The Otin River is a river in Inisa , Osun State , Nigeria . It is impounded by the Eko-Ende Dam.
82-605: According to Yoruba mythology , the orisha Otin is personified in the Otin River. She once protected the town of Inisa from invasion by its enemies, and the townspeople now worship her as a result. Otin was originally from the town of Otan, but came to Inisa to help fight against invasions by its neighbors. The Otin River crosses the 950 square kilometres (370 sq mi) Odo Otin Local Government Area in
164-725: A Heavenly Mother , and the prevailing view among Mormons is that God the Father was once a man who lived on a planet with his own higher God, and who became perfect after following this higher God. Some critics of Mormonism argue that statements in the Book of Mormon describe a trinitarian conception of God (e.g. 2 Nephi 31:21 ; Alma 11:44 ), but were superseded by later revelations . Due to teachings within Mormon cosmology , some theologians claim that it allows for an infinite number of gods. Mormons teach that scriptural statements on
246-430: A babalawo in 2013. Polytheism Polytheism is the belief in or worship of more than one god . According to Oxford Reference, it is not easy to count gods, and so not always obvious whether an apparently polytheistic religion, such as Chinese Folk Religions, is really so, or whether the apparent different objects of worship are to be thought of as manifestations of a singular divinity. Polytheistic belief
328-468: A creator deity or transcendental absolute principle ( monistic theologies), which manifests immanently in nature ( panentheistic and pantheistic theologies). Polytheists do not always worship all the gods equally; they can be in monolatrists or kathenotheists , specializing in the worship of one particular deity only or at certain times (respectively). The recognition of the existence of multiple gods and goddesses does not necessarily equate to
410-501: A complex form of polytheism , with a Supreme but distant creator force, encompassing the whole universe. The anthropologist Robert Voeks described Yoruba religion as being animistic , noting that it was "firmly attached to place". Each person living on earth attempts to achieve perfection and find their destiny in Orun-Rere (the spiritual realm of those who do good and beneficial things). One's ori-inu (spiritual consciousness in
492-496: A deity, and the use of deities as symbols rather than supernatural agents. Buddhism is most closely aligned with polytheism when it is linked with other religions, often folk religions. For example, the Japanese Shinto religion, in which deities called kami are worshipped, is sometimes mixed with Buddhism. Although Christianity is usually described as a monotheistic religion, it is sometimes claimed that Christianity
574-460: A distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods". Mormonism, which emerged from Protestantism, teaches exaltation defined as the idea that people can become like god in the afterlife. Mormonism also affirms the existence of
656-445: A large mound on the surface of the water and soon after, the winged-beasts began to scatter this around until the point where it gradually made into a large patch of dry land; the various indentations they created eventually becoming hills and valleys. Obatala leaped onto a high-ground and named the place Ife . The land became fertile and plant life began to flourish. From handfuls of earth he began to mold figurines. Meanwhile, as this
738-415: A person from the world of the living to the world of the dead, and the subsequent journey of the deceased to the afterlife. Oku is a natural part of life, and death is seen as a transition to a new stage of existence rather than an end. The Yoruba people believe that the dead continue to play an active role in the lives of their descendants, and that they can influence the living in various ways. Thus, Oku
820-441: A proper consecration ritual. It was believed that after the consecration ritual the idol no longer remained as stone or metal and attained a temporary or permanent state of divinity. Some Hindu philosophers and theologians argue for a transcendent metaphysical structure with a single divine essence. This divine essence is usually referred to as Brahman or Atman , but the understanding of the nature of this absolute divine essence
902-613: A proto-monotheism or at least henotheism in polytheistic religions, for example, when taking from the Chinese pair of Sky and Earth only one part and calling it the King of Heaven , as Matteo Ricci did. In 1508, a London Lollard named William Pottier was accused of believing in six gods. Joseph Smith , the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement , believed in "the plurality of Gods", saying "I have always declared God to be
