Antonio FatenAfrica, the land of beginnings. The place where humanity started its very first steps toward evolution. And with those steps, comes the conditioning of the mind, body, and spirit. Known to most, Africa, (originally named “Alkebulan”) is rich in resources, land, and beliefs passed down throughout the generations. The focus for today is on one particular belief that has impacted the lives of many who know of this pantheon’s existence: The Orishas. The Orishas are the central deities of the Yoruba religion in West Africa, but their existence is more complex. To call them “deities” is a great understatement. They act as the personification of nature itself, while also assisting Humanity to thrive by various means.
Hands of The One
Moreover, they also act as emissaries to the central figure of the Yoruba belief, Olodumare. Gifts and food are given as tribute in return for their services to Humanity. What’s truly fascinating about the Orishas is that despite their divinity, they are said to walk among the people to understand them and guide them towards abundance. As such, they also live the human experience of life, establishing their individual growth as well. Because of their obscurity, not many adaptations were produced to highlight their story.
Legends Come to Life
As of recent years, there have been a select few shows and movies that put them in the spotlight; one of them being the 2016 miniseries Yemoja: Rise of the Orisha. The series focuses on a young doctor named Amina, whose life gets turned around when the son of a politician dies on her watch. Things only escalate further when she’s possessed by one of the Orishas, the water goddess Yemoja. Now plagued with visions, Amina must find a way to clear her name before it’s too late. Quite the tale!
Another highlight of the Orishas comes from the 2022 short film Daughters of the Sea. This entry tells the story of a young woman going through a spiritual awakening when she’s called by Yemaya, the Orisha goddess of the sea after the death of her grandfather. The thing that makes the Orishas stand out is their close interaction with Humanity, not in the sense that they’re all-powerful entities, but the fact that they gain experiences alongside Humanity and do so willingly, despite being commanded to do so by Olodumare, Himself. One could say that we feel more closer to them than any other legendary figures, like that of our own parents; guiding their children towards a better future.
If that’s the case, then we truly have brighter days ahead of us.
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Works Cited
https://www.britannica.com/topic/orisha
https://legacy.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/205/santeria2.html