Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post is Part III of an ongoing series that presents quotes from various online articles that provide information about the meanings of certain colors, designs, and objects in specific traditional African cultures.
The excerpts in this post provide some information about Olodumare and Obatala (Oxalá) and the color white in Yoruba traditional religion and in the Santeria and Condomble religions which it has influenced/influences.
Eight videos are also included in this post. These videos are from Nigeria, Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United States.
Use pancocojams' internal search engine or click the "the meaning of colors in traditional African cultures" tag below to find other pancocojams posts on this subject.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to the researchers who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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EXCERPTS ABOUT OLODUMARE AND OBATALA AND THE COLOR WHITE
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
With the exception of the Excerpts given as #1 and #2, these excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
I added italics to highlight statements in these excerpts about the color white.
EXCERPT #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_religion
"The Yoruba religion comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practices of the Yoruba people. Its homeland is in present-day Southwestern Nigeria and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, commonly known as Yorubaland. Yoruba religion is formed of diverse traditions. It has influenced a host of thriving traditions such as Santería, Umbanda, and Candomblé.[1] Yoruba religious beliefs are part of Itan, the total complex of songs, histories, stories, and other cultural concepts which make up the Yoruba society"...
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EXCERPT #2
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: In this pdf file page numbers are given at the bottom of each page.
I corrected some obvious typographical errors in this quoted excerpt of this pdf file.]
From http://www.obafemio.com/uploads/5/1/4/2/5142021/04-1_162.pdf
AJT/4:l/90
"RITUALS, SYMBOLISM AND SYMBOLS IN YORUBA TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS THOUGHT
E. Dada Adelowo*
[...]
Ritual Sanctity
This has to do with the various taboo in connection with the administration of the various rituals and rites that constitute Yoruba traditional religion. This can also be called ritual holiness. The taboo are what the Yoruba call eewo, a ku see, ohun.
Each ritual has its taboo that should be avoided by the priest-king, Olofi dwon [woro, other priests, [woro or Abore, and the worshipers. For examples the priests and devotees of the god called Esu should avoid having any contact with palm nut oil (Yoruba: adi) in order not to incur the wrath of Esu. Moreover, the priests and devotees of the arch-divinity of Yoruba pantheon, Obatala, should avoid palmwine completely in order to maintain ritual sanctity with regard to the worship of Obatala. They should also promote anything white and avoid black items in order to keep the ritual sanctity in connection with the worship of the divinity. ·White is a symbol of purity, holiness and peace. So, priests and devotees of Obatala should, during ritual activities, present themselves as'pure and holy.
[page] 164
[...]
Let us start with the ritual in connection with the worship of God - Olodumare and gods - Orisa. There is a specific cult of Olodumare in Yorubaland. This may baffle those foreign arm-chair investigators who hold the thesis that Olodumare is not an object of worship in Yoruba religion. The point here is. because 016dumare cannot be confined into space (the Yoruba described Him as A-te-rere-K'aye - One who occupies the whole extent of the world); the ritualistic worship offered to Him takes place in the open and not in building like temples and mosques. The worshiper makes a circle of ashes (Yoruba: eeru) or white chalk (Yoruba: efun); within the circle, which is a symbol of eternity, he pours a libation of cold water, and in the centre he places his kolanut (Yoruba: obi on cotton wool- Yoruba: owu etUtu). He then takes the kolanut, splits it and holding the valves within the circle. Often, a white fowl (Yoruba: adiefunfun) is offered in the same way. In lle-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba, there is a priest-chief whose duty is to offer this ritual every morning in the name of the Doni and of all the people. However, it is unfortunate to note that the direct ritualistic worship of 0lodumare, as a regular aspect of cultic
activities in Yorubaland, is dying out. In some places, according to Bolaji Idowu, it is no longer known; in some, it has become the cult of women.
[...]
[page] 165
[...]
The Yoruba used wood and metal carvings, plants and animals as symbols of gods and ancestral spirits. Before we go further, iris important to note that, as said earlier, these symbols are not ends in themselves but means to certain ends. Thus those who are out to conduct a genuine research into the religious situation in Yorubaland should not take appearance for reality, means for an end, symbol for the symbolised and reality for shadow.
Divinities and ancestors are sure objects of worship and reverence among the Yoruba. However, it is to be noted that they are a means to get to Olodumare - God, the ultimate End of everything. The Yoruba 'have never made the mistake of putting God, Olodumare, on the same pedestal with the divinities (arisa) and the ancestors.
In their belief, 0lodumare is unique, incomparable. The. uniqueness of Olodumare is one reason why there are no images-graven or in drawing or in painting - of Him in Yorubaland. Symbols there are copious, but no images of Him. Symbols or images of deities or divinities abound in Yorubaland. Orisa'nla, the arch-divinity of Yoruba pantheon is usually pictured as an ancient figure in white and bedecked with white
[page] 168
ornaments. His temple, especially the inside, is washed white, his emblems are to be kept in white containers and consists, among other things, of white chalk and white beads. His priests and priestesses are robed in white and wear white ornaments.
Those who do not understand the religion of the Yoruba might think that the items are the things that matter here. This is patently wrong. The message here is that all those white items point to Orisa-'nla as presenting, to the Yoruba, the idea of ritual and ethical purity, and therefore the demands and sanctions of high moral pattern.
The white items are mere symbols symbolising purity, holiness, cleanliness on the part of the ritual leaders and the worshipers of Orisa- 'nla.”
[page] 169
[...]
Concluding Remarks
So far we have been able to give a broad survey of rituals, symbols and their implications in Yoruba traditional religion. It is seen in the paper that the idea of the supreme Being, called 0lodumare in Yoruba religion, is central in and crucial to Yoruba belief system. We have seen this rituals, symbolism and symbols have ultimate reference to Olodumare who is believed to be the Maker,the Creator, the Owner of Life.
It is also made clear in the paper that the Yoruba are not worshipers of woods, plants, animals and so on as erroneously conceived by some foreign researchers.
Rather, they employ those items to give some kind of concrete and objective reality to their religious dreams and aspirations. Thus all items in their religious thought, apart from the supreme Being, are a means to an end, the end itself being the supreme Being known as 0lodumare, Oluwa; Olorun, 0lofin drun, EImaa. Those who do riot know but are ready to learn and know should realise that in all things the Yoruba are religious. The focal point of their religious aspiration is God. It would be proper then for those who want to conduct a genuine research into the traditional religious thought of the Yoruba to avoid prejudice and preconceived notion and show extra caution, openness and sympathy by calling the Yoruba what they actually call themselves. There is no point pontificating on items that are alien to one. Such would lead one to commit academic fallacy that does not augur well for true scholarship.
[...]
[page] 171"
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EXCERPT #3
http://santeriachurch.org/the-orishas/obatala/
Santeria Church of the Orishas Dedicated to the religion of Santería and worship of the Orishas
"Obatala
Obatalá (also spells Obbatala or Obatala) is the eldest of the orishas in Santeria and king of the religion in orun (heaven). He is also the father of many of the orishas and as such is given great respect and deference by the other orishas in matters of great importance. He also acts as the “referee” or judge when the orishas have quarrels, working to restore and preserve peace at all times. To reflect his place of importance in the Lukumí pantheon, Obatala’s shrine is always placed higher than any other orisha in the home. Obatala is the owner of all heads, because it is said that he molded the bodies of humans before Olodumare breathed life into them. As such, Obatala protects all people, and acts as a guardian for those who do not yet know who their guardian orisha is.
Obatala encourages us to be patient and to handle matters with calm and reason. His ashé (power) is perfectly embodied within his favorite color: white. He is always dressed in white and all of his offerings are white to reflect his spiritual purity and the coolness of his energy. White is our most sacred color in Santeria because it represents Obatala. When olorishas attend ceremonies we wear white clothing as holy vestments and to surround ourselves with Obatala’s protective energy. Iyawos (new initiates) in Santeria have to wear white clothing from head-to-toe for a year for the same reason: as a symbol of purity and as an energetic protection against osogbo.
Obatala along with Oshun, Yemaya and Changó is one of the four pillar orishas that every olorisha receives at his kariocha initiation. Obatala is unique in that half of his roads are female and half are male. In that sense Obatala transcends gender, further demonstrating his ability to act impartially in orun (heaven) and with the orishas. If there is ever a debate about who a person’s guardian orisha is, they can safely be initiated with Obatala as he is the owner of all heads. Obatala is often depicted as elderly, with a full head of white hair, dressed in white robes.
Symbols, Numbers, Colors and Attributes of Obatalá
Obatala’s eleke is always made with white beads. This unique Obatala eleke has mother-of-pearl and purple beads added for the road Oba Moro.
Number: 8
Sacred Place in Nature: hills, mountains or high places
Color: White
Tools: A horsetail fly-whisk (some roads use a sword or cane)
Temperament: Calm, reasonable, quiet (some roads, like Ayáguna are youthful and fiery)
Syncretized Catholic Saint: Our Lady of Mercy or Jesus Christ"...
-snip-
Click http://www.aboutsanteria.com/what-is-santeria.html for general information about Cuba's Santería (Lucumi) religion.
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EXCERPT #4
From https://lukumipeople.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/the-orisha-who-do-you-most-identify-with/
The Orisha, Who Do You Most Identify With?
"In the Yoruba based religions, the Orisha are angelic emanations of The Creator (God Almighty) manifesting through nature. To put it simply, God created the universe and everything in it. God then manifested bits of himself creating lesser gods or guardian angels, governing over the various forces of nature. So yes, for every force of nature, there is a spiritual being governing it.
[...]
Obatala’s day is Sunday.
The day for settling differences. Useful for long-range planning and the perfect day for the preparation of amulets and charms for longevity and good health.
Obatala is the Father of the White Cloth, Peace, Calm. His domain is the Sky, Clouds, Mountaintop."...
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EXCERPT #5
Santeria: The Beliefs and Rituals of a Growing Religion in America
https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0802849733
Miguel A. De La Torre - 2004 - History
white dove is a symbol of Obatala, and for this reason he is petitioned for peace when his fellow orishas act cruelly toward humans. While Obatala has been revealed through several Catholic saints, he is best known as Our Lady of Ransom. (As mentioned earlier, crossing between genders is common among the orishas.”...
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EXCERPT #6
From http://www.aboutsanteria.com/obatalaacute.html
"Obatalá, Owner of All Heads
Obatalá (Obbatalá) is called the creator of earth and the sculptor of mankind because he was given this job by his father Olodumare, the supreme God in the Lucumí pantheon....
