YORUBA DIVINITIES

 

 

   DIVINITIES AND THE YORUBA RELIGION/PHYLOSOPHY

   THE CULTURE, AND MYTHOLOGICAL BELIEFS OF

   THE YORUBA PEOPLE -  by Ben Oduwole.

 1).     OLÓDUMARÈ.  2).   CREATION.  3).   DIVINITIES.  4).   YORUBALAND

 5).     BIRTH/IBI – a). Isoruko/ Naming ceremony,  b).Ori- kadara / Destiny

 6).     OTHER CEREMONIES  7).   DEATH.  8).   RINCARNATION.                                                                                              

 OLODUAMARE:

 Olódumarè is the Yoruba supreme God; the creator of heaven and earth, and like many other religions around the world, He is the only God. He is also known as Olorun, that is ‘The owner of heaven’, where he resides.

In the Yoruba bible, He is called with the name Oluwa (the living God). The name Olódumarè, is probably related to ‘osumare’ which is the Yoruba name for the rainbow; the sign that Olódumarè gave to assure the people, that he will never again destroy the earth with flood.

Olódumarè: The one who assures with (osumare) or Rainbow that the world will never again be destroyed with water. In the Yoruba philosophy or religion, there are about four hundred (400) divinities chosen by Olódumarè and charged with various tasks in different capacities.

In the Yoruba philosophy, these divinities or ‘orisas’ as they are popular known among the Yoruba, are also the-go-between humanity and Olódumarè.

 CREATION:

According to the Yoruba belief, Olodumare lived in heaven, and in the beginning, the earth was nothing but water flood and marsh and when  Olódumarè (the supreme God) decided to create the earth, he created it in Ile-Ife;  today the sacred city of the Yoruba people. To start with, he sent down a pigeon to fly the length and breadth, to see what was out there. The bird came back to report the presence of only water.                                          

Then Olódumarè sent down his messenger Obatala to perform the task of creating the earth. He asked Obatala to carry with him a calabash full of sand, a hen, and a chameleon. Obatala descent to earth from above, at Ile-Ife.

There are many versions regarding the creation; some story carried it that it was Sango that was sent down by Olodumare to create the earth, but the common denomination in all these different stories was that Ile-Ife was where the earth was created.

THE YORUBA PHYLOSOPHY: 

 In Yoruba belief, the orisas (the gods) or divinities, were created by Olódumarè, (Olorun), the Yoruba supreme God, to represent all his dominions on earth. In the mythology many primary divinities are mentioned, and are divided into two fundamental classes, one related to the cult of the celestial element and the other to the terrestrial on earth.   lief, the orisas (the gods) or divinities, were created by Olódumarè, (Olorun), the Yoruba supreme God, to represent all his dominions on earth. In the mythology many primary divinities are mentioned, and are divided into two fundamental classes, one related to the cult of the celestial element and the other to the terrestrial one.

THE DIVINITIES (ORISAS).

 Olódumarè, the Yoruba high God, charged each one of these divinities with a particular function to be performed on earth, for example, Ifa (otherwise known as (ÒRÚNMILÀ), was put in charge of divination because of his great wisdom which he acquired as the result of his presence by the side of Olódumarè when the latter created the universe. Hence his praise-name (Akerefinuşogbon - the small one, whose mind is full of wisdom).

 In the pantheon of the Yoruba religion, there are about four hundred (400) divinities, known as Orisas; (literally, ‘head of guardians’) and are considered as ministers and intermediaries between Olódumarè and humanity.

They are known as Orisha in santeria of (Cuba) and Orixa in Candoblé, of (Brazil), and Voodoo in Haiti. It is not possible to mention all the Orisas and their duties, but some most important ones will be mentioned.

IFA: was one of the four hundred divinities who came from Òrun (heaven) to Aiyé (Earth) and was the only Orisa that was present with Olódumarè during creation of the universe.

 ELLEGUA or ÈȘÙ: He was the keeper of the ÀŞĘ; the divine power with which Olódumarè created the universe and maintained its physical laws.

He is also the universal ‘policeman’ of the other divinities; making sure that they do their duties very well. He is strict and harsh with humanity who misbehaves, and for this reason, he is feared, and his name creates panic among people.

 OGUN: was put in charge of all things related to war, hunting and the use of iron and metallic implements.

 OBATALA: (otherwise known as Oosaanla (ORISA-NLA): A senior divinity was charged with responsibility for modeling human beings with clay, after creating the solid earth from water and marsh with the calabash full of sands he brought from heaven.

