Orisha

The forces in Santería, each with their own domain and imagery.

The orishas are the divine forces in Santería, also called Regla de Ocha, and in other traditions with Yoruba roots, such as Candomblé in Brazil. They originally come from the religion of the Yoruba in present-day Nigeria and Benin, and were brought by enslaved Africans to Cuba and other parts of the Americas.

Above the orishas stands Olodumare, the supreme god, who is far from the world. The orishas are closer: each has its own domain of nature and human life, its own colours, numbers, food, dances and stories. Yemayá belongs to the sea and motherhood, Ochún to fresh water and love, Changó to thunder and fire, Oyá to wind and the gate of death, and Elegguá to roads, crossroads and the beginning of everything.

In Cuba the orishas were often connected with Catholic saints in colonial times, partly so that people could keep practising their own religion. Ochún is thus connected with the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre and Changó with Santa Bárbara. That blending is still visible.

According to the tradition every initiate has an orisha who owns their head, determined through divination. Contact with the orishas runs through offerings, prayer, drum ceremonies and oracles such as the diloggún, the cowrie shells.

In dreams orishas are often recognised by their colours, elements or symbols: blue and white and the sea for Yemayá, yellow and honey for Ochún, red and white and lightning for Changó. Such a dream is discussed in the tradition with a padrino or madrina. Dreamkin does not establish that a dream comes from an orisha; we describe how such dreams are often read.