Obatalá is the owner of all things that are white, as well as the human head and all of its thoughts and dreams. He also owns silver and white metals, and the ceiba tree. Obatalá likes cotton, cocoa butter, cascarilla (powder made of egg shells), marble eggs, and snails. As tribute, he likes merengues, white rice, white custard, rice pudding, black eyed peas, fruits with a grainy texture like pomegranates, pears and custard apples, roasted ñamé (sweet potato) and malanga (taro root). Obatalá's food can never be salted. He's an Oricha who came directly to earth from heaven as the son of God, specifically Olodumare and Olofi. He was sent to earth to do good and govern as the king of the planet. Obatalá is calm, wise, understanding, and he loves peace and harmony. He demands proper behavior from his children and, out of respect, they obey him. No one can swear or blaspheme in front of Obatalá, and no one should appear naked in his presence. He hates alcohol and prohibits his children from drinking it. He always dresses in white, and his eleke (beaded necklace) is also white. He lives in a white porcelain sopera (soup tureen) kept on the altar of the home."..
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EXCERPT #7
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obatala
[...]
In the Americas
Santería
Obatalá (also known as Ochalá or Oxalá; Orichalá or Orixalá) is the oldest "Orisha funfun" ("white deity"), referring to purity, both physically and symbolically as in the "light" of consciousness. In Santería, Obatalá is syncretized with Our Lady of Mercy and Jesus Of Nazareth.
Candomblé
In Candomblé, Oxalá (Obatalá) has been syncretized with Our Lord of Bonfim; in that role, he is the patron saint of Bahia. The extensive use of white clothing, which is associated with the worship of Oxalá, has become a symbol of Candomblé in general.[2] Friday is the day dedicated to the worship of Oxalá. A large syncretic religious celebration of the Festa do Bonfim in January in Salvador celebrates both Oxalá and Our Lord of Bonfim; it includes the washing of the church steps with a special water, made with flowers."...
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EXCERPT #8
From https://discoverthebrazil.blogspot.com/2014/01/bonfim-festival-salvador-brazil.html
Friday, January 17, 2014 Postado por MARIA O'LEARY
"BONFIM FESTIVAL - SALVADOR - BRAZIL
The best time to visit the Brazilian city of Salvador, the capital of Bahia, is in the summertime, between the months of December and March. At this time the city is on fire with religious, folk, and popular festivals all filled with music, food, drinks, água de cheiro (perfumed water), flowers, dancing and happiness. Almost every weekend in this time frame there is either a lavagem (ritual washing of a church which culminates into a party) or a Candomblé `beating of the drums' (a ceremony in the Nigerian Yoruba religion of Candomblé). The three most popular festivals are: the Lavagem of the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, the Festa of Yemanjá (Yoruban Goddess of the Ocean) and of course, Carnaval. (Pravina Shukla)
Bonfim Festival (Lavagem do Bonfim) is one of the biggest events in Salvador. The Catholic celebration starts at Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church, with devotees wearing white clothing, beads and carrying the important vases containing perfumed water along with beautiful flowers before heading to Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church, which is the best known in Bahia State and an important symbol for locals. The festival honors Senhor do Bonfim (associated with the important orixá Oxalá, by Candomblé - Nigerian Yoruba religion - whose color is white).
[...]
The annual and popular Lavagem do Bonfim festival is attended by thousands of people who come to not only take part in the ritual blessing but to also join in the celebrations afterwards.
The procession travels for about 10 miles to the Church of Bonfim where even more spectators are gathered, eagerly awaiting the blessing that takes place there. During the blessing, the perfumed water that has been so carefully carried is subsequently poured over people's hands and on their heads.
[...]
The steps of the Church of Bonfim are also cleaned with the perfumed water as part of the ritual cleansing of the church. At this point, all sing the anthem of Senhor do Bonfim and it is after this event that the street parties often begin and contain plenty of music entertainment, singing and dancing not to mention plenty of street vendors to help keep everyone going. People go to the booths by the Church of Bonfim to eat and drink. There's dancing on the streets, among the traditional booths of Baianas selling acarajé (West African food made of black eyed peas fried in palm oil).
[...]
One popular tradition is to have a Bonfim ribbon tied around your wrist and to make a wish, if the ribbon wears off naturally then it is believed that your wish will come true.
[...]
This festival takes place usually the second Thursday of January every year. This ritual has been occurring in Salvador since 1754.
There are also horse-drawn carriages, musicians, as well as government officials, including the mayor of Salvador. The Carnaval group Filhos de Gandhy (Son of Gandhi), who traditionally lead the procession, march right behind the Baianas all the way to the Church of Bonfim."...
-snip-
This article includes a number of photographs. One of the photographs about Bonfim, shows that Bonfim ribbons can be of any color, including white.
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Ilu Aye - Obatala video by DennisFlores.com
Dennis Flores. Published on Mar 26, 2006
ILU AYE (Literally, "The Drum of the World" in Yoruba)was founded in 2004, to celebrate the connections between the peoples and cultures of the African Diaspora. Bringing together the next generation of Afro-Puerto Rican, -Dominican, and -Cuban percussionists and singers, ILU AYE is dedicated to preserving and promulagting the rich cultural legacy of Africa in the Americas and the Caribbean, through performance, educational workshops, and community-centered gatherings where the rhythms of the African Caribbean reign. Trained by master musicians from all three islands, and versed in sacred and popular rhythms such as bata, guiro, rumba (Cuba); bomba and plena (Puerto Rico); and palos, salves, and kongos (Dominican Republic), ILU AYE interprets traditional songs and reinvigorates the genres with original compositions by renowned akpwon, Osvaldo "Bembe" Lora....
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Example #2: Orisha Dance
Baba Abayomi, Published on Jul 20, 2007
Song and Dance For Orisha Obatala from 17th annual African Street Festival.
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread about this African Street Festival:
rbso6, 2009
"this was at the Annual African Street Festival in Brooklyn sometime in th 80's This the Afrtican Traditional Religion of Ifa. They are singning for the various orisas. This song is for Obatala."
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Example #3: Obatala and Oshun Festival 2009 Part II of III
Iya Fayemisi Shangobukola, Published on May 13, 2009
Obatala and Oshun Festival 2009 Part II, Ode Remo, Ogun state, Nigeria.
African Traditional Isese Festival.
During this Yoruba festival the followers worship Orisa Obatala and Oshun with dances, songs and traditional donations. This festival took place in February - March, 2009 in the Ode Remo town, Ogun state, Nigeria.
The organizator of this festival is IyalOrisa Iya Afin Iyedola Onajoko Oduwole Sokunmbi, among with the female community of Obatala priestesses.
-snip-
Here's some information about Osun from http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-africa/oshun-african-goddess-love-and-sweet-waters-002908
..."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 of the goddess of the sweet waters and the protective deity of the River Oshun in Nigeria....
Although Oshun governs love and the sweet waters, she is also regarded as a highly benevolent deity. Oshun is said to be the protector of the poor and the mother of all orphans. It is Oshun who brings to them 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. Oshun is also depicted as a teacher, who taught the Yoruba agriculture, culture and mysticism. She also taught them the art of divination using cowrie shells, as well as songs, chants and meditations taught to her by her father Obatala, the first of the created Orishi."...
-snip-
Osun's color is honey yellow.
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Example #4: Nigeria- Obatala Shrine in Ile Ife
wavawoman, Published on Jun 16, 2009
©2006 Wavawoman Films, LLC] Devotees inside the Obatala Shrine in Ile-Ife, Nigeria playing igbin bells and dancing for Obatala.
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Example #5: Band Cidade - Lavagem do Bonfim
Band Bahia, Published on Jan 14, 2011
Olho na Tela. Olho na Band.
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Example #6: Lavagem do Bonfim . Salvador . Bahia
Marcelo Reis, Published on Jun 19, 2011
-snip-
Google translation from Portuguese to English: Lavagem do Bonfim = Cleaning the Bonfim
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Example #7: Festival De Obatala
Ileorisa Apesin, Published on Jul 17, 2013
Festival de Obatala Realizado en Trinidad y Tobago
Difundiendo la Tradiccion Yoruba
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Example #8: Yoruba Andabo - Obbatalá
AyvaMusica, Published on Jan 12, 2014
-snip-
Commenters in this video's discussion thread indicated that this dance was performed in Cuba.
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This concludes Part III of this pancocojams ongoing series about the meaning of colors in traditional African cultures.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Candomble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Candomble. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Friday, July 14, 2017
Information About Brazil's Axé Music & Three Videos Of Brazil's Ilê Aiyê Band
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post provides information about Brazil's Axé music and Bahia, Brazil's renown Ilê Aiyê Band.
Information about the meaning of the phrase "ilê aiyê is also included in this post.
In addition, this post showcases three YouTube examples of Ilê Aiyê along with selected comments from those videos.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, linguistic, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Brazil's Ilê Aiyê Band for their musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
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INFORMATION ABOUT AXE MUSIC
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ax%C3%A9_(music)
"Axé.... is a popular music genre originated in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in the 1980s, fusing different Afro-Caribbean genres, such as marcha, reggae, and calypso. It also includes influences of Brazilian music such as frevo, forró and carixada. The word Axé comes from the Yoruba term às̩e̩, meaning “soul, light, spirit or good vibrations”.[1][2] Axé is also present in the Candomblé religion, as “the imagined spiritual power and energy bestowed upon practitioners by the pantheon of orixás”.[1]
Roots and History of Axé
Numerous different African cultures were brought to Brazil due to slavery, which lead to the creation of the vibrancy and complexity of Brazil and its culture. Therefore, several of Brazil’s popular music styles have derived from African cultures and African diasporic influences, including samba, lambada, funk and axé. There is a tendency by Brazilian musicians to draw inspiration and utilize themes, imagery and symbolic symbols from the Candomblé religion and its African roots.[1] Artists such as Gilberto Gil, Vinicius de Moraes, Caetano Veloso, Sergio Mendes, Daniela Mercury, Carlinhos Brown, among others, have all used African culture, religion and symbols as inspirations and lyrics of their songs.[1]
Axé was a fusion of African and Caribbean styles such as merengue, salsa and reggae, as well as being influenced by other Afro-Brazilian musical styles such as frevo and forró. Axé music was labeled in 1980s, but it was already noticeable in the 50s with the incorporation of the “guitarra baiana” (guitar from Bahia).[3] This genre was purely instrumental, and remained so until the 1970s, when Moraes Moreira (of the band Novos Baianos) went solo.
In 1974, carnival in Salvador, Bahia began taking shape. A group of Afro-Brazilians civil rights activists formed Ilê Aiyê, a music ensemble that derived their heavy rhythm from Candomblé’s religious ceremonies. Quickly, Ilê Aiyê gained a huge following, allowing them to influence other artists to incorporate the samba-reggae style and the heavy beats to their music.[3] Groups such as Timbalada, Olodum and Filhos de Gandhi also shared the heavy beats and rhythms with Ilê Aiyê, as well as utilizing African symbols such as typical outfits and instruments that all these bands use to perform. Olodum's rehearsals soon became a starting point for up and coming artists, composers, and music. In these rehearsals, artists presented and experimented with their music, in search for legitimacy from the population.[4]"...
