The mythology of the Yoruba is sometimes claimed by its supporters to be one of the world's oldest widely practised religions. It is a major religion in Africa, chiefly in Nigeria, and it has given origin to several New World religions such as Santería in Cuba and Candomblé in Brazil. Yoruba mythology is only one part of itan — the complex of myths, songs, histories and other cultural concepts which make up the Yorùbá religion and society. Yoruba mythology - Deities. Yoruba deities are called O ...

Including:

Yoruba mythology - Deities
Yoruba mythology - The Orisha Yoruba mythology - Other concepts
Yoruba mythology - Yoruba mythology in the New World Yoruba mythology - External link

Read more here: » Yoruba mythology: Encyclopedia - Yoruba mythology

See also:

Yoruba mythology, Yoruba mythology - Deities, Yoruba mythology - The Orisha, Yoruba mythology - Other concepts, Yoruba mythology - Yoruba mythology in the New World, Yoruba mythology - External link

Read more here: » Yoruba mythology: Encyclopedia II - Yoruba mythology - Deities

Many ethnic Yoruba 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 lineages: Santería (Cuba) Oyotunji (USA)] Idigene (Nigeria) Anago (Nigeria) Candombl ...

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Yoruba mythology, Yoruba mythology - Deities, Yoruba mythology - The Orisha, Yoruba mythology - Other concepts, Yoruba mythology - Yoruba mythology in the New World, Yoruba mythology - External link

Read more here: » Yoruba mythology: Encyclopedia II - Yoruba mythology - Yoruba mythology in the New World

In Yoruba mythology, Aja is an Orisha, patron of the forest, the animals within it and herbal healers, whom she taught their art. Other related archivesOrisha, Yoruba mythology, animals, forest, herbal

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Bantu, also called Batuque or Angola, is one of the major sects (nations) of Candomblé, an Afro-American religion practised in Brazil. It developed among slaves who spoke Bantu (Kikongo and Kimbundo) languages. Candomblé Bantu - Deities. The supreme God and Creator is Zambi or Zambiapongo; below him are the Inkices, the spirit-gods of Bantu mythology. These deities correspond to Olorun and the Orishas of Yoruba mythology, and to Olorum and the Orixá of Candomblé Ketu.

Including:

Candomblé Bantu - Deities

Read more here: » Candomblé Bantu: Encyclopedia - Candomblé Bantu

Afro-American religions are a number of related religions that developed in the Americas among African slaves and their descendants in various countries of the Caribbean Islands, South America and parts of the southern United States. These religions are generally based on the African concept of divine spirit — the Orishas of the Yoruba, the Inkices of Bantu traditons, and the Voduns of Dahomey — often combined with European concepts such as Catholic saints, Kardecist spirits, and sometimes Native American deities.

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Aja may refer to: An Orisha in Yoruba mythology. See Aja (Yoruba mythology) A group of people living in Benin. See Aja people. The language of the Aja people, part of the Gbe dialect continuum. See Aja-Gbe language. A language spoken in Sudan. See Aja language. Aja (Hindu mythology). A Steely Dan album, see Aja (album). Aja, an erotic actress. Aja Leith, a character in Jem, a television animated series which aired in the mid-1980s. See Jem (animated).

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Lukumí ritual is highly secretive and primarily transmitted orally. Known practices include animal offering, ecstatic dance, and sung invocations to the Orishas. Chickens and fruit are the most common forms of sacrifice; their blood is offered to the Orisha. Drum music and dancing are used to induce a trance state in specific participants, who may become (supposedly) possessed by an Orisha who then speaks through them (see Yoruba music). One's ances ...

See also:

Lukumí, Lukumí - History, Lukumí - Beliefs and Rituals

Read more here: » Lukumí: Encyclopedia II - Lukumí - Beliefs and Rituals

Obeah is a term used in the West Indies to refer to folk magic or sorcery. While the term may be used in a general sense, it is mainly used in reference to negative or black magic, and to religious practices derived from various West and Central African origins, such as Voodoo, Santeria and the Orisha faith. The word Obeah is also used in part, with any religious practicies such as Hindu puja and so. But in the islands (the Caribbean), the word Obeah is also associated with the Spiritual Baptist religion. Obeah is also related to anyt ...

