The Yoruba religion
What are the beliefs of the Yoruba religion?
The Yoruba religion includes the concept of Ashe, a powerful life force possessed by humans and divine beings alike ; Ashe is the energy found in all natural things. Much like the Catholic saints, the Yoruba orishas work as the intermediaries between man and the supreme creator, and the rest of the divine world.
How many gods do Yoruba believe in?
There are at least 401 recognized Orisha , or gods, in the Yoruba pantheon. Many of these Orisha are localized ancestral spirits or nature gods and are worshiped in relatively small areas.
Who did the Yoruba worship?
The Yoruba people believe that the orishas were sent by Olodumare , who is considered the Supreme God, to populate the Earth. Oshun, being one of the original 17 sent to Earth, was the only female deity. The other gods, all male, failed at their attempts to revive and populate the Earth.
What is the Yoruba tribe known for?
The Yoruba are said to be prolific sculptors, famous for their terra cotta works throughout the 12th and 14th century ; artists also earnests their capacity in making artwork out of bronze. Esiẹ Museum is a museum in Esiẹ, Irepodun, Kwara. The museum was the first to be established in Nigeria when it opened in 1945.
Who is the most powerful Orisha?
Ṣàngó is viewed as the most powerful and feared of the orisha pantheon. He casts a “thunderstone” to earth, which creates thunder and lightning, to anyone who offends him.
Are Fon people Yoruba?
Society and culture
The Fon people are traditionally settled farmers , growing cassava, corn and yams as staples. ... The Fon culture incorporated culture and shared ideas with ethnic groups that have been their historical neighbors. Many of their practices are found among Yoruba people, Akan people, Ewe people and others.
How old is Yoruba spirituality?
Yoruba culture and religion date back 5,000 years to West Nigeria. With the resurgence of West African culture in the United States, the ancient religion and language of the Yoruba have enjoyed a comeback in this country, Canada and the Caribbean. Yoruban religion is centuries older than Christianity.
What is the oldest religion?
The word Hindu is an exonym, and while Hinduism has been called the oldest religion in the world, many practitioners refer to their religion as Sanātana Dharma (Sanskrit: सनातन धर्म, lit.
Is Yoruba practiced in America?
Yoruba, from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, has been spreading across the U.S. for the last 50 years . The religion is particularly popular with African-Americans who find it offers a spiritual path and a deep sense of cultural belonging.
How many Yoruba are Muslims?
They comprise approximately 29 percent of the population , and are predominantly Muslim. The Yoruba are predominant in the southwest, and comprise about 21 percent of the population. Approximately half of the Yoruba are Christian and half are Muslim.
What is Yoruba traditional food?
Asun . Asun may be the main dish of Yoruba food culture. It is considered a finger food. The recipe is simple and available – fried goat meat with a big amount of pepper.
What is unique about Yoruba culture?
The Yoruba are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. 5. The Yoruba are a very sociable and expressive people who commemorate major events with colorful festivals and celebrations. Weddings, naming ceremonies, funerals and even housewarming parties are celebrated in a lavish and ceremonial nature.
Which tribe is the poorest in Nigeria?
- Igbo. After the Civil War, people of this ethnicity continued to suffer. ...
- Yoruba. This is another great ethnicity of the country. ...
- Fulani. This group lives in such states, as Plateau. ...
- Hausa. ...
- Kanufi. ...
- Kanuri. ...
- Uncinda. ...
- Kurama.
Who is the God of Africa?
There is no single God of Africa , as each region has its own supreme God and other Gods and Goddesses based on their practices. In different countries of Africa, there are different Gods and Goddesses from different African mythologies that are worshipped.
Who gave Sango birth?
Mythologically, he (and 14 others) burst forth from the goddess Yemaja’s body after her son, Orungan, attempted to rape her for the second time. In another set of stories, Sango is the son of Aganju and Obatala .
