣun, is an Orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of the Yorùbá Supreme Being in the Ifá oral tradition and Yoruba-based religions of West Africa. She is one of the most popular and venerated Orishas....Oshun.Ọ̀ṣun OshunSpouseChangó, Erinle8 more rows
What is the spirit of Oshun?
Oshun is the Spirit of the river in the West African religious tradition called Ifá. The word Oshun is the name given to describe a complex convergence of Spiritual Forces that are key elements in the Ifá concept of fertility and the erotic.
What does it mean to be a daughter of Oshun?
Well a few months ago during an ancestral reading I found out I may be a daughter of Oshun. Oshun is an orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of God in the Ifá and Yoruba religions. She is one of the most popular and venerated orishas.15-Jul-2018
Who is the goddess of Africa?
Goddess Africa, also known as Dea Africa, was the personification of Africa by the Romans in the early centuries of the common era. She was one of the fertility and abundance deities to some. Her iconography typically included an elephant-mask head dress, a cornucopia, a military standard, and a lion.
Why does Oshun wear yellow?
When she came down to earth, she wore a gold dress and jewellery. This is the reason why her worshippers also wear gold and yellow attires in festivals honouring her. When the gods came down, they completely disregarded Oshun while they engaged in the work of creating the earth.01-Jun-2021
Who are the 7 African powers?
Another common initiation is the intitiation into the Seven African Powers (Elegua, Obatala, Oggun, Chango, Yemaya, Oshun, and Orunmilla). Devotees from Cuba often replace Orunmilla with Babalu-Aye. The Seven African Powers are consecrated into one eleke.
How do you greet Oshun?
How do I call Oshun? To call upon Her, the proper greeting is, “Ori Ye Ye O”. She is identified with the new crescent Moon and Venus.
Is Oshun My orisha?
Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful of all orishas, and, like other gods, she possesses human attributes such as vanity, jealousy, and spite.
How do you pray to love Oshun?
Sprinkle cinnamon over the petals, then add a drizzle of honey and a few drops of perfume. After you take a shower, put some water into the bowl, together with the ingredients, and pour it over yourself from the neck down. Close your eyes and ask Oshun to bring love into your life.25-Aug-2017
Who is Yemaya and Oshun?
Oshun is one of the youngest orishas and Yemaya's younger sister. Legend has it, that Oshun did not always rule the rivers of the world. She was created by the Olodumare because the world he had created was missing love and sweetness.18-Aug-2020
How do you say God in African?
Mungu is a common Bantu term for God. Some other Bantu languages use a variant form, Mulungu.
Who were the Black Goddesses?
12 African mythology gods and goddessesOshun. Image: instagam.com, @thespiritualsbodega. ... Oya. Image: instagram.com, @loveisthewayhome. ... Ala. Image: instagram.com, @soulart_29. ... Yemaya. Image: instagram.com, @unbound.alchemic.creation. ... Modjaji. thecreativebarza. ... Nana Buluku. Image: instagram.com, @ifilmigymdlp3. ... Abena. ... Oduda.More items...•22-Apr-2021
What is the Orisha of Santeria?
Santeria. Iron chalice of Osun, one of Los Guerreros (the warriors) --) in Santería religion. Ozun is another major Orisha that is distinct from Osun, the latter whom is also called "Oshun" and "Ochún" in the Santería religion of the Caribbean ( Cuba, Puerto Rico and Trinidad) brought over by Yoruba slaves during the transatlantic slave trade.
Where is the shrine of Oshun?
Shrine to Oshun in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. Abèbè, the ritual fan of Ọṣun. Ọṣun, is an Orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of the Yorùbá Supreme Being in the Ifá oral tradition and Yoruba -based religions of West Africa. She is one of the most popular and venerated Orishas.
What is the Osun state?
For the state in Nigeria, see Osun State. Ọṣun, is an Orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of the Yorùbá Supreme Being in the Ifá oral tradition and Yoruba -based religions of West Africa. She is one of the most popular and venerated Orishas.
Where is the Osun River?
She is the patron saint of the Osun River in Nigeria, which bears her name. The river has its source in Ekiti State, in the west of Nigeria, and passes through the city of Osogbo, where Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, the principal sanctuary of the deity, is located.
