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[size=20pt]Creation Myth[/size]

Every culture has stories that
explain how the universe was
created. This is one version of
a creation story that is told by
the Yoruba to explain the
beginning of the universe.
Olorun lived in the sky with all
the other gods. He told
Orisanla, the god of whiteness,
to create the earth for
him. Olorun gave Orisanla
some soil, a chain, a five toed
chicken, and a snail shell and
sent him on his way. When
Orisanla got to the gates of
heaven he noticed some
other
gods having a party. He
stopped to chat with the other
gods for a bit and drank some
of their palm wine. Orisanla became quite drunk
from the palm wine and fell asleep. Orisanla's
younger brother Odua came by and noticed his
brother fast asleep. He took all the things that
Olorun had given him and went to the edge of
heaven with Chameleon.
Odua dropped the chain and climbed down,
throwing some of the soil onto the water.
He then released the chicken and
the chicken scratched out the
earth, expanding it in many
directions until the ends of the
earth were made. Chameleon
then stepped upon the earth to
make sure that it was stable.
Odua followed and settled at a
place called Idio.
Orisanla soon woke and realized
what happened. From that time
on Orisanla put a taboo on palm
wine. Even today those who
worship Orisanla are forbidden
from drinking palm wine.
Orisanla came down to claim the
earth but his brother, Odua
demanded that he was to be the
owner of the earth since he had
created it.
The two brothers
continued fighting until Olorun
heard them and called them to report to him.
Olorun granted Odua the right to own the earth
and rule over it. Olorun then told Orisanla that
he would become the creator of mankind. In
order to keep peace amongst the two brothers
Olorun sent them back to earth with Sango, the
God of Thunder; Ifa the God of Divination; and
Eleshije, the God of Medicine.

http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/outreach/pdfs/yoruba_teaching_kit.pdf

[size=20pt]Ifa Divination[/size]

Divination is a method of solving problems and
foretelling the future. It has existed for thousands
of years throughout the world in different forms.
Ifa divination is a traditional way to solve
problems among the Yoruba. Divination helps to
explain why certain misfortunes are happening to
someone. For example, if a farmer’s crops are not
growing or if someone in the family is ill they
would seek the help of a diviner. Ifa diviners are
called babalawo (fathers of ancient wisdom). The
function of the Ifa diviner is to determine the
reasons that are causing a person’s misfortune.
He does this by performing a ritual with the
person which reveals the source of the problem.

[size=20pt]The Divination Ceremony[/size]

Divination depends on interpreting marks made
on the divination tray. Divining powder is used to
make these marks. Sixteen palm nuts from the
African palm tree are the most important of all
the objects used in divination. Palm nuts are a
symbol of Ifa, the God of Divination. The diviner
tries to pick up all sixteen palm nuts in his right
hand. If one nut remains in his left hand he
makes a double mark in wood dust on his tray;
if two remain, he makes a single mark. The
diviner recites a verse based on the marks made.
These verses act as the advice to help solve the
person’s problem.

Hmm. Very educative. I just discovered that igbo mythology and yoruba share many similarities. Like sango (Amadioha in igbo) is also reprsented with a white ram and is a god of thunder. Also the tortoise is a trickster in igbo folklore. Keep it up

tpia@:


interesting.

would like more info on him if possible.

Ajala mopin is a debtor he does`t stay home, he hides on the ceiling so that nobody will see him when they need their money.That is the reaseon why Afuwape the son of Orunmila had favour from him when he wanted to choose ORI, he paid his debt. You can see this in Odu Ifa Ogunda meji,also in Ogbe Ogunda (Ogbe iyonu). IRE OOO

Rgp92: [size=20pt]Creation Myth[/size]

Every culture has stories that
explain how the universe was
created. This is one version of
a creation story that is told by
the Yoruba to explain the
beginning of the universe.
Olorun lived in the sky with all
the other gods. He told
Orisanla, the god of whiteness,
to create the earth for
him. Olorun gave Orisanla
some soil, a chain, a five toed
chicken, and a snail shell and
sent him on his way. When
Orisanla got to the gates of
heaven he noticed some
other
gods having a party. He
stopped to chat with the other
gods for a bit and drank some
of their palm wine. Orisanla became quite drunk
from the palm wine and fell asleep. Orisanla's
younger brother Odua came by and noticed his
brother fast asleep. He took all the things that
Olorun had given him and went to the edge of
heaven with Chameleon.
Odua dropped the chain and climbed down,
throwing some of the soil onto the water.
He then released the chicken and
the chicken scratched out the
earth, expanding it in many
directions until the ends of the
earth were made. Chameleon
then stepped upon the earth to
make sure that it was stable.
Odua followed and settled at a
place called Idio.
Orisanla soon woke and realized
what happened. From that time
on Orisanla put a taboo on palm
wine. Even today those who
worship Orisanla are forbidden
from drinking palm wine.
Orisanla came down to claim the
earth but his brother, Odua
demanded that he was to be the
owner of the earth since he had
created it.
The two brothers
continued fighting until Olorun
heard them and called them to report to him.
Olorun granted Odua the right to own the earth
and rule over it. Olorun then told Orisanla that
he would become the creator of mankind. In
order to keep peace amongst the two brothers
Olorun sent them back to earth with Sango, the
God of Thunder; Ifa the God of Divination; and
Eleshije, the God of Medicine.