Including:

Obeah - Use in the Virgin Islands

Read more here: » Obeah: Encyclopedia - Obeah

In Yorùbá mythology, Yemoja is a mother goddess; patron deity of women, especially pregnant women; and the Ogun river (the waters of which are said to cure infertility). Her parents are Oduduwa and Obatala. She had one son, Orungan, who raped her successfully one time and attempted a second time; she exploded instead, and fifteen Orishas came forth from her. They include Ogun, Olokun, Shopona and Shango. Yemoja is also venerated in Vodun. In the Umbanda religion, Yemoja is a goddess of the ocean and patron deity of the survivors of shipwrecks. In Santería, Y ...

Including:

Yemaja - Other names

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Babalawo is a Yoruba title that denotes a Priest of The God or Orisha of Wisdom Orunmila (IFA). Orumila in the Yoruba tradition knows the Past, Present and Future.The Babalawo as a Priest of Ifa can determine the future through communication with Orunmila. This is done by consulting IFA through the divining chain (Opele) or sacred palm nuts called IKIN. In Orisa worship (and its various expressions, Santeria, Lucumi, Anago, Indigene etc.) a Babalawo or "father of the secrets" or Awo and ...

Including:

Babalawo - Links

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In Yorùbá mythology, Shango (Xango), or Changó in Latin America, is perhaps the most popular Orisha; he is a Sky Father, god of thunder and the ancestor of the Yoruba. In the Lukumí (O lukumi = "my friend") religion of the Caribbean, Shango is considered to be the center point of the religion as he represents the Oyo people of West Africa. The Oyo Kingdom was sacked and pillaged and its residents brought in chains as slaves to the Caribbean and Brazil. All the major initiation ceremonies (as performed in Cuba, Puerto ...

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Ketu deities are basically those of Yoruba mythology. Olorun (Olorum) is the supreme God, who created the spirits or Orishas (Orixás). The hundreds of orixás still worshiped in Africa were reduced to 16, of which only twelve are invoked in ceremonies: Exu, Orixá guardian of temples, houses, cities and people. Ogum, Orixá of iron, war, fire, and technology. Oxóssi, Orixá of hunting and plenty. Logunedê, young Orixá of hunting, of rivers and fishermen. Xangô, Orixá of fir ...

See also:

Candomblé Ketu, Candomblé Ketu - Deities, Candomblé Ketu - Ritual language, Candomblé Ketu - Hierarchy

Read more here: » Candomblé Ketu: Encyclopedia II - Candomblé Ketu - Deities

The supreme God and Creator is Zambi or Zambiapongo; below him are the Inkices, the spirit-gods of Bantu mythology. These deities correspond to Olorun and the Orishas of Yoruba mythology, and to Olorum and the Orixá of Candomblé Ketu. The main Inkices are: Aluvaiá, Bombojira, Pambu Njila: intermediary between humans and the other Inkices (cf. Exu). In his female manifestation, it is called Vangira. Nkosi Mukumbe, Roxi Mukumbe: Inkice of war and roads. Kabila, Mutalambô, Lambaranguange: hunter, lives ...

See also:

Candomblé Bantu, Candomblé Bantu - Deities

Read more here: » Candomblé Bantu: Encyclopedia II - Candomblé Bantu - Deities

Candomblé is a spiritualist religion and worships a number of gods or spirits, derived from African deities: the Orishas of Yoruba mythology (Ketu nation), spelled Orixás in Portuguese; the Voduns of the Ewe and Fon (Jejé nation); and the Inkices (Minkisi) of the Bantu (Angola nation). These spirits were created by a supreme God: the Olorun (Olorum) of the Yoruba, Zambi or Zambiapo ...

