Ọya
Ọya | |
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Storms, wind, thunder, lightning, the dead | |
Member of Santeria, Haitian Vodou, Folk Catholicism | |
Symbol | lightning, the sword or machete, the flywhisk, water buffalo |
Color | purple or red/burgundy, the rainbow |
Region | Nigeria, Benin, Latin America |
Ethnic group | Yorùbá |
Personal information | |
Spouse | Shango |
Equivalents | |
Haitian equivalent | Maman Brigitte |
Catholic equivalent | Saint Brigid |
Ọya (
Beliefs
Ọya lived on Earth as a human from the town of Ira, in present day
In the Yoruba religion, Ọya was married three times, first to the warrior orisha Ogun, then Shango, and finally, another hunting and farming deity, Oko.
Oya was traditionally worshipped in only the areas of
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Candomblé
In Candomblé, Oya is known as Oiá, lyá Mésàn, or most commonly, Iansã, from the Yoruba Yánsán. Iansã, as in Yoruba religion, commands winds, storms, and lightning. She is the queen of the river Niger and the mother of nine. She is a warrior and is unbeatable. Attributes of Iansã include great intensity of feelings, sensations, and charm. Another ability attributed to Iansã is control over the mysteries that surround the dead.[4] Iansã is syncretized with Saint Barbara.[5] In the Candomblé nação (association) of Angola Congo, Iansã is associated with the color red.[6]
Characteristics
- Salutation: "Eeparrei!", or "Epahhey, Oia!"
- Consecrated day: Thursday
- Colors: red, purple and rainbow, burgundy
- Symbols: "Buffalo tail" eruquerê, a ritual object; or a copper sword
- Prohibitions: pumpkin, stingray, and mutton
- Food: acarajé/àkàrà[7]
Ritual foods
In Yorùbá, her food is
See also
Bibliography
- Judith Gleason, Oya, San Francisco: Harper, 1992 (Shamballah, 1987), ISBN 0-06-250461-4
- Charles Spencer King, Nature's Ancient Religion, ISBN 978-1-4404-1733-7
References
- ISBN 9781675098.
- ISBN 9781576073599. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
- ^ A Bahia de Santa Bárbara Archived 22 November 2005 at the Wayback Machine
- ISBN 9788562542008.
- ISBN 9781604730821.
- ^ ISBN 9788567855264.
- ISBN 9788570072252.