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#1732780210517984-408: A single book, Hinduism is an umbrella term for a collection of ideologies. They are compatible with Hindu texts, since there exists no consensus of standardisation in the faith. Vedanta , the most dominant school of Hinduism, offers a combination of pantheism/panentheism and polytheism, holding that Brahman is the sole ultimate reality of the universe, yet unity with it can be reached by worshipping
1066-464: A spirit to return to Earth (otherwise known as The Marketplace) through the conception of a new life in the direct bloodline of the family, one of the component entities of a person's being returns, while the other remains in Heaven (Ikole Orun). The spirit that returns does so in the form of a Guardian Ori. One's Guardian Ori, which is represented and contained in the crown of the head, represents not only
1148-403: A wide variety of religious traditions and practices are grouped together under this umbrella term and some modern scholars have questioned the legitimacy of unifying them artificially and suggest that one should speak of "Hinduisms" in the plural. Theistic Hinduism encompasses both monotheistic and polytheistic tendencies and variations on or mixes of both structures. Hindus venerate deities in
1230-585: Is "the empowered word that must come to pass," the "life force" and "energy" that regulates all movement and activity in the universe". Every thought and action of each person or being in Aiyé (the physical realm) interact with the Supreme force, all other living things, including the Earth itself, as well as with Orun (the otherworld), in which gods, spirits and ancestors exist. The Yoruba religion can be described as
1312-407: Is a leader figure but is not meant to be worshipped as a god. Devas , a Sanskrit word for gods , are also not meant to be worshipped. They are not immortal and have limited powers. They may have been humans who had positive karma in their life and were reborn as a deva. A common Buddhist practice is tantra , which is the use of rituals to achieve enlightenment. Tantra focuses on seeing yourself as
1394-539: Is also associated with the concept of "ara orun," which refers to the spiritual realm or the world of the dead. The Yoruba people believe that the dead reside in this realm, where they continue to live and interact with the living. Furthermore, an earthly representation of the Oku is the Egungun , which embodys the spirits of the ancestors, and are often used to communicate with the dead and to honor their memory. The Egungun
1476-438: Is depicted as a warrior; a similar theme to some depictions of Shango and Adams. This theory supposed that this resemblance was used by the population as a covert form to honor their ancestral deity. In the early 21st century, Nigerian migrants have also taken Yoruba religion to Brazil. Koshikawa Yoshiaki [ ja ] , professor of literature at Meiji University , became the first Japanese person to be initiated as
1558-742: Is largely due to migration—the most recent migration occurred with the Atlantic slave trade , and with Nigerian and Beninoise Yorùbá emigrating to the United States, the UK, Brazil, and other countries of the Americas and Europe. During the pre-colonial period, many Yoruba were captured and sold into the slave trade and transported to Argentina , Brazil , Cuba , Colombia , Dominican Republic , Puerto Rico , Trinidad and Tobago , St. Vincent & The Grenadines , Uruguay , Venezuela , and other parts of
1640-412: Is locally referred to as "Ife Oodaye" – "cradle of existence". In Yoruba religion and culture, Oku is a complex and multifaceted concept that encompasses various aspects of death, the afterlife, and the relationship between the living and the dead. Oku is often translated as "death" or "the dead," but it carries a deeper meaning that goes beyond the physical act of dying. Oku refers to the transition of
1722-678: Is not truly monotheistic because of its idea of the Trinity . The Trinity believes that God consists of the Father , the Son and the Holy Spirit . Because the deity is three persons, some people believe Christianity should be considered a form of Tritheism or Polytheism. Christians contend that "one God exists in Three Persons and One Substance," but that a deity cannot be a person, who has one individual identity. Christianity inherited
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#17327802105171804-779: Is restricted to that region. Bramhan is personification of the concept of Moksha and the different gods are paths to moksha or realising the Brahman. The term comes from the Greek πολύ poly ("many") and θεός theos ("god") and was coined by the Jewish writer Philo of Alexandria to argue with the Greeks. When Christianity spread throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, non-Christians were just called Gentiles (a term originally used by Jews to refer to non-Jews) or pagans (locals) or by
