Yoruba mythology
The mythology of the YorÃÂùbÃÂá is of one of the world's oldest religions that are still widely practiced. It is a major religion in Africa, chiefly in Nigeria, and it has given origin to several New World religions such as SanterÃÂÃÂa in Cuba and CandomblÃÂé in Brazil.YorÃÂùbÃÂá mythology is only one part of itan — the complex of myths, songs, histories and other cultural concepts which make up the YorÃÂùbÃÂá religion and society.
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2 YorÃÂùbÃÂá mythology in the New World |
Deities
YorÃÂùbÃÂá deities are called Orishas. The primordial, first-existing, Orishas are called Obatala and OdÃÂùduwÃÂà, brother and sister respectively, and their father Olorun. Obatala created humanity and Olorun gave life to the hollow shells Obatala had made. Obatala and OdÃÂùduwÃÂàlater had a son, Aganyu, and a daughter, Yemaja, who was a mother goddess. Her son, Ogun, raped her twice; the second time, her body exploded and fifteen Orishas came out. They included Oshun, Olukun, Shakpana, Shango.
Shango is perhaps the most important Orisha; god of thunder and an ancestor of the YorÃÂùbÃÂá. He was the fourth king of the YorÃÂùbÃÂá, and deified after his death.
Eshu is another very important Orisha. He is a trickster and very well-respected both by the YorÃÂùbÃÂá themselves and the other Orishas.
The Orisha
Other concepts
YorÃÂùbÃÂá mythology includes several other entities besides the Orisha, such as Egbere.
IfÃÂá (cowrie shell divination) is an important element of YorÃÂùbÃÂá religious practices.
Many ethnic YorÃÂùbÃÂá were taken as slaves to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Brazil and the rest of the New World (chiefly in the 19th century, after the Oyo empire collapsed and the region plunged into civil war), and carried their religious beliefs with them. These concepts were combined with preexisting African-based cults, Christianity, Native American mythology, and Kardecist Spiritism into various New World religions:
YorÃÂùbÃÂá mythology in the New World