http://hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu/outreach/pdfs/yoruba_teaching_kit.pdf

I disagree with this explanation, Obatala came to the word for creation, ordered by Odumare he carried out the assignment but along the line he drunk palm wine and started creating abnormal homo sapiens, like Albino, dwarf,hunch-back etc.Later Odumare sent Oduduwa to finish the assignment.That is the reason why Obatala devotees don`t drink Palm wine,i mean genuine devotee. IRE OOO

exotik:


thanks to ajayi crowther -- the returnee slave that became a yoruba puritan.

What's a Yoruba puritan?

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oboman:
@OP, Thanks for posting this thread. So rich, Yoruba myth is begging to be represented in a Hollywood film or animation. I can come with a script and a plot but I need a director and a producer, I cringe when fellow Africans place much emphasis on Greek mythology ( or any non-African) over theirs. I actually think ours is much more interesting because we can connect with it,

Hit me up on this. Research brought me here to execute a short film. 08023159903

this is wonderful wishing u more wisdom.

Rgp92:


[size=20pt]Shango[/size]

In Yoruba mythology, Shango is perhaps the most important Orisha; he is a Sky Father, god of thunder and the ancestor of the Yoruba. He was the fourth king of the Yoruba, and deified after his death; mythologically, he (along with 14 others) burst forth from the goddess Yemaja's body after her son, Orungan, attempted to rape her for the second time. He has three wives. His favorite (because of her excellent cooking) is Oschun, a river goddess. Another wife, Oba, another river goddess, offered Shango her ear to eat. He scorned her and she became the Oba river, which combines in dangerous rapids with the Oschun river. Lastly, Oya was Shango's third wife, and stole the secrets of his powerful magic. Shango is worshipped in Vodun as a god of thunder and weather (Umbanda), as the very powerful loa Nago Shango and as the equivalent of St. Barbara (Santeria, wherein he is called Chango).
In art, Shango is depicted with a double-axe on his three heads. He is associated with the holy animal, the ram, and the holy colors of red and white.

Shango is not more important than Ogun.

I remember when this thread was created by the OP. Oodua a gbe wa o!

Ase wa!

Shango is probably the most famous Orisa the world has ever seen. In some areas of the world Shango is more or less the one and only and all others are regarded lesser.

However misguided academics might treat such leaps in faith, it merely strengthens not weakened the array of talent available to the Yoruba faith.

Which Orisa rules head and shoulders above the others, I think all the premodial Orisa are divine entities, some relatives - yes, bouncing ideas and even at times influencing one another most definitely; for me, they are all revered correctly and rightfully.


Firstly, let’s not confuse our favourite Orisa with the most important Orisa; although I concede to the fact that might be one of the same. As in, one’s favourite Orisa could be regard more important .

Furthermore, or for the sake of argument, one should suppose Orisa Nla a perfect candidate haven been given the more delicate assignment of moulding humankind. For me, after already taking into account the unique importance of one’s-self, Orisa Nla is probably the most important Orisa to our dimension.

x

......

0balufonlll:


Most famous Orisa? I do not know where you want to place Ifa/orunmila which is more universal in the Yoruba world than Sango. Sango has a solid base in Oyo and he/it is more popular in the Oyo-centric region. Start from the shores of the Atlantic to the Kabba -- you'll find that Sango is not the most famous. At the most, all Orisa have relatively eual fame.

By default, Obatala owns and rules the head and shoulder of everyone till they initiate an Orisa either by volition or they were instructed to from divination.



There's no Orisa much more important than a person's head or the Orisa that owns a person's head. A favourite Orisa may not necessarily be the Orisa that is most important to a person.


......

Eventhough I agree with you and your viewpoints, am afraid my opinion is unchanged.

Sango is arguably the most famous Orisa in the world.

Like in reference to earlier comments, in some areas outside of Africa, (bizare as it might sound) Sango is seen simply as God.

And just like your initial point suggests, many academics also accept that Ifa is more famous.

I admire your type!