Map of West-Africa iniversitat Short History of the Yorůbá AFRICA NIGERIA CAMEROON Guinea Empires 15th to 18th century Universität GULF OF GUINEA Oyo Empire, 18th century Kingdom of Dahomey, 19th century Kingdom of Benin, c. 15th-16th centuries Map of Yorúbáland iniversitat Short History of the Yorůbá iniversitat ODUDUWA -1000: Ifé Starting point of Yorůbá urban culture Place of origin of Yorůbá culture, according to myth place of creation. Odůdůwa First Ôóni (oba = king) of Ifé -1300: Ifé at the height of its political power -1650: Supremacy of Oyo -1800: Decline of the kingdom of Oyo. Map of Yorúbáland iniversitat Artwork of the Ifé-Culture Yorúbá Äs uiiversität tiP wien Copper figurine, found atTada (Nupe-village) Origin: Ifé Artwork from the ancient town of Ifé iniversitat One out of 16 bronze castings of king's heads found in Ifé (11th-12th c. ce) The holes on the forehead and above the upper lip were used to detach the beaded strings that cover the king's face. Technique of „lost wax" Artwork from the ancient town of Ifé ŕÄi iniversität HJI wien Terracotta-figurine from Ifé Yorůbá World-View iniversitat Traditional conically shaped crown of Yorůbá- Kings Religion • Ôrun and ayé: •A§ě: • Olódůmarě: • Ôrisä: • Ifá-Oracle: • Merindilogun: •Obi: • Egungun: • Gělědé: of the Yorůbá iniversitat Heaven/Earth: Two halves of a Calabash „power" High-God, Creator of the world, „Deus otiosus" Spiritual beings System of divination System of divination Simple oracle Ancestor-worship Masking Society Yorůbá World-View Aye ľoja, orun rľile The calabash is a symbol of the cosmos: orun & aye, Heaven & Earth fitting closely together iniversitat Yorůbá World-View iniversitat Olódúmarě ol - from: „oni" (possessor of) & jj odů" or „ódů" & maře • oni= denotes possessor •odd (middle-pitched o) = a chapter (of Ifa) sovereign, authority, sceptre • odd (low-pitched o) = a big, deep pot; • ôdú-kärí = an odu, that is perfectly filled Yorůbá World-View iniversitat Olódúmarě ol - from: „oni" „odů" oř & >_,^ & maře „odu (possessor of) • olódú = the one who possesses the reign, the sovereign /emperor or • olódú = a perfect being Yorůbá World-View iniversitat Olódúmarě ol - from: „oni" (possessor of) & jj odů" or „odů" & maře omoěrě = the offspring of the primordial Boa má re = „do not go!"; That, which does not move, does not change odd rrťárě = linking of odů (sceptre) and árě (a symbol in the king's crown) oni & odú-kärí: the one that possesses perfection Yorůbá World-View iniversitat Olódůmarě ol - from: „oni" (possessor of) & odů" or Jodu" olódú =the one who possesses power olódú =a perfect being & mare ■% ■% omoere = offspring of the boa má re = „don't go"; that does not change odd rrťárě = the linking of the odu (sceptre) and the árě (sign featured in the crown) Olódůmarě 1. Olódů, the offspring of the boa 2. Olódů, who does not go or change, the one that remains. 3. The one combining the sceptre & the crown. 4. The one that possesses ultimate perfection. Olódumarě: other names 1. Olórun: the one that owns órun 2. Eléda: the creator, progenitor 3. Elémi: the one that gives the émi, the breath of life. • Cult of the ôrisä • Ifá-divination • Ancestor-worship Character: Gods of natural phenomena, cultural heroes, historical figures (often melted into one person) Political meaning: one main ôrí§ä for each town No fixed pantheon: Varying local traditions, different numbers given (for instance: 401 = on more than you can count) Cult of the ôn§ä ohun-tí-a-rí§ä = that which has been found and collected on ("head") & sé ("begin") = the source of on i run mole = the 16 (17) ôrí§ä that have descended initially from ôrun to ay é to fulfill the owrk of creation ôri§ä funfun & ôri§ä gbigbona iniversitat ôri§á funfun (cool ôri§á) ôri§á