Orishas, Irunmole, Imole, Igbamole...

Orishas are made by man

In contrast with common opinion, Orishas are made by man - not the other way around. I'm not detracting from the spiritual qualities and uniqueness of the forces of nature that lie behind what we call the Orishas... I'm speaking about the "humanized" expressions of these forces of nature. Nor am I speaking about some universal "High God" like Olodumare or Olorun - I'm not into theology when it comes to these issues. I'm not profoundly into theology anyway, period. Theology is a quasi-science, fake scholarship, and would-be academics... theology is pretending to know the Unknowable, which is an exercise in futily if I ever saw one! Apart from that, theology always means trouble.

Abèèrè-ogun An Ijèsà deity.

Aganyu There's a bit of confusion going on concerning Aganyu and Shango, some people saying that they're the same, others insisting that Aganyu is Shango's father, while yet others think that Aganyu is an...

Agbélékú An Ijèsà deity, also called Agbéléyè.

Atàkúmòsà An Ijèsà deity.

Babalu Aye Babalu Aye, also know as Omolu or Shonponno, has got a reputation as the deity that's all about epidemics - both in the infecting way as in the healing way. His connection is traditionally the stro...

Bàbárákè An Ijesa deity, seen by his worshippers in Igángán not as an intermeidariy between then and Olodu...

Bíládú An Ijèsà deity.

Eshu-Eleggua Eshu is also known as Eleggua and Elegbara. There's no right name or wrong name, they're all good. He is considered to be the messenger of the Orishas, and it's a good idea to appeasde him before a...

Lóógun-ède An Ijèsà deity, also known as Logun Ede, Logum Ede, and, mainly in Lukumi, as Laro. In Brazilian Candomblé Logum Ede is well known and massively worshipped. He is quite a character: vain, aloof, na...

Obalógun An Ijèsà deity.

Obatala Obatala is thought to be the oldest, indeed even the father, of the Orishas, and the creation of humankind is accredited to him. He's a pure and clean person, and dressing in white is a good habit ...

Obòkun An Ijèsà deity.

Ogun Ogun represents pure strength en irresistable force. In the diaspora his color is red, while in Africa it tends to be green. Ogun is known for his raw and often uncontrolled power and, sad to say, ...

Olosuta A "nature deity" of the Ikéré people in Ekitiland. Olosute is not seen as a mediator between his ...

Olúa An Ijèsà deity.

Orunmila Orunmila, als called Ifa, is the Orisha that creates order in the universe, not to mention in human life. I hesitate calling himn an Orisha, because just like his close companion Eshu I believe tha...

Osanyin Osanyin is the Orisha of all herbs, who lives in the forest and takes care of all plants, medicinal and others. He's only got one leg and leans on his staff. He never speaks.

Oshun Oshun... one of the most popular Orishas, end for good reasons! She rules erotic love, wealth, honey, gold, good things... in short: if you've got Oshun, what more do you need? She's also the Orish...

Owálúsé An Ijèsà deity.

Owárí An Ijèsà deity.

Oya Oya is the Buffalo Woman with enormous strength and energy, and she also reporesents the Winds of Change. with Oya in your life there's never a dull moment, but holy shti, can she be tiring sometim...

Sànpònná An Ijèsà deity.

Shango Shango... does he need an introduction? Do you need an introduction, Your Majesty? shango is the Orisha of thunder and lighting, and te be frank he is kind of an excited and excitable character in ...

Yemoja Yemoja, the beautiful motherly woman who is erotic and nurturing at the same time. she represents the moon, but is also the mermaid of the seas. she is the queen and owner of all oceans - she gover...