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Home > Yorùbá mythology


 

The mythology of the Yorùbá is sometimes claimed by its supporters to be one of the world's oldest widely practised religions. It is a major religion in Africa, chiefly in Nigeria, and it has given origin to several New World religions such as Santería in Cuba and Candomblé in Brazil.

Yorùbá mythology is only one part of itan — the complex of myths, songs, histories and other cultural concepts which make up the Yorùbá religion and society.

1 Deities

Yorùbá deities are called Orishas. The primordial, first-existing, Orishas are called Obatala and Odùduwà, brother and sister respectively, and their father Olorun. Obatala created humanity and Olorun gave life to the hollow shells Obatala had made. Obatala and Odùduwà later had a son, Aganyu , and a daughter, YemajaIn Yoruba mythology, Yemaja is a mother goddess; patron deity of women, especially pregnant women; and the Ogun river (the waters of which are said to cure infertility). Her parents are Odudua and Obatala. She had one son, Orungan, who raped her successfu, who was a mother goddess. Her son, Ogun, rapeFor the domesticated crop plant called "rape," see rapeseed. For responding to rape as a medical emergency, see sexual assault. For the former administrative division of Sussex, see Rape (district). Rape is a crime of engaging another person into sexual ad her twice; the second time, her body exploded and fifteen Orishas came out. They included OshunIn Yoruba mythology, Oshun (or Oschun is a spirit- goddess ( Orisha) who reigns over love, intimacy, beauty, wealth and diplomacy. She is worshipped also in Brazilian Candomble Ketu, with the name spelled Oxum . Oshun is beneficient and generous, and very, Olukun , ShakpanaIn Yoruban mythology, Shakpana (or Sopono is an Orisha, a son of Yemaja and Orungan. He inflicted insanity and disease on humans. Yoruba gods Health gods., ShangoIn Yoruba mythology, Shango is perhaps the most important Orisha; he is a Sky Father, god of thunder and the ancestor of the Yoruba. Shango is worshipped in Haitian Vodun, as a god of thunder and weather; in Brazilian Candomble Ketu (under the name Xang ;.

ShangoIn Yoruba mythology, Shango is perhaps the most important Orisha; he is a Sky Father, god of thunder and the ancestor of the Yoruba. Shango is worshipped in Haitian Vodun, as a god of thunder and weather; in Brazilian Candomble Ketu (under the name Xang ; is perhaps the most important Orisha; god of thunderThunder is the sound of the shockwave caused when lightning instantly heats the air around it to up to 30 000 °C (54 000 ° F). That super-heated air expands rapidly, then contracts as it cools. The rapid expansion/contraction generates sound waves, making and an ancestor of the Yorùbá. He was the fourth king of the Yorùbá, and deified after his death. EshuIn Yoruba mythology, Eshu is an Orisha, and one of the most respected deities of the tradition. He is the protector of travelers and a god of roads, particularly crossroads. Every magical ceremony or ritual began with an offering to Eshu; failure to do so is another very important Orisha. He is a trickster and very well-respected both by the Yorùbá themselves and the other Orishas.

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