 SANGO:  The god of thunder, lightning, and justice

 YEMOJA: The goddess of all seas

 OSAYIN: god of medicine and magic, with knowledge of all herbs to cure.   

 OSUN: The goddess of Osun river

 OYA: The goddess of river Niger

 ȘOPONA: The divinity associated with smallpox

 OLOKUN: The god of the oceans Catholic tradition, giving life to a syncretism and a transcultural phenomenon.

The fusion of rites, beliefs, practices varied according to the place of formation, and it is referred to as Candomblé in Brazil, Santeria in Cuba and Voodoo in Haiti.  This complex and diversified form of spirituality has spread from their African origin states: Nigeria, Benin, Togo to other nations; among which include: Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and Venezuela.

 They are known as Orisha in santeria of (Cuba) and Orixa in Candoblé, of (Brazil), and Voodoo in Haiti. It is not possible to mention all the Orisas and their duties, but some most important ones will be mentioned.

 ELLEGUA or ÈȘÙ: He was the keeper of the ÀŞĘ; the divine power with which Olódumarè created the universe and maintained its physical laws.

He is also the universal ‘policeman’ of the other divinities; making sure that they do their duties very well. He is strict and harsh with humanity who misbehaves, and for this reason, he is feared, and his name creates panic among people.

 OGUN: was put in charge of all things related to war, hunting and the use of iron and metallic implements.

 OBATALA (otherwise known as Oosaanla (ORISA-NLA): A senior divinity was charged with responsibility for modeling human beings with clay, after creating the solid earth from water and marsh with the calabash full of sands he brought from heaven.

SANGO:  The god of thunder, lightning, and justice

 YEMOJA: The goddess of all seas

 OSAYIN: The god of medicine and magic, has the knowledge of all herbs to cure.

 OȘUN: The goddess of Osun river

 OYA: The goddess of river Niger

 ȘOPONA: The divinity associated with smallpox

 OLOKUN: The god of the oceansnd a transcultural phenomenon.

The fusion of rites, beliefs, practices varied according to the place of formation, and it is referred to as Candomblé in Brazil, Santeria in

Cuba and Voodoo in Haiti.

 

 

GIVING NAMES IN YORUBALAND

”Iso Omo Loruko”  -  Giving names in the Yorubaland.

                                                        NAMING CERIMONY

A naming ceremony is the event at which a new born baby is given a name, in yoruba land it is known as ”Iso Omo Loruko”.The naming ceremony is done when the child is eight days old by the yorubas. The ceremony is held in the family compound (House of the paternal grand parents of the baby).

Naming a child in Yorubaland is something very  important and of a difference. Many customs are similar  to the Hebrew origin. A child receive name in Yorubaland at 8 days, while if they are males, circumcisions come up at 40 days.

Many children come already with their names attached; and many others, have  to be given one by the grandfathers or grand grandparents depending who is available. Not even the parents are supposed to give names to the children; 

It is the duties of the elders in the family. The Yoruba people just don't give names as they come, because  names have great meaning and importance among the Yoruba people. The elders know the history (itan) and the (oriki);  the poems of the house (ile) and the compound (Agbole), so they are qualify for the job. 

If the children are twins (ibeji) they need no other names more than (Taiwo or To-aiye-wo taste the world). The name that is given to the first of the twins to come out of the womb. The small one is sent on errand by the elder; Kehinde (Ke-hin-de), the last to come out. Kehinde; means the last to arrive. The one who comes behind; the one to be conceive first the elder who sent his Aburo - (younger) on errand to taste the world, to see if it is good).

Other names are decided from house to house depending on the family, and which divity or divinities they worship, if they’re from the royal family or kings’ makers - (Alafobaje), thus they are likely to be called with Ade;

(Crown) Adewale, Adesola, Adelola, Adeniran, and so on. If the family worshipped Ogun; Oguntola, Ogunbiyi, Ogunbamidele. 

If rather is ỌȘun, Osunmakinde, ỌȘunwale.

If it is Ifa, Ifawole, Ifasina, Ifakolade

Odu ifa; Oduwole, Odusola, Odutola

if they’re hunters (Ode); Odekoya, Odewale, Odebiyi. 

if is an important family; Ola; Ọlaniran Olawale. Oladele.

As we can see, these names can continue a long way with other examples. 

With advent of christianity, many have add biblical or christian names during baptism in the Church, but our Yoruba names which are given in the family must be prominent always.  

In general, the Africans have meaningful and beautiful names.  

"Iso Omo Loruko" - Dare nomi nello Yorubaland.