-snip-
"Axé" is written as " às̩e̩" in Yoruba, but is often given as "ashay" or "ashey" in English. These words are pronounced "ah-shay"
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ase_(Yoruba) for information about Ase.
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INFORMATION ABOUT BRAZIL'S ILE AIYE BAND
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il%C3%AA_Aiy%C3%AA
The Afro-Brazilian group Ilê Aiyê was founded in 1974 by Antônio Carlos “Vovô” and Apolônio de Jesus in the neighborhood of Liberdade, the largest black population area of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The expression stems from Yoruba language (ilê - home; aiyê - life) from may also be interpreted as 'eternal heaven'.
Ilê Aiyê works to raise the consciousness of the Bahian black community. Persecuted by the police and the media during its first years, and still controversial for only allowing blacks to parade with the group, Ilê Aiyê is a renowned element of Bahia’s carnival. The group pioneered the type of carnival group known as the bloco afro, featuring themes from global black cultures and history, and celebrating the aesthetic beauty of black people. All other blocos afros borrow elements originally created by Ilê Aiyê, including such groups founded shortly afterwards, such as Olodum and Malê Debalê.[1]
During Bahian carnival, the group includes hundreds of musicians, dozens of dancers, and thousands of members. They traditionally begin their procession on the Saturday night of Carnaval at the home of the Dos Santos family, where for many years Mãe Hilda de Jitolu, the mother of co-founder Vovô presided as spiritual mother to the group and formal leader of a candomblé. As Ilê Aiyê passes, carnival crowds sing along by the thousands to songs about the importance of African and Afro-Brazilian culture and religion."...
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WHAT ILE AIYE MEANS
From https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/soc.culture.brazil/shYXj3B59mw
Ayodele Ayetigbo , 9/5/96
"Ile Aye, by its Yoruba literary translation, means the house of the world. Yoruba people of Nigeria, Benin, Sierra-Leone and other countries along the coast of West Africa believe that Aye (world) is one kind of a giant market hall where each human visits to hawk or practise what he believes. At the end of this market activities, Yoruba religion says all humans then return to our original home - heaven (orun) to give account. It is thus said in Yoruba:"
Aye loja, orun ni'le
This means in English: The world is a market while heaven is home. We are all visitors to the world and must at the end return home.
Ile in Yoruba = house
Aye = the world
Ayetigbo - my last name, for a quintessence, means the world has heard. Yoruba believe there is literary and spiritual meanings to names and words. That Ayetigbo, as a character, practises a profession such as communication is therefore not surprising to a Yoruba scholar. The Yoruba carry no social security numbers or cards as practised here in the US. Your name tells all about you.
Ile Aye is significant to us cos that's the only playhouse we can grasp as living beings. The other world, that is, heaven - the real home - is way beyond our physical comprehension This can only be felt or imagined in dreams and other ritualistic engagements. The intrigues, lies, dysinformation, misinformation, thievery, slavery, racism, ethnocentrism and all other bad stuffs humans engage in while on earth, as in a market place, makes "Ile aye" all the more so significant to the followers of Yoruba religion. Yoruba as a religion is being practised in Brazil, Cuba, the US and other parts of the world where people trace their ancestry to the Yoruba of West Africa.
Enough and I hope I have been helpful."
**
Steve Enzer, 9/12/96
..."Not to try to contradict someone who obviously has much more information on the topic than this gringo does, I would just pass on that I do have a CD with a Clara Nunes recording of a song called Ilu Aye, which may or
may not be the same Yoruba phrase, translated (as the title of the song) as "Terra da Vida" - or "Land of Life."
I don't know how that fits in with the rest of the discussion, but I wanted to pass it on.
The recording, by the way, is the MPB disk from the series "Brasil: A Century Of Song" on Blue Jackel (sic) records, which is a great compilation if you happen to see it around. Picked it up last night and I've already played it 3 times... que saudades do Brasil!!!
Steve Enzer
Cambridge
-snip-
More comments about the meaning of "Ile aye" can be found in this pancocojams post: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/07/similarities-differences-between-yoruba.html Similarities & Differences Between The Yoruba Word "Aiye" ("Aye") And The American Word "Ayee". That post also features comments from the discussion thread of Nigerian Afrobeat artist Davido's 2014 YouTube video "Aye".
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Ilê Aiyê | Que Bloco É Esse?
Petrobras Published on Feb 8, 2012
http://www.petrobras.com.br/queblocoe
Religião, fé, tradição e muito ritmo: o Ilê Aiyê é a cara da Bahia.
A Petrobras apresenta o primeiro mini-documentário do projeto ´Que Bloco É Esse?´, que conta um pouco da história do ´mais belo dos belos´.
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English
Religion, faith, tradition and a lot of rhythm: Ilê Aiyê is the face of Bahia.
Petrobras presents the first mini-documentary of the project 'Que Bloco É Esse?', Which tells a bit about the history of 'the most beautiful of the beautiful'.
-snip-
Here are four comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. ticiadiasbrasil, 2012
"Antes eu queria ser invisível..., mas tudo mudou,... Foi tremendamente emocionante."
Muito lindo o que ela disse.
Hoje sou uma mulher negra, mas já fui uma menina. Uma menina negra que olhava para suas bonecas loiras e então desejava ser invisível. Eu sei como é se sentir assim. E fico muito feliz que existam iniciativas como estas do Ilê Aiyê que valorizam não só a beleza como também a história do povo negro.
Porque povo que não tem respeito pelo seu passado , não preza pelo seu futuro."
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English
"Before I wanted to be invisible ... but everything changed, ... It was tremendously exciting."
Very beautiful what she said.
Today I am a black woman, but I was a girl. A black girl who looked at her blond dolls and then wanted to be invisible. I know what it feels like to be like this. And I am very happy that there are initiatives like these of Ilê Aiyê that value not only the beauty but also the history of the black people.
Because people who have no respect for their past, do not cherish their future."
****
2. Kiki da Bahia, 2012
"Meus Deus qua saudade da Minha Grande Mãe Banda Aiyê cinto muita falta dela Hoje eu eu moro en Nova York mais cinto fala da minha familia Ile Aiye
Axe Atomico!!! familia Ile Aiye"
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English
'My God misses my Great Mother Banda Aiyê I miss her a lot Today I live in New York more belt speaks of my family Ile Aiye
Powerful Axé!!! Family Ile Aiye"
**
3. Gabriela Jonas Macedo Moreira, 2012
"VIDA LONGA PARA O ILÊ!!!"
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"LONG LIFE FOR THE ILÊ !!!"
**
4. jantyla, 2013
"Gostei do depoimento do Crioulo. Legal o nível de consciência de autoestima que alcançou! Reparem no centramento de alguém que se reconhece, se aceita e se gosta por todo um contexto cultural que muita gente ainda não assimilou, nem compreendeu!"
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"I liked the testimony of the Crioulo. Cool the level of self-esteem consciousness you've achieved! Look at the focus of someone who recognizes, accepts and enjoys a cultural context that many people have not yet assimilated or understood!"
****
Example #2: Ilê Aiyê - Alienação | Desfile | Que Bloco É Esse?
Petrobras Published on Feb 28, 2012
http://www.petrobras.com.br/queblocoe...
O Ilê Aiyê desfila pelas ruas de Salvador cantando a consciência negra desde 1975. Confira o clipe da música "Alienação", produzido pela Petrobras durante o desfile do 'mais belo dos belos' no Carnaval de 2012.
Vem descobrir junto com a gente que bloco é esse!
Quer conhecer mais sobre a história do Ilê Aiyê? Assista o mini-documentário: http://youtu.be/w6yayr0WHA4
Confira também o clipe do Ilê com o rapper Criolo: http://youtu.be/at0dpAA6dm
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"Ilê Aiyê parades through the streets of Salvador singing black consciousness since 1975. Check out the music video "Alienação", produced by Petrobras during the parade of the most beautiful of the beautiful in Carnival 2012.
Come find out with us what block this is!
Want to know more about Ilê Aiyê's history? Watch the mini-documentary: http://youtu.be/w6yayr0WHA4
Check out also Ilê's clip with rapolo Criolo: http://youtu.be/at0dpAA6dm"
****
Example #3: Ilê Aiyê 'Depois Que O Ilê Passar' 'A Força do Ilê' Brasil 500 Anos
olbp Pinheiro Published on Apr 9, 2013
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. Silvia Cristina Serrao, 2014
"Amor ao ilê."
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"Love to the ilê."
**
2. Wagner Wagner, 2016o
"Estou toda arrepiada, salve minha Bahia, salve u ilê, salve os orixas."
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"I'm all shivering, save my Bahia, save my soul, save the orixas."
-snip-
Here's some information about Brazilian orixas:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candombl%C3%A9#Deities
"Candomblé ...is an Afro-American religious tradition, practiced mainly in Brazil[2] by the "povo do santo" (people of the saint). Candomblé officially originated in Salvador, Bahia at the beginning of the 19th century, when the first temple was founded. Although Candomblé is practiced primarily in Brazil, it is also practiced in other Latin American countries, including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela, having as many as two million followers.[2][3]
Candomblé developed in a creolization of traditional Yoruba, Fon, and Bantu beliefs brought from West Africa by enslaved captives in the Portuguese Empire.[2] Between 1549 and 1888, the religion developed in Brazil, influenced by the knowledge of enslaved African priests who continued to teach their mythology, their culture, and language. In addition, Candomblé absorbed elements of Roman Catholicism and includes indigenous American traditions.[2]
As an oral tradition, it does not have holy scriptures.[2] Practitioners of Candomblé believe in a Supreme Creator called Oludumaré, who is served by lesser deities, which are called Orishas.[2][a] Every practitioner is believed to have their own tutelary orisha, which controls his or her destiny and acts as a protector.[2] Music and dance are important parts of Candomblé ceremonies, since the dances enable worshippers to become possessed by the orishas.[2] In the rituals, participants make offerings from the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms....
Candomblé is a polytheistic religion and worships a number of gods:[6]
the orishas of the Yoruba (Ketu nation), spelled Orixás in Portuguese;
the voduns of the Fon and Ewe (Jeje nation); and
the nkisis (minkisi) of the Kongo (Bantu nation).
These deities are believed to have been created by a supreme God, Olodumare[7] (called Zambi by the Kongo people; and Nana Buluku by the Fon people).[7] The orishas and similar figures form a link between the spiritual world and the world of humans.[7]"...
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post provides information about Brazil's Axé music and Bahia, Brazil's renown Ilê Aiyê Band.
Information about the meaning of the phrase "ilê aiyê is also included in this post.