Who is the patron of pregnancy?
In Candomblé Ketu Osun is the deity of fresh water; the patron of gestation and fecundity; and receives the prayers of women who wish to have children and protect them during pregnancy. Osun also protects small children until they begin to speak; she is affectionately called "Mamãe" ("Mama") by her devotees.
What is the significance of the Queen of Osun?
She is connected to destiny and divination. During the life of the mortal Osun, she served as queen consort to King Shango of Oyo. Following her posthumous deification, she was admitted to the Yoruba pantheon as an aspect of a primordial divinity of the same name.
Where is Osun celebrated?
Osun is honored at the Osun-Osogbo Festival, a two-week-long annual festival that usually takes place in August, at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove on the banks of the river. Osun is one of the 401 Yoruba gods.
Who are the love goddesses?
In the ancient Near East, love was personified in such goddesses as Ishtar and Astarte. Further afield in West Africa, the Yoruba people believe in a love goddess by the name of Oshun.
Why did Oshun advise the settlers to move to the upper part of the river?
They were successful in their undertaking and Oshun advised the settlers to move to the upper part of the river, for humans and spirits could not live together. The villagers complied with Oshun’s command and the former settlement became the Osun-Osongbo Sacred Grove.
What is the name of the goddess of love?
Oshun: African Goddess of Love and Sweet Waters. Across many ancient civilizations throughout the world, love was placed under the domain of a certain deity, usually, but not in all cases, a goddess. In the Classical world, for instance, there were Venus and Aphrodite, love goddesses of the Roman and Greek pantheons respectively.
How many gods are there in Yoruba?
Practitioners of traditional Yoruba religion believe in a pantheon of 401 gods (known as Orisha) who govern various aspects of the world and human life. Although Oshun (also spelt Osun) is regarded principally as a goddess of love, there are other aspects to this Orisha as well. One of the most important roles that Oshun plays is that ...
Where is the sacred grove in Nigeria?
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a dense forest on the outskirts of Osogbo town, western Nigeria. In the past, sacred groves were commonly found in areas where the Yoruba lived, and every town would have had one.
Who is the protector of the poor?
Oshun is said to be the protector of the poor and the mother of all orphans. It is Oshun who fulfills their needs in this life. Additionally, Oshun is regarded as a healer of the sick, the bringer of song, music and dance, as well as prosperity and fertility.
Is Osun Osongbo a sacred grove?
Due to its unique status, the Osun-Osongbo Sacred Grove was inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2005. There are some interesting tales linked to Oshun’s sacred grove . In one story, villagers from a nearby area were migrating in search of water and settled in along the river near the present town of Osogbo.
What is the name of the goddess of life?
Oshun is an African River Goddess. The Goddess of life, fertility, love, sensuality, prosperity, water and purity. She is a Mother and gives life through the waters, the life blood that flows through our veins and the rivers that flow through the Earth. Associated with Yemaya, she is the fresh water Mother, while Yemaya is the salt water Mother ...
How does the Goddess of Life help you?
Always helping you to move forward and not stay still. As a Goddess of life, fertility and prosperity, she will help you in your pre gnancy and birth, supporting and protecting you. She will also help you create and manifest your desires.
Is Yemaya a salt water mother?
Associated with Yemaya, she is the fresh water Mother, while Yemaya is the salt water Mother (Ocean). One flows to the other and back again in a cycle. Loving and gentle, but oh so powerful. She will cleanse you through her healing waters, helping you to clear any negativity or anything than no longer serves you.
What does the Goddess of Love do?
As a Goddess of love and sensuality, she will remind you of the power of pleasure and self love. Helping you to let go of your inhibitions and let your hormones and desires flow. Helping you to get in touch with your cycle and your womb and using its power and wisdom to guide you.
How to connect with Oshun?
Meditation to connect with Oshun. Find a quiet spot or maybe a river to sit by. If in doors, put on some incense or an oil diffuser, light a candle and close your eyes. Take three deep breaths and relax. Hold your intention in connecting to Oshun.
What does Oshun say in the song "Hello Child"?