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Candomblé, Candomblé - Nations, Candomblé - Beliefs, Candomblé - Syncretism, Candomblé - Rituals, Candomblé - Temples and priesthood, Candomblé - Books

Read more here: » Candomblé: Encyclopedia II - Candomblé - Beliefs

The Yorubas are one of the ethnic groups in Africa whose cultural heritage and legacy are recognizable in the Americas, despite the delibitating effects of slavery. Orisha religion, often called "Shango" worship and various musical artforms popularized in Latin America, especially Cuba, are rooted in Yoruba music. Perhaps their best known material artist is Olowe of Ise. Their religious beliefs are complex, and recognize a wide variety of deities. Olorun or Olodumare is venerated as the creator, with the other Orisas serving as emissaries or ...

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Yoruba, Yoruba - Odùduwà, Yoruba - Yoruba mythology, Yoruba - Yoruba cities, Yoruba - History, Yoruba - Precolonial Social Organization, Yoruba - Culture, Yoruba - Sports, Yoruba - Famous Yoruba People, Yoruba - Language Links, Yoruba - Pictures

Read more here: » Yoruba: Encyclopedia II - Yoruba - Culture

Well-known polytheistic pantheons in history include the Sumerian gods, the Egyptian gods, the Greek religion, Norse Æsir and Vanir, the Yoruba Orisha, the Aztec gods, and many others. Today, most historical polytheistic religions are referred to as "mythology", though the stories cultures tell about their gods should be distinguished from their cultus or religious practice. Few ancient religions, indeed, were not polytheistic. Those that weren't include early Vedic Hinduism (which has been termed at the most henotheistic with ...

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Polytheism, Polytheism - Overview, Polytheism - Ancient polytheism, Polytheism - Gods and divinity, Polytheism - The Indic Traditions A form of Inclusive Monotheism not Polytheism

Read more here: » Polytheism: Encyclopedia II - Polytheism - Ancient polytheism

The Yorubas are one of the ethnic groups in Africa whose cultural heritage and legacy are recognizable in the Americas, despite the delibitating effects of slavery. Orisha religion, often called "Shango" worship and various musical artforms popularized in Latin America, especially Cuba, are rooted in Yoruba music. Perhaps their best known material artist is Olowe of Ise. Their religious beliefs are complex, and recognize a wide variety of deities. Ọlọrun or Olodumare is venerated as the creator, with the other Orisas serving as emissarie ...

See also:

Yoruba, Yoruba - History, Yoruba - Precolonial Social Organization, Yoruba - Culture, Yoruba - Yoruba mythology, Yoruba - Yoruba cities, Yoruba - Sports, Yoruba - Famous Yoruba People, Yoruba - Language links, Yoruba - Pictures

Read more here: » Yoruba: Encyclopedia II - Yoruba - Culture

Candomblé is an Afro-American religion practiced chiefly in Brazil but also in adjacent countries. The religion came from Africa to Brazil, carried by African priests and adherents who were brought as slaves between 1549 and 1888. The name Batuque is also used, especially before the 19th century when Candomblé became more common. Both words are believed to derive from a Bantu-family language. Although originally confined to the slave population, banned by the Catholic church, and even criminalized by some govern ...

Including:

Candomblé - Nations Candomblé - Beliefs Candomblé - Syncretism Candomblé - Rituals Candomblé - Temples and priesthood Candomblé - Books

Read more here: » Candomblé: Encyclopedia - Candomblé

Candomblé Ketu' (or Queto in Portuguese spelling) is the largest and most influential nation (sect) of Candomblé, an Afro-American religion widely practiced in Brazil. Its beliefs and rituals are similar to those of other Candomblé nations in general terms, but different in almost every detail. Although related to the batuque cults that started in the late 1500s, Ketu developed mostly in the early 19th century, chiefly in the region of Bahia, among slaves belonging to the Yoruba (Iorubá) ethnic g ...

Including:

Candomblé Ketu - Deities Candomblé Ketu - Ritual language Candomblé Ketu - Hierarchy

Read more here: » Candomblé Ketu: Encyclopedia - Candomblé Ketu