1886-407: Is suggested that Hestia stepped down when Dionysus was invited to Mount Olympus , this is a matter of controversy. Robert Graves' The Greek Myths cites two sources that obviously do not suggest Hestia surrendered her seat, though he suggests she did. Hades was often excluded because he dwelt in the underworld. All of the gods had a power. There was, however, a great deal of fluidity as to whom
1968-808: Is the concept of *dyēus , which is attested in several religious systems of Indo-European-speaking peoples. Well-known historical polytheistic pantheons include the Sumerian gods, the Egyptian gods, the pantheon attested in Classical Antiquity (in ancient Greek and Roman religion), the Norse Æsir and Vanir , the Yoruba Orisha , and the Aztec gods. In many civilizations, pantheons tended to grow over time. Deities first worshipped as
2050-535: Is the foundation of Yoruba spiritual knowledge and has influenced spiritual communities in the Americas, such as Santeria . Ifá refers to the deity Orunmila, who is associated with wisdom, intellect, and divination . In 2005, UNESCO designated the Odu Ifá tradition as one of the world's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity . Olódùmarè is the most important "state of existence". "They" are
2132-540: Is the line which defines many Hindu philosophical traditions such as Vedanta . Among lay Hindus, some believe in different deities emanating from Brahman, while others practice more traditional polytheism and henotheism, focusing their worship on one or more personal deities, while granting the existence of others. Academically speaking, the ancient Vedic scriptures, upon which Hinduism is derived, describe four authorized disciplic lines of teaching coming down over thousands of years. (Padma Purana). Four of them propound that
2214-460: Is the most influential and important Hindu theological tradition, there are a great number of deities in Hinduism, such as Vishnu , Shiva , Ganesha , Hanuman , Lakshmi , Kali , Parvati , Durga , Rama , Krishna but they are essentially different forms of the same "Being". However, many Vedantic philosophers also argue that all individuals were united by the same impersonal, divine power in
2296-466: Is the physical representation of the Oku tradition, which is focused on honoring and paying respects to the ancestors. The Egungun possesses spiritual powers and to be able to communicate with the ancestors, an Oku tradition of seeking the blessings and protection of the dead or ancestors. However, it is worth noting that Egungun traditions is not simply a representation of Oku, but rather has its own unique characteristics and significance, depending on
2378-485: Is usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses , along with their own religious sects and rituals . Polytheism is a type of theism . Within theism, it contrasts with monotheism , the belief in a singular God who is, in most cases, transcendent . In religions that accept polytheism, the different gods and goddesses may be representations of forces of nature or ancestral principles ; they can be viewed either as autonomous or as aspects or emanations of
2460-827: The African diaspora in countries such as Haiti and Cuba , also New Orleans , Louisiana in the United States . In Latin America , Yoruba religion has been in intense Syncretism with Christianity , Indigenous religions and Spiritism since the first arrival of African immigrants. In Brazil, the religion of Umbanda was born from the rich interaction of beliefs that Latin America provided. Followers of Umbanda typically consider themselves Monotheistic , but honor Catholic Saints and Orisha as manifestations from god or as Tutelary deities . Umbanda worship also include elements from Native South American rituals such as
2542-462: The animist beliefs prevalent in most folk religions . The gods of polytheism are in many cases the highest order of a continuum of supernatural beings or spirits, which may include ancestors , demons , wights , and others. In some cases these spirits are divided into celestial or chthonic classes, and belief in the existence of all these beings does not imply that all are worshipped. Types of deities often found in polytheism may include: In
