Editing Orisha

{{Short description|Spirit in Yoruba religion}}
{{otheruses}}
{{Orisa-Ifá sidebar|Deities}}

'''Orishas''' (singular: '''orisha''')<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=orisha {{!}} deity {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/orisha |access-date=2022-04-22 |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> are divine spirits that play a key role in the [[Yoruba religion]] of West Africa and several [[African diaspora religions|religions of the African diaspora]] that derive from it, such as Haitian Vaudou, Cuban and Puerto Rican [[Santería]] and Brazilian [[Candomblé]]. The preferred spelling varies depending on the language in question: '''òrìṣà''' is the spelling in the [[Yoruba language]], '''orixá''' in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], and '''orisha''', '''oricha''', '''orichá''' or '''orixá''' in [[Hispanophone|Spanish-speaking countries]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Awo |first=Ifagbemi |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Yoruba_Spiritual_Training_Manual_The/_5o3EQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT6&printsec=frontcover |title=The Yoruba Spiritual Training Manual |publisher=Michael Perez |year=2024 |isbn=979-8-9909018-1-0 |edition=First |location=United States |pages=11-14 |language=English}}</ref> In the Lucumí tradition, which evolved in Cuba, the orishas are synchronized with Catholic saints, forming a syncretic system of worship where African deities are hidden behind Christian iconography. This allowed enslaved Africans to preserve their traditions under colonial religious persecution.

According to the teachings of these religions, the orishas are spirits sent by the supreme creator, [[Olodumare]], to assist humanity and to teach them to be successful on ''Ayé'' (Earth). Rooted in the [[Yoruba religion|native religion of the Yoruba people]], most orishas are said to have previously existed in '''òrún'''—the spirit world—and then became  '''Irúnmọlẹ̀'''—spirits or [[divine]] beings [[incarnate]]d as human on Earth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-18 |title=What are Orishas in Santería? |url=https://santeriawitchcraft.com/articles/orishas-in-santeria |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=santeriawitchcraft.com |language=en}}</ref> Irunmole took upon a human identity and lived as ordinary humans in the physical world, but because they had their origin in the divine, they had great wisdom and power at the moment of their creation.

The orishas found their way to most of the [[New World]] as a result of the [[Atlantic slave trade]] and are now expressed in practices as varied as [[Haitian Vodou]], [[Santería]], [[Candomblé Ketu|Candomblé]], [[Trinidad Orisha]], [[Umbanda]], and [[Oyotunji]], among others. The concept of òrìṣà is similar to those of deities in the traditional religions of the [[Bini people]] of [[Edo State]] in southern Nigeria, the [[Ewe people]] of [[Benin]], [[Ghana]], and [[Togo]], and the [[Fon people]] of Benin.<ref name="baxter"/><ref name="b"/>

<ref name=":0" /> In diaspora communities, the worship of Orishas often incorporates drumming, dance, and spirit possession as central aspects of ritual life.<ref name=":0" />These practices serve to strengthen communal bonds and foster direct spiritual experiences among practitioners.<ref name=":0" />

==Number==
Yoruba tradition often says that there are 400 + 1 orishas, which is associated with a sacred number. Other sources suggest that the number is "as many as you can think of, plus one more – an innumerable number". Different oral traditions refer to 400, 700, or 1,440 orishas.<ref name="Clark2012"/><ref name="falola"/><ref name="MerWeb1999"/><ref name=":0" />This symbolic numbering system reflects the complexity and vastness of the spiritual world in Yoruba cosmology. The phrase "400 + 1" represents the idea that the divine world cannot be fully quantified or comprehended by human minds.<ref name=":0" />

==Beliefs==

Practitioners traditionally believe that daily life depends on proper alignment and knowledge of one's ''Orí''. Ori literally means the head, but in spiritual matters, it is taken to mean a portion of the [[soul]] that determines personal [[destiny]].<ref name="b"/> 

