Yoruba

An African Religion

An African Tradition: the Religion of the Yoruba

Africathe second largest

continent in terms of landmass

home to some four hundred million people and several hundred religionsincluding the

religion of the Yoruba.

The Yoruba are from Western Africa: Nigeria, Benin and Togo

The Yoruba have favored living in cities

There are three important cities: Ife, Oyo, and IjebuIfe has been the

center of Yoruba religion It was here that the

god Orisha-nla first began to create the world

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Yoruba religion:

maintain the balance between the human beings of earth and the gods and ancestors of heaven while guarding against the evil deeds of sorcerers and witches

Yoruba Cosmology

Yoruba sees reality as being divided into two separate worlds: heaven and earth

HeavenInvisible home of the

gods and the ancestorsEarth

Ordinary world, visible home of human beings, descended from the gods

Populated by perverted form of human beings, witches and sorcerers, who can cause disastrous harm if not controlled

Gods and Ancestors Primal traditions hold a

belief in both a supreme god and a host of less powerful deities.

The supreme god of the Yoruba is Olorun

The many deities of the Yoruba worship are known as orishas

The supreme god, lesser deities, and ancestors all inhabit heaven

Olorun: the High God

Supreme God: Olorun Original source of power in the

universe All life forms owe their

existence to OlorunUninvolved in human affairsNot worshipped in ritualsNo shrines are assigned to

himNo sacrifices are on his

behalf The orishas, other gods,

function as mediators between Olorun and human beings.

OrishasLesser gods

Truly significant Are a source of sacred power and can help or harm human beingsWorshipped in ritual

To be appeased

Orisha-nlaOgunEsu

Orisha-nla: Creator godCreated the earth

Ogun: god of Iron and WarOnce was

humanFirst King of

IfeAfter he died,

he became a god

Now lives on the border between ancestors and other orishas

Esu: TricksterMediates between heaven and earthHas a place in every shrine Contains both good and evil

properties These characteristics make him a

trickster figureA mischievous supernatural

beingPart human/animal/divineFunctions as teacher:

Shows people consequences of certain behaviors

acts as a messenger for the other deities

He assists Olorun and the other gods by causing trouble for people who offend them or fail to worship them.

Everyone prays to Esu so that he will not harm them.

Ancestors The heavenly ancestors are deceased humans who have acquired supernatural status.

Possess sacred power that can help or harm the living.

They are worshipped through rituals at special shrines.

Two types of ancestors:1. Family ancestors

Gained their supernatural status by earning a good reputation and living to an old age

Worshiped by their own families

2. Deified (sacred/holy) ancestors Important human figures known

throughout Yoruba society Worshiped by large numbers of

people E.g. Ogun

Ritual

Several types of ritual practitioners mediate between the gods and ancestors in heaven and the human beings on earth

There has to be a specialist who can facilitate communication with the deity or ancestorExamples: the head of a family is responsible for worshiping the

family’s ancestors in the home at the family shrine

The king, or chief, of a city is in charge of the city’s annual festivals and performs a host of other religious functions

Priests oversee the various rituals carried out at the shrines of each orisha

Diviners Among the priests who

engage in specialized services are diviners.

Diviners are priests who can tell people’s futures

Diviners have special training, innate gifts and life experience

The role is usually passed from parent to child

It is taboo for anyone else to perform divination

Divination

Divination is an extremely important aspect of Yoruba religion because knowledge of one’s future is considered essential for determining how to proceed with one’s life.

The procedure for divination requires the diviners to memorize hundreds of Wisdom stories

the diviner recites the appropriate story for each person who asks for divination

Diviners add a ritual aspect – wearing a mask, special clothing/ using implements Sangoma diviners, Botswana

Yoruba Diviner’s Bag

How do you divine your Future:

What is your destiny?What will you become

in 5 years?, In 10?, In 20?

Will you Go to college?

If so, what will you study?Get married?Have kids?

How many?Live in Bakersfield?Travel the world?

Where will you go?

Another ritual specialist mediates between the ancestors and the livingWearing ceremonial

masks and costumes this specialist becomes

a living representation of an ancestor by dancing at festivals

When an important person diesThe specialist imitates

that personsThe specialist conveys

comforting messages from the deceased to the living.