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2624-781: The Absolute Truth is Fully Personal, as in Judeo-Christian theology. They say that the Primal Original God is Personal, both transcendent and immanent throughout creation. He can be, and is often approached through worship of Prathimas, called "Archa-Vigraha", which are described in the Vedas as identical with His various dynamic, spiritual Forms. This is the Vaisnava theology. The fifth disciplic line of Vedic spirituality, founded by Adi Shankaracharya , promotes
2706-454: The Americas. With them, they carried their religious beliefs. The school-of-thought integrated into what now constitutes the core of the "New World lineages" which are a variety of Yorùbá-derived contemporary African religions: The Vodun faith, which originated amongst a different ethnic group (the Gbe speaking peoples of present-day Benin , Togo , and Ghana ), holds influential aspects on
2788-493: The Classical era , 4th century CE Neoplatonist Sallustius categorized mythology into five types: The beliefs of many historical polytheistic religions are commonly referred to as "mythology", though the stories cultures tell about their gods should be distinguished from their worship or religious practice. For instance, deities portrayed in conflict in mythology were often nonetheless worshipped side by side, illustrating
2870-603: The Ernle River and covers the lowest portion of the Otin River. Sources Yoruba mythology The Yoruba religion ( Yoruba : Ìṣẹ̀ṣe), West African Orisa (Òrìṣà), or Isese (Ìṣẹ̀ṣe), comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practice of the Yoruba people . Its homeland is in present-day Southwestern Nigeria , which comprises the majority of Oyo , Ogun , Osun , Ondo , Ekiti , Kwara and Lagos states , as well as parts of Kogi state and
2952-451: The Greeks, Etruscans , and Romans, and also to the cultural transmission of elements of an extraneous religion, as with the ancient Egyptian deity Osiris , who was later worshipped in ancient Greece . Most ancient belief systems held that gods influenced human lives. However, the Greek philosopher Epicurus held that the gods were incorruptible but material, blissful beings who inhabited
3034-572: The Yoruba belief system, Olodumare has ase over all that is. Hence, it is considered supreme. The Yoruba scriptures are called the Odu Ifá , which is a collection of revealed oracular texts originally passed down through oral tradition among babalawos . It is traditionally divided into 256 sections, or Odu, which are divided into verses. It is closely related to the divination system of Yoruba religion, Ifá . The verses contain proverbs, stories, and statements that cover every aspect of life. The Odu Ifá
3116-625: The adjoining parts of Benin and Togo , commonly known as Yorubaland ( Yoruba : Ilẹ̀ Káàárọ̀-Oòjíire ). It shares some parallels with the Vodun practiced by the neighboring Fon and Ewe peoples to its west and with the religion of the Edo people to its east. Yoruba religion is the basis for a number of religions in the New World, notably Santería , Umbanda , Trinidad Orisha , and Candomblé . Yoruba religious beliefs are part of Itàn (history),
3198-618: The clearly pejorative term idolaters (worshippers of "false" gods). In modern times, the term polytheism was first revived in French by Jean Bodin in 1580, followed by Samuel Purchas 's usage in English in 1614. A major division in modern polytheistic practices is between so-called soft polytheism and hard polytheism. "Soft" polytheism is the belief that different gods may either be psychological archetypes , personifications of natural forces, or as being one essential god interpreted through
3280-688: The communities of Inisa , Oba, Eko-Ende , Eko-Ajala, Ikirun , Iragbiji and Okuku . When the dam was built it flooded farmlands of the Oba people. As a quid-pro-quo, piped water was supplied to Oba. Downstream, the Erinle Dam in the Olorunda LGA is an extension of the old Ede Dam on the Erinle River. The reservoir behind the Ede-Ernle dam extends about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north along
3362-553: The concept that the Absolute is Brahman, without clear differentiations, without will, without thought, without intelligence. In the Smarta denomination of Hinduism, the philosophy of Advaita expounded by Shankara allows veneration of numerous deities with the understanding that all of them are but manifestations of one impersonal divine power, Brahman . Therefore, according to various schools of Vedanta including Shankara, which
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3444-402: The context. Egungun can have its own set of rituals, ceremonies, and practices that are separate from the Oku tradition, although the two are conected and closely intertwined. Therefore, Yoruba people may refer to Egungun as "Oku ara orun," which means "the Oku of the heavens" or "the Oku of the spirits." This name reflects the close connection between Egungun and the Oku tradition, and highlights
