It has been said in the sacred stories of our West African Yoruba
Yoruba religion
The Yoruba religion comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practice of the Yoruba people. Its homeland is in present-day Southwestern Nigeria and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, commonly known as Yorubaland. It shares some parallels with the Vodun practiced by the neighboring Fon and Ewe peoples to the west and to the religion of the Edo people to the east. Yoruba reli…
Osun State
Osun is an inland state in south-western Nigeria. Its capital is Osogbo. It is bounded in the north by Kwara State, in the east partly by Ekiti State and partly by Ondo State, in the south by Ogun State and in the west by Oyo State. The state's current governor is Adegboyega Oyetola, who was declar…
What is the story of Oshun and Oya?
There are many interesting stories about the romantic, passionate inter rivalry that existed between Oshun and Oya. In fact a certain confluence of two rivers at a rapid in one of the wetern state of Nigeria is named after Osun and Oya due to the intimidating turbulence that marks the point of intersetion.
What is the significance of Oshun in ancient China?
Oshun is said to have given the people who went to her river permission to build the city and promised to provide for them, protect them, and grant their prayers if they worshipped her dutifully, making the obligatory offerings, prayers, and other rituals.
What happened to Oshún in the Bible?
Oshún soon tired of the journey, but she kept flying ever higher, determined to reach the Lord of Heaven and to directly plea for the world. Going yet higher, Oshún’s feathers began to become scraggly and black from the withering heat of the sun, and all the feathers were burned from her head. But she kept flying.
Who is Oshun in Yoruba culture?
In most Yoruba stories, Oshun is generally depicted as the protector, saviour, or nurturer of humanity. Oshun has also been described as the maintainer of spiritual balance or mother of sweet things.
How do you know if you're a child of Oshun?
She is one of the most popular and venerated orishas. If you see the number 5 a lot (my two most recent apartments were on the 5th floor), are attracted to the color yellow or gold and enjoy sweets, specifically honey, then you too may be a child of Oshun.
Was Oshun a real person?
She is one of the most popular and venerated Orishas. Oshun is an important river deity among the Yorùbá people. She is the goddess of divinity, femininity, fertility, beauty and love....Oshun.Ọ̀ṣun OshunEthnic groupYoruba people, Fon peoplePersonal informationSpouseChangó, Erinle6 more rows
What does it mean to see Oshun?
This is due to the story of Orishas, who rebelled against the creator god, Olodumare. In this context, Oshun and her sacred birds are seen as symbols of courage, perseverance, healing, waters, and life.
Who created Oshun?
Oshun was one of the 17 gods sent by Olodumare to create the world.
What are Oshun's powers?
When angered, Oshun may flood Earth or destroy crops by withholding her waters, thereby causing massive droughts. In one myth, Oshun is incensed by her devotees and sends down rain, nearly flooding the world. Yet once she has been appeased, Oshun saves Earth from destruction by calling back the waters.
What is Oshun's number?
associated with the number five. Oshun often carries a mirror so that she can admire her beauty. She loves honey, sunflowers, oranges, cinnamon, and pumpkin, and her favorite birds are peacocks and vultures.
What food does Oshun like?
Oshun's favorite thing to eat is honey, and her contagious laugh can either put you under her spell or send shivers down your spine.” And Oshun, who is said to be jealous, can be vengeful when she is crossed: “Oshun is as sweet as honey,” Mesa writes, “but her honey can also turn sour.”
What does it mean to be a daughter of Oshun?
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.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
What day is Oshun day of the week?
FridayOn the 5th day of each week (Friday), OSHUN & their temple gives offerings to the orisa, Osun, on behalf of members in the community who are looking to connect with the Great Mother.
How did Osun turn into river?
It is one of the several rivers ascribed in local mythology to have been women who turned into flowing waters after some traumatic event frightened or angered them. Osun River in Osun state-source of origin. It is a sacred and reserved area where dirt and other unlawful activities are not meant to take place.
Why did Osun become a river?
In Yoruba cosmology, Osun was said to have metamorphosed into a river as a result of a misunderstanding between her and “Oba”, a co-wife of Sango. The Osun River takes its source from Igede-Ekiti, flows through Ilesha to Osogbo town and empties itself in the Atlantic Ocean.
Who is Oshun mother?
Oshun is the youngest of the Orishas & is either the daughter of Yemaya or her younger sister according to different versions of her story.
What happened to everyone's efforts in the mountain?
Everyone's efforts ended in failure and they could not make Oggún leave the mountain in which he was immersed at work.
What is the name of the honey that Osha owns?
The one in charge of the fortune-telling's imprisonment he got drunk with Otí (brandy) and sweetened it with his oñí (bee honey), the powerful honey that he owns in Osha.
