Info For Y'all Olokun Deity Together With Its Diverse Olokun Festivals
Olokun is an Orisha inward Yoruba organized faith every bit good every bit a pantheon inward Edo traditional religion. It is associated with the vast as well as deep sea, marshes as well as wetlands, as well as is protector of the African diaspora. It works closely with Oya (Deity of the Winds) as well as Egungun (Collective Ancestral Spirits) to herald the way for those that exceed to ancestorship, every bit it plays a critical work inward Iku, Aye as well as the transition of human beings as well as spirits betwixt these 2 existences. The worshippers of Olokun are to a greater extent than frequently than non dressed inward immaculate white attires with their faces coasted with white chalk ‘efun’. Festivals are celebrated worldwide inward honour of Olokun.
Trinidad as well as Tobago Olokun priests performing rituals at Ase Odun Olokun festival.
It is averred that Olokun has manful individual or woman individual personifications, depending on what part of West Africa He/She is worshipped. It is personified inward several human characteristics; patience, endurance, sternness, observation, meditation, appreciation for history, hereafter visions, as well as royalty personified.
Initiated Ifa members of Olokun deity on street procession during Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival at Ile Ife inward Osun State,Nigeria
Olokun is i of the most powerful yet unsafe of the Orishas inward Osha as well as Ifa. Its characteristics are found as well as displayed inward the depths of the Ocean. The give-and-take "Olukun" is a contraction, "Olo" pregnant "owner", as well as "okun" pregnant "ocean". Both of these words are the names given to clit a complex convergence of Spiritual Forces that are telephone commutation elements inward the Ifa concept of fertility.
Chief priest Of Olokun sitting on the chair at the river rima oris to the sea inward Trinidad as well as Tobago with some other Olokun devotee during Ase Odun Olokun festival.
Olokun also signifies unfathomable wisdom. That is, the instinct that at that topographic point is something worth knowing, maybe to a greater extent than than tin ever live learned, especially the spiritual sciences that most people pass a lifetime pondering. It also governs stuff wealth, psychic abilities, dreaming, meditation, mental wellness as well as water-based healing.
Drummers at Olokun Festival at Baltimore,USA
Olokun is i of many Orisa known to aid women that wishing children. It is also worshipped past times those that seek political as well as social ascension, which is why heads of state, royalty, entrepreneurs as well as socialites frequently plough to Olokun to non exclusively protect their reputations, but propel them farther amid the ranks of their peers.
Annual Olokun Festival existence celebrated past times the Ilajes who inhabit the entire coastline of Ondo State.
Olokun inward woman individual shape amid the Yoruba is symbolized past times the sea as well as white she-goats are amid her favorite offerings. She is represented past times the disclose 7 as well as his sacred hateful solar daytime of the calendar week is Monday.
Olokun is believed to live the married adult woman of Olorun and, past times him, the woman bring upward of Obatala as well as Odudua.
Yoruba Ifa Olokun devotee from Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria carrying his kids during Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival.
Other relationships are numerous, especially when the sex of Olokun changes. Again, spell these relationships are taken quite literally, they genuinely serve to enjoin occult members which Orisa move good together inward healing situations, every bit good every bit to supply historical references to relationships betwixt communities that serve every bit centers or hosts to main shrines for each of these Orisa.
Eyo Olokun masquerades at the Teslim Balogun Stadium inward Lagos.
Olokun is worshipped inward Benin, Togo as well as amid the Edo as well as Yoruba inward Nigeria. In African diasporic religions, Olokun is sometimes considered the patron Orisa of the African diaspora, the descendants of those who were carried away during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Olokun is soundless revered inward modern Lagos (Eko), as well as Eyo Olokun masquerades are amid the main attractions at the Eyo festival.
Olokun initiates during Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival at Ile Ife inward Osun State,Nigeria
History of Olokun
Republic of Benin is widely accepted every bit the dwelling or rootage of Olokun worship. While most Olokun initiates inward Africa are female, the legends that score the start of Olokun worship characteristic stories of men existence its initial worshipers.
There was a hunter that resided inward Urhonigbe inward the Edo kingdom of Benin. One day, he ventured off into the woods on a hunting expedition. While chasing a bush pig, he was attracted to the river Ethiope where he was captured as well as taken to the bottom of the river past times a band of spirits.
Ori-Olokun towering high at the Ife Garden
Ori-Olokun monument was discovered inward the early on 20th century past times High German explorer Leo Frobenius. “Frobenius could non imagine that such works were of African rootage as well as came upward with the theory that this non bad fine art was bear witness of the lost Atlantis of the Greeks. Fabronius said "the Yoruba deity, Olokun, was the same god every bit the Greek Poseidon. “The monument was farther identified every bit a modern sand casting of a brass, which comprises copper as well as zinc.
“The name, Olokun, attached to this caput refers to the fact that it was dug upward inward the belatedly 19th century inward the Olokun Grove as well as used inward annual rites to honour Olokun."
It was hither that he was introduced to the deity Olokun. He stayed inward this underwater abode for 3 years and, inward the course of study of those 3 years, he was encouraged to participate inward spiritual rituals that went on all the time. By so doing, he learned the spiritual sciences as well as worship practices associated with Olokun.
