Orishas

The Orishas of the Yoruba pantheon, force-deities of nature and of the human paths, worshipped in Nigeria, Benin and, in the diaspora, in Brazilian Candomblé and Umbanda. A living faith. The Wiki treats them with respect, distinguishing the religious register from the comparative reading that links every pantheon to the same source (Olódùmarè).

Iroko

The tree-orisha: time and ancestrality embodied in the great sacred fig tree. A living bridge between sky and earth, between the living and the ancestors. Greeting: "Iroko Issó!".

Orishasorixáiorubacandomblé

Orunmilá

Orisha of wisdom and divination, witness to the destiny of every being. Lord of the oracle of Ifá, which reads what was traced in the Orum. Greeting: "Epa Ifá!".

Orishasorixáiorubacandomblé

Oxalá

The greatest of the funfun (white) orishas: father of creation, molder of human bodies, lord of peace and serenity. He unfolds into Oxaguiã (young) and Oxalufã (elder). Greeting: "Epa Babá!".

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Omolu / Obaluaê

Orisha of earth, disease and healing — lord of plague and health in one hand. Covered in straw that hides his sores, he is the physician of the poor and the king who unites sickness and remedy. Greeting: "Atotô!".

Orishasorishayorubajeje

Nanã

The oldest of the orishas: lady of the primordial mud, of still waters and the swamp. Owner of the matter from which humankind was molded and the destiny it returns to. Life and death in one hand. Greeting: "Saluba Nanã!".

Orishasorishayorubajeje

Iemanjá

Orisha of the sea and of motherhood, mother of many orishas. Lady of the ocean, of embrace and family. Her festival gathers crowds on New Year's Eve and February 2nd. Greeting: "Odoyá!".

Orishasorixáiorubacandomblé

Ewá

Orisha of springs, vision, and possibility. Guardian of the uncertain and of what is not yet seen. Sister of Oxumarê, linked to the serpent and the horizon. Greeting: "Ri ro!".

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Obá

Warrior orisha of the river Obá, lady of strength and loyalty. Wife of Xangô, wounded by a cruel deception. Patron of warrior women. Greeting: "Obá Xirê!".

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Iansã

Orisha of winds, storms, and lightning. A fearless warrior and the only one able to lead the eguns (spirits of the dead). Lady of movement and passion. Greeting: "Eparrei Oyá!".

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Oxumarê

Orisha of the rainbow and the serpent, lord of cycles, movement, and renewal. He links sky to earth; he is male and female according to the season. Greeting: "Arroboboi!".

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Oxum

Orisha of fresh waters, love, gold, and fertility. Lady of rivers and waterfalls, of beauty and diplomacy. Protective mother of pregnancies. Greeting: "Ora yê yê ô!".

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Xangô

Orisha of justice, thunder, and fire. A historical king of Oyo, deified, lord of the lightning bolt and the double-bladed axe. He punishes injustice without hesitation. Greeting: "Kaô Kabecilê!".

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Logunedé

Son of Oxóssi and Oxum, he unites the hunt of the forest and the wealth of the waters. He lives half the year in each domain. A young, beautiful orisha of abundance. Greeting: "Logun! Loci Loci!".

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Ossaim

Orisha of leaves, herbs, and the secret of cures. Without his leaves, no ritual exists — "kó sí ewé, kó sí òrìṣà" (without leaf there is no orisha). Greeting: "Ewé ó!".

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Oxóssi

Orisha of the hunt, the forests, and abundance. The hunter of a single arrow, lord of the knowledge of the woods. Provider of food. Greeting: "Okê Arô!".

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Ogum

Orisha of iron, war, and technology. Lord of the forge and opener of paths with his blade. Patron of all who work with metal. Greeting: "Ogunhê!".

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Exu

The messenger orisha, guardian of paths and crossroads, intermediary between humans and the other orishas. The principle of movement and communication. Greeting: "Laroyê Exu!".

Orishasorixáiorubacandomblé