Who is the goddess of love and honey?
Oshún the goddess of love and honey, of the rivers and fresh waters of the world, was once the savior of the I guess Orunmila using their sacred handkerchiefs.
Why did Olofin separate the heavens from the earth?
But there came a time when men did not pray or worship the creator, so they lost Olofin's trust and thus, he separated the heavens from the earth.
Why did men starve?
The time came when men began to starve, because they did not get water or food. Oshún, the goddess of the rivers who is infinitely kind, took pity on them and to win the favor of Olofin, she transformed into tñosa and took a basket full of bread and peas and carried them to heaven.
Where is Oshun today?
Today, Oshun is still honored in Nigeria in the annual ceremony called Ibo-Osun, as well as the 12 day Osun-Osogbo festival in August.
What is the role of Oshun?
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 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.
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.
How many shrines are there in the Osun-Osongbo grove?
Over time, these sacred groves were either abandoned or shrank in size, apart from the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove. This sacred grove contains 40 shrines, 2 palaces, as well as many sculptures and works of art. Due to its unique status, the Osun-Osongbo Sacred Grove was inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2005.
Who is the African goddess of beauty, love, prosperity, order, and fertility?
Uwechia, J., 2009. Oshun the African Goddess of Beauty, Love, Prosperity, Order, and Fertility. [Online]
The African Venus Oshún and her teaching to the Orishas
Oshún the goddess of honey bees She felt isolated and rejected because she considered a serious insult the fact that female deities could not participate in the meetings and then the question arose in her mind of what would become of men without the divine gift of creation that the womb possessed. feminine.
The infertility of the womb distressed the men
Anguished the virile Orishas went to Olodumare in order to raise the situation that tormented them, because what would happen to the earth and their families without the possibility of the arrival of their descendants, who would be the continuity of their lineage on the earthly plane .
The Orishas understand the power of the Goddess Oshún
Upon their return to earth, the Orishas invited Oshún to participate in their meetings taking into account their advice and opinions, regarding the issues discussed there, in the same way the right of women to have a voice and vote in decisions was established. taken.
What is Oshun's significance?
In most Yoruba stories, Oshun is generally depicted as the protector, saviour, or nurturer of humanity.
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 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 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.
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.
Why is Oshun important?
Oshun is especially important to women in West African cultures. Those who want children and who may suffer from infertility usually call on Oshun for assistance, and she is associated with the concepts of femininity and the power of women. More widely, she is sought after in times of drought or severe poverty.
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 ...
Why is Osun special?
However, in the more traditional story, Osun still has a special place because she gave birth to Esu In the Odu, Ose Otura and her son, Esu, has the job of being the messenger that takes prayers to Almighty God, Olodumare. Barbara MurrayOctober 25, 2017 - 5:09 pmReply. Your version is closer to the story I was told.
What was the sight of Olodumare when she came upon her?
When Olodumare came upon her she was a pathetic sight. Oshún had lost much of her feathers and the ones that remained were black. In all truth, Oshún was looking quite scraggly. To get to heaven she had to fly so close to the sun and sacrifice her beautiful feathers.
Why did the Orishas resist the Lord of Heaven?
They began to resist the Lord of Heaven’s edicts and to even plot the overthrow of Olodumare’s kingdom in heaven and earth. They felt they didn’t need Olodumare and that as the Lord of Heaven was so distant anyway, they could merely divide the aché or powers among themselves and that things would go much better that way.
Why did the sallows go to Olodumare?
They unanimously decided to go to Olodumare and beg for forgiveness in hopes that this would bring rain back to the world. But they had a problem: none of them could reach the distant home of Olodumare.
Who is the only Orisa to approach Olodumare?
It has been said in the sacred stories of our West African Yoruba tradition that Oshún (sometimes written Oshun or Osun) is the only Orisa able to approach Olodumare (aka Olorun) directly, carrying prayers from the mouth of humanity to Olodumare’s ears. This is the story of Oshún’ s flight and how she became the messenger of Olodumare.
Who is the messenger of Olodumare?
Then Olodumare looked deeply into Oshún ’s eyes and into her heart, then announced that for all eternity she would be the Messenger of the House of Olodumare and that all would have to respect her as such. From that day forward, in this path, Oshún became known as Ikolé, the messenger of the House of Olodumare. Ikolé also is the name for the vulture in Lacumí. And from that day the path of Oshún known as Ibú Ikolé was revered and became associated with her bird, the vulture. The vulture then returned to earth, bringing with her the rain, where she met with great rejoicing.
What did Olodumare look to?