In addition, this post showcases three YouTube examples of Ilê Aiyê along with selected comments from those videos.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, linguistic, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Brazil's Ilê Aiyê Band for their musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT AXE MUSIC
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ax%C3%A9_(music)
"Axé.... is a popular music genre originated in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in the 1980s, fusing different Afro-Caribbean genres, such as marcha, reggae, and calypso. It also includes influences of Brazilian music such as frevo, forró and carixada. The word Axé comes from the Yoruba term às̩e̩, meaning “soul, light, spirit or good vibrations”.[1][2] Axé is also present in the Candomblé religion, as “the imagined spiritual power and energy bestowed upon practitioners by the pantheon of orixás”.[1]
Roots and History of Axé
Numerous different African cultures were brought to Brazil due to slavery, which lead to the creation of the vibrancy and complexity of Brazil and its culture. Therefore, several of Brazil’s popular music styles have derived from African cultures and African diasporic influences, including samba, lambada, funk and axé. There is a tendency by Brazilian musicians to draw inspiration and utilize themes, imagery and symbolic symbols from the Candomblé religion and its African roots.[1] Artists such as Gilberto Gil, Vinicius de Moraes, Caetano Veloso, Sergio Mendes, Daniela Mercury, Carlinhos Brown, among others, have all used African culture, religion and symbols as inspirations and lyrics of their songs.[1]
Axé was a fusion of African and Caribbean styles such as merengue, salsa and reggae, as well as being influenced by other Afro-Brazilian musical styles such as frevo and forró. Axé music was labeled in 1980s, but it was already noticeable in the 50s with the incorporation of the “guitarra baiana” (guitar from Bahia).[3] This genre was purely instrumental, and remained so until the 1970s, when Moraes Moreira (of the band Novos Baianos) went solo.
In 1974, carnival in Salvador, Bahia began taking shape. A group of Afro-Brazilians civil rights activists formed Ilê Aiyê, a music ensemble that derived their heavy rhythm from Candomblé’s religious ceremonies. Quickly, Ilê Aiyê gained a huge following, allowing them to influence other artists to incorporate the samba-reggae style and the heavy beats to their music.[3] Groups such as Timbalada, Olodum and Filhos de Gandhi also shared the heavy beats and rhythms with Ilê Aiyê, as well as utilizing African symbols such as typical outfits and instruments that all these bands use to perform. Olodum's rehearsals soon became a starting point for up and coming artists, composers, and music. In these rehearsals, artists presented and experimented with their music, in search for legitimacy from the population.[4]"...
-snip-
"Axé" is written as " às̩e̩" in Yoruba, but is often given as "ashay" or "ashey" in English. These words are pronounced "ah-shay"
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ase_(Yoruba) for information about Ase.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BRAZIL'S ILE AIYE BAND
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Il%C3%AA_Aiy%C3%AA
The Afro-Brazilian group Ilê Aiyê was founded in 1974 by Antônio Carlos “Vovô” and Apolônio de Jesus in the neighborhood of Liberdade, the largest black population area of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The expression stems from Yoruba language (ilê - home; aiyê - life) from may also be interpreted as 'eternal heaven'.
Ilê Aiyê works to raise the consciousness of the Bahian black community. Persecuted by the police and the media during its first years, and still controversial for only allowing blacks to parade with the group, Ilê Aiyê is a renowned element of Bahia’s carnival. The group pioneered the type of carnival group known as the bloco afro, featuring themes from global black cultures and history, and celebrating the aesthetic beauty of black people. All other blocos afros borrow elements originally created by Ilê Aiyê, including such groups founded shortly afterwards, such as Olodum and Malê Debalê.[1]
During Bahian carnival, the group includes hundreds of musicians, dozens of dancers, and thousands of members. They traditionally begin their procession on the Saturday night of Carnaval at the home of the Dos Santos family, where for many years Mãe Hilda de Jitolu, the mother of co-founder Vovô presided as spiritual mother to the group and formal leader of a candomblé. As Ilê Aiyê passes, carnival crowds sing along by the thousands to songs about the importance of African and Afro-Brazilian culture and religion."...
****
WHAT ILE AIYE MEANS
From https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/soc.culture.brazil/shYXj3B59mw
Ayodele Ayetigbo , 9/5/96
"Ile Aye, by its Yoruba literary translation, means the house of the world. Yoruba people of Nigeria, Benin, Sierra-Leone and other countries along the coast of West Africa believe that Aye (world) is one kind of a giant market hall where each human visits to hawk or practise what he believes. At the end of this market activities, Yoruba religion says all humans then return to our original home - heaven (orun) to give account. It is thus said in Yoruba:"
Aye loja, orun ni'le
This means in English: The world is a market while heaven is home. We are all visitors to the world and must at the end return home.
Ile in Yoruba = house
Aye = the world
Ayetigbo - my last name, for a quintessence, means the world has heard. Yoruba believe there is literary and spiritual meanings to names and words. That Ayetigbo, as a character, practises a profession such as communication is therefore not surprising to a Yoruba scholar. The Yoruba carry no social security numbers or cards as practised here in the US. Your name tells all about you.
Ile Aye is significant to us cos that's the only playhouse we can grasp as living beings. The other world, that is, heaven - the real home - is way beyond our physical comprehension This can only be felt or imagined in dreams and other ritualistic engagements. The intrigues, lies, dysinformation, misinformation, thievery, slavery, racism, ethnocentrism and all other bad stuffs humans engage in while on earth, as in a market place, makes "Ile aye" all the more so significant to the followers of Yoruba religion. Yoruba as a religion is being practised in Brazil, Cuba, the US and other parts of the world where people trace their ancestry to the Yoruba of West Africa.
Enough and I hope I have been helpful."
**
Steve Enzer, 9/12/96
..."Not to try to contradict someone who obviously has much more information on the topic than this gringo does, I would just pass on that I do have a CD with a Clara Nunes recording of a song called Ilu Aye, which may or
may not be the same Yoruba phrase, translated (as the title of the song) as "Terra da Vida" - or "Land of Life."
I don't know how that fits in with the rest of the discussion, but I wanted to pass it on.
The recording, by the way, is the MPB disk from the series "Brasil: A Century Of Song" on Blue Jackel (sic) records, which is a great compilation if you happen to see it around. Picked it up last night and I've already played it 3 times... que saudades do Brasil!!!
Steve Enzer
Cambridge
-snip-
More comments about the meaning of "Ile aye" can be found in this pancocojams post: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/07/similarities-differences-between-yoruba.html Similarities & Differences Between The Yoruba Word "Aiye" ("Aye") And The American Word "Ayee". That post also features comments from the discussion thread of Nigerian Afrobeat artist Davido's 2014 YouTube video "Aye".
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Ilê Aiyê | Que Bloco É Esse?
Petrobras Published on Feb 8, 2012
http://www.petrobras.com.br/queblocoe
Religião, fé, tradição e muito ritmo: o Ilê Aiyê é a cara da Bahia.
A Petrobras apresenta o primeiro mini-documentário do projeto ´Que Bloco É Esse?´, que conta um pouco da história do ´mais belo dos belos´.
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English
Religion, faith, tradition and a lot of rhythm: Ilê Aiyê is the face of Bahia.
Petrobras presents the first mini-documentary of the project 'Que Bloco É Esse?', Which tells a bit about the history of 'the most beautiful of the beautiful'.
-snip-
Here are four comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. ticiadiasbrasil, 2012
"Antes eu queria ser invisível..., mas tudo mudou,... Foi tremendamente emocionante."
Muito lindo o que ela disse.
Hoje sou uma mulher negra, mas já fui uma menina. Uma menina negra que olhava para suas bonecas loiras e então desejava ser invisível. Eu sei como é se sentir assim. E fico muito feliz que existam iniciativas como estas do Ilê Aiyê que valorizam não só a beleza como também a história do povo negro.
Porque povo que não tem respeito pelo seu passado , não preza pelo seu futuro."
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English
"Before I wanted to be invisible ... but everything changed, ... It was tremendously exciting."
Very beautiful what she said.
Today I am a black woman, but I was a girl. A black girl who looked at her blond dolls and then wanted to be invisible. I know what it feels like to be like this. And I am very happy that there are initiatives like these of Ilê Aiyê that value not only the beauty but also the history of the black people.
Because people who have no respect for their past, do not cherish their future."
****
2. Kiki da Bahia, 2012
"Meus Deus qua saudade da Minha Grande Mãe Banda Aiyê cinto muita falta dela Hoje eu eu moro en Nova York mais cinto fala da minha familia Ile Aiye
Axe Atomico!!! familia Ile Aiye"
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English
'My God misses my Great Mother Banda Aiyê I miss her a lot Today I live in New York more belt speaks of my family Ile Aiye
Powerful Axé!!! Family Ile Aiye"
**
3. Gabriela Jonas Macedo Moreira, 2012
"VIDA LONGA PARA O ILÊ!!!"
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"LONG LIFE FOR THE ILÊ !!!"
**
4. jantyla, 2013
"Gostei do depoimento do Crioulo. Legal o nível de consciência de autoestima que alcançou! Reparem no centramento de alguém que se reconhece, se aceita e se gosta por todo um contexto cultural que muita gente ainda não assimilou, nem compreendeu!"
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"I liked the testimony of the Crioulo. Cool the level of self-esteem consciousness you've achieved! Look at the focus of someone who recognizes, accepts and enjoys a cultural context that many people have not yet assimilated or understood!"
****
Example #2: Ilê Aiyê - Alienação | Desfile | Que Bloco É Esse?
Petrobras Published on Feb 28, 2012
http://www.petrobras.com.br/queblocoe...
O Ilê Aiyê desfila pelas ruas de Salvador cantando a consciência negra desde 1975. Confira o clipe da música "Alienação", produzido pela Petrobras durante o desfile do 'mais belo dos belos' no Carnaval de 2012.
Vem descobrir junto com a gente que bloco é esse!
Quer conhecer mais sobre a história do Ilê Aiyê? Assista o mini-documentário: http://youtu.be/w6yayr0WHA4
Confira também o clipe do Ilê com o rapper Criolo: http://youtu.be/at0dpAA6dm
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"Ilê Aiyê parades through the streets of Salvador singing black consciousness since 1975. Check out the music video "Alienação", produced by Petrobras during the parade of the most beautiful of the beautiful in Carnival 2012.
Come find out with us what block this is!
Want to know more about Ilê Aiyê's history? Watch the mini-documentary: http://youtu.be/w6yayr0WHA4
Check out also Ilê's clip with rapolo Criolo: http://youtu.be/at0dpAA6dm"
****
Example #3: Ilê Aiyê 'Depois Que O Ilê Passar' 'A Força do Ilê' Brasil 500 Anos
olbp Pinheiro Published on Apr 9, 2013
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. Silvia Cristina Serrao, 2014
"Amor ao ilê."
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"Love to the ilê."
**
2. Wagner Wagner, 2016o
"Estou toda arrepiada, salve minha Bahia, salve u ilê, salve os orixas."