Una cerimonia di denominazione è l'evento in cui un neonato ha un nome, in terra yoruba è conosciuto come "Iso Omo Loruko". La cerimonia di denominazione viene eseguita quando il bambino ha otto giorni dagli yorubas. 

La cerimonia si tiene nel complesso familiare (Casa dei nonni paterni del bambino). Nominare un bambino nello Yorubaland è qualcosa di molto importante e di differenza. Molte usanze sono simili all'origine ebraica. Un bambino riceve il nome nello Yorubaland a 8 giorni, mentre se sono maschi, le circoncisioni svengono a 40 giorni.

Molti bambini vengono già con i loro nomi allegati; e molti altri, devono essere dati uno dai nonni o dai nonni a seconda di chi è disponibile. Nemmeno i genitori dovrebbero dare nomi ai bambini;  Sono i doveri degli anziani in famiglia. Il popolo Yoruba semplicemente non dà nomi come vengono, perché i nomi hanno un grande significato e importanza tra il popolo Yoruba. Gli anziani conoscono la storia (itan) e l'oriki;  le poesie della casa (ile) e del composto (Agbole), quindi sono idonee per il lavoro. 

Se i bambini sono gemelli (ibeji) non hanno bisogno di altri nomi più di (Taiwo o To-aiye-wo assaggiano il mondo). Il nome che viene dato al primo dei gemelli a uscire dal grembo materno. Il piccolo viene inviato per commissione dall'anziano; Kehinde (Ke-hin-de), l'ultimo a uscire. Kehinde; significa l'ultimo ad arrivare. Quello che viene dietro; quello di concepire prima l'anziano che mandò il suo Aburo - (più giovane) in commissione ad assaggiare il mondo, per vedere se è buono). Altri nomi sono decisi di casa in casa a seconda della famiglia, e quale divinità o divinità adorano, se provengono dalla famiglia reale o dai creatori dei re - (Alafobaje), quindi è probabile che vengano chiamati con Ade- (Corona) ;

 Adewale -( Corona entra in casa), Adesola - (Corona da onore), Adelola - (Corona, è onore), Adeniran -( Corona è di famigia) e così via. 

Se la famiglia adorava Ogun, la dività di guerra e di tutte cose fatto di ferro).  Ogunbiyi,- (Ogun da vità),  Ogunbamidele - (Ogun mi è venuto a visitare). Ogunmuyiwa - (Ogun has brought this).

Se invece è ỌȘUN - ỌȘUN è un fiume dov'è le donne che non riescono a rimanere incinta vanno a bere o a fare il bagno, dopo di che rimangono in cinta. 

 Ọsunwale. - (Osun vieni in casa) , 

Se si tratta di Ifa, Divinità di diviniazione:  Ifawole- (Ifa è in casa), Ifasina - (Ifa apre la strada), Ifakolade- (Ifa porta richesa in casa)

Odu ifa- Istrumenti di diviniazione di Ifa Odulana-(Odu apre la sta, Odusola -(Odu è un onore), Odutola- (Odu è piu' grande di onore).

Se sono  sono cacciatori ,  Odekoya,- ( Odewale,- Cacciatore è di casa),  Odebiyi- (Nato da cacciatore) 

Se è una famiglia importante; Ola; Ọlaniran- ( Onore è ereditari)  Olakemi (Ola prende cura di me). 

Come possiamo vedere, questi nomi possono continuare molto con altri esempi. Con l'avvento del cristianesimo, molti hanno aggiunto nomi biblici o cristiani durante il battesimo nella Chiesa, ma i nostri nomi Yoruba che ci sono dati in famiglia devono sempre rimanere,  prominenti.  In generale, gli africani hanno nomi significativi e belli.  