Back inward his dwelling town, his identify unit of measurement as well as neighbors assumed he was dead after existence gone for such a long time. They were surprised to say the to the lowest degree when he returned on the hateful solar daytime his 3 twelvemonth tour ended mute (without the powerfulness of speech), carrying a H2O pot on his head. His exclusively reply to their queries was to trip the lite fantastic toe hysterically, much to the daze of the townsfolk. Eventually the crowd that had gathered began to mock his trip the lite fantastic toe as well as it started what was to acquire a 14-day tribute of ritual dancing to Olokun. At the terminate of this period, the hunter began to utter in i lawsuit to a greater extent than as well as chose to part some of his experiences. All skepticism nigh his storey were eased every bit he began to create spiritual move that created positive results for those around him. He was named main priest of Olokun at this point. Even until today, hunters re-enact this famous tribesman's life with the annual festival as well as Ekaba dance. Urhoniigbe's Olokun temple sits on the spot where he is said to lead hold rested his Olokun pot on the 14th day.
In Ebvoesi, at that topographic point was a man child named Omobe (rascal, troublesome child) that had non bad physical powerfulness as well as was trained to live a wrestler. As he grew older, his wrestling abilities grew stronger as well as earlier long he was considered the greatest wrestler inward the world.
At his birth, the local priest/diviner warned his parents to non let Omobe to climb palm trees. But i hateful solar daytime spell his parents were away, he decided to climb a palm tree whatsoever way. From high upward he could peer into the spirit world as well as he noticed that several divinities had gathered for a fantastic wrestling match! He forthwith climbed downwards as well as made his way to the spirit world to exam his ain luck with a multifariousness of spirits. He musical rhythm out every opponent. Ancestors, Undergods as well as all others lost at his hands, fifty-fifty Ogun. Finally, he prepared to wrestle Olokun. While he summoned all of his physical strength, Olokun drew on his spiritual powers.
During the match, Omobe attempted to throw Olokun to the ground, but instead Olokun ended upward firmly attached to his head. All attempts at removing Olokun from his caput failed as well as Olokun declared it his permanent abode every bit a sign of Omobe's arrogance as well as disrespect towards the other spirits. When Omobe returned home, the local priest/diviner advised him to appease Olokun or die. So for 7 days, Omobe made sacrifices. On the lastly day, Omobe was initiated every bit the foremost Olokun priest. After this, Olokun loosened his handgrip on Omobe's life as well as gave him peace.
Even so, it was afterward said to all rascally children that Omobe's lack of honour for constituted potency had landed him inward dire straits as well as that if they did non alter their ways they mightiness part the same fate.
In Orisa culture, it appears that some stories contradict or compete with other ones. The disparities or differences that be are good understood past times indigenous practitioners.
They are seen every bit a way past times which the spirits recommend that i researches various avenues of traditional religion, worship, practise as well as initiation inside the Orisa system. Furthermore, spell the stories are regarded every bit fact, they are also understood to live indicators of historical as well as social factors, which evidently differ from part to region.
African Diasporic religions
Yemoja-Olokun-Mami Wata connections
Some Afro-Cuban lineages worship Olokun inward tandem with Yemoja (Yemaya/Yemanja). In the past times Lukumi as well as Santería worshippers considered these 2 Orisha to live manifestations of i another, although Western devotees believe that they are distinct but kindred energies that were paired together during the Maafa every bit a way of preserving both Orisha traditions.In nature, the bottom of the body of body of water represents Olokun.
However inward Africa, Yemoja is the divinity of the Ogun River inward Nigeria as well as Olokun is considered the woman bring upward of all bodies of water. As such, she is the principal vicereigne to Olodumare inward matters that pertain to both oceans AND rivers. In Edo State (the sometime Bendel State), Olokun is the patron Spirit of the Ethiope River. In Benin, the deities are referred to every bit Ebo', non Orisa.
In Nigeria as well as Benin, Olokun is sometimes worshipped inward tandem with Mami Wata. They create lead hold like temperaments as well as personas.
Olokun priesthood
Lukumi Orisa worshippers inward the U.S. of America as well as the Caribbean Area create non initiate Olokun priests. However, inward their traditions, you lot tin have an Olokun shrine for personal prosperity. Omo Olokun or children of Olokun are typically initiated to Yemoja inward Lukumi lineages. In other Orisa lineages as well as "sects" inward the west, especially Oyotunji, Anago as well as all indigene Orisa’Ifa, initiations to Olokun create bring place. In addition, Olokun initiation tin live undertaken past times way of Republic of Benin spiritual lineages.
Odun Osara as well as Olokun festivals
This festival is the celebration inward honour of Osa as well as Olokun. Osa as well as Olokun are wives of Oduduwa. Olokun was the foremost married adult woman of Oduduwa but was childless.
As a outcome of this childlessness, she prevailed on her married adult man to secure a 2nd married adult woman to give him children that volition inherit him. The 2nd married adult woman Oduduwa procured is Osa.
During this festival all the children of the manful individual monarch article of apparel Agbon. The children of Araba as well as the Awos also article of apparel Agbon. All the children as well as their parents march through the principal streets of Ile Ife to the shrine of Osara.
This festival is total of pomp as well as pageantry with devotees of Olokun drumming, singing as well as dancing. It is a spectacle to behold inward Ile Ife.
The most of import thing of notice is that during this festival, tradition demands that it pelting as well as inward most cases the powerfulness of traditional Yourba Babalawos are deployed to ensure that it pelting at all terms during the festival.
Yoruba Olokun devotees of Ifa celebrating Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival at Ile Ife inward Nigeria.
Ase Odun Olokun
In Trinidad & Tobago an annual festival, ASE ODUN OLOKUN is hosted past times EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE to honour as well as celebrate Olokun. The festival is celebrated at a dissimilar beach, river rima oris or mangrove at a specially divinated sites, but this twelvemonth it returned to the Dhein’s Bay , Western Main Road , Carenage inward T&T.
