The Yoruba people are a major ethnic group indigenous to West Africa, whose religion—often called Isese—recognizes a number of deities and other divine forces. Yoruba deities include the Oriṣa and Ajogun ("personified evils"). In addition, the Yoruba acknowledge a supreme being, often called Olorun, who is not typically classed as an Orisa.
Many deities recognized by the Yoruba are shared with peoples such as the Fon, as well as with diasporic African populations who were enslaved and/or otherwise moved to the Americas during the years of the Atlantic slave trade and afterwards during the 19th century.
The Oriṣa
Name DescriptionGender Agemo Chameleon servant of the supreme being Ọlọrun. Carries messages between the Oriṣa and Ọlọrun. Male Aganjú Deity of volcanoes, the wilderness, deserts and fire. Son of Ajaka and nephew of Shango. Male Ajaka Stern deity associated in some areas with fire, other areas as a thief catcher. In certain contexts, he is a deified king. Elder brother of his near polar opposite Shango. He was an Alaafin of Oyo. Male Ààjà Forest spirit of the whirlwind and wife of Àrọ̀nì. Female Ajé Deity of wealth, property, prosperity, fortune and success; strongly associated with Olokun. Female Àyàn Àgalú Patron deity of all drummers. Male Ara (Aramfẹ/Ara-gbona) Deity of the weather, storms and thunder. Genderless Ayelala Deity of justice, oaths and retribution. Female Ayé Deity of the Earth, passion, environmentalism and nature. Female Biri Deity of darkness, night, and midnight. Male Babalu Aye Deity of smallpox, epidemic disease and healing. Male Bayanni (Dada) Deity of justice, children, vegetables, abundance, peace, intelligence and wisdom. Described as having locked hair and said to protect children born with locked hair. Male Ela Deity of manifestation, pure light and passion for charity and giving. Closely associated with Ọrunmila and Ifá. Male Erinlẹ Deity of hunting and abundance. Described as "great elephant of the Earth". Male Eṣu Deity of crossroads, trickery, misfortune, chaos, death and travelers. Described as an unpredictable force acting as an intermediary between humans and Oriṣa. Male or Androgynous Ibeji twins (Taiwo and Kehinde) Twin deities of duality, playfulness, mischief, abundance and twins. Children of Shango. Male and/or Female Iroko Tree deity and king of forest spirits (iwin). Genderless Iya Nla Primordial Spirit Female Logun Edé Deity of forests and rivers, war and hunting, youth, grace and balance. Son of Oṣosi and Oṣun, possesses qualities of both. Male or Androgynous Moremi Deified and legendary Queen who saved Ile-Ife from raiders. Female Ọbà River deity of homemaking, domesticity and marriage. First wife of Shango. Female Obaluaye Deity of the Earth; strongly associated with infectious disease and healing. Male Ọbalufọn Deified legendary king of the Ife Empire; associated with weaving, art, bronze and brass casting, royalty and wealth. Male Obatala Deity of creation, purity, creativity, wisdom and the disabled; credited for creating the Earth and humans. King of the Oriṣa. Male (commonly) or Female Oduduwa Warrior deity said to be the progenitor of the Yoruba. Some versions of the creation story describe him as brother of Obatala. Male (commonly) or Female Ogun Deity of war, soldiers, dogs, blacksmiths, iron, craftsmen and metalworkers. Described as one of the most powerful and respected Oriṣa. Often seen as a rival of Shango. Male Oke Deity of mountains, hills and heights. Male Oko Deity of agriculture, farming and fertility. Male Olokun Deity of oceans, water, health and wealth. Head of all water deities and one of the most powerful Oriṣa. They are strongly associated with Aje. Male, Female or Androgynous. Olumo Mountain deity linked with the Olumo Rock. Genderless Ọranyan Legendary king of Ifẹ who founded the Oyo Empire. Husband of Queen Moremi, father of Shango and Ajaka, grandson of Oduduwa. Male Orò Deity of bullroarers and communal justice. Male Oronsen Deified wife of king Rerengejen of Owo. Female Ọrunmila Deity of wisdom, knowledge, Ifá divination, philosophy, fate, destiny, prophecy, and babalawos. All-seeing; credited with revelation of the Odu Ifa (sacred corpus). Male Ori Deity of the beforelife, afterlife, destiny and personal identity. Genderless Ọsanyin (Aroni) Deity of herbs, healing, plants, nature, herbalists and wizardry. Male Oṣosi (Osoosi) Warrior deity of the hunt, forests and justice. Father of Logun Edé. Male Oṣun Deity of rivers, water, beauty, purity, love, fertility, and sensuality. Extremely beautiful, kindhearted and a great cook. Second and the youngest wife of Shango. Female Oṣunmare Deity of the rainbow, regeneration and rebirth. Described as a serpent spirit and created the rainbow. Male or Female Otin River deity of protection. Said to be a hunter. Wife of Erinlẹ̀. Female Ọya Warrior deity of storms, wind, thunder, lightning and the dead. An unstoppable force in battle with a temper comparable to that of Ṣango. She is also compassionate and loves children. Third wife of Ṣango. Female Shango (or Ṣàngó) Deity of thunder, lightning, fire, justice, dance, virility and drumming. One of the most powerful and feared Oriṣa. Younger brother of Ajaka, father of the Ibeji, and husband of Ọba, Ọṣun and Ọya. Male Yemoja Deity of rivers, fish, water, the moon, motherhood and protection. One of the most venerated Oriṣa. Female Yemowo (or Yemòó) Water deity. Consort of Obatala. Female Yewa River deity of the Yewa River. Female
The Ajogun Name Description Iku Spirit of death. Head of the Ajogun. Arun Spirit of disease and illness. Ẹgba Spirit of paralysis and infirmity. Epe Spirit of curses. Eṣe Spirit of wounds and affliction. Ẹwọn Spirit of imprisonment/captivity. Ofo Spirit of loss and destruction of property. Oran Spirit of conflict and trouble.
Supreme Deity The Supreme Being in Yorùbá culture is known as Ọlọrun, Olódùmarè or Elédùa amongst other names.
Metaphysical personifications or spirits Ori - personification of one's spiritual intuition and destiny.
See also List of deities Irunmọlẹ Lwa Alusi
References