3526-433: The distinction within the religion between belief and practice. Scholars such as Jaan Puhvel , J. P. Mallory , and Douglas Q. Adams have reconstructed aspects of the ancient Proto-Indo-European religion from which the religions of the various Indo-European peoples are thought to derive, which is believed to have been an essentially naturalist numenistic religion. An example of a religious notion from this shared past
3608-848: The earliest records of ancient Egyptian religion and ancient Mesopotamian religion to the religions prevalent during Classical antiquity , such as ancient Greek religion and ancient Roman religion , and in ethnic religions such as Germanic , Slavic , and Baltic paganism and Native American religions . Notable polytheistic religions practiced today include Taoism , Hellenism (modern religion) , Shenism or Chinese folk religion , many schools of Hinduism , Shinto , Santería , most Traditional African religions , and various neopagan faiths such as Wicca . Hinduism , while popularly held as polytheistic by many scholars, cannot be exclusively categorised as such as some Hindus consider themselves to be pantheists , panentheists , henotheist , polymorphist, monotheists or monist . Hinduism does not have
3690-604: The empty spaces between worlds and did not trouble themselves with the affairs of mortals, but could be perceived by the mind, especially during sleep. The classical scheme in Ancient Greece of the Twelve Olympians (the Canonical Twelve of art and poetry) were: Zeus , Hera , Poseidon , Athena , Ares , Demeter , Apollo , Artemis , Hephaestus , Aphrodite , Hermes , and Hestia . Though it
3772-487: The form of the pratima , or idol. The Puja (worship) of the pratima is like a way to communicate with the formless, abstract divinity ( Brahman in Hinduism) which creates, sustains and dissolves creation. However, there are sects who have advocated that there is no need of giving a shape to God and that it is omnipresent and beyond the things which human can see or feel tangibly.These gods were not worshipped without
3854-517: The form of the Atman . Many other Hindus, however, view polytheism as far preferable to monotheism. Ram Swarup , for example, points to the Vedas as being specifically polytheistic, and states that, "only some form of polytheism alone can do justice to this variety and richness." Nasadiya Sukta (Hymn of non-Eternity, origin of universe): There was neither non-existence nor existence then; Neither
3936-491: The idea of one God from Judaism, and maintains that its monotheistic doctrine is central to the faith. Jordan Paper, a Western scholar and self-described polytheist, considers polytheism to be the normal state in human culture. He argues that "Even the Catholic Church shows polytheistic aspects with the 'veneration' of the saints." On the other hand, he complains, monotheistic missionaries and scholars were eager to see
4018-485: The idea that "all gods are one essential god" and may also reject the existence of gods outside their own pantheon altogether . The deities of polytheism are often portrayed as complex personages of greater or lesser status, with individual skills, needs, desires and histories, in many ways similar to humans ( anthropomorphic ) in their personality traits, but with additional individual powers, abilities, knowledge or perceptions. Polytheism cannot be cleanly separated from
4100-404: The individual throughout their lifetime. At the end of that life they return to their identical spirit self and merge into one, taking the additional knowledge gained from their experience with the individual as a form of payment . According to Professor Adams Abdullahi Suberu, the Yoruba were exquisite statesmen who spread across the globe in an unprecedented fashion; the reach of their culture
4182-524: The innumerable deities that represent the Supreme Absolute Truth . Hindus who practice Bhakti ultimately believe in one God, who is known variously as Paramatman , Parabrahman , Bhagavan , Ishvara , and so on, that transcends all categories (e.g. both of form and formless), however the common people who remain unaware of these concepts worship their deities as ultimate god. Different regions can have their own local deities whose worship
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#17327802105174264-524: The later Roman religion . During the Hellenistic Era, philosophical schools like Epicureanism developed distinct theologies. Hellenism is, in practice, primarily centered around polytheistic and animistic worship. The majority of so-called " folk religions " in the world today (distinguished from traditional ethnic religions ) are found in the Asia-Pacific region . This fact conforms to