Orisa Olokun Devotees performing rituals inward Ile Iere at the rima oris of Odo Marianne ati Okun Caribbean Area inward Trinidad as well as Tobago during Ase Odun Olokun festival.
It is hoped that ritual intervention during the festival volition aid focus attending on the demand to salve the sea grasses as well as preserve a salubrious fishery resources inward the Gulf of Paria as well as entire T&T. The venue as well as the engagement of the festival may sometimes alter because that determination is based upon the concluding consultation as well as consensus reached past times the Elders at EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE.
T&T Olokun devotees believe that the Earth is the bluish planet. "It is our body of body of water as well as its H2O scheme that sustains as well as has made possible all life on Planet Earth. The planet’s oceans as well as seas absorb as well as neutralise the agents of pollution, supply food, raw materials, medicine, recreation, carry as well as communications for billions of the planet’s inhabitants. Mankind pollutes the body of body of water at his peril."
In the past times this festival was unopen to the full general populace every bit exclusively members of EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE participated. However, after establishing ASE ODUN OLOKUN festival on the National calendar of Orisa Festivities inward T&T they festival was so opened to the full general public.
The Elders of EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE moved the Festival all over the coasts as well as wetlands of Republic Trinidad & Tobago restoring environmental harmony to disrupted as well as abused environments. The Festival became so powerful that they changed the tides of governance inward the country.
The people came to come across but i organization hosting as well as treating OLOKUN inward its traditional Yoruba as well as Edo worship. Many T&T people who were unfamiliar with OLOKUN but were accustomed to YEMOJA every bit Caribbean`s Ocean divinity became really much aware. REVOLUTION took identify in the Orisa deity landscape inward T&T. As a outcome of the popularity of Olokun festival as well as worship the so PRIME MINISTER – ARTHUR NAPOLEON ROBINSON CAME TO BE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 FANATIC AND RECEIVED THE CHIEFTAINCY TITLE – CHIEF OLOKUN IGBARO .
Through this festival, Trinidad & Tobago has been blessed with recipients of the Olokun titles of the Motherland. The Festival has grown as well as this twelvemonth it has been indicated that E.I.S.O.M. as well as Ile Osun/ Obatala volition live hosting Olokun Festivals.
(contact:http://yorubasacredsciencecentre.wordpress.com#sthash.cA1FgxJ3.dpuf) or
Yoruba elders that Yemonja as well as Olokun are most surely divide Orisa. However, they create compliment each other’s liberate energy inward necessary as well as profound ways. For these reasons i may non have Olokun without having received Yemonja first.]
OLOKUN
Who is Olokun?
It is the Orisha of the Ocean, represents the sea inward his to a greater extent than frightful state, because the total depth of secrets. He is androgynous, one-half human being as well as one-half fish. It has violent, mysterious as well as compulsive character.
Its advert comes from the Yorùbá Olókún (Oló: owner-Okún: The ocean) but inward fact is the Owner of all waters, because their daughters Olona as well as Olosa (nymphs of the water) represent: springs, pools, cascades, lagoons, rivers, brooks,marine extensions as well as the H2O of rain.
It represents the wealth of the bottom of the sea as well as the health. Husband of Elusú (of thesand), Ajé Salugá (of the coin as well as the marine shells), Olosá (of the lagoons), Ikokó (of the aquatic plants), Dared (of the underground lakes), Boromú (of the sea currents),Borosia (of marine tornados), Yembo (of the calm of the sea) as well as Agganá (of rain).
One says that Obbatalá chained it to the bottom of the Ocean, when it tried to kill to thehumanity with the deluge. He is Father Mother of Yemayá. One ever imagines to himwith mask, because i says that that watches its human face upward it dies immediately. Its cult is of the metropolis of Lakes, Republic of Benin as well as Ilé Ifé as well as arrives at Republic of Cuba at the terminate of Century XIX withthe Iyalosha Oni
Yemayá, Ferminita Go'mez, who introduces the cult every bit at the momentwe know it.
In the dominion of Ocha she is i of the main deities, because it is associated to the materialgoods, the wellness as well as the stability. Its cult is also splendid inside Ifá. It does non move at thetop of whatsoever initiate as well as their children crown Yemayá with Gold for Olokum, receiving toso mysterious deity, inward a ceremony that includes cleaning with awan (species of consisting of offering various meals) arranged inward several plates, which drain all inside a basket, inward which already they are the bodies of the animals sacrificed inward honour of theOrisha, to live everything taken to the sea.
Two spirits coexist with Olokun: Somú Gagá as well as Akaró that stand upward for the life as well as thedeath respectively. Both spirits are represented past times a atomic number 82 wrist that takes inward a manus aserpent (Akaró) as well as inward a other mask (Somú Gagá).
Legend of Olokum
It counts a legend that Olokum tapeworm xi daughters; Osupa (the moon), 5 Olosa, 4Olona as well as its favourite Agana Erí
The Olosa as well as the Olona were but the beautiful ones as well as were sirens, the nine could acquire fish-woman or adult woman only, whereas his hermanastra Agana Erí, fille of Olokum with Yewá was deformed, it needed to a sine as well as tapeworm a high hip but thatthe other. For this argue Agana Erí began to experience envies of its beautiful sisters as well as itallied fishermen whom a long fourth dimension agone they loved to detect the sirens as well as to capture them
Prayer of Olokun:
Iba Olokun fe mi lo’re. Iba Olokun omo re wa se fun oyio.