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"I'm all shivering, save my Bahia, save my soul, save the orixas."
-snip-
Here's some information about Brazilian orixas:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candombl%C3%A9#Deities
"Candomblé ...is an Afro-American religious tradition, practiced mainly in Brazil[2] by the "povo do santo" (people of the saint). Candomblé officially originated in Salvador, Bahia at the beginning of the 19th century, when the first temple was founded. Although Candomblé is practiced primarily in Brazil, it is also practiced in other Latin American countries, including Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela, having as many as two million followers.[2][3]
Candomblé developed in a creolization of traditional Yoruba, Fon, and Bantu beliefs brought from West Africa by enslaved captives in the Portuguese Empire.[2] Between 1549 and 1888, the religion developed in Brazil, influenced by the knowledge of enslaved African priests who continued to teach their mythology, their culture, and language. In addition, Candomblé absorbed elements of Roman Catholicism and includes indigenous American traditions.[2]
As an oral tradition, it does not have holy scriptures.[2] Practitioners of Candomblé believe in a Supreme Creator called Oludumaré, who is served by lesser deities, which are called Orishas.[2][a] Every practitioner is believed to have their own tutelary orisha, which controls his or her destiny and acts as a protector.[2] Music and dance are important parts of Candomblé ceremonies, since the dances enable worshippers to become possessed by the orishas.[2] In the rituals, participants make offerings from the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms....
Candomblé is a polytheistic religion and worships a number of gods:[6]
the orishas of the Yoruba (Ketu nation), spelled Orixás in Portuguese;
the voduns of the Fon and Ewe (Jeje nation); and
the nkisis (minkisi) of the Kongo (Bantu nation).
These deities are believed to have been created by a supreme God, Olodumare[7] (called Zambi by the Kongo people; and Nana Buluku by the Fon people).[7] The orishas and similar figures form a link between the spiritual world and the world of humans.[7]"...
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Brazilian Songs & Dances For Iansã (Yansã, Oya)
Tony Obá Ojuteran Almeida December 23, 2011
-snip-
From http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acaraj%C3%A9
"Acarajé is the most popular street food in the north eastern state of Brazil, Bahia. The recipe for acarajé was introduced to Bahia by slaves who came from Nigeria during the colonial period. In Nigeria acarajé is named Akara, and the women who sell it call out "Akara je", which means "Come and eat Akara" in Yoruba."...
-snip-
From http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acaraj%C3%A9
"Acarajé is the most popular street food in the north eastern state of Brazil, Bahia. The recipe for acarajé was introduced to Bahia by slaves who came from Nigeria during the colonial period. In Nigeria acarajé is named Akara, and the women who sell it call out "Akara je", which means "Come and eat Akara" in Yoruba."...
Latest revision -Dec 4, 2022
This pancocojams post showcases multiple YouTube videos of Brazilian songs & dances for the orixa (orisa/orisha) Iansã (Oya).
Information about Oya (Iansa/Yansa) in Candomble (Santeria) is also provided in this post.
The content of this post is provided for religious, folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Maferefun Oya. Thanks to all vocalists, musicians, and dancers who are featured in this post. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. In addition, thanks to the publishers of these YouTube sound files and videos.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT IANSA (OYA)
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iansan
Iansan (Iansã in Portuguese) is a spirit entity, or Orisha (Orixá), of the Afro-Brazilian religious faith Candomblé. Iansan is the Orisha of the winds, hurricanes and tempests. She lives at the gate of the graveyard, and has dominion over the realm of the Dead. Her name in English means "mother of nine (children).".
She is sincretized with Saint Barbara and particularly known with her association with the colour red and the salute "Epahei"."...
-snip-
Iansan (Iansã) = Yansa (Yanza; Yanzan)
"Epahei" is a Yoruba word that is also given as "Epparrei", "Eparrey", "Epa hei", "Epa Hey" and similar spellings. That exclamation means something like "Praises to ___"
[Information from http://www.magneticmag.com/2014/05/dimitri-vegas-like-mike-diplo-fatboy-slim-eparrei/ -comment: Ana Arcanjo, 2014
"Hey guys! Just to let you know: the lyrics [in that featured Brazilian record] are not in Português. They are actually in Yoruba, an African ancient language that is spoken in the Afro-Brazilian religion called Umbanda or Candomblé. Eparrei, babá means something like: praise Our Lord.""
****
From http://santeria.tribe.net/thread/5bd35e1a-9c5a-4ff5-aeb2-55d12afad558
Oya topic posted Tue, January 18, 2011 - 1:25 PM by Ged
"Oya, known also as Iansan (Mother of Nine) is the Santeria Queen of the Dead, Goddess of Winds and Storms and Lightning, Guardian of the Gates of the Cemetery, Deity of commercialism and markets, mother of the Ibellies (depending on the house),
Oya is a great warrior. She was the wife of Ogun, and a paramour of Shango. She was seduced by Shango, and is part of the reason of their age old feud. Oya and Shango have battled against each other many times, and so have she and Ogun, and neither was able to best her in battle. Though she could not beat them, she was able to stand toe-to-toe with them in both martial and magical prowess.
She is depicted as a woman dressed in many colors, for she is marked by 9 colors (no black), which represent her nine children. Originally a river goddess in Africa (of the Niger river), when Africans arrived in Cuba they syncretized her with the violent storms and hurricanes of the Caribbean, due to her tempestuous and fiery nature. She is syncretized with the spark that leads the lightning bolt to Earth, something that was not discovered until late in the 20th century. She is the lightning, the fiery whip that Olofi wields to strike at the Earth...
It is said that because Shango, her lover, resides in the Palm tree, lightning never strikes it. Paired with Shango, they are the lightning and thunder. She is also a great sorceress, and can spit fire because she tasted the magical concoction that Shango prepared in his magacal mortar"...
****
From http://www.mythopoetry.com/mythopoetics/scholar11_katsuko_oster_candombl%C3%A9.html
Alchemical Axé Hieros Gamos in Brazilian Candomblé Rites by Kris Katsuko Oster
..."Building and transferring axé, the energy or life force that courses through all of creation, are the central intentions of Candomblé rituals. Although axé is invisible and cannot be viewed with ordinary “seeing” or the eyes, it exists in the dancer’s movement, the drums’ rhythms, the colors of the ritual garments, and the herbs scattered on the floor of the terreiro Subtle and intangible, axé can be sensed in the natural world through intense heat or gentle, cool breezes blowing across your brow.
Orixás rule over the elements, and through trance-possession become doorways to both experiencing and observing axé in artful motion. All of nature—including flora, fauna, rocks, mountains, rivers—is sacred and alive with axé. Art and musical instruments, such as drums, sculpture and ritual garments pulsate with the sacred energy of axé.
Candomblé devotees strive to be in alignment with universal forces. The harmony of nature, culture, family and a person’s psychological and physical health depend on a cosmological balance of feminine and masculine attributes.
Candomblé initiation rites are comparable to oppositional elements found in the Jungian alchemical process of individuation. For example, the opposition between “hot” and “cool” is eloquently laid out by Paul Christopher Johnson in Secrets, Gossip and Gods: The Transformation of Brazilian Candomblé, who claims that the coolness of women and the heat of men are cosmological truths in the Candomblé worldview. Besides gender, “hot” and “cool” are descriptions given to orixás, food, animals, the elements (earth, air, fire and water) and colors:
female: earth and water: white: “coolness”: primordial mass::
male: sky and fire: red/black: “heat”: individual creation.
(Johnson 40)
While female orixás are considered “cool” and male orixás are considered “hot,” there is no finite categorical system that everything fits neatly into. For example, Iansã is considered a “hot” orixá, in spite of being female, and Oxalá, the father of the orixás, is “cool” (Johnson 40)....
Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch–every sense is engaged in the rites of Candomblé. These aesthetics permeated my soul.”…
-snip-
axé = ase, ashe From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha "Ashe, which is also spelled "Ase", "Axe," "Axé," "Aché," or "Ache," is the life-force that runs through all things, living and inanimate. Ashe is the power to make things happen. It is an affirmation which is used in greetings and prayers, as well as a concept about spiritual growth."...
orixas= orisa [orishas]
Iansã = Yansa
Oxalá = Obatalá
Iemanjá =Yemanjá [who is also mentioned in this article]
-snip-
Additional information about the orixa (orisa/orisha) Iansã (Oya) is found in some of the summaries and comments of the featured YouTube examples found below.
****
ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS
With the exception of Showcase Video #1, these examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest examples given first.
Example #2: yansã eparrei oya
josealves santana Uploaded November 27, 2009
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Example #3: Rita Ribeiro e Maria Bethânia - Iansã
RITA RIBEIRO, uploaded on May 8, 2010
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Example #4: Acarajé de Iansã Video 6
Tony Obá Ojuteran Almeida, December 24, 2011
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Example #5: IANSÃ - Margareth Menezes e Daniela Mercury -oya por nos
.
luiz237, Sept 14, 2012
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbuqOYea8IM for a lengthy comment about Iansa in Portuguese including this excerpt :
"Oya a deusa do Rio Niger, e representada com um alfange e uma cauda de animal nas maos e com um chifre de bufalo na cintura. Na mitologia ioruba, Xango casou-se com tres de-suas irmas deusas de rio: Oya, Oxum, deusas do rio Osun e Oba, deusa do rio Oba… "
[Google translate from Portuguese to English:
"Oya the goddess of the River Niger, and represented with a cutlass and a tail of animal [in maos e ?] with a buffalo horn at the waist. In Yoruba mythology, Shango married three of his sisters- river goddesses: Oya, Oshun, goddess of the Osun river and Oba, Oba river goddess".....
****
Example #6: IANSA XANGO Monobloco
SENZALA DE UMBANDA, Published October 19, 2012
Comment:
Julia Ramos, 2013
Salve mamãe Iansã
Save [me/us] mother Yansa [Google translate from Portuguese to English]
-snip-
I think this means "Save me/us Mother Yansã."
****
Example #7: Salve Iansa
SENZALA DE UMBANDA, Published Oct 20, 2012
Comment:
Viviane C M Leite, 2014
"Yansã reigns over Wednesdays. She's the master of thunders and lightnings, the Queen of the storms... who encourages and promotes changes...she's the mighty warrior in every women."
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Yoruba Orishas & Their Astrological Planetary Counterparts (Speculation)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post is my attempt to list the astrological planetary conterparts of some Yoruba orishas (divinities/gods/goddesses).
DISCLAIMER
I'm not an astrologer or a person initiated in traditional Yoruba religion (Ifa)** or any religion that is based upon Ifa such as Lucumi, Candomble, and Santeria. However, for some time I've read about astrology and for some time I've also read about traditional Yoruba religion. And I have noticed significant similarities between the attributes ascribed to Yoruba orishas and the attributes that Western astrologers have ascribed to specific planets & signs that they are said to govern.
