Obatala
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- Obatala is also a genus of spiders (Amaurobiidae)
In Yoruba mythology, Obàtálá (alternatively Oxalá) is a creator god; he made human bodies, and his father, Olorun breathed life into them. While Olorun is considered the creator of the universe, Obalata created the world and humanity, being seen as the father of orishas and humankind. Obàtálá is also the owner of all heads. Any orisha may lay claim to a individual but till that individual is initiated into the priesthood of that orisha Obàtálá still owns that head. This stems from the belief that the "soul" resides in the head.
Obàtálá also created defective (handicapped) individuals while drunk on palm wine, making him the patron deity of such people. He is the god of the north. He is always dressed in white.
In Candomblé, Obatalá is the oldest Orixa funfun (white), Obàtálá is the oldest Orisha.
In Santería "Regla de Ocha branch", Obàtálá has been syncretized with Our Lady of Mercy.
[edit] Other names
- Obatalá
- Oxalá
- Orixalá
- Orisainla
[edit] Paths:
- Ayagunna
- Ocha Griñan
- Oba Moro
- Oba Lofun
- Baba Acho
- Yeku Yeku
- Orisha Aye
- Alaguema
- Obanla
- Ochanla
[edit] External links
Religions: Candomblé • Hoodoo • Kumina • Obeah • Palo • Quimbanda • Santería (Lukumí) • Spiritual Baptist • Umbanda • Vodou
Deities: Babalu Aye • Eshu • Iansan • Obàtálá • Ogoun • Ọlọrun • Orunmila • Ọṣun • Shango • Yemaja
Roots: Ifá, Oriṣa (Yorùbá) • Lwa (Dahomey) • Nkisi (Kongo) • Catholicism (Spain, Portugal)