<ref name=":0" />Offerings, prayers, and self-reflection are all means by which a devotee can align with their Orí, thereby ensuring balance, success, and fulfillment in life. Without proper alignment with one's Orí, even the assistance of the orishas may prove ineffective.<ref name=":0" />

Some orishas are rooted in ancestor worship; warriors, kings, and founders of cities were celebrated after death and joined the pantheon of Yoruba deities. The ancestors did not die but were seen to have "disappeared" and become orishas. Some orishas based on historical figures are confined to worship in their families or towns of origin; others are venerated across wider geographic areas.<ref name="b" />

===Ase===

''[[Ase (Yoruba)|Ase]]'' is the life-force that runs through all things, living and inanimate, and is described as the power to make things happen. It is an affirmation that is used in greetings and [[prayers]], as well as a concept of spiritual growth. Orìṣà devotees strive to obtain Ase through ''iwa-pele'', gentle and good [[Moral character|character]], and in turn they experience alignment with the ori, what others might call inner [[peace]] and satisfaction with life. Ase is divine [[energy]] that comes from Olodumare, the [[creator deity]], and is manifested through Olorun, who rules the heavens and is associated with the Sun. Without the Sun, no life could exist, just as life cannot exist without some degree of ashe. Ase is sometimes associated with [[Eshu]], the messenger orisha.<ref name="Pelton1989"/> For practitioners, ashe represents a link to the eternal presence of the supreme deity, the orishas, and the ancestors.<ref>Cynthia Duncan, Ph.D., [http://www.aboutsanteria.com/ About santeria]</ref> Rituals, prayers, songs, and sacrifices are all ways to invoke or transfer ase. In this way, every action and word becomes potentially sacred, carrying spiritual weight and consequence.<ref name=":0" />

The concept is regularly referenced in [[Capoeira|Brazilian capoeira]]. Axé in this context is used as a greeting or farewell, in songs and as a form of praise. Saying that someone "has axé" in capoeira is complimenting their energy, fighting spirit, and attitude.<ref name="MerWeb1999"/>

== Pantheon ==
[[File:Dique do Tororó - Foto - Tereza Torres - Setur (15659893633).jpg|thumb|Statues of Orishas in the water at Dique do Tororó Park, [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]], [[Bahia]], [[Brazil]]|261x261px]]
The orisa are grouped as those represented by the color white, who are characterized as ''tutu'' "cool, calm, gentle, and temperate"; and those represented by the colors red or black, who are characterized as ''gbigbona'' "bold, strong, assertive, and easily annoyed". Like humans, orishas may have a preferred color, food, or object. The traits of the orishas are documented through oral tradition.<ref name="falola"/> 

Each orisha governs specific aspects of nature and human experience—for example, Ogun governs iron and war, Oshun rules over love and rivers, and Yemoja is associated with motherhood and the ocean. Their symbols, offerings, and ritual practices are carefully preserved and transmitted through generations of initiates.<ref name=":0" />