gbigbona (hot ôri§á) • Obátálá (Órisánlá) = The king in white dress, the great ôri§á (Ifé) • Ôrunmílá the founder of the Ifá divination-system (oracle) • Esu (Eleggua): Trickster, the universal translator • Sángó (Ovo): Thunder & Lightning, Electricity • Ôgún : God of Iron & war • Yemôó, Yemojá: The wife of Obátálá (in Ifé), goddess of salty water, of the oceans, goddess of love • Oya: (One of the) wife (wives) of §ángó, Goddess of wind and storm • 0§un: Goddess of the river 0§un, goddess of water, goddess of fertility, the only female ôrisá engaged in creation, patron of merindilogun divination The universal Interpreter The one who opens the road To be propitiated as the first one in every ritual The guardian of crossroads and doorways The one who brings sacrifice & prayer from ayé to ôrun The one transmitting in Ifá-Divination The one playing tricks on you (and on the other ôri§á) In Cuba: one of the „seven African Powers" In Fon/Ewe Religion = Legba E§u (Elleggua), the Trickster Deity iniversitat A figurine of E§u, with phallic elonged head, cowrie shells & a bird (like on the crowns of kings?) Central Role in creation of the world • Place of creation of the world = Ifé • Olódůmarě sends 16 ôri§á (plus • Obátálá brings with him sand, a rooster and 201 herbs • lle-lfé: from Ně yi fě, „this land widens" • Obátálá forms humans, Olódůmarě breathes live into them • After Obátálá got drunk, Odůduwá continues his work • Igbo (Men of the forest) & Ifé • Handicapped people are protected by Obátálá 725� Obátálá iniversitat „Person" =~ Ěniyán ara (material component) stems from Obátálá ěmi (the soul as breath) stems from Olódůmarě orí inu (inner head= destiny) stems from Ajalá ara opolo (the head): Thinking, mental health Okán (Heart): Emotions As ruler of Ifé • Odůduwá : First Ôóni of Ifé • Obátálá: One of his lieutenants • Obátálá revolts against Odůduwá • Odůduwá & Obameri drive Obátálá out of the city • Obátálá goes into Exile to his friend Obawinni • Nightly raids of Ifé • By mediation of a woman peace is restored • Obátálá becomes the forth Ôóni of Ifé Main aspects of the ôri§ä Obätálá • His role in creation of the world • Humility and moral purity: by the hardships and circumstances of his life he has been humbled and purified: symbol of peace and balance of power • Successful old age • He is „the great ôri§á" Ôri§á-nla (myth about Ôri§á- nla, his slave and Ôrunmilá • God of natural phenomena (Thunder and lightning) • Deified Ancestor • 4. Alafin of Oyo • Descendent of Oduduwa • Cultural hero (Electricity, Fire) C. L. Adeyoe: two Sángó Irunmole Ori§á (deszendierte Geister) deifizied Humans R. Dennet/ R. Canizares: Sángó was syncretised with Jakuta (thrower of stones) §ángó the King: Follows his brother Ajaka as a ruler His palace burns down Goes into exile §ángó §o - §ángó ko §o St. John Abakuso (Trinidad) Oba ko §o Priestly House Ko§o in Oyo: §. Goes to the forest because of wives Search for him Goes to ôrun from where he rules by thunderbolts and lightning • §ángó the Sky-God: stories about him and Oya A myth about Obátálá and §ángó • Obátálá wants to visit his friend §ángó • The oracle warns him • He undertakes the journey • E§u plays tricks on him • He gets arrested, falsly accused of stealing §ángó's horse • 7 years of drought and all kinds of problems • §ángó finds out: this is because an unguilty person was imprisoned • Finally, balance of power is restored • In Ifé the wife of Obatálá (often called Yemôó) • Ibadan: „the mother of the fish children" • Abeokuta: (after emigration of Egba) she became the Goddess of the river Ogun •Ayede (brought there by king Eshubiyi) wife of ôri§á Oko, the ôri§á of farming (who is considered female in other parts of Yorůbáland) • Sángó and Ogun are considered her