In this article we will talk about the 7 African powers, the gods that lead the Yoruba Pantheon, we will talk a little about each of these deities, their importance, their history, their rituals, their stones, their meaning and much more about this interesting topic.
What are the 7 African powers?
The 7 African powers refer to the deities that head the religion of the Yoruba Pantheon, under the figure of the Orishas, these figures are objects of worship and veneration by Santeria and which are linked to a specific element of nature. already a type of symbology that we will learn about below.
They are the same representations of Divinity, which are celebrated within Santería or the Rule of Osha, which are: Obatalá, Shangó (or Chango), Elegua, Oshun, Oggun, Orula and Yemayá. Each of these has particular attributes, which we try to draw attention to. Which we list below:
Obatalá: peace and harmony.
Shango: power over enemies.
Elegua: the elimination of obstacles.
Oshún: love and wealth.
Oggun: employment and protection.
Orula: wisdom.
Yemayá: the protection of family and motherhood.
Each of these deities that make up this group of the 7 African powers is related to a specific element of nature, in order to worship the Universe that was created entirely by the great Olodumare. When they are invoked in a single power, imagine the strength that the Orishas possess.
His story
To know the history that exists around the 7 African powers, it is necessary that we refer to the Patakies who are in charge of collecting the oral tradition of the Yoruba culture, with the purpose of transmitting it through the generations; This is the only possible way to know how the Yoruba Pantheon was formed as we know it today.
In the beginning, Olodumare (God) ordered the creation of the Earth and all the living beings that would inhabit it, for which he used the support of Olorun, who is the owner of the sky, and Olofin, who represents all of the world. knowledge and who is considered the maximum Orisha. The three (3) make up what is known within Christianity as the Holy Trinity, which is made up of: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
These three (3) spiritual entities are the ones that form the end and the beginning of everything that exists and they ordered Orula, who is the divinity of divination, to assign to all the Orishas the elements of nature that would govern them from from that moment. (see article 7 rays)
Obatalá, who is considered the father of all the Orishas, was appointed to be in charge of populating the earth. Likewise, Yemayá, Oshun and Shangó make their appearance, which are linked to the different elements: the sea, rivers and fire, respectively. Oya and Elegua were added to these main Orishas to form the 7 powerful powers that we are talking about in this article.
Images
The Ashé that was granted to the Orishas: forming the group of the 7 African powers.
These three (3) deities who have the greatest authority within the Yoruba Pantheon, gave instructions to Orula to appear on Earth, Orula is the one who has the gift of divination, and is in charge of assigning the elements of the nature that govern the rest of the Orishas.
With the mission of populating the Earth, Obatalá makes his appearance, who is the father of all the Orishas, and is part of the Oshas of the head that are received by the initiates, through the Kariosha ceremony, together with: Yemayá, Oshun and Shangó, which are related to the elements respectively: the sea, the rivers and the fire.
Together with these basic Orishas, which we mentioned previously, are added: Babalú Aye, Oya and Oggun, who with these make up what is known within Yoruba mythology as the 7 African powers; Below we will talk a little about each of these entities that make up the Yoruba Pantheon.
Eleggua- Layoré, Eleggua!
Within the Yoruba religion, Elegua (or also called Ligua, Liwaa, Legua) is the owner of all paths and destiny, he is the one who has the power to open or close the paths of life, prosperity, happiness, luck or misfortune and can even determine the influences that other egguns may have; He is very playful and his name means “the messenger prince.”
Elegguá is part of the group of four (4) warriors of the Yoruba Pantheon (Elegguá, Oggún, Ochosi and Osun). Elegguá earned the right to be the first warrior of the four. He is represented in nature by rocks. He appeared accompanied by Osha Obbatalá on Earth.
For members who are initiated into the Yoruba religion, Elegguá is in charge of welcoming them, because he is in charge of opening or closing the paths that lead to Ifá, so the consecration in front of Elegguá is one of the first ceremonies in which the initiates participate.
Elegguá, at the same time, is described as one of the warrior orishas, although he is represented with the figure of a child, the Santo Niño de Atocha, within Catholic syncretism, he is deeply respected and greatly feared by all the aleyos and the initiates.
It is thought that Elegguá lives in the sheet and in the mountain areas, because he is the main guardian and custodian, he takes refuge among the rocks, which are the elements of nature to which he is linked according to his symbology.