4346-445: The lenses of different cultures (e.g. Odin , Zeus , and Indra all being the same god as interpreted by Germanic, Greek, and Indic peoples respectively) – known as omnitheism . In this way, gods may be interchangeable for one another across cultures. "Hard" polytheism is the belief that gods are distinct, separate, real divine beings, rather than psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. Hard polytheists reject
4428-725: The master of languages, Eshu is responsible for carrying messages and sacrifices from humans to the Sky God. Also known for his phallic powers and exploits, Eshu is said to lurk at gateways, on the highways and at the crossroads, where he introduces chance and accident into the lives of humans. He is known by a variety of names, including Elegbara. Ìjẹ̀lú, Èkìtì . (Home) _______ Igbeti , Ọ̀yọ́ . (Site) _______ Iworo, Lagos . (Site) Ìràwọ̀ , Oyo State . (Home) Ìrè , Èkìtì . (Home) _______ Ṣakí, Ọ̀yọ́ . (Associated) Ṣakí , Ọ̀yọ́ State . (Home) _______ Ibara, Abẹ́òkúta , Ògùn State . (Site) Shoponna priests prevented
4510-452: The northeast of Osun state , and gives it its name. The river flows through rugged country, with elevations ranging from 35 to 400 metres (115 to 1,312 ft) above sea level. Rainfall in the area is about 1,400 millimetres (55 in), with the rainy season lasting from April to November. Land cover is partly tropical rainforest, but there is also widespread rotational bush farming and cash crops like cocoa, kola and plantain are grown around
4592-553: The original entities sent by Olorun to complete given tasks, often acting as liaisons between Òde Ọ̀run (the invisible realm) and Ilé Ayé (the physical realm). Irunmale(s) can therefore best be described in English as the highest ranking divinities; whereby such divinities are regarded as principal Orishas. The Irunmale or Imalẹ̀ are the primary foundational divinities or divine entities. In summary, all Imale are also Orisha, but not all Orisha are Imale. The Yoruba believe in Atunwa,
4674-470: The owner of all heads, for during human creation, Olódùmarè gave "èmí" (the breath of life) to humankind. In this, Olódùmarè is Supreme. Perhaps one of the most important human endeavors extolled within the Yoruba literary corpus is the quest to improve one's "Ìwà" (character, behaviour). In this way the teachings transcend religious doctrine, advising as they do that a person must also improve their civic, social and intellectual spheres of being; every stanza of
4756-479: The patrons of cities or other places came to be collected together as empires extended over larger territories. Conquests could lead to the subordination of a culture's pantheon to that of the invaders, as in the Greek Titanomachia , and possibly also the Æsir–Vanir war in the Norse mythos . Cultural exchange could lead to "the same" deity being revered in two places under different names, as seen with
4838-446: The physical realm) must grow in order to consummate union with one's "Iponri" (Ori Orun, spiritual self). Iwapẹlẹ (or well-balanced) meditative recitation and sincere veneration is sufficient to strengthen the ori-inu of most people. Well-balanced people, it is believed, are able to make positive use of the simplest form of connection between their Ori and the omnipotent Olu-Orun: an Àwúre (petition or prayer) for divine support. In
4920-511: The planets that were newly formed. The earth , being one of these, was visited but considered too wet for conventional living. After a successful period of time, a number of divinities led by Obatala were sent to accomplish the task of helping earth develop its crust. On one of their visits to the realm, the arch-divinity Obatala took to the stage equipped with a mollusk that concealed some form of soil , winged beasts, and some cloth like material. The contents were emptied onto what soon became
5002-463: The possibility of reincarnation within the family. The names Babatunde (father returns), Yetunde (Mother returns), Babatunji (Father wakes once again) and Sotunde (The wise man returns) all offer vivid evidence of the Ifa concept of familial or lineal rebirth. There is no simple guarantee that one's grandfather or great uncle will "come back" in the birth of a child, however. Whenever the time arrives for
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#17327802105175084-463: The practices and beliefs of neighboring groups, though they may be more strongly or closely associated with certain places, occupations or subgregions spread across Yorubaland. There are said to be 400 plus 1 of them in total; The 200 of the right ( Igba Ọ̀tún ), the 200 of the left ( Igba Òsì ) and one more. Eshu is the Orisha of chance, accident and unpredictability. Because he is Olorun's linguist and