Olokun nu ni o si o ki e lu re ye toray. Bomi taafi. Bemi taafi.
Olokun ni’ka le. Moyugba. Ashe.
MAFEREFUN BABA OLOKUN!
source"http://www.floridaeco-tours.com/vntsfestivs.html
http://sudanforum.net/showthread.php?p=2417585
Olokun: On the trail of the sea goddess
ll around Yoruba land, Olokun is celebrated as well as worshipped but few people know why. KAYODE FALADE went inward search of the goddess. His report
Just entering the cradle of Yoruba land, Ile-Ife inward Osun State i comes across a big roundabout. It is inward the pump of the University City which is also the source of the Yoruba race. At the centre of the roundabout is a huge golden bust sprouting from the earth.
It is called Ori Olokun. Ori inward the Yoruba linguistic communication agency head. For many, it is but a replica of i of the famous Ife bronze fine art celebrated all over the world every bit i of the legacies of ancient Yoruba art. To others, the figure is also used every bit a symbol of the Yoruba race especially Ile- Ife, the source.
But Ori Olokun is the bust of Olokun, the Yoruba goddess of the sea or body of body of water as well as wealth. Why is the bust inward Ile-Ife as well as non inward Lagos or Badagry which is closer or nearer to the big water?
The Walode of Ile-Ife Chief Kolawole Omotayo, is the Abore (Chief Priest) of Olokun of the Source as well as he responded: “Olokun is the goddess who gathered all the H2O of the basis together, at creation, as well as moved it to its electrical flow location – the sea.
“At the start of life, the basis was formless as well as filled with water. Olodumare so sent Obatala, his main orisa, to the world to commence the procedure of filling it with life. Thus Obatala, armed with igba iwa, descended from sky through a chain to create the bid of his master. “On his way, however, he came across vino from Igi Olufon.
The non bad orisa could non resist a swig. This he took as well as could non halt until he got boozer as well as vicious into a deep slumber. Days after, Olodumare was expecting a feedback but Obatala was nowhere to live found to give his Lord the study of his assignment. “Olodumare knew what was happeneing, so He at nowadays sent Oduduwa.
When Oduduwa got to Obatala, he never woke him upward from his drunken stupor but proceeded to collect the igba iwa, Adie elese marun (five-toed hen) as well as sand from him. He so proceeded on the creation course.
Hence, he did every bit he was bided past times Olodumare: poured the sand on the H2O as well as laid the Adie elese marun loose. It was Adie elese marun that at nowadays scattered the dust on the water. Hence where the sand is became terra firma as well as where it did non encompass became stream, pound, river every bit the illustration as well as size may be. And so life began inward Ile-Ife.”
But where did Olokun come upward in? The Walode continued: “It got to a fourth dimension when overflowing threatened to overcome the earth. This was when Olokun rose to the rescue of humanity.
Right from Ilode, where nosotros stand upward now, the non bad goddess Olokun began of drawing all the H2O together. After this she moved everything through Ilare to a really remote work of the basis so which is at nowadays the sea of today.
That is why everywhere, wherever they are, all H2O soundless links the sea. So, Olokun, it was who, saved the basis from flood.” Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 myth. So it sounds. The Iwude did non agree.
He explained: “The white men, you lot know, are really inquisitive. They traced the path of the sea from Lagos upward to Ile-Ife. They came to this Ilode looking for Olokun.
Another thing is that whatsoever fourth dimension nosotros lead hold the olokun festival as well as nosotros offering sacrifice; all the articles as well as things used for the sacrifices are ever found at the Bar Beach, Lagos the next day. You tin confirm this anytime the festival is held.
We but held i nigh 2 months ago.” Shedding to a greater extent than lite on the goddess, he continued: Olokun is i of the 201 orisa that descended from sky to earth. It is soundless live as well as nowadays amid us. It appears to people she wants to come across especially members of this family. “There are 2 kinds of H2O hither on Isalu Aye (earth).
The foremost is Okun (Sea) spell the other is Osa (River or the lagoon found inward Lagos). The 2 are hither inward Ile-Ife. Olokun is for the sea spell Osara is for the other.
Right at nowadays the Osara festival is going on. Olokun is the goddess of the sea spell Osara is that of river or lagoon. Olokun gives wealth spell Osara is inward accuse of fruits of the womb. They are both hither inward Ile-Ife. The reporter’s curiosity grew. Since Olokun could brand herself visible to people, he would wishing to come across her.
Another of the hierarchy of the Iwude identify unit of measurement responded: “It is possible. If it had been some years ago, it would lead hold been almost immediate. The theatre (shrine) of Olokun was amid us then.
There she was domiciled always. However, every bit expansion continued, people started edifice nigh her as well as she kept on withdrawing. There was fifty-fifty a fourth dimension inward the past times when some white men on her trail. This made her to farther withdraw.
When nosotros were much younger, it was really possible especially during the festival. However, the custodians had to create some things for good keep” The Iwude so asked the reporter whether or non he was serious nigh seeing the goddess. If he were, then, he would lead hold to undergo some rituals; Olokun would brand herself visible. In which form?
In her normal shape of course,” the main priest of the goddess of wealth assured the reporter. There is a caveat though; people with tribal marks or filthy ones cannot come across her.
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Photo credits as well as much appreciation to:http://orishada.com/wordpress/?p=681
Trinidad as well as Tobago Olokun priests performing rituals at Ase Odun Olokun festival.
It is averred that Olokun has manful individual or woman individual personifications, depending on what part of West Africa He/She is worshipped. It is personified inward several human characteristics; patience, endurance, sternness, observation, meditation, appreciation for history, hereafter visions, as well as royalty personified.
