Yoruba mythology - Other concepts

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

Yoruba deities are called Orishas. The primordial, first-existing, Orishas are called Obatala and Odùduwà, brother and sister respectively, and their father Olorun. Obatala created humanity and Olorun gave life to the hollow shells Obatala had made. Obatala and Odùduwà later 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 Yorùbá. He was the fourth king o ...

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 ...

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 - Yoruba mythology in the New World