5166-514: The practices, beliefs, traditions, and observances of the Yoruba originate from the religious worship of Olodumare and the veneration of the Orisa. According to Kola Abimbola, the Yorubas have evolved a robust cosmology. Nigerian Professor for Traditional African religions , Jacob K. Olupona , summarizes that central for the Yoruba religion, and which all beings possess, is known as "Ase", which
5248-408: The realm of space, nor the sky which is beyond; What stirred? Where? In whose protection? There was neither death nor immortality then; No distinguishing sign of night nor of day; That One breathed, windless, by its own impulse; Other than that there was nothing beyond. Darkness there was at first, by darkness hidden; Without distinctive marks, this all was water; That which, becoming, by
5330-468: The ritual use of Tobacco and communication with the spirits of deceased Indian warriors ( Caboclo ). In the 1949 documentary Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol en Loíza Aldea , anthropologist Ricardo Alegría noted a similar tendency at Loíza, Puerto Rico , arguing that the affinity between the black population in the municipality and the Catholic saint Santiago Apóstol may derive from the way in which he
5412-737: The role of Egungun as a representation of the ancestors and the spiritual realm. The Orisha , ( Yoruba : Òrìṣà ) are entities that possess the capability of reflecting some of the manifestations of Olodumare. Yoruba Orishas (commonly translated "unique/special/selected heads") are often described as intermediaries between humankind and the supernatural. The term has also been variously translated as "Deities", "Divinities" or "Gods". Orisha(s) are revered for having control over specific elements of nature. They are thus also referred to as Imole . There are those of their number that are more akin to ancient heroes and/or sages than to primordial divinities. These are best addressed as dema deities . Even though
5494-407: The sacred Ifá oracular poetry ( Odu Ifa ) has a portion covering the importance of "Ìwà". Central to this is the theme of righteousness, both individual and collective. Adherents of the Yoruba religion regard Olodumare as the principal force of creation. According to one of the Yoruba accounts of creation , at a certain stage in the process, the "truth" was sent to confirm the habitability of
5576-569: The settlements. The Otin River is 36 kilometres (22 mi) long, with a peak discharge of 76.01 cubic metres (2,684 cu ft) per second. The drainage basin covers 475 square kilometres (183 sq mi). It is a tributary of the Erinle River . The Eko-Ende Dam in the Irepodun LGA on the Otin River was impounded in 1973 to form a reservoir with a capacity of 5.5 MCM. The headworks were designed to supply potable water to
5658-483: The spirit and energy of one's previous blood relative, but the accumulated wisdom he or she has acquired through myriad lifetimes. This is not to be confused with one's spiritual Ori, which contains personal destiny, but instead refers to the coming back to The Marketplace of one's personal blood Ori through one's new life and experiences. The Primary Ancestor (which should be identified in your Itefa) becomes—if you are aware and work with that specific energy—a "guide" for
5740-407: The spread of contagious diseases by being responsible for the removal of corpses and belongings of those who died from them. Sopona priests seem to have known of the protective and dangerous nature of the virus and often inoculated people against the disese by skin incisions. Ilé Ifẹ̀ . (Home) The Irúnmalẹ̀, from the words; Ìrun meaning ' Origin ' and Imalẹ̀ meaning ' Primal divinity ' are
5822-478: The term "henotheism" is controversial, it is recognized by scholars that the worship of a single God accompanied by belief in other deities maintains the principle of polytheism. Polytheism was the typical form of religion before the development and spread of the Abrahamic religions of Judaism , Christianity , and Islam , which enforce monotheism. It is well documented throughout history, from prehistory and
5904-533: The term Ajogun comes from the words; A + Jẹ + Ogun , literally meaning; "That which feeds/thrives on trouble/war". The Ajogun are often personified as "warriors" who wage war against humanity . Out of their number, there are eight principal Ajogun led by 'Iku' (Death). The Yoruba have developed a robust pantheon of divinities, each well developed in their different rites and traditions. Many of these have attained national/pan Yoruba statuses and are known all across Yoruba country, even diffusing beyond Yorubaland into