Since astrological planets and signs are based on Greek & Roman gods and goddesses, this list can also be considered to provide information about specific Yoruba orishas and their counterparts among Greek/Roman divinities. Because I've not formally studied traditional Yoruba religion or astrology, some of these assigned counterparts may be incorrect. I'm very interested in receiving input about this list, including additions and corrections.
This post isn't meant to provide a comprehensive listing of Yoruba orishas, or an indepth look at the ways Yoruba orishas might represent specific astrological signs or houses. This list only includes the names of some of the major Yoruba orishas and only includes basic information about those orishas. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_mythology [Hereafter given as Wikipedia-Yoruba mythology] for more information about traditional Yoruba religion.
It's important to note that I've not given any astrological conterpart for the Yoruba supreme deity Olódùmarè (oh-loh-doo-MAH-ray) [also known as Olòrún (oh-loh-ROON)]. Olódùmarè is considered the divine creator and source of all energy/power (ashe) and is believed to have given specific ashe to certain orishas.
Also note that I've listed more than one orisha for certain astrological planets. In some cases I've also added a question mark after the name/s of the astrology planet or planets and the Yoruba orisha because I'm less certain of their perceived similarity/similarities. And I'm aware that some of these comparisons aren't exact fits. For instance, I've listed Obatala as being both Sun/Jupiter. However, one of the attributes for Obatala is humility, and humility doesn't fit either the astrological sign Leo which is ruled by the Sun or the astrological sign Sagittarius which is ruled by Jupiter.
I've included my approximation of how I think these Yoruba (your-ROO-bah) words are pronounced (based on how I've heard those words pronounced in the United States among American friends who are practicioners of that religion. I realize that my approximations may be incorrect for how these words are supposed to be pronounced in the USA or in Nigeria, and I am open to corrections of these pronunciations.
I do not intend any disrespect to any religion or its practitioners.
Maferefún to all orishas!
"Maferefún" means "praises to the spiritual energy of". (Praise be to ___")
* Orisha (English pronunciation: oh REE-shas) is more correctly spelled "orisas". However, these two spellings are pronounced the same.
**Ifa (English pronunciation: ee-fah); The name of this traditional Yoruba/Benin religion is also given as "vodun".
Click http://ileifa.org/ifa-an-african-spiritual-tradition/ for more information about this religion.
Also, click http://www.freehoroscopesastrology.com/planets-signs.aspx for information about the meanings that have been given to Western astrological planets.
A related online article is:
http://ileifa.org/west-africas-orisha-and-astrology/ Africa’s Orisha and Astrology[Hereafter given as article:Orisha and Astrology]. The Yoruba orishas and their astrological counterparts that I have listed below largely correspond with those found in that article.
****
ORISHAS AND THEIR ASTROLOGICAL PLANETARY COUNTERPARTS
(The names of the astrological planets given first because they are more familiar to people in the USA and other Western nations).
Sun - Obatala (English pronunciation: oh-bah-tah-lah) and/or Oduduwa [English pronunciation: oh-doo-doo-wah] (See the entry for Jupiter below)
**
Moon - Yemaja (English pronunciation: yeah-mah-yah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemaja
"[Yemaja] is the ocean, the essence of motherhood, and a protector of children...
In Yorùbá mythology, Yemoja is a mother goddess; patron deity of women, especially pregnant women; and the Ogun river...
Her name is a contraction of Yoruba words: "Yeye emo eja" that mean "Mother whose children are like fish." This represents the vastness of her motherhood, her fecundity and her reign over all living things"
-snip-
From Wikipedia-Orisha
"Iemanja (Yemaja, Imanja, Yemayá, Jemanja, Yemalla, Yemana, Yemanja, Yemaya, Yemayah, Yemoja, Ymoja, Nanã, La Sirène, LaSiren, Mami Wata) - divine mother, divinity of the sea and loving mother of mankind, daughter of Obatala and wife of Aganju."
**
Mercury - Elegba (English pronunciation: e-LEH-bah) [also known as Ẹlégbara (e-leh-BAH-rah); Eṣu (e-shoo); Elegua (e-leh-guah), Ellegua]
From http://www.ileorunmilaoshun.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=37&layout=blog&Itemid=65[Hereafter given as article: Orisha Worship]
"Esu the Divine Trickster
Esu is the Divine Spirit of Communication, the well-spoken orator who speaks all languages. Esu translates messages between humans and Orisha. Without Esu our prayers would not be understood in heaven and we would be unable to understand the language of Orisha or our ancestors (Egun). Esu is the guardian of the crossroads, as such he opens and closes all doors and ceremonies."
-snip-
Update: 12/3/2012
A comment was posted below by Fred suggesting a connection between Eleggua and the Greek goddess Hecate.
**
Venus - Oshun (English pronunciation: Oh-shoon)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshun
"Oshun, or Ochun...in the Yoruba religion, is an Orisha who reigns over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy...
According to the Yoruba elders, Oshun is the "unseen mother present at every gathering", because Oshun is the Yoruba understanding of the cosmological forces of water, moisture, and attraction...
Oshun is the force of harmony. Harmony which we see as beauty, feel as love, and experience as ecstasy."
-snip-
From Wikipedia - Orisha
"Oshun (Oshún, Ọṣun, Oxum, Ochun, Osun, Oschun) - divinity of rivers, love, feminine beauty, fertility, and art, also one of Shango's lovers and beloved of Ogoun."
**
Mars - Shango (English pronunciation: shan-go)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha [Hereafter given as Wikipedia-Orisha]
"Shango (Shangó, Xango, Changó, Chango, Nago Shango) - warrior deity ; divinity of thunder, fire, sky father, represents male power and sexuality"
-snip-
From the article: Orisha Worship
"In Ifa, Divine Justice is symbolized by lightning, one of the primal fires of the Earth in existence since the beginning of time. Shango is the Orisha associated with the power of lightning and thunder, as well as the name of the Fourth Alafin (Chief) of Oyo. Oyo was a major Yoruba city and the name of a federation of city-states that existed during the 14th and 15th centuries in West Africa."
-snip-
Update: 12/3/2012
Sango in many ways is clearly associated with Thor, the Norse god of thunder & lightning. In http://www.mythicalrealm.com/legends/thor.html, the author indicates that the Romans associated Thor with Jupiter.
**
Mars - Ogun (English pronunciation: oh-goon)
From article:Orisha and Astrology
"Ogun the warrior god possessing assertive and aggressive characteristics rules the first house. It is Ogun who is the patron of soldiers, police Officers, surgeons, railroad workers, welders, body builders, or anyone employed to work with iron and steel."
-snip-
Note: Ogun might also be considered to be a counterpart of Jupiter.
I think that Mars might also be represented by Oya. Information about Oya is given below in the entry for Pluto]
-snip-
From http://www.tribeofthesun.com/chango.htm
Shango - "Astrology: Leo, the planet Mars"
-snip-
Note: Those referents are contrary to astrological information as the sign "Leo" is ruled by the Sun and the planet Mars rules the sign "Aries".
**
Jupiter - Obatala (English pronunciation: oh-bah-tah-lah)
From article: Orisha Worship
"Obatala, is the chief of the White Cloth, the Orisha who in Yoruba cosmology, first descended from heaven to earth with the tools for making the earth livable for humans. Obatala is considered the father of all orisa and is said to make the inner and outer heads of all humans.
Obatala is associated with purity, ethics and humility. Obatala is the Orisa of the elderly as well as the Orisa of those with physical disabilities."
-snip-
Jupiter - Ogun? [English pronunciation: oh-goon]
From Wikipedia-Orisha
"Ogoun (Ogun, Ogúm, Ogou) - warrior deity; divinity of iron, war, labour, sacrifice, politics, and technology (e.g. railroads)"
-snip-
Jupiter- Oduduwa (English pronunciation oh-doo-doo-wah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oduduwa
"Oduduwa is considered as the first of the contemporary dynasty of kings of Ife, a figure who sent his sons and daughters out with crowns to rule over all of the other Yoruba kingdoms, which is why all royal Yoruba lineages claim ambilineal descent from its line of kings and, through it, from Oduduwa...
Alternatively, the Benin believe that [Oduduwa] was a prince that was banished by his father, the "Ogiso" of Benin. His name, they claim, is derived from "Idoduwa", meaning "fortune's path", symbolizing the painful exile from his ancestral home...
A certain number of divinities were to accomplish the task of helping earth develop its crust. On one of these visits Obatala, the Great Spirit... Having made palm wine from the palm trees he caused to grow after shaping the planet, he began to drink ; soon falling into a drunken stupor, he was unable to accomplish the task he was originally given. Olodumare then sent Oduduwa to save what was left of the mission.
When Oduduwa found the Obatala in a "tipsy" state, he simply took over and completed the tasks. The place which he leaped onto from the heavens and which he redeemed from the water to become land was named Ile-Ife and is now considered the sacred and spiritual heart of Yorubaland."
**
Jupiter/Neptune - Ochosi? (English pronunciation: oh-cho-see)
From Wikipedia-Orisha
"Ochosi (Oxósse, Ocshosi, Osoosi, Oxossi) -hunter and the scout of the orishas, deity of the accused and those seeking justice or searching for something."
**
From http://www.lordtiger.com/ochosi.html
"Ochosi is the patron of all wildlife and of hunters. His colors are blue and yellow and his numbers are three and seven. His symbol is a crossbow made of iron. In Santeria he is recognized as Saint Norbert. Ochosi is the son of Yemaya. He is the patron Saint of those who have problems with the law. Besides being a hunter and a warrior he is also a magician, a seer and a fisherman.* His children are men who are alert and full of initiative. They embrace change and are born entrepenuers. They are hospitable and love family, though sometimes their families suffer because of their nomadic tendencies."
-snip-
Editor's note:
I've updated this post to include that second quote about Ochosi. Initially I thought that Saturn might be an astrological planetary counterpart of Ochosi but that orisa is sounding more & more like Jupiter (Sagittarius/Pisces) to me. *See the sentence in asterisks and those sentences following it.
For what it's worth, my Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter are in Sagittarius. Also, Pisces is the ruler of my 7th house, and Neptune which rules Pisces is in my first house (in my natal chart). So I believe that I have a pretty good sense of those astrological planets/signs.
**
Saturn/Pluto - Babalú-Ayé (English pronunciation: bah bah loo ah yeah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babalu_Aye
"In the religious system of Orisha worship, Babalú-Ayé is the praise name of the spirit of the Earth and strongly associated with infectious disease, and healing. He is an Orisha, representing the deity Olorun on Earth. The name Babalú-Ayé translates as “Father, lord of the Earth” and points to the authority this orisha exercises on all things earthly, including the body, wealth, and physical possessions. In West Africa, he was strongly associated with epidemics of smallpox, but in the contemporary Americas, he is more commonly thought of as the patron of leprosy, influenza, and AIDS . Although strongly associated with illness and disease, Babalú-Ayé is also the deity that cures these ailments. Both feared and loved, Babalú-Ayé is sometimes referred to as the “Wrath of the supreme god” because he punishes people for their transgressions . People hold Babalú-Ayé in great respect and avoid calling his actual name, because they do not wish to invoke epidemics."
