Changó

The Orisha of thunder, fire and dance.

Changó is the Orisha of thunder, lightning, fire, drums and dance. He stands for power, passion and justice, and is linked with red and white and the double axe.

According to tradition Changó is a deified king of Oyo, the powerful Yoruba city in present-day Nigeria. In the patakí he is charming, proud, quick-witted and hot-tempered: a superb dancer and drummer, and a warrior who fears no one but the dead. His number is six, his weapon the oshé, a double axe, and in Cuba he is connected with Santa Bárbara, who is also depicted in red and white and connected with lightning. The batá drums, played in many ceremonies, are according to tradition associated with him.

His stories are often about love and jealousy, especially with Ochún and Oyá, and about justice: whoever lies or does wrong can expect his lightning. That is why he is invoked in court cases and conflicts. A dream with red and white, drums, a double axe or a violent storm is sometimes connected with him by practitioners, usually as an image of strength, passion or a truth coming to light.

On 4 December, the feast of Santa Bárbara, many practitioners in Cuba and the diaspora celebrate Changó with drums, dance and red and white clothing. Whoever is initiated to Changó in Santería often wears a necklace of red and white beads, an eleke, as a sign of their bond with the orisha.

Dreams about thunderstorms, fire or drums are sometimes linked with Changó in Santería. Whether Changó belongs to someone is established within the tradition through divination and initiation, never from a dream.