Ọya

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Oya
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Ọya
Storms, wind, thunder, lightning, the dead
Member of
Symbollightning, the sword or machete, the flywhisk, water buffalo
Colorpurple or red/burgundy, the rainbow
RegionNigeria, Benin, Latin America
Ethnic groupYorùbá
Personal information
SpouseShango

Ogun

Oko

Equivalents
Haitian equivalentMaman Brigitte
Catholic equivalentSaint Brigid

Ọya (

Niger river
.

Beliefs

Ọya lived on Earth as a human from the town of Ira, in present day

Yorùbá as the Odò-Ọya).[3]

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

Oyo empire. Because of the Atlantic slave trade
, many of her followers of Oyo origin were kidnapped and sold to the new world, where her worship became widespread. Oya worship has also spread to other parts of Yorubaland.

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

Red palm oil). It's a traditional Afro-Brazilian dish that is also a traditional offering to Iansã in the Candomblé tradition. A simple, unseasoned form of acarajé is used in rituals and a version served with various condiments is sold as a common street food in Bahia in the northeast of Brazil. Ipeté and bobo de inhame are also associated with Iansã.[6]

In Yorùbá, her food is

Àkàrà
. Eggplant, mulberries, pudding, and dark chocolate are also foods for Oya.

See also

Bibliography

  • Judith Gleason, Oya, San Francisco: Harper, 1992 (Shamballah, 1987),
  • Charles Spencer King, Nature's Ancient Religion,

References


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