==List of orisha==
{| class="wikitable" style="line-height:20px;text-align:left;"
! style="width:12%; color:#fff; background:navy;" |Name 
! style="width:14%; color:#fff; background:navy;" |Deity Of
! style="width:4%; color:#fff; background:navy;" |Ethnic Group
! style="width:4%; color:#fff; background:navy;" |Religion
! style="width:14%; color:#fff; background:navy;" |Member Of
! style="width:4%; color:#fff; background:navy;" |Homeland
|-
| [[Agemo (deity)|Agemo]]
| Chameleon, Servant
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Aganju]]
| Volcanoes, Wilderness, Desert, Fire
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Akògún
| Warrior, Hunter, Wear Straw
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Ajaka]]
| Peaceful, Love, Equality
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
|[[Talking drum#Ayangalu|Ayangalu]]
| Drummer, Gángan
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Ara Ara
| Weather, Storm, Thunder
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Ayelala]]
| Punishes Crime
| [[Yoruba People]] (Part)
| [[Yoruba Religion]] (Part)
| Orisha 
| | [[Yorubaland]] (Part)
|-
| Aroni
| Beauty Of Nature, Spirit Of The Forest, Herb, Plant, Tree
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Alaafia
| Peace, Humble, Patience 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Arun
| Diseases, Affliction 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Aje
| Wealth, Property, Prosperity, Fortune, Success 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Aye
| Passion, Environmentalism, Nature
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Aja (orisha)|Aja]]
| Wild, Herb, Plant, Leaf
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Biri
| Darkness, Night, Midnight 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Babalu Aye]]
| Smallpox, Epidemic Diseases, Healing
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Bayanni (Dada)
| Children, Dread Heads, Prosperity 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Dada 
| Children, Vegetables 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Ela
| Manifestation & Light & Passion For Charity & Giving
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Edi
| Spirit Of Evil, Whisperer Of Undoing And Corruption
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Egungun]]
| Sainted Dead 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Erinle]]
| Hunter, Earth, Natural Force Of Universe
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Eshu]]
| Trickery, Crossroads, Misfortune, Chaos, Death, Travelers, Messenger
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Ibeji]]
| Twins 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Iroko 
| Tree, Wilderness
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Iya Nla]]
| Primordial Spirit
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Iku
| Death 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Imole
| Sunlight, Soothsayer 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Logunede
| War & Hunting
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Moremi Ajasoro|Moremi]]
| Saviour
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Ọba (orisha)|Oba]]
| River 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Obba 
| Passion For Homemaking, Domestic Policies 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Obatala]]
| Creation
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Oduduwa]]
| Progenitor, Warrior
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Ogun]]
| Warriors, Soldiers, Blacksmiths, Metal Workers, Craftsmen
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Oke
| Mountain, Hill
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Oko (orisha)|Oko]]
| Agriculture, Farming, Fertility
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Olokun]]
| Water, Health, Wealth
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Olumo Rock|Olumo]]
| Mountain
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Ọranyan]]
| Progenitor
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Orò
| Justice, Bullroarers
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Oronsen]]
| Progenitor
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
|
[[Ọrunmila]]
| Wisdom, Knowledge, Ifa Divination, Philosophy, Fate, Destiny, Prophecy, Babalawo
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Ori (Yoruba)|Ori]]
| Beforelife, Afterlife, Destiny, Personal Identity
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
|
[[Osanyin]]
| Herb, Plant, Nature, Herbalist, Magician
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Oshosi]]
| Hunt, Forest, Warrior, Justice
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
|
[[Oshun]]
| Goddess of Water, Purity, Fertility, Love, and Sensuality
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Oshunmare]]
| Rainbow, Serpent, Regeneration, Rebirth
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Otin River#Legend|Otin]]
| River, Fighter
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Oya]]
| Storms, Wind, Thunder, Lightning, Dead
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Shango]]
| Thunder, Lightning, Fire, Justice, Dance, Virility
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| Shigidi
| Guardian Of Home & Environment 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Yemoja]]
| Goddess Of Creation, Water, Moon, The Motherhood, Protection
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|-
| [[Yewa]] 
| Yewa River 
| [[Yoruba People]]
| [[Yoruba Religion]]
| Orisha
| [[Yorubaland]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Traditional African religion}}
* [[Alusi]], the Igbo pantheon.
* [[List of Yoruba deities]]
* [[Loa]]
* [[Nkisi]]
* [[West African mythology]]
* [[Winti]]
* [[Yoruba mythology]]

==References==

{{Reflist|2|refs=

<ref name="baxter">Kevin Baxter (on De La Torre), [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07182/798519-63.stm ''Ozzie Guillen secure in his faith''], Los Angeles Times, 2007</ref>

<ref name="b">{{cite encyclopedia |title= Orisha |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Britannica |date= |publisher= Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.|location= Chicago, Ill.}}</ref>