You sit and listen to the water, breathing in the fresh air and feeling peaceful. You close your eyes and feel the energy of the place and call to Oshun to be with you. She appears immediately and says ‘Hello Child.’.
How does Oshun help you?
How Oshun will help you. Oshun will help you clear and cleanse your energy, helping you to be more balanced and happy. She will help you go with the flow, help your emotions flow and help you move forward and not stay still. Call on her when you need to rebalance and clear your energy.
What is Oshun known for?
With the impact of the transatlantic slave trade and dispersion of Yoruba culture, Oshun is also an important figure outside Africa, where she is known by other names, such as Oxum in Brazil and Ochún in Cuba. Bayyinah S. Jeffries The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Why is Oshun the favorite of all Orishas?
She is commonly described as the favourite of all orishas by Olodumare, because of her beauty and sensuality. In yet another Yoruba story, Oshun is depicted as the goddess who not only gives life but also takes it.
What is the meaning of Osun?
See Article History. Alternative Title: Osun. Oshun, also spelled Osun, an orisha (deity) of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. Oshun is commonly called the river orisha, or goddess, in the Yoruba religion and is typically associated with water, purity, fertility, love, and sensuality. She is considered one of the most powerful ...
How does Oshun save the Earth?
Yet once she has been appeased, Oshun saves Earth from destruction by calling back the waters. Tradition holds that the first interaction between Oshun and human beings took place in Osogbo ( Oshogbo ), Nigeria. That city is considered sacred, and it is believed to be fiercely protected by the water goddess.
Where is Obafemi Awolowo University?
The Obafemi Awolowo University (founded in 1961) is at Ile-Ife. Oshogbo is linked by road and railway to Ibadan in Oyo state. Pop. (2006) 3,423,535.…. Orisha, any of the deities of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria.
Who is the mother of sweet things?
Oshun has also been described as the maintainer of spiritual balance or mother of sweet things. One myth highlights Oshun as the central figure in the creation of human beings. The Yoruba people believe that the orishas were sent by Olodumare, who is considered the Supreme God, to populate the Earth. Oshun, being one of the original 17 sent ...
Why do Yoruba go to the Oshun River?
Every year Oshun devotees and other people of the Yoruba religious tradition go to the Oshun River to pay homage, make sacrifice, and ask for a variety of things such as wealth, children, and better health. Although other orishas are honoured during the festival, the climax of the festival is centred on Oshun.
Why do Yoruba people celebrate Oshun?
Each year, the Oshun followers come to the river to pay tribute to the goddess, offer sacrifice, and pray for better health, children, and wealth.
What is the meaning of Oshun?
Myths About the Oshun Goddess. Significance of the Yoruba Water Goddess. Oshun’s Portrayal and Symbolism. To Wrap It Up. Oshun, also known as Oxum and Ochún, is a supreme being or Orisha of the Yoruba people – the largest ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. In the Yoruba religion, she’s also called the river goddess and is commonly associated ...
Where did the Yoruba water goddess originate?
Significance of the Yoruba Water Goddess. According to African traditions, humans first encountered Oshun in the city of Osogbo in Nigeria. This city, also known as Oshogbo, is believed to be sacred and protected by the powerful and fierce water goddess, Oshun. The legend says that the goddess granted permission to the people ...
Why is the Yoruba goddess important?
Due to the global slave trade, the Yoruba religion and culture dispersed and greatly impacted other cultures outside Africa.
What is the Oshun Goddess?
Public Domain. In many Yoruba myths and stories, Oshun is described as the savior, protector, mother and nurturer of sweet things and humanity, and the keeper of spiritual balance.
Where is the sacred forest in Osogbo?
Along the banks of the same river, just on the outskirts of Osogbo , there’s a sacred forest dedicated to Oshun. It’s called Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and was established almost five centuries ago. The sacred forest holds various artwork as well as shrines and sanctuaries honoring the water goddess.
What is the role of Oshun in the Yoruba mythology?