-snip-
Some Americans may be more aware of this orisha than they know. The "Babalu" song that was sung by the fictitious character Cuban "Ricky Ricardo" of the "I Love Lucy" television show was a traditional song that was dedicted to the orisha Babalu Aye. Here's a link to a YouTube sound file of that song with photographs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyf1Kfg6nEo&feature=related
**
Uranus -Aganju and/or Oya
I think that Uranas might be represented by Aganju and/or by Oya. Information about those two orishas is given below in the entry for Pluto.
**
Neptune - Olokun (English pronunciation: oh-loh-koon)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olokun
"Olokun is experienced in male and female personifications, depending on what region of West Africa He/She is worshipped. It is personified in several human characteristics; patience, endurance, sternness, observation, meditation, appreciation for history, future visions, and royalty personified. Its characteristics are found and displayed in the depths of the Ocean. Its name means Owner (Olo) of Oceans (Okun).
Olokun also signifies unfathomable wisdom. That is, the instinct that there is something worth knowing, perhaps more than can ever be learned, especially the spiritual sciences that most people spend a lifetime pondering. It also governs material wealth, psychic abilities, dreaming, meditation, mental health and water-based healing."
**
Neptune - Orunmila (English pronunciation oh-ROON-me-lah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orunmila
"In Yoruba mythology, Orunmila is the spirit of wisdom ... and the divinity of destiny and prophecy... Orunmila is also referred to as Agbonniregun, the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom of Ifá."
**
Pluto - Aganjú (English pronunciation: ah-gan-JOO)
From article: Orisha Worship
"Aganju is the Orisa of the Uncultivated Earth, Lord of the Volcano, Lord of Caves, The Divine Ferryman.
Aganjú is most often referred to as the Volcano.He is also the Orisa of untamed lands,from desert to mountains, the brother/husband of Yemoja. Like Olokun, is fabulously wealthy. As Lord of Caves he owns all the mineral wealth of the earth. Aganju is also the navigator, knowing the safe passages and fjords across the river...
Aganju is a force of life that overcomes obstacles and does the impossible.
Aganyú is the symbol of all earth forces, particularly the core of the earth, the desert, and the volcano. He represents a brute and regenerative force that is responsible for all cataclysmic upheavals that change the face of earth. Volcanic lava is seen as his fiery breath and his power makes the earth gyrate upon its axis. Aganyú is depicted as the father of Shangó in some patakin, and a younger brother of Shangó in others."
**
Pluto - Oya (English pronunciation: oh-yah)
From http://www.7-angeles.com/oya.html
"Oya or Yansan (Santa Theresa de Jesus, Our Lady of Candelaria, Saint Catherine ). Her full name is Oya-Yansan, which means "mother of nine." In Brazil, in candomble she is generally saluted with the phrase "Èpa heyi!. while in Cuban-derived Yórùbá traditions, the faithful often salute her by saying "Hekua hey Yansa". All cemeteries belong to her. Powerful, volitile, she is not to be played with! Oya is the orisha of storms and the ruler of the dead. Tornados and whirlwinds accompanied by lightening are her element. She is a warrior orisha who rides to do battle at the side of Shango. She is a complex orisha and the only one that has power over the dead. Her colors are mooron [sic], flowery patterns and nine different colors. Her number is 9. Her symbols are: masks, and a horsetail fly-whisk. Her feast day is February 2."
-snip-
It's also possible that Uranus and/or Mars might be considered the counterpart/s of Oya.
****
FEATURED VIDOES
Here are four videos of orishas who are featured in this post:
Toque para Elegguá
Uploaded by fideo62 on May 26, 2009
En una casa de Centro Habana se hace un fiesta y se toca y canta a todos los orichas, el video muestra cantos y toques para Elegguá.
**
Yoruba Andabo - Yemayá
AyvaMusica, Published on Jan 8, 2014
**
Santiago de Cuba: Changó y Obá
Uploaded by jisimon on May 11, 2011
Trailer del documental Changó y Obá. Fiesta y santería en Santiago de Cuba.
[Trailer of the documentary on Shango and Oba. Santeria feast in Santiago de Cuba]
-snip-
Editor:
The iron nails shown in the video are attributed to the orisha Ogun. The cowrie shell divination shown at 1:13 in the video is attributed to the orisha Orunmila.
*From http://santeria.tribe.net/thread/b3859a6f-93dc-48a6-b61c-187e63f25882 "Oba and Ocha"
Given that information on the female orisha Oba (spelled without the accent marks), I would consider her to be a very much like Sagittarius and thus her astrological counterpart is Jupiter.
****
Oya och Changó från Festival del Caribe 2012 - Santiago de Cuba
xmalikkha, Published on Aug 18, 2012
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome!
This post is my attempt to list the astrological planetary conterparts of some Yoruba orishas (divinities/gods/goddesses).
DISCLAIMER
I'm not an astrologer or a person initiated in traditional Yoruba religion (Ifa)** or any religion that is based upon Ifa such as Lucumi, Candomble, and Santeria. However, for some time I've read about astrology and for some time I've also read about traditional Yoruba religion. And I have noticed significant similarities between the attributes ascribed to Yoruba orishas and the attributes that Western astrologers have ascribed to specific planets & signs that they are said to govern.
Since astrological planets and signs are based on Greek & Roman gods and goddesses, this list can also be considered to provide information about specific Yoruba orishas and their counterparts among Greek/Roman divinities. Because I've not formally studied traditional Yoruba religion or astrology, some of these assigned counterparts may be incorrect. I'm very interested in receiving input about this list, including additions and corrections.
This post isn't meant to provide a comprehensive listing of Yoruba orishas, or an indepth look at the ways Yoruba orishas might represent specific astrological signs or houses. This list only includes the names of some of the major Yoruba orishas and only includes basic information about those orishas. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_mythology [Hereafter given as Wikipedia-Yoruba mythology] for more information about traditional Yoruba religion.
It's important to note that I've not given any astrological conterpart for the Yoruba supreme deity Olódùmarè (oh-loh-doo-MAH-ray) [also known as Olòrún (oh-loh-ROON)]. Olódùmarè is considered the divine creator and source of all energy/power (ashe) and is believed to have given specific ashe to certain orishas.
Also note that I've listed more than one orisha for certain astrological planets. In some cases I've also added a question mark after the name/s of the astrology planet or planets and the Yoruba orisha because I'm less certain of their perceived similarity/similarities. And I'm aware that some of these comparisons aren't exact fits. For instance, I've listed Obatala as being both Sun/Jupiter. However, one of the attributes for Obatala is humility, and humility doesn't fit either the astrological sign Leo which is ruled by the Sun or the astrological sign Sagittarius which is ruled by Jupiter.
I've included my approximation of how I think these Yoruba (your-ROO-bah) words are pronounced (based on how I've heard those words pronounced in the United States among American friends who are practicioners of that religion. I realize that my approximations may be incorrect for how these words are supposed to be pronounced in the USA or in Nigeria, and I am open to corrections of these pronunciations.
I do not intend any disrespect to any religion or its practitioners.
Maferefún to all orishas!
"Maferefún" means "praises to the spiritual energy of". (Praise be to ___")
* Orisha (English pronunciation: oh REE-shas) is more correctly spelled "orisas". However, these two spellings are pronounced the same.
**Ifa (English pronunciation: ee-fah); The name of this traditional Yoruba/Benin religion is also given as "vodun".
Click http://ileifa.org/ifa-an-african-spiritual-tradition/ for more information about this religion.
Also, click http://www.freehoroscopesastrology.com/planets-signs.aspx for information about the meanings that have been given to Western astrological planets.
A related online article is:
http://ileifa.org/west-africas-orisha-and-astrology/ Africa’s Orisha and Astrology[Hereafter given as article:Orisha and Astrology]. The Yoruba orishas and their astrological counterparts that I have listed below largely correspond with those found in that article.
****
ORISHAS AND THEIR ASTROLOGICAL PLANETARY COUNTERPARTS
(The names of the astrological planets given first because they are more familiar to people in the USA and other Western nations).
Sun - Obatala (English pronunciation: oh-bah-tah-lah) and/or Oduduwa [English pronunciation: oh-doo-doo-wah] (See the entry for Jupiter below)
**
Moon - Yemaja (English pronunciation: yeah-mah-yah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemaja
"[Yemaja] is the ocean, the essence of motherhood, and a protector of children...
In Yorùbá mythology, Yemoja is a mother goddess; patron deity of women, especially pregnant women; and the Ogun river...
Her name is a contraction of Yoruba words: "Yeye emo eja" that mean "Mother whose children are like fish." This represents the vastness of her motherhood, her fecundity and her reign over all living things"
-snip-
From Wikipedia-Orisha
"Iemanja (Yemaja, Imanja, Yemayá, Jemanja, Yemalla, Yemana, Yemanja, Yemaya, Yemayah, Yemoja, Ymoja, Nanã, La Sirène, LaSiren, Mami Wata) - divine mother, divinity of the sea and loving mother of mankind, daughter of Obatala and wife of Aganju."
**
Mercury - Elegba (English pronunciation: e-LEH-bah) [also known as Ẹlégbara (e-leh-BAH-rah); Eṣu (e-shoo); Elegua (e-leh-guah), Ellegua]
From http://www.ileorunmilaoshun.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=37&layout=blog&Itemid=65[Hereafter given as article: Orisha Worship]
"Esu the Divine Trickster
Esu is the Divine Spirit of Communication, the well-spoken orator who speaks all languages. Esu translates messages between humans and Orisha. Without Esu our prayers would not be understood in heaven and we would be unable to understand the language of Orisha or our ancestors (Egun). Esu is the guardian of the crossroads, as such he opens and closes all doors and ceremonies."
-snip-
Update: 12/3/2012
A comment was posted below by Fred suggesting a connection between Eleggua and the Greek goddess Hecate.
**
Venus - Oshun (English pronunciation: Oh-shoon)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshun
"Oshun, or Ochun...in the Yoruba religion, is an Orisha who reigns over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy...
According to the Yoruba elders, Oshun is the "unseen mother present at every gathering", because Oshun is the Yoruba understanding of the cosmological forces of water, moisture, and attraction...
Oshun is the force of harmony. Harmony which we see as beauty, feel as love, and experience as ecstasy."
-snip-
From Wikipedia - Orisha
"Oshun (Oshún, Ọṣun, Oxum, Ochun, Osun, Oschun) - divinity of rivers, love, feminine beauty, fertility, and art, also one of Shango's lovers and beloved of Ogoun."
