What does Obatala symbolize?

Obatala is therefore considered the father of humanity and owner of all the heads where human souls reside. Other Orishas may claim individuals, but Obatala still owns the head or soul of individuals until those individuals are initiated into the priesthood of that Orisha.

What do you offer to Obatala?

Animal offerings for Obatala usually consist of white hen, snake, pigeon, goat, slugs, snails, or guinea. Offerings that include alcohol, crab, or beans are not allowed.

Is Obatala a man or woman?

Obatala does not have a permanent gender. He is androgynous. He is married to Yemaya, the goddess of oceans and the godmother of Orishas. Free of gender, however, Obatala could be male, female, or neither.

What is the story of Obatala?

Obatala is said to have descended from heaven on a chain to mould the first humans and indeed to mould every child in the womb, although he is only one aspect of Olodumare, the Almighty God, who alone can breathe life into the creations of Obatala.

Is Obatala a warrior?

Master Combatant: Obatala is a master hand-to-hand combatant and close-quarters fighter. His skills as a warrior are known throughout the cosmos and as such, he is feared by many. Master Tactician: His millenia of experience in life and war, has resulted in him becoming a master tactician.

Who is Obatala Ayaguna?

Ayagunna is the youngest path, or avatar, of the undergod Obatala in the Lukumi (Santería) pantheon. In this manifestation, Obatala is a youth who battles with a scimitar. He is credited with having spread gunpowder throughout the world.

Who is the son of Obatala?

Obatala eventually sought freedom from a physical form and transferred his consciousness into a portion of the atmosphere surrounding Ife’. He became omnipresent and can communicate at any time with his children or the other Orisha. He bequeathed the throne to his son, Shango who now reigns over the kingdom.

Is Obatala a myth?

Ajayi describes as “the sacred myth,” Obatala was in charge of creating “solid earth” and human forms, which he then presented to Olorun “to breathe life into.” According to one myth, Obatala got intoxicated one day, after drinking palm wine offered him by Ogun, and started being sloppy in his creation.

Is Obatala an Igbo?

They turned and memorialized the leader of the Igbo, Obatala, into a god, and the period of Igbo culture as the highest moment of creative fluorescence in the Yoruba world.

Is Obatala an Ifa?

Awo Falokun Fatunmbi Obatala is the Spirit of the Chief of the White Cloth in the West African religious tradition called “Ifá”. The power of Obatala is described by Ifá as one of many Spiritual Forces in Nature which are called “Orisha”.

What do Orishas do?

The Orishas are forces of nature (parts of god) who mediate between Olodumare and humanity. Humanity can commune directly with God by way of the trance/possession – always in a ritual setting. Ebo, or sacrifice, is a broad concept including all types of sacrifices and offerings to the Orisha.

Where did Obatala came from?

History records it that Obatala was the ruler of the indigenous peoples of southwestern Nigeria when they were conquered by Oduduwa. The exact date of the encounter remains problematic, owing largely to the nature of the source of information, oral tradition.