Olodumare looked to the world. He then looked to Oshún’s plaintive face. It was obvious that everything she had said was true and he was moved by Oshún’s capacity to love. The Lord of Heaven turned to the peacock, who wasn’t a peacock anymore. The flight for humanity turned Oshún’s outer form into that of a vulture. He ordered the rains to fall from heaven.
Where in the Bible is Oshun mentioned?
In the Old Testament Book of Proverbs Chapter 3 Verse 13 to 18, this beautiful praise of Oshun is embedded in the Bible under her Holy name Wisdom, or Sophia (the Greek goddess name used in the original Septuagint Greek New Testament Bible), which is of the same roots and essence as the Yoruba Ifa. It goes as follows:
What are Oshun's offerings?
Offerings to Oshun could be in form of songs, chantings, meditating on her name, devotion to her love, and/or adherence with her compassionate laws. Her manifestations of love include being the source of all fresh waters, all warmth, all knowledge, all culture, all society, all motherhood, prosperity, fertility of the land and the water.
Why is Osun named after Oya?
In fact a certain confluence of two rivers at a rapid in one of the wetern state of Nigeria is named after Osun and Oya due to the intimidating turbulence that marks the point of intersetion.
Why is Yalode called Laketi?
She is also known as Laketi, “She who responds”, because of how quickly and effectively she answers prayers.
What is Oshun's temper?
It is said that “Oshun is beneficient and generous, and very kind. She does, have a malevolent and tempestuous temper , although it is difficult to anger her.”
Who is Osun the Queen of Witches?
Osun the Queen of Witches: Oshun Ibu Ikole — Oshun the Vulture. This dimension of Oshun is (as was Isis of ancient Kemitic Egypt and the later Greek Diana) associated with Witches (Aje). Her symbols include the vulture, and the mortar and pestle (both of which are symbols of witchcraft).
Who is the goddess of love and judicious judgement?
For she carries on the beneficience of her chief goddess, Osun, quietly, loyally and annonymously waxing love and judicious judgement in line with the omni-potent and the omni-present will of the beloved lady, blessed Osun. Oshun the Diviner, Sophia Wisdom. Oshun Ololodi — Oshun, the diviner. Oshun is a particularly sensous goddess ...
What did Oshun turn herself into?
Oshun turned herself in a beautiful peacock. She flew off towards the heaven. It was so far away, that her feathers begin to fall off. As she reached the sun, her colorful feathers were scorched and all the delicate feathers burned off her head.
Why did Oshun return to earth?
Oshun, as a vulture, returned to earth to honor and praise. Her gifts of determination and inner strength had saved the world.
What are the Orishas in charge of?
All the Orishas have things they are in charge of: Yemaya rules over the seas and lakes. She is called the Mother of All and protects pregnant women. Shango rules over thunder, lightning, fire, and the dance. He loves the drums and having fun. Eleggua is the god of doors and roads.
What did Oshun do when she thought she could not fly another mile?
When Oshun thought she could not fly another mile, she reached the home of the Creator god, Olodumare. She collapsed in his arms and he saw that the beautiful peacock had been transformed into a vulture. Olodumare took Oshun and nursed her back to health. "Your bravery and determination has softened my heart.
What did Olodumare know about the other Orisha?
Olodumare knew the other Orisha were rebelling. He could have struck them down, but he decided to withhold the rains instead. Without the rain, the earth dried up. The rivers, lakes, and streams ran dry. No crops grew; animals were dying. Humans, too. The people cried out to the Orisha, "Save us! What have we done to anger you?"
Where did the Orisha come from?
The Orisha are gods that came originally from Nigeria, in West Africa, as part of the Yoruba religion. The gods travelled with African people who were stolen as slaves from Africa and brought to North and Central America. Today, a religion named Santeria is based on these gods and is practiced in Cuba, Brazil, and parts of Central America.
Who nursed Oshun back to health?
Olodumare took Oshun and nursed her back to health. "Your bravery and determination has softened my heart. I will bring the rains," said Olodumare. And he did. "From now on, you, dear vulture, will be the Messenger of the house of Olodumare and I will communicate only through you.".
What is the significance of Oshun?
In West African cultures, Oshun is associated with the power of women and femininity and is particularly significant to women who want children. Those who may fight with fertility challenges call upon the goddess and pray for her help.
What does Oshun represent?
As the Orisha or goddess of love, she represents beauty, marriage, harmony, ecstasy, romance, and pregnancy. Appearance: Oshun is often portrayed as a beautiful young woman that is playful, charming, and coquettish.
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 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.
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 ...
Why did the Yoruba people come to the Osun River?
This is how the Oshun festival came to be. The Yoruba people still celebrate it today. 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.
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.