In one of the myths, Oshun has a key role in the creation of life on Earth and humanity. Olodumare, the Yoruba supreme god, sent seventeen Orishas down to Earth to try and populate it. They were all male deities except Oshun and failed to complete the task. They needed the female deity to help them revive the Earth. She agreed to assist them, and by delivering her powerful, sweet, and fertile waters, she brought life back to our planet, including human beings and other species. Therefore, she’s considered the goddess of fertility and life, and without her actions, life on Earth wouldn’t exist.
What is the Queen of the Witches?
It’s no coincidence Oshun can also be the known as the queen of the witches: She is an instructor of each magic and mysticism. Oshun loves casting spells, particularly these associated to romance and seduction. She is the granter of needs and your entire coronary heart’s wishes. When revered and correctly invoked, Oshun holds the keys to like, success, prosperity, and being pregnant. That mentioned, if you happen to make an attempt to invoke this goddess, be sure you at all times preserve her pleased. In different phrases, don’t make Oshun a promise you can’t preserve. Love her; be loyal to her and be aware of your needs. She is the goddess of affection, in any case.
Who is the goddess of affection?
Oshun —the goddess of affection, magnificence, and fertility—is the youngest Orisha and probably the most adored within the Yoruba faith. In keeping with the patakís (sacred tales left to us by our ancestors), she was introduced into existence by Olodumare, the Supreme Creator, as soon as he realized one thing essential was lacking after creating the earth: sweetness and love. As one of many historical Yoruba myths suggests, the human race wouldn’t exist if Oshun had been despatched to our world. It’s mentioned that her candy and fertile waters introduced life again to humanity.
Is Oshun the Yoruba goddess alive?
For many who haven’t but had the privilege of realizing Oshun, the benevolent and honoured Yoruba goddess: Could you someday expertise the power in her energy, the great thing about her timeless love, and the magical rhythm flowing by means of her sacred waters. This goddess may be very a lot alive ; her female essence resides within the rivers of the world and within the hearts of those that name upon her vitality in the present day and day by day.
What is the month of October?
The month of October we are highlighting the Goddesses of love and sexuality. We wanted to explore these goddesses during the beginning of the fall season because fall defines transformation and change. There is something about this time of the year that feels rather magical and mysterious because a seasonal shift happen before our eyes. The leaves are brightening up, the air is cooling down, and halloween is around the corner. Fall brings a lot of energy from the spirit world. This is a great time to tune into some crafty manifestations and most importantly tune in with your most powerful part of you; your sexuality.
How many Orishas are there in Yoruba?
Oshun is one the Orishas within the West-African Yoruba religion. It is said that there are about 17,000 Orishas and among them the Seven African Powers that came down to create civilization. Oshun is one of those seven. Orishas are more than just deities. They are a complete package of deities, the divine, ancestral energy, and companions. "Orishas are considered spirits of nature as well as ancestors who represent a concept or idea." Oshun is a spiritual entity and depending on the religious faith, she can either be prayed to, worshiped, evoked, and/or used for spell-craft. The most common practice done for Oshun or worship and devotion.
What is the goddess of the yellow dress?
She is the mana that controls our rivers, and streams and embodies all natural moving water. Oshun is the personification of sensuality, lust, love, and fertility. With a pot of honey by her waist, she uses to it as an elixir to seduce her victims. She is considered to be one of the most powerful Goddesses of the Orishas. The queen of witches some say. She is abundance and generosity. In Yoruba myths, it is said that humanity would not exist if wasn't for Oshun ’s presence because she holds the power of transformation. That is why she is also known as "The Mother of Nations." She controls all that makes life worth living, such as love and marriage, children, money, and pleasure.
What is Ebeji Yoruba?
Ebeji is/are the twin Orisha. Although they are 2 separate beings (twins) they are represented as one Orisha in the Yoruba religion. Kind of like one soul in two bodies. They are considered sacred and are known to be the Orishas of joy, mischief, abundance and childish glee. “Twins are considered sacred by birth among the Yoruba people. The Yoruba people have one of the world’s highest rates of twin birth: average world rate of twins is 0.5% where the Yoruba people have a 5% twin birth rate.”
What is the meaning of Mut?
10. Mut, also called Maut and Mout, was a mother Goddess worshipped in Ancient Egypt. Her name means "mother" in the ancient Egyptian language.
Who is the wife of Antaeus?