5986-491: The term Orisha is often used to describe both classes of divine entities , it is properly reserved for the former one. The Ajogun on the other hand are best described as active negative, destructive or malevolent forces of nature. They exist at the same operational plane as the Orisha but occupy counter positions and work against one's Ori. They represent the other side of the Yoruba duality of existence which can either be Ire " (Goodness) " or Ibi " (Evil) ". Broken down,
6068-480: The title of "gods" (John 10:33–36), because as literal children of God they can take upon themselves His divine attributes. Mormons teach that "The glory of God is intelligence" (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36), and that it is by sharing the Father's perfect comprehension of all things that both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are also divine. Hinduism is neither a monolithic religion nor an organized religion :
6150-487: The total complex of songs, histories, stories, and other cultural concepts which make up the Yoruba society. The Yoruba name for the Yoruba indigenous religion is Ìṣẹ̀ṣẹ, which also refers to the traditions and rituals that encompass Yorùbá culture. The term comes from a contraction of the words Ìṣẹ̀ (Ishɛ), meaning " source/root origin ", and ìṣe (Ishe), meaning " practice/tradition " coming together to mean "The original tradition"/"The tradition of antiquity" as many of
6232-520: The trend of the majority of polytheist religions being found outside the western world. Folk religions are often closely tied to animism . Animistic beliefs are found in historical and modern cultures. Folk beliefs are often labeled superstitions when they are present in monotheistic societies. Folk religions often do not have organized authorities, also known as priesthoods , or any formal sacred texts . They often coincide with other religions as well. Abrahamic monotheistic religions , which dominate
6314-419: The unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost represent a oneness of purpose, not of substance. They believe that the early Christian church did not characterize divinity in terms of an immaterial, formless shared substance until post-apostolic theologians began to incorporate Greek metaphysical philosophies (such as Neoplatonism ) into Christian doctrine. Mormons believe that the truth about God's nature
6396-403: The western world, typically do not approve of practicing parts of multiple religions, but folk religions often overlap with others. Followers of polytheistic religions do not often problematize following practices and beliefs from multiple religions. Depending on the type of Buddhism practiced, it may be seen as polytheistic as it at least acknowledges the existence of multiple gods. The Buddha
6478-494: The worship of all the deities of one or more pantheons, as the believer can either worship them as a whole, or concentrate only on a specific group of deities, determined by various conditions such as the believer's occupation, tastes, personal experience, family tradition, etc. It is also possible to worship a single deity, considered supreme, without ruling out the existence of other gods. This religious position has been called henotheism, but some prefer to call it monolatry. Although
6560-632: Was counted among their number in antiquity. Different cities often worshipped the same deities, sometimes with epithets that distinguished them and specified their local nature. Hellenic Polytheism extended beyond mainland Greece, to the islands and coasts of Ionia in Asia Minor , to Magna Graecia (Sicily and southern Italy), and to scattered Greek colonies in the Western Mediterranean, such as Massalia (Marseille). Greek religion tempered Etruscan cult and belief to form much of
6642-445: Was happening on earth, Olodumare gathered the gases from the far reaches of space and sparked an explosion that shaped into a fireball. He subsequently sent it to Ife, where it dried much of the land and simultaneously began to bake the motionless figurines. It was at this point that Olodumare released the "breath of life" to blow across the land, and the figurines slowly came into "being" as the first people of Ife. For this reason, Ife
6724-525: Was restored through modern day revelation, which reinstated the original Judeo-Christian concept of a natural, corporeal, immortal God, who is the literal Father of the spirits of humans. It is to this personage alone that Mormons pray, as He is and always will be their Heavenly Father, the supreme "God of gods" (Deuteronomy 10:17). In the sense that Mormons worship only God the Father, they consider themselves monotheists. Nevertheless, Mormons adhere to Christ's teaching that those who receive God's word can obtain
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