Orisha

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An Orisha, also spelled Orisa and Orixa is a spirit that reflects one of the manifestations of Olodumare (God) in the Yoruba spiritual or religious system. This religion has found its way throughout the world and is now expressed in several varieties which include Anago, Oyotunji, Candomblé and Lucumí/Santería. These varieties or spiritual lineages as they are called are practiced throughout areas of Brazil, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Mexico and Venezuela. As interest in African indigenous religions (spiritual systems) grows, Orisa communities and lineages can be found in parts of Europe and Asia as well. While estimates vary, there could be more than one million adherents of this spiritual tradition worldwide.

Fundamentally a monotheistic religion, the Orisa faith believes in a creator deity, 'Olorun' or 'Olodumare', who is removed from the day-to-day affairs of human beings on Earth. Instead, adherents of the religion appeal to deified ancestors and culture-heroes for help with their problems. Faithful believers will also generally consult a geomantic divination specialist, known as a babalawo, to mediate on their problems and foretell future events. This practice is known as Ifa, and is still an important part of life throughout West Africa. UNESCO, the cultural and scientific education arm of the United Nations, declared Ifa a Masterpiece of Humanity's Oral and Intangible Heritage in 2005.

An important part of the traditional Yoruba faith depends on proper alignment and knowledge of one's "Ori". "Ori" literally means the head, but in spiritual matters is taken to mean an inner portion of the soul which determines personal destiny and success. Ase, which also spelled "Axe", "Ashe" or "Ache" is the life-force that runs though all things, living and inanimate. Ase is the "power to make things happen". It is an affirmation which is used in greetings and prayers, as well as a concept about spiritual growth. Orisha devotees strive to obtain Ase through Iwa-Pele or gentle and good character, in turn they experience alignment with the Ori or what others might call inner peace or satisfaction with life.

Yoruba were brought to the Americas during the Atlantic Slave Trade, along many other ethnic nationalities from West, Central, and parts of East Africa. Yoruba religious beliefs are among the most recognizable African-derived traditions in the Americas, perhaps due to the comparatively late arrival of large numbers of Yoruba in the Americas and the conglomerative and spiritually tolerant nature of the faith. The Orisa faith is often closely aligned to the beliefs of the Gbe ethnic nationalities (including Fon, Ewe, Mahi, and Egun), and there has been centuries of creative cross-fertilization between the faiths both in Africa and in the Americas. In many countries of the African diaspora, Yoruba and Gbe beliefs have also influenced and become influenced by Catholicism, and faiths that originate in the Kongo-Angolan cultural region of West-Central Africa. These include Palo in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Quimbanda in Brazil and, according to some sources, the Petro rites of Haitian Vodou.

The Orisha pantheon include Shango, Olokun, Ifá, Yemoja, Osun, Obatala, Ogun, Oxossi|Ochosi, Oko, Soponna, Oya and Esu|Legba, among countless others. The Yoruba also venerate their Egungun, or Ancestors, Orisa Ibeji, god of Twins (which is no wonder since the Yoruba have the world's highest incidence of twin births of any group).