<ref name="Clark2012">{{cite book|last1=Clark|first1=Mary Ann|title=Then We'll Sing a New Song: African Influences on America's Religious Landscape|date=2002|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=9781442208810|page=93|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Tl3vqx-BX0C&q=%22plus+one+more%22+orisha&pg=PA93|chapter=Children of Oduduwa}}</ref>

<ref name="falola">{{cite book | last = Falola | first = Toyin | title = Encyclopedia of the Yoruba | publisher = Indiana University Press | location = Bloomington | year = 2016 | isbn = 9780253021441 | pages = 84–85}}</ref>

<ref name="MerWeb1999">{{cite book|title=Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions|date=1999|publisher=Merriam-Webster|isbn=9780877790440|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877790440/page/20 20]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780877790440|url-access=registration|chapter=African Religions}}</ref>

<ref name="Pelton1989">{{cite book|author=Robert D. Pelton|title=The Trickster in West Africa: A Study of Mythic Irony and Sacred Delight|url=https://archive.org/details/tricksterinwesta0000pelt|url-access=registration|year=1989|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-06791-2}}</ref>

}}

== Further reading ==

* E. Bolayi Idowu, ''Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief''. {{ISBN|9781881316961}}
* J. Omosade Awolalu, ''Yoruba Beliefs & Sacrificial Rites''. {{ISBN|0-9638787-3-5}}
* [[William Bascom]], ''Sixteen Cowries''.
* [[Lydia Cabrera]], ''El Monte: Igbo-Nfinda, Ewe Orisha/Vititi Nfinda''. {{ISBN|0-89729-009-7}}
* Raul Canizares, ''Cuban Santeria''.
* Chief Priest Ifayemi Elebuibon, ''Apetebii: The Wife of Orunmila''. {{ISBN|0-9638787-1-9}}
* Fakayode Fayemi Fatunde (2004) ''Osun, The Manly Woman''. New York: Athelia Henrietta Press.
* James T. Houk, ''Spirits, Blood, and Drums: The Orisha Religion of Trinidad''. 1995. Temple University Press.
* Jo Anna Hunter, "Oro Pataki Aganju: A Cross Cultural Approach Towards the Understanding of the Fundamentos of the Orisa Aganju in Nigeria and Cuba". In ''Orisa Yoruba God and Spiritual Identity in Africa and the Diaspora, edited by Toyin Falola, Ann Genova''. New Jersey: Africa World Press, Inc. 2006.
* Baba Ifa Karade, ''The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts'', Weiser Books, York Beach, New York, 1994. {{ISBN|0-87728-789-9}}
* Gary Edwards (Author), John Mason (Author), ''Black Gods – Orisa Studies in the New World'', 1998. {{ISBN|1-881244-08-3}}
* John Mason, ''Olokun: Owner of Rivers and Seas''. {{ISBN|1-881244-05-9}}
* John Mason, ''Orin Orisa: Songs for selected Heads''. {{ISBN|1-881244-06-7}}
* David M. O'Brien, ''Animal Sacrifice and Religious Freedom: Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah''.
* S. Solagbade Popoola, ''Ikunle Abiyamo: It is on Bent Knees that I gave Birth''. 2007. Asefin Media Publication
* [[Robert Farris Thompson]], ''Flash of the Spirit''.
* Robert D Pelton, ''The Trickster in West Africa'' chapters on Eshu and Legba. 1989. University of California Press
* J Lorand Matory, ''Black Atlantic Religion''. 2009. Princeton University Press

== External links ==

{{Afro-American Religions}}
{{Orisa-Ifá}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Orisha| ]]
[[Category:Afro-American religion]]
[[Category:Afro-Brazilian culture]]
[[Category:Afro-Cuban culture]]
[[Category:Culture of Nigeria]]
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[[Category:Yoruba religion]]
[[Category:Yoruba words and phrases]]
[[Category:Conceptions of God]]