Initiated Ifa members of Olokun deity on street procession during Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival at Ile Ife inward Osun State,Nigeria
Olokun is i of the most powerful yet unsafe of the Orishas inward Osha as well as Ifa. Its characteristics are found as well as displayed inward the depths of the Ocean. The give-and-take "Olukun" is a contraction, "Olo" pregnant "owner", as well as "okun" pregnant "ocean". Both of these words are the names given to clit a complex convergence of Spiritual Forces that are telephone commutation elements inward the Ifa concept of fertility.
Chief priest Of Olokun sitting on the chair at the river rima oris to the sea inward Trinidad as well as Tobago with some other Olokun devotee during Ase Odun Olokun festival.
Olokun also signifies unfathomable wisdom. That is, the instinct that at that topographic point is something worth knowing, maybe to a greater extent than than tin ever live learned, especially the spiritual sciences that most people pass a lifetime pondering. It also governs stuff wealth, psychic abilities, dreaming, meditation, mental wellness as well as water-based healing.
Drummers at Olokun Festival at Baltimore,USA
Olokun is i of many Orisa known to aid women that wishing children. It is also worshipped past times those that seek political as well as social ascension, which is why heads of state, royalty, entrepreneurs as well as socialites frequently plough to Olokun to non exclusively protect their reputations, but propel them farther amid the ranks of their peers.
Annual Olokun Festival existence celebrated past times the Ilajes who inhabit the entire coastline of Ondo State.
Olokun inward woman individual shape amid the Yoruba is symbolized past times the sea as well as white she-goats are amid her favorite offerings. She is represented past times the disclose 7 as well as his sacred hateful solar daytime of the calendar week is Monday.
Olokun is believed to live the married adult woman of Olorun and, past times him, the woman bring upward of Obatala as well as Odudua.
Yoruba Ifa Olokun devotee from Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria carrying his kids during Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival.
Other relationships are numerous, especially when the sex of Olokun changes. Again, spell these relationships are taken quite literally, they genuinely serve to enjoin occult members which Orisa move good together inward healing situations, every bit good every bit to supply historical references to relationships betwixt communities that serve every bit centers or hosts to main shrines for each of these Orisa.
Eyo Olokun masquerades at the Teslim Balogun Stadium inward Lagos.
Olokun is worshipped inward Benin, Togo as well as amid the Edo as well as Yoruba inward Nigeria. In African diasporic religions, Olokun is sometimes considered the patron Orisa of the African diaspora, the descendants of those who were carried away during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Olokun is soundless revered inward modern Lagos (Eko), as well as Eyo Olokun masquerades are amid the main attractions at the Eyo festival.
Olokun initiates during Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival at Ile Ife inward Osun State,Nigeria
History of Olokun
Republic of Benin is widely accepted every bit the dwelling or rootage of Olokun worship. While most Olokun initiates inward Africa are female, the legends that score the start of Olokun worship characteristic stories of men existence its initial worshipers.
Olokun
There was a hunter that resided inward Urhonigbe inward the Edo kingdom of Benin. One day, he ventured off into the woods on a hunting expedition. While chasing a bush pig, he was attracted to the river Ethiope where he was captured as well as taken to the bottom of the river past times a band of spirits.
Ori-Olokun towering high at the Ife Garden
Ori-Olokun monument was discovered inward the early on 20th century past times High German explorer Leo Frobenius. “Frobenius could non imagine that such works were of African rootage as well as came upward with the theory that this non bad fine art was bear witness of the lost Atlantis of the Greeks. Fabronius said "the Yoruba deity, Olokun, was the same god every bit the Greek Poseidon. “The monument was farther identified every bit a modern sand casting of a brass, which comprises copper as well as zinc.
“The name, Olokun, attached to this caput refers to the fact that it was dug upward inward the belatedly 19th century inward the Olokun Grove as well as used inward annual rites to honour Olokun."
It was hither that he was introduced to the deity Olokun. He stayed inward this underwater abode for 3 years and, inward the course of study of those 3 years, he was encouraged to participate inward spiritual rituals that went on all the time. By so doing, he learned the spiritual sciences as well as worship practices associated with Olokun.
Olokun annual festival at Ayede, Ekiti State,Nigeria. http://illuszionzphotos.blogspot.com/
Back inward his dwelling town, his identify unit of measurement as well as neighbors assumed he was dead after existence gone for such a long time. They were surprised to say the to the lowest degree when he returned on the hateful solar daytime his 3 twelvemonth tour ended mute (without the powerfulness of speech), carrying a H2O pot on his head. His exclusively reply to their queries was to trip the lite fantastic toe hysterically, much to the daze of the townsfolk. Eventually the crowd that had gathered began to mock his trip the lite fantastic toe as well as it started what was to acquire a 14-day tribute of ritual dancing to Olokun. At the terminate of this period, the hunter began to utter in i lawsuit to a greater extent than as well as chose to part some of his experiences. All skepticism nigh his storey were eased every bit he began to create spiritual move that created positive results for those around him. He was named main priest of Olokun at this point. Even until today, hunters re-enact this famous tribesman's life with the annual festival as well as Ekaba dance. Urhoniigbe's Olokun temple sits on the spot where he is said to lead hold rested his Olokun pot on the 14th day.
Olokun priestess
In Ebvoesi, at that topographic point was a man child named Omobe (rascal, troublesome child) that had non bad physical powerfulness as well as was trained to live a wrestler. As he grew older, his wrestling abilities grew stronger as well as earlier long he was considered the greatest wrestler inward the world.