children in Ayede • Goddess of salty waters, love & fertility • In Santería one of 7 African Powers, mother of (most of) the other ôri§á • In Brazil: very prominent, related to virgin Mary Map of Yorúbáland iniversitat Ö§un = source, (orísůn =the source of a river) • In Ijesa (=0§un state), main deity, Godess of the river 0§un, (Oshogbo) • Goddess of fertility, Clearwater • Water is effecitive, when taken in the morning • A water pot filled with stones (otan) and water serves as sanctaury symbol • In other towns Goddess of other rivers • Also the „owner of brass" • The only female ôri§á among the irunmole • Patroness of the Mérindílógún (16 cowries) • The story of Ô§un, Yemojá and Yemoji, wives of §ángó • In Santería: one of the 7 African Powers, related to La Caridad del Cobre • The owner of brass • Exclusive to her cult are bangles, hairpins, combs, fans and special containers for water made of brass • These mostly have to do with women (hairplating, beauty, preparing of food) • Other brass objects are also found with other ori§á, lile cutting tools: knives, swords and the like. • Symbols of defense • 0§un£s knife also ensures healthy menstruation Ôgún Of major importance in all of Yorůbáland God of iron and warfare Among the irunmole The story of the place called „no way" Different local traditions Seven Ôgún Ôgún Onire Also God of hunters and warriors Taxi drivers, trains, places of metal Traditional Sacrifice = a dog The lord of the earth God of smallpox His priests used to use the smallpox virus Also called Sopona in Ewe and Fon Religion called Sakpaté Öri§ä as artists • Obátálá: The paradigmatic artist (for his role in creation) • Ôgún: he concludes and makes perfect the work of Obátálá, like at the end of carving •Äjálá: The potter of the ôri Art = oná Creative capacities, that manifest themselves in an object and are the sources of its singularity olón = artist Every artist has a tutelary deity Öri§ä as Tutelary Deities • Ôsun & iyá Mäpó: Patron Deities of female artistic activities (pottery, dyeing) • Obälúfôn: Patron deity of metal workers (casting) • Olôkun: Patron deity of the beadworkers (ade, the crown), also deity of the depths of the oceans Artistic Objects and forms of expression in Yorůbá Religion • In the context of the cult of the ôrisá • In the context of the cult of the ancestors • In the context of divination Artistic Objects & Fromds of expression in the context of the cult of the ôri§á • Objects: Depictions of the Orisha, Dance Wands, Fans, Calabashes and the like • Expressive arts: Drumming, Dancing, Oriki, Rituals that last for several days. Ô§un Cult of 0§un in Oshogbo » Water is carried in Brass-Containers from the River to the shrine of the Deity » Adepts wear bangles of brass » Priestess carries a fan: Lizards & birds » Cross: the meeting of two spheres, divine & natural forces ôrun & ayé ^8% Universität Initiated Media (Women) receive the ôrisá in a state of possession Cult-groups, locally organised; may be inherited, may be by a „call" Yearly festivals for ôrisá, different cult-groups také part, sacrifice to communicate a§é In most cases, not the ôri but more often their adepts are represented in artwork; their power resides in the otan (stones in calabashes) The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé • Yemoja (Yemôó) • Oluorugbo: Onisoro Obalase • Eluyare represents the Igbo under Obawinni • Ôoni v. Ifé • Obátálá - Priests headed by Onisoro Obalale The cult of ôri§ä Obátálá The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Tag 3: Ojó Orů Day of Invocations Tag 4: Isule Procession Tag 5: Oké Mé Vigil Tag 8: Itápá Visit of the palace Tag 10: Ojó Odun Celebration day The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé • Carved figurine of Obátálá • Carved figurine of Yemoja • ôri§á Mare (male) • ôri§á Yeye (female) • Alajagun (war lieutenant) • Drums • Gongs The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Ojó Orů : day three- day of invocations Morning: Sacrifice/Oracles at the shrine Afternoon: Sacrifice, Cooking, Dancing • Dance of all devotees (about Obátálá's fate) • Dance of the priests in white clothes around the shrine The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Ojó Orů : day three- day of invocations 1. The intenion of O to go to exile" 2. Gratitude of O towards Obawinni 3. The Ôóni: War betweem Igbo and Ifé 4. Smallpox 5. Oath of secrecy 6. Optimistic Song: hope for success 7. Dance, where the whole crowd joins in: withdrawal of O. from war The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Isule: day 4: procession to Ita-Yemôó • Procession from Obátálá-shrine • Gathering of the 201 herbs • „Office hour" of Obátálá • Producing of a medicine The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Interpretation of the procession to Ita-Yemôó • Relationship to myth of Obátálá • Relationship to myth of creation • Framework of healing • Sacred kingship • Binding male power to female power The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Oké Mé: day 5 -Vigil Statues of Yemôó & Obátálá Yemôós stool Bottle with herbal medicine Gongs 16 snails, bush-rats, fish, and cola-nuts each Oracle Procession to the shrine outside the town The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Oké Mé: day 5 -Vigil • Dance of the priests in 3 phases: • With statue of Yemôó • With statue of Obátálá • sacrificing the goat • Dance of all devotees • Present of the Ôóni • Symbolism of the snail • Symbolism of Returning The cult of ôri§ä Obátálá The annual festival for Obátálá in Ifé Itápá: Day 8: Visit of the palace • Reintegration of the Igbo-group • Selection of the Mediums; Purification, gender-role • Inhabitants: Ifé-Gruppe • Priester: Igbo-Gruppe • Messengers of Ôóni • Direct contakt of Ôóni and Yemoja is a taboo Ojó Odun - day 10:Celebration Day • Magba = „high priest" • Elégůn = Media (special hair-style, special clothes; when in trance „wabi" is worn and the dance-wand becomes part of the clothing) • Laba = Bag of Magba • Edun-ara = „Thunderbolts" = neolothic celts • Sere = Shaker • 0§e §ángó = The dance wand of §ángó Cult of ôri§ä §ángó uiiversitat Annual festival for §ángó • End of October/ Beginning of November • 1 month before the exact date is found out • 3 Phases • 1. day: Invocation ceremony & Vigil • 2.-6. Tag: Trance & Manifestations • 7. Tag: The „grand finale" Day one • §ángós calabash is brought to the river in the morning •Afternoon: Praise-singing Ceremony • Night: §ángós priests dance his dance (lanku) • Possession in the moment of sacrifice: Day 2 to 6 • Dances of possession • Manifestations of §ángós power • Sacrifice and meals • Processions to the market and the royal palace Day 7 • Gathering at the market or the palace • Groups of worshippers of E§u and Obátálá • Connection to the Myth of Obátálá, §ángó & E§u • Procession with fire Map of Yorúbáland iniversitat Universität Universität Die 16 Hauptodu des Ifá-Orakels Eji C£be OyekuMeji Iwori Meji Edi Meji IrosunMeji Oworin Meji ObaraMeji Okanran Meji I I II II II II I I I I II II I I II II I I II II I I II II I I II II II II II II I I II II I I II II II II I I II II II II I I II II II II I I II II I I II II I I Ogunda Meji QsaMeji IkaMeji Oturupon Meji OturaMeji Irete Meji Q^e Meji OfunMeji I I II II II II II II I I I I I I II II I I I I I I II II II II I I II II I I I I I I II II I I I I II II I I II II II II I I II II II II I I I I II II I I Mérindílógún £■ ' S^^ H ..' á M **J! / A &■' $i F e* nůrttl. 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