Orixás are gods worshiped by many African beliefs, being linked to family and clans. In Brazil, the following orixás are worshiped:Exú, Ogun, Omulu, Xapanã or Abaluaiê, Xangô, Yasan, Oxossi, Nanan, Yemanjá, Oxum, Oxunmarê, Ossain and Oxalá.
The orixás hold axés linked to nature. The word axé is of extraordinary scope and among the many meanings is life, power, energy. Axé is metaphysics. In African religions, the axé of the orixá defines its power.
In the African religious system, the orixás represent the strength of the group, the family. They have a social character and function for the protection and survival of the group. For the implantation in the family of the axé of the orixá appears the fetishism - concretization to a being, adoration or cult to an object.
In African religions, the fetish is the link between the orixá and men. The orixás have their color, their metal or an element of nature that represents their character.
Exu
The African legends brought by the Iorua people place Exú as a mischievous imp, and in Catholic syncretism, this orixá was associated with the devil. It is he who leads man astray, stirs up wars and disputes. He is also responsible for chaos and disunity.
In the period of slavery, however, Exú was invoked to punish white masters. He is presented with an iron pitchfork, an immense phallus, and horns, like the Christian devil.
Ogun
Ogun is the orixá of wars. It is symbolized by a curved shaft, like a sword. It was syncretized in Bahia with Santo Antônio and in Rio de Janeiro with São Jorge. In Africa he is the orixá of hunters. Ogun's metal is iron.
Omulu, Xapanã or Abaluaiê
He is the orixá that dominates the Earth, the Sun and epidemics. He is the orixá of health, protector of the crippled. Their foods are goat, rooster and pig.
Xango
He is the orixá of thunder and storms. His metal is copper and his powers are lightning and fire. He is considered a violent warrior.
Yansan
Yansan is a female orixá. He presides over the winds, the storms, and rules over the lightning and the spirits. She is symbolized with buffalo horns and her weapon is the dagger. She is syncretized with Santa Barbara.
Oxossi
He is the orixá who presides over hunting, being protector of hunters. He is the son of Yemanjá, along with Ogun and Exú. Oxossi's metal is bronze and his tools are the bow and arrow.
Nanan
He is the oldest female orixá. The syncretism is made with Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. He is the orixá that presides over the deep waters, the dark swamps and the mists.
Yemanja
Yemanjá is considered the mother of all orixás. Yemanjá's axé is in sea stones, seashells and blue porcelain vases. Its metal is silver.
She has syncretism with Norse legends that associate her with the mermaid. In Catholicism, syncretism occurs with Nossa Senhora da Conceição and, in Bahia, with Nossa Senhora das Candeias.
She is considered the mother of waters and referenced with gifts and props. The Yemanjá party takes place on December 31st, and in places like Rio de Janeiro it attracts huge crowds.
Oxum
Oxum is the female orixá of the waters, representing sexuality and vanity. Its metals are copper, in Africa, and golden brass, in Brazil. His social representation is love. The syncretism in Catholicism occurs with Nossa Senhora das Candeias and with Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
Oxunmarê
She is the orixá of the rainbow, responsible for the days, for the years, for the succession of everything that happens in nature. It represents continuity. The syncretism is made with Saint Bartholomew.
Ossain
Ossain is the orixá of the woods, owner of leaves and herbs and lives in the forest. He is confused with the indigenous legend of the Caipora, which has only one leg. He is the orixá of medicine.
I hope
Oxalá is the orixá of creation, responsible for everything that grows. His color is white and his metal is aluminum. He is syncretized with the young Jesus Christ, and in Candomblé he is a daring warrior.
Religious syncretism
When the many African religions were grouped together in what became known in Brazil as Candomblé, the social character of protection for the group served by the orixás was impaired. As members of the most diverse religions came to the country, the orixás were also different.
There were not rare cases in which enemy warriors performed common activities for the imposition of slavery, harming the social character of the belief.
The many African nations worshiped their own orixás and, depending on the activity, many had different names, although they were identical. This is what happens, for example, with Nangô, also called Lembá, or Exú, still known as Legbá or Bombogira.
To improve your knowledge, be sure to consult the texts below.
- Syncretism and Afro-Brazilian religions
- Candomblé
- Umbanda
- Afoxé:rhythm, instruments, origin and characteristics