Her partner was Baal-Hamon, and she has been warmly embraced by the Berber public. 2. Tinjis, was the wife of Antaeus in Berber mythology and is presented as a female deity. A famous Goddess of Africa.
What is Mut's role in Egyptian culture?
Mut had a wide range of viewpoints and properties that changed and developed significantly over the long period of Ancient Egyptian culture. 11. Nut, in Egyptian religion she is a Goddess of the sky, frequently portrayed alongside the African God of the earth, Geb.
Who is the mother of millions of stars?
In Dahomey folklore, she is the mother of millions of stars. 4. Nana Buluku, is the mother Goddess who brought forth the moon soul Mawu, the sun soul Lisa, and the entirety of the universe in African mythology. 5.
What is the name of the goddess in African mythology?
This list includes plenty of information about the Goddesses, including what they are worshipped for in African mythology. 13. Chaxiraxi, is a Goddess, famous as the Sun Mother, in the religion of the native Guanche tribe. Chaxiraxi was one of the precious Goddesses of the Guanche pantheon.
Who is Hathor in Egyptian mythology?
7. Hathor, is an antiquated Egyptian Goddess, related later with the Goddess Isis, and, prior, with Sekhmet. She is ultimately viewed as the Primitive goddess from whom all others were developed. She is typically portrayed as a lady with a bovine structure and the ears of a cow.
What is the name of the goddess in Nigeria?
Ahia Njoku, In Igbo folklore, Ahia Njoku, otherwise called Ifejioku Aha Njoku, is a Goddess worshipped by the Igbo individuals of Nigeria. This is one of the best known African deity names for Goddess worshipped by many people. 16. Ala, is the female deity of the earth, creativity and morality in Odinani.
Overview
Further reading
• Ajiabde, G. Olusola. Negotiating Performance: Osun in the Verbal and Visual Metaphors, Bayreuth, Working Papers, 2005.
• Afolabi, Kayode. Osun Osogbo - Sacred People and Sacred Places, Charleston 2006.
• Badejo, Diedre, Oshun Seegesi: The Elegant Deity of Wealth, Power, and Femininity, Asmara 1996.
Primordial Osun
According to the Ifa Literary Corpus, Ọṣun was the only female Irunmole (primordial spirit) sent to assist Shango to create the world by Olodumare. The other spirits that were sent began the work and ignored Ọṣun. Ọṣun went to her partner Shango for guidance. Two versions of this story exist. One claims that female spirits were tempted to take matters into their own hands, but all of their creative attempts failed because they acted without male spiritual leadership. Another vers…
Mortal Osun
While still a mortal, Osun is said to have gone to a drum festival one day and to have fallen in love with Shango. Since that day, Shango has been married to Oba, Oya, and Osun, though the last mentioned is said to be his favourite. Other stanzas in the Ifa Literary Corpus say that she was also married to Orunmila, who later became the Orisha of Wisdom and Divination.
It is also said that Osun was the first woman to be referred to as an Iyalode.
Ceremonies and Ritual Colors
Osun is the orisha of the river. Her devotees leave her offerings and perform ceremonies at bodies of fresh water such as rivers, streams and canals. She is associated with the colors white, yellow, gold, and sometimes coral.
Abẹ̀bẹ̀
The Abẹ̀bẹ̀ is the ritual object most associated with Ọṣun. The Abẹ̀bẹ̀ is a fan in circular form.
Brazil
Ọṣun is a female orishá adopted and worshiped in all Afro-Brazilian religions. She is the orishá of the fresh water of rivers and waterfalls; of wealth and prosperity; of love; and of beauty. Followers seek help for romantic problems from Osun; the orisha is also responsible for marriage and other relationships. As the orishá of financial life, she is also called the "Lady of Gold". This referred to copper at one time for being the most valuable metal of the time. Osun is worshiped at rivers an…
Santeria
Ozun is another major Orisha that is distinct from Osun, the latter whom is also called "Oshun" and "Ochún" in the Santería religion of the Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico and Trinidad) brought over by Yoruba people during the transatlantic slave trade. While Ozun is a masculine Orisha associated with John the Baptist, Ochún is syncretized with Our Lady of Charity.