Africa Slave Trade -

 SLAVERY  - 'IS NOT AFRICAN HISTORY.’  -

For this undesired interruption, the Europeans and the western Industrialized World should ask pardon and say sorry to Africa all the time. Every day the world ask pardon to the Jewish community, which is right to do, for the 6 million of their people killed during the second world war; (holocaust), but what about the 60 million of Africans carried away from Africa as slaves? Slavery had damaged Africa, because without that interruption in her history, she would have been different. Africa would have been on top of the world with all her natural resources. So, starting with the Churches, governments, and all the concerned countries who traded in humans then, should start to say sorry to Africa, and pay damages to Africa. Africa leaders should pretend this, else history may repeat itself... there are traces of these already in different parts of World with "Human Trafficking!" New Colonialism and “Emptying” of Africa’s youths toward Europe. Few arrive, while many others find their graves in the Mediterranean. It is necessary to sincerely teach to youths and people in Europe, America, and rest the World the geography, and the real history and of Africa and the Africans. Africa gave birth to the rest of the World, (Science proved this) and her richness in natural resources became her condemnation! Humanity is one, and there are only two races, that is, Human and Animal races! Most faults lie among many African leaders today; the failure to talk loudly about this issue in the United Nations Assembly. Nothing to be ashamed about, all men and women are born free! The Jewish community talked always about holocaust, and the Memorial Day, but the African leaders are too ashamed to talk about something that was not their faults, or are too busy, with corruptions, power struggles, and embezzling money to care! Africans, lets us get out of this stagnant situation, and start to develop the nations in Africa. I know Africa is a gigantic land that could contain the whole of Europe, USA, China, and Russia and many other lands. As Mutabaruka puts it, ‘Slavery is not African history, slavery interrupted African history.’  Now, let us put all these behind and stop to be beggars, but unite in Africa, and stop sending our youths to die in the sea or suffer in Europe. Charity begins at home. We need to create a Memorial Day (to remember the slavery trade of the past and avoid the future one.) A day to be respected in whole of Africa – (to be continued.)

                                                                      The size of Africa

SCHIAVITÙ - "NON È STORIA AFRICANA." -

 

Per questa interruzione indesiderata, gli europei e il mondo industrializzato occidentale dovrebbero chiedere perdono e chiedere scusa all'Africa tutto il tempo. Ogni giorno il mondo chiede perdono alla comunità ebraica, cosa che è giusta, per i 6 milioni di loro uccisi durante la seconda guerra mondiale; (olocausto), ma che dire dei 60 milioni di africani portati via dall'Africa come schiavi? La schiavitù aveva danneggiato l'Africa, perché senza quell'interruzione nella sua storia, sarebbe stata diversa. L'Africa sarebbe stata in cima al mondo con tutte le sue risorse naturali. Quindi, a partire dalle Chiese, dai governi e da tutti i paesi interessati che allora commerciavano in esseri umani, dovrebbero iniziare a chiedere scusa all'Africa e pagare i danni all'Africa. I leader africani dovrebbero pretendere questo, altrimenti la storia potrebbe ripetersi ... ce ne sono tracce già in diverse parti del mondo con la "tratta di esseri umani!" Nuovo colonialismo e "svuotamento" dei giovani africani verso l'Europa. Pochi arrivano, mentre molti altri trovano le loro tombe nel Mediterraneo. È necessario insegnare sinceramente ai giovani e alle persone in Europa, America e nel resto del mondo la geografia e la vera storia dell'Africa e degli africani. L'Africa è genetrce del resto del mondo (la scienza lo ha dimostrato) e la sua ricchezza di risorse naturali è diventata la sua condanna! L'umanità è una sola, e ci sono due razze, cioè le razze Umane e Animali! La maggior parte dei difetti si trovano oggi tra molti leader africani; l'incapacità di parlare ad alta voce di questo problema all'Assemblea delle Nazioni Unite. Niente di cui vergognarsi, tutti gli uomini e le donne nascono liberi! La comunità ebraica ha sempre parlato di olocausto e della Giornata Memoriale, ma i leader africani si vergognano troppo di parlare di qualcosa che non era colpa loro, oppure sono troppo occupati, con corruzioni, lotte di potere e appropriazione indebita di denaro per preoccuparsene! Africani, ci lascia uscire da questa situazione stagnante e iniziare a sviluppare le nazioni in Africa. So che l'Africa è una terra gigantesca che potrebbe contenere l'intera Europa, Stati Uniti, Cina e Russia e molte altre terre. Come dice Mutabaruka, "La schiavitù non è storia africana, la schiavitù ha solo interrotto la storia africana". Ora, lasciamoci tutto alle spalle e smettiamola di essere mendicanti, ma uniamoci in Africa e smettiamo di mandare i nostri giovani a morire in mare o soffrire in Europa. La carità comincia a casa. Dobbiamo creare una Giornata Memoriale (per ricordare la schiavitù del passato e cosi possiamo evitare quello del futuro). Una giornata da rispettare in tutta l'Africa - (da continuare).

SLAVES’ JOURNEY

Slaves caught,

Slaves shown.

Slaves sold,

And slaves bought.

Slaves stamped,

Slaves loaded.

Slaves scolded

And slaves starved.

 Slaves sent out,

Slaves knew not where to.

Slaves with wives,

Slaves without.

Slaves with load,

Slaves with children.

Slaves with brethren,

Slaves without.

 Slaves lonely,

Slaves sad, homeward remembered.

Slaves sang the native spiritual,

Slaves journeyed into the unknown.

by Ben Oduwole.