**
Mars - Shango (English pronunciation: shan-go)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha [Hereafter given as Wikipedia-Orisha]
"Shango (Shangó, Xango, Changó, Chango, Nago Shango) - warrior deity ; divinity of thunder, fire, sky father, represents male power and sexuality"
-snip-
From the article: Orisha Worship
"In Ifa, Divine Justice is symbolized by lightning, one of the primal fires of the Earth in existence since the beginning of time. Shango is the Orisha associated with the power of lightning and thunder, as well as the name of the Fourth Alafin (Chief) of Oyo. Oyo was a major Yoruba city and the name of a federation of city-states that existed during the 14th and 15th centuries in West Africa."
-snip-
Update: 12/3/2012
Sango in many ways is clearly associated with Thor, the Norse god of thunder & lightning. In http://www.mythicalrealm.com/legends/thor.html, the author indicates that the Romans associated Thor with Jupiter.
**
Mars - Ogun (English pronunciation: oh-goon)
From article:Orisha and Astrology
"Ogun the warrior god possessing assertive and aggressive characteristics rules the first house. It is Ogun who is the patron of soldiers, police Officers, surgeons, railroad workers, welders, body builders, or anyone employed to work with iron and steel."
-snip-
Note: Ogun might also be considered to be a counterpart of Jupiter.
I think that Mars might also be represented by Oya. Information about Oya is given below in the entry for Pluto]
-snip-
From http://www.tribeofthesun.com/chango.htm
Shango - "Astrology: Leo, the planet Mars"
-snip-
Note: Those referents are contrary to astrological information as the sign "Leo" is ruled by the Sun and the planet Mars rules the sign "Aries".
**
Jupiter - Obatala (English pronunciation: oh-bah-tah-lah)
From article: Orisha Worship
"Obatala, is the chief of the White Cloth, the Orisha who in Yoruba cosmology, first descended from heaven to earth with the tools for making the earth livable for humans. Obatala is considered the father of all orisa and is said to make the inner and outer heads of all humans.
Obatala is associated with purity, ethics and humility. Obatala is the Orisa of the elderly as well as the Orisa of those with physical disabilities."
-snip-
Jupiter - Ogun? [English pronunciation: oh-goon]
From Wikipedia-Orisha
"Ogoun (Ogun, Ogúm, Ogou) - warrior deity; divinity of iron, war, labour, sacrifice, politics, and technology (e.g. railroads)"
-snip-
Jupiter- Oduduwa (English pronunciation oh-doo-doo-wah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oduduwa
"Oduduwa is considered as the first of the contemporary dynasty of kings of Ife, a figure who sent his sons and daughters out with crowns to rule over all of the other Yoruba kingdoms, which is why all royal Yoruba lineages claim ambilineal descent from its line of kings and, through it, from Oduduwa...
Alternatively, the Benin believe that [Oduduwa] was a prince that was banished by his father, the "Ogiso" of Benin. His name, they claim, is derived from "Idoduwa", meaning "fortune's path", symbolizing the painful exile from his ancestral home...
A certain number of divinities were to accomplish the task of helping earth develop its crust. On one of these visits Obatala, the Great Spirit... Having made palm wine from the palm trees he caused to grow after shaping the planet, he began to drink ; soon falling into a drunken stupor, he was unable to accomplish the task he was originally given. Olodumare then sent Oduduwa to save what was left of the mission.
When Oduduwa found the Obatala in a "tipsy" state, he simply took over and completed the tasks. The place which he leaped onto from the heavens and which he redeemed from the water to become land was named Ile-Ife and is now considered the sacred and spiritual heart of Yorubaland."
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Jupiter/Neptune - Ochosi? (English pronunciation: oh-cho-see)
From Wikipedia-Orisha
"Ochosi (Oxósse, Ocshosi, Osoosi, Oxossi) -hunter and the scout of the orishas, deity of the accused and those seeking justice or searching for something."
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From http://www.lordtiger.com/ochosi.html
"Ochosi is the patron of all wildlife and of hunters. His colors are blue and yellow and his numbers are three and seven. His symbol is a crossbow made of iron. In Santeria he is recognized as Saint Norbert. Ochosi is the son of Yemaya. He is the patron Saint of those who have problems with the law. Besides being a hunter and a warrior he is also a magician, a seer and a fisherman.* His children are men who are alert and full of initiative. They embrace change and are born entrepenuers. They are hospitable and love family, though sometimes their families suffer because of their nomadic tendencies."
-snip-
Editor's note:
I've updated this post to include that second quote about Ochosi. Initially I thought that Saturn might be an astrological planetary counterpart of Ochosi but that orisa is sounding more & more like Jupiter (Sagittarius/Pisces) to me. *See the sentence in asterisks and those sentences following it.
For what it's worth, my Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter are in Sagittarius. Also, Pisces is the ruler of my 7th house, and Neptune which rules Pisces is in my first house (in my natal chart). So I believe that I have a pretty good sense of those astrological planets/signs.
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Saturn/Pluto - Babalú-Ayé (English pronunciation: bah bah loo ah yeah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babalu_Aye
"In the religious system of Orisha worship, Babalú-Ayé is the praise name of the spirit of the Earth and strongly associated with infectious disease, and healing. He is an Orisha, representing the deity Olorun on Earth. The name Babalú-Ayé translates as “Father, lord of the Earth” and points to the authority this orisha exercises on all things earthly, including the body, wealth, and physical possessions. In West Africa, he was strongly associated with epidemics of smallpox, but in the contemporary Americas, he is more commonly thought of as the patron of leprosy, influenza, and AIDS . Although strongly associated with illness and disease, Babalú-Ayé is also the deity that cures these ailments. Both feared and loved, Babalú-Ayé is sometimes referred to as the “Wrath of the supreme god” because he punishes people for their transgressions . People hold Babalú-Ayé in great respect and avoid calling his actual name, because they do not wish to invoke epidemics."
-snip-
Some Americans may be more aware of this orisha than they know. The "Babalu" song that was sung by the fictitious character Cuban "Ricky Ricardo" of the "I Love Lucy" television show was a traditional song that was dedicted to the orisha Babalu Aye. Here's a link to a YouTube sound file of that song with photographs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyf1Kfg6nEo&feature=related
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Uranus -Aganju and/or Oya
I think that Uranas might be represented by Aganju and/or by Oya. Information about those two orishas is given below in the entry for Pluto.
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Neptune - Olokun (English pronunciation: oh-loh-koon)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olokun
"Olokun is experienced in male and female personifications, depending on what region of West Africa He/She is worshipped. It is personified in several human characteristics; patience, endurance, sternness, observation, meditation, appreciation for history, future visions, and royalty personified. Its characteristics are found and displayed in the depths of the Ocean. Its name means Owner (Olo) of Oceans (Okun).
Olokun also signifies unfathomable wisdom. That is, the instinct that there is something worth knowing, perhaps more than can ever be learned, especially the spiritual sciences that most people spend a lifetime pondering. It also governs material wealth, psychic abilities, dreaming, meditation, mental health and water-based healing."
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Neptune - Orunmila (English pronunciation oh-ROON-me-lah)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orunmila
"In Yoruba mythology, Orunmila is the spirit of wisdom ... and the divinity of destiny and prophecy... Orunmila is also referred to as Agbonniregun, the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom of Ifá."
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Pluto - Aganjú (English pronunciation: ah-gan-JOO)
From article: Orisha Worship
"Aganju is the Orisa of the Uncultivated Earth, Lord of the Volcano, Lord of Caves, The Divine Ferryman.
Aganjú is most often referred to as the Volcano.He is also the Orisa of untamed lands,from desert to mountains, the brother/husband of Yemoja. Like Olokun, is fabulously wealthy. As Lord of Caves he owns all the mineral wealth of the earth. Aganju is also the navigator, knowing the safe passages and fjords across the river...
Aganju is a force of life that overcomes obstacles and does the impossible.
Aganyú is the symbol of all earth forces, particularly the core of the earth, the desert, and the volcano. He represents a brute and regenerative force that is responsible for all cataclysmic upheavals that change the face of earth. Volcanic lava is seen as his fiery breath and his power makes the earth gyrate upon its axis. Aganyú is depicted as the father of Shangó in some patakin, and a younger brother of Shangó in others."
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Pluto - Oya (English pronunciation: oh-yah)
From http://www.7-angeles.com/oya.html
"Oya or Yansan (Santa Theresa de Jesus, Our Lady of Candelaria, Saint Catherine ). Her full name is Oya-Yansan, which means "mother of nine." In Brazil, in candomble she is generally saluted with the phrase "Èpa heyi!. while in Cuban-derived Yórùbá traditions, the faithful often salute her by saying "Hekua hey Yansa". All cemeteries belong to her. Powerful, volitile, she is not to be played with! Oya is the orisha of storms and the ruler of the dead. Tornados and whirlwinds accompanied by lightening are her element. She is a warrior orisha who rides to do battle at the side of Shango. She is a complex orisha and the only one that has power over the dead. Her colors are mooron [sic], flowery patterns and nine different colors. Her number is 9. Her symbols are: masks, and a horsetail fly-whisk. Her feast day is February 2."
-snip-
It's also possible that Uranus and/or Mars might be considered the counterpart/s of Oya.
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FEATURED VIDOES
Here are four videos of orishas who are featured in this post:
Toque para Elegguá
Uploaded by fideo62 on May 26, 2009
En una casa de Centro Habana se hace un fiesta y se toca y canta a todos los orichas, el video muestra cantos y toques para Elegguá.
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Yoruba Andabo - Yemayá
AyvaMusica, Published on Jan 8, 2014
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Santiago de Cuba: Changó y Obá
Uploaded by jisimon on May 11, 2011
Trailer del documental Changó y Obá. Fiesta y santería en Santiago de Cuba.
[Trailer of the documentary on Shango and Oba. Santeria feast in Santiago de Cuba]
-snip-
Editor:
The iron nails shown in the video are attributed to the orisha Ogun. The cowrie shell divination shown at 1:13 in the video is attributed to the orisha Orunmila.
*From http://santeria.tribe.net/thread/b3859a6f-93dc-48a6-b61c-187e63f25882 "Oba and Ocha"
Oba, or more accurately "Òbà," sometimes spelled "Obba" is an elder female Orisha. She is a warrior and the first wife of Shango. She is related to education, navigation, commerce, all kinds of exchange and growth.-snip-
"Oba" can also mean king or chief, when it is accented thusly: Obá. This is commonly used when referring to Shango or Obatala.
Given that information on the female orisha Oba (spelled without the accent marks), I would consider her to be a very much like Sagittarius and thus her astrological counterpart is Jupiter.
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Oya och Changó från Festival del Caribe 2012 - Santiago de Cuba
xmalikkha, Published on Aug 18, 2012
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