Orishas are manifestations of the supreme divinity, Olodumare, in the traditional religions of the Yoruba people of West Africa (YTR). In the Dahomean religion (now Benin), they are known as Voduns, a belief system also referred to as Vodun. To undermine these spiritual traditions, slave traders and colonizers falsely claimed that Africans were polytheists, worshiping many gods.
These African spiritual practices were carried to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade. Today, you can find these same deities in Brazilian Candomblé and Umbanda, Cuban Santería, Haitian Vodou, Trinidad Shango, and other Afro-diasporic religions.
Orishas represent the forces of nature and serve as intermediaries between humans and the supreme divinity, bridging the gap between us and the incomprehensible power of creation.
It is said that there are countless Orishas, but here are a few of the most prominent ones.
Eshu (Eleggua, Exú, Esu, Elegba, Legbara, Papa Legba)
Eshu is the messenger between the human and divine worlds, god of duality, crossroads and beginnings, and also a phallic and fertility god (a god of Life) and the delieverer of souls to the underworld (a god of Death). Eshu is recognized as a trickster and child-like.
Oya (Oyá, Oiá, Iansã, Yansá, Iansan, Yansan)
Warrior deity; divinity of the wind, sudden change, hurricanes, and underworld gates, a powerful sorceress and primary lover of Shango.
Shango (Shangó, Xango, Changó, Chango, Nago Shango)
Warrior deity ; divinity of thunder, fire, sky father, represents male power and sexuality.
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.
Obatala (Obatalá, Oxalá, Orixalá, Orisainlá)
Arch-divinity, father of humankind, divinity of light, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness.
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.
Divinity of rivers, love, feminine beauty, fertility, and art, also one of Shango's lovers and beloved of Ogoun.
Ochosi (Oxósse, Ocshosi, Osoosi, Oxossi)
Hunter and the scout of the orishas, deity of the accused and those seeking justice or searching for something.
Hunter and the scout of the orishas, deity of the accused and those seeking justice or searching for something.
Ogoun (Ogun, Ogúm, Ogou)
Warrior deity; divinity of iron, war, labour, sacrifice, politics, and technology (e.g. railroads)