The attributes
Its container is a vessel that has a flattened shape. Inside are: stones (otá) from different sources such as: shell stones, reef stones, loaded stones, also snails, dried coconut, among others. Among its attributes are:
The bells, 1 guava stick (doodle), 1 mouse trap, silver coins, toys for a child (balls, whistles, metras, rattles, tops, kites), straw hat, 1 maraca painted in various colors, keys of doors, gold nuggets.
Their necklaces (elekes) are made with alternating red and black beads.
Obatalá – Jekuá Baba!
Obbatala is one of the deities within the Yoruba Religion, he is also one of the most important within Umbanda. In Santería Obatalá she is related to the Virgen de las Mercedes, who is the patron saint of Barcelona. She is also known as: Oxalá or Ochalá.
He is the greatest Orisha, the one who created the earth and sculpted human beings. He is a representation of the pure Deity, he is the owner of everything that is white, he is the owner of the head, thoughts and dreams. He is the son of Olofin and Oloddumare. When God came to earth to observe what they had done, he did so in the company of his son Obatalá. (see voodoo doll article)
Obatalá was sent to Earth by Olofin to do good and to be the king (ruler) of the planet. He is very merciful and loves peace and harmony. He is the ruler of good behavior and has the ability to appease his son Shangó and Ogún Areré.
Obatalá has the respect of all the orishas and that is why they turn to him to act as their lawyer. It is not permitted to mention insulting words or derogatory phrases in front of him; Nor does he allow naked people to appear before him.
Your children should be extremely respectful. Obatalá has twenty-four (24) trails or routes. The entry of sunlight, air or serene is prohibited into his castle. Obatalá presents different paths for each gender (for men and women), and he is the only Orisha who has this power.
As we mentioned previously, Obatalá is the father of all the Orishas, his mission was headed directly by Olodumare in favor of the habitation of the Orishas and the Omo Orishas within the territory formed.
Obatalá, as he is the greatest Orisha of creation, is related to the mountains, because it is one of the most prominent elements in nature, Obatalá is considered to reside at the top of the mountains.
The attributes
In a white tureen-type container with eight otaces (born in the Oddun of Ifa Ofun Nagbe), known as oke‚ (from the hill) with white bead necklaces. Its stones do not tolerate the sun, the air or the serenity.
Obatalá is the owner of silver and white metals, he has a crown that has sixteen (16) parrot feathers (although only four are usually used).
It carries with it the sun and the moon, six handles but they can also be two (2), four (4), eight (8) or sixteen (16). It has a maja. A hand made of silver holding a scepter. Two (2) ivory eggs. Eight or sixteen okotus (slugs). Cocoa butter, husk and cotton. He is concerned with the tambourine. It carries the white flag.
Yemayá – Omío Yemaya Omoloddé!
Yemayá was the first to be born when Olofi created the world, after putting out the fire with water. Yemayá is the mother of all children on earth, and she symbolizes the womb in all species as the source of life, fertility and motherhood. She is an Osha and is within the group of head Oshas.
Yemayá, or Jemanjá, also known as Yemanyá (Yemọya in Nigeria, Iemanjá or Dona Janaína in Brazil) is the orishá of the Egba people, she represents the divinity of fertility within Yoruba mythology, she is originally linked to rivers and mouths.
Her figure immersed in the archetype of the great Mother is elevated to great Goddess, especially because, in Brazil, it is the deity that is most worshiped in Bahia, it has great popular respect, it finds its syncretization in Our Lady of the Conception (elsewhere: Our Lady of the Navigators), or actually the Virgin Mary.
This Goddess of the sea was entrusted with the mission (together with Obatalá) of giving life to all the Orishas, so within her were all the members that make up the Yoruba Pantheon.
It is linked to the immensity of the sea and the oceans, so its imposing nature makes it related to motherhood and fertility, attributes for which it generally receives a large number of offerings such as ochinchin, which is prepared with elements of the sea, and which is the typical offering par excellence that is made to Yemayá.
The attributes
In his manifestations, he usually uses various silver-colored objects or tools, among which the adé (crown), abèbè (metal fan with or without mirror), obé (sword, alfange or knife) among others.
Oshún – Yalodde Yeyé Kari!
Oshun, also called Oxum or Ochun (in Yoruba: Òşun) is one of the deities within the Yoruba religion. In Santeria she is related to the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, who is the patron saint of Cuba. Oshun is the Queen of the sweet waters of the planet, of the streams, the springs and the rivers, she symbolizes love and fertility.
She is the one who governs the sweet waters, the rivers and their currents, Oshún presents herself as the Orisha of love and femininity and all the attributes…
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