At his birth, the local priest/diviner warned his parents to non let Omobe to climb palm trees. But i hateful solar daytime spell his parents were away, he decided to climb a palm tree whatsoever way. From high upward he could peer into the spirit world as well as he noticed that several divinities had gathered for a fantastic wrestling match! He forthwith climbed downwards as well as made his way to the spirit world to exam his ain luck with a multifariousness of spirits. He musical rhythm out every opponent. Ancestors, Undergods as well as all others lost at his hands, fifty-fifty Ogun. Finally, he prepared to wrestle Olokun. While he summoned all of his physical strength, Olokun drew on his spiritual powers.
During the match, Omobe attempted to throw Olokun to the ground, but instead Olokun ended upward firmly attached to his head. All attempts at removing Olokun from his caput failed as well as Olokun declared it his permanent abode every bit a sign of Omobe's arrogance as well as disrespect towards the other spirits. When Omobe returned home, the local priest/diviner advised him to appease Olokun or die. So for 7 days, Omobe made sacrifices. On the lastly day, Omobe was initiated every bit the foremost Olokun priest. After this, Olokun loosened his handgrip on Omobe's life as well as gave him peace.
Olokun, crowned head, Ife.Nigeria
Even so, it was afterward said to all rascally children that Omobe's lack of honour for constituted potency had landed him inward dire straits as well as that if they did non alter their ways they mightiness part the same fate.
In Orisa culture, it appears that some stories contradict or compete with other ones. The disparities or differences that be are good understood past times indigenous practitioners.
They are seen every bit a way past times which the spirits recommend that i researches various avenues of traditional religion, worship, practise as well as initiation inside the Orisa system. Furthermore, spell the stories are regarded every bit fact, they are also understood to live indicators of historical as well as social factors, which evidently differ from part to region.
African Diasporic religions
Yemoja-Olokun-Mami Wata connections
Some Afro-Cuban lineages worship Olokun inward tandem with Yemoja (Yemaya/Yemanja). In the past times Lukumi as well as Santería worshippers considered these 2 Orisha to live manifestations of i another, although Western devotees believe that they are distinct but kindred energies that were paired together during the Maafa every bit a way of preserving both Orisha traditions.In nature, the bottom of the body of body of water represents Olokun.
However inward Africa, Yemoja is the divinity of the Ogun River inward Nigeria as well as Olokun is considered the woman bring upward of all bodies of water. As such, she is the principal vicereigne to Olodumare inward matters that pertain to both oceans AND rivers. In Edo State (the sometime Bendel State), Olokun is the patron Spirit of the Ethiope River. In Benin, the deities are referred to every bit Ebo', non Orisa.
In Nigeria as well as Benin, Olokun is sometimes worshipped inward tandem with Mami Wata. They create lead hold like temperaments as well as personas.
Olokun priesthood
Lukumi Orisa worshippers inward the U.S. of America as well as the Caribbean Area create non initiate Olokun priests. However, inward their traditions, you lot tin have an Olokun shrine for personal prosperity. Omo Olokun or children of Olokun are typically initiated to Yemoja inward Lukumi lineages. In other Orisa lineages as well as "sects" inward the west, especially Oyotunji, Anago as well as all indigene Orisa’Ifa, initiations to Olokun create bring place. In addition, Olokun initiation tin live undertaken past times way of Republic of Benin spiritual lineages.
Odun Osara as well as Olokun festivals
This festival is the celebration inward honour of Osa as well as Olokun. Osa as well as Olokun are wives of Oduduwa. Olokun was the foremost married adult woman of Oduduwa but was childless.
As a outcome of this childlessness, she prevailed on her married adult man to secure a 2nd married adult woman to give him children that volition inherit him. The 2nd married adult woman Oduduwa procured is Osa.
During this festival all the children of the manful individual monarch article of apparel Agbon. The children of Araba as well as the Awos also article of apparel Agbon. All the children as well as their parents march through the principal streets of Ile Ife to the shrine of Osara.
This festival is total of pomp as well as pageantry with devotees of Olokun drumming, singing as well as dancing. It is a spectacle to behold inward Ile Ife.
The most of import thing of notice is that during this festival, tradition demands that it pelting as well as inward most cases the powerfulness of traditional Yourba Babalawos are deployed to ensure that it pelting at all terms during the festival.
Yoruba Olokun devotees of Ifa celebrating Odun Osara as well as Olokun festival at Ile Ife inward Nigeria.
Ase Odun Olokun
In Trinidad & Tobago an annual festival, ASE ODUN OLOKUN is hosted past times EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE to honour as well as celebrate Olokun. The festival is celebrated at a dissimilar beach, river rima oris or mangrove at a specially divinated sites, but this twelvemonth it returned to the Dhein’s Bay , Western Main Road , Carenage inward T&T.
Orisa Olokun Devotees performing rituals inward Ile Iere at the rima oris of Odo Marianne ati Okun Caribbean Area inward Trinidad as well as Tobago during Ase Odun Olokun festival.
It is hoped that ritual intervention during the festival volition aid focus attending on the demand to salve the sea grasses as well as preserve a salubrious fishery resources inward the Gulf of Paria as well as entire T&T. The venue as well as the engagement of the festival may sometimes alter because that determination is based upon the concluding consultation as well as consensus reached past times the Elders at EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE.
T&T Olokun devotees believe that the Earth is the bluish planet. "It is our body of body of water as well as its H2O scheme that sustains as well as has made possible all life on Planet Earth. The planet’s oceans as well as seas absorb as well as neutralise the agents of pollution, supply food, raw materials, medicine, recreation, carry as well as communications for billions of the planet’s inhabitants. Mankind pollutes the body of body of water at his peril."
In the past times this festival was unopen to the full general populace every bit exclusively members of EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE participated. However, after establishing ASE ODUN OLOKUN festival on the National calendar of Orisa Festivities inward T&T they festival was so opened to the full general public.
The Elders of EGBE ONISIN ELEDUMARE moved the Festival all over the coasts as well as wetlands of Republic Trinidad & Tobago restoring environmental harmony to disrupted as well as abused environments. The Festival became so powerful that they changed the tides of governance inward the country.
The people came to come across but i organization hosting as well as treating OLOKUN inward its traditional Yoruba as well as Edo worship. Many T&T people who were unfamiliar with OLOKUN but were accustomed to YEMOJA every bit Caribbean`s Ocean divinity became really much aware. REVOLUTION took identify in the Orisa deity landscape inward T&T. As a outcome of the popularity of Olokun festival as well as worship the so PRIME MINISTER – ARTHUR NAPOLEON ROBINSON CAME TO BE Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 FANATIC AND RECEIVED THE CHIEFTAINCY TITLE – CHIEF OLOKUN IGBARO .
Through this festival, Trinidad & Tobago has been blessed with recipients of the Olokun titles of the Motherland. The Festival has grown as well as this twelvemonth it has been indicated that E.I.S.O.M. as well as Ile Osun/ Obatala volition live hosting Olokun Festivals.
(contact:http://yorubasacredsciencecentre.wordpress.com#sthash.cA1FgxJ3.dpuf) or
Yoruba elders that Yemonja as well as Olokun are most surely divide Orisa. However, they create compliment each other’s liberate energy inward necessary as well as profound ways. For these reasons i may non have Olokun without having received Yemonja first.]
OLOKUN
Who is Olokun?
It is the Orisha of the Ocean, represents the sea inward his to a greater extent than frightful state, because the total depth of secrets. He is androgynous, one-half human being as well as one-half fish. It has violent, mysterious as well as compulsive character.
Its advert comes from the Yorùbá Olókún (Oló: owner-Okún: The ocean) but inward fact is the Owner of all waters, because their daughters Olona as well as Olosa (nymphs of the water) represent: springs, pools, cascades, lagoons, rivers, brooks,marine extensions as well as the H2O of rain.
It represents the wealth of the bottom of the sea as well as the health. Husband of Elusú (of thesand), Ajé Salugá (of the coin as well as the marine shells), Olosá (of the lagoons), Ikokó (of the aquatic plants), Dared (of the underground lakes), Boromú (of the sea currents),Borosia (of marine tornados), Yembo (of the calm of the sea) as well as Agganá (of rain).
One says that Obbatalá chained it to the bottom of the Ocean, when it tried to kill to thehumanity with the deluge. He is Father Mother of Yemayá. One ever imagines to himwith mask, because i says that that watches its human face upward it dies immediately. Its cult is of the metropolis of Lakes, Republic of Benin as well as Ilé Ifé as well as arrives at Republic of Cuba at the terminate of Century XIX withthe Iyalosha Oni
Yemayá, Ferminita Go'mez, who introduces the cult every bit at the momentwe know it.
In the dominion of Ocha she is i of the main deities, because it is associated to the materialgoods, the wellness as well as the stability. Its cult is also splendid inside Ifá. It does non move at thetop of whatsoever initiate as well as their children crown Yemayá with Gold for Olokum, receiving toso mysterious deity, inward a ceremony that includes cleaning with awan (species of consisting of offering various meals) arranged inward several plates, which drain all inside a basket, inward which already they are the bodies of the animals sacrificed inward honour of theOrisha, to live everything taken to the sea.
Two spirits coexist with Olokun: Somú Gagá as well as Akaró that stand upward for the life as well as thedeath respectively. Both spirits are represented past times a atomic number 82 wrist that takes inward a manus aserpent (Akaró) as well as inward a other mask (Somú Gagá).
Legend of Olokum
It counts a legend that Olokum tapeworm xi daughters; Osupa (the moon), 5 Olosa, 4Olona as well as its favourite Agana Erí
The Olosa as well as the Olona were but the beautiful ones as well as were sirens, the nine could acquire fish-woman or adult woman only, whereas his hermanastra Agana Erí, fille of Olokum with Yewá was deformed, it needed to a sine as well as tapeworm a high hip but thatthe other. For this argue Agana Erí began to experience envies of its beautiful sisters as well as itallied fishermen whom a long fourth dimension agone they loved to detect the sirens as well as to capture them
Iba Olokun fe mi lo’re. Iba Olokun omo re wa se fun oyio.
Olokun nu ni o si o ki e lu re ye toray. Bomi taafi. Bemi taafi.
Olokun ni’ka le. Moyugba. Ashe.
MAFEREFUN BABA OLOKUN!
source"http://www.floridaeco-tours.com/vntsfestivs.html
http://sudanforum.net/showthread.php?p=2417585
Olokun: On the trail of the sea goddess
ll around Yoruba land, Olokun is celebrated as well as worshipped but few people know why. KAYODE FALADE went inward search of the goddess. His report
Just entering the cradle of Yoruba land, Ile-Ife inward Osun State i comes across a big roundabout. It is inward the pump of the University City which is also the source of the Yoruba race. At the centre of the roundabout is a huge golden bust sprouting from the earth.
It is called Ori Olokun. Ori inward the Yoruba linguistic communication agency head. For many, it is but a replica of i of the famous Ife bronze fine art celebrated all over the world every bit i of the legacies of ancient Yoruba art. To others, the figure is also used every bit a symbol of the Yoruba race especially Ile- Ife, the source.
But Ori Olokun is the bust of Olokun, the Yoruba goddess of the sea or body of body of water as well as wealth. Why is the bust inward Ile-Ife as well as non inward Lagos or Badagry which is closer or nearer to the big water?
“At the start of life, the basis was formless as well as filled with water. Olodumare so sent Obatala, his main orisa, to the world to commence the procedure of filling it with life. Thus Obatala, armed with igba iwa, descended from sky through a chain to create the bid of his master. “On his way, however, he came across vino from Igi Olufon.
The non bad orisa could non resist a swig. This he took as well as could non halt until he got boozer as well as vicious into a deep slumber. Days after, Olodumare was expecting a feedback but Obatala was nowhere to live found to give his Lord the study of his assignment. “Olodumare knew what was happeneing, so He at nowadays sent Oduduwa.
When Oduduwa got to Obatala, he never woke him upward from his drunken stupor but proceeded to collect the igba iwa, Adie elese marun (five-toed hen) as well as sand from him. He so proceeded on the creation course.
Hence, he did every bit he was bided past times Olodumare: poured the sand on the H2O as well as laid the Adie elese marun loose. It was Adie elese marun that at nowadays scattered the dust on the water. Hence where the sand is became terra firma as well as where it did non encompass became stream, pound, river every bit the illustration as well as size may be. And so life began inward Ile-Ife.”
But where did Olokun come upward in? The Walode continued: “It got to a fourth dimension when overflowing threatened to overcome the earth. This was when Olokun rose to the rescue of humanity.
Right from Ilode, where nosotros stand upward now, the non bad goddess Olokun began of drawing all the H2O together. After this she moved everything through Ilare to a really remote work of the basis so which is at nowadays the sea of today.
That is why everywhere, wherever they are, all H2O soundless links the sea. So, Olokun, it was who, saved the basis from flood.” Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 myth. So it sounds. The Iwude did non agree.
He explained: “The white men, you lot know, are really inquisitive. They traced the path of the sea from Lagos upward to Ile-Ife. They came to this Ilode looking for Olokun.
Another thing is that whatsoever fourth dimension nosotros lead hold the olokun festival as well as nosotros offering sacrifice; all the articles as well as things used for the sacrifices are ever found at the Bar Beach, Lagos the next day. You tin confirm this anytime the festival is held.
We but held i nigh 2 months ago.” Shedding to a greater extent than lite on the goddess, he continued: Olokun is i of the 201 orisa that descended from sky to earth. It is soundless live as well as nowadays amid us. It appears to people she wants to come across especially members of this family. “There are 2 kinds of H2O hither on Isalu Aye (earth).
The foremost is Okun (Sea) spell the other is Osa (River or the lagoon found inward Lagos). The 2 are hither inward Ile-Ife. Olokun is for the sea spell Osara is for the other.
Right at nowadays the Osara festival is going on. Olokun is the goddess of the sea spell Osara is that of river or lagoon. Olokun gives wealth spell Osara is inward accuse of fruits of the womb. They are both hither inward Ile-Ife. The reporter’s curiosity grew. Since Olokun could brand herself visible to people, he would wishing to come across her.
Another of the hierarchy of the Iwude identify unit of measurement responded: “It is possible. If it had been some years ago, it would lead hold been almost immediate. The theatre (shrine) of Olokun was amid us then.
There she was domiciled always. However, every bit expansion continued, people started edifice nigh her as well as she kept on withdrawing. There was fifty-fifty a fourth dimension inward the past times when some white men on her trail. This made her to farther withdraw.
When nosotros were much younger, it was really possible especially during the festival. However, the custodians had to create some things for good keep” The Iwude so asked the reporter whether or non he was serious nigh seeing the goddess. If he were, then, he would lead hold to undergo some rituals; Olokun would brand herself visible. In which form?
In her normal shape of course,” the main priest of the goddess of wealth assured the reporter. There is a caveat though; people with tribal marks or filthy ones cannot come across her.
Anyone who did non undergo the necessary rituals would also move blind on seeing her. To her worshippers as well as adherents, “she is a worthy orisa to live with. Any i worshipping her sincerely does non lack. She bestows on her ain favour as well as wealth. She is called “Olokun seni ade” which agency she is inward accuse of the crowns of kings. Crowns are made of expensive beads. She was inward accuse of the crown of Oduduwa. “However, her worshippers must non remember evil of others.
She is a construct clean goddess. She abhors whatsoever form of filth live it physical or spiritual. No i should move nigh her but after the deed of copulation. She is a woman individual so she detests infidelity.
Olokun also abhors light. No torch should live taken to her shrine. She is worshipped inward pitch darkness.” He, however, sympathised with those who worship Olokun inward other places.
To him, they are ignorant of the source of the goddess. Olokun is also worshipped inward other many other parts of Yoruba terra firma as well as fifty-fifty exterior the shores of Nigeria past times Yoruba inward the Diaspora or descendants. Places where the goddess is worshipped include Lagos, Badagry, the Republic of Benin, Cuba, Brazil, Jamaica as well as fifty-fifty the United States.
“Sometime inward the past, emissary was sent from Badagry to Ile-Ife to seek aid inward the worship of Olokun. The lastly fourth dimension was during the fourth dimension of my 4th predecessor. He accompanied them to Badagry as well as performed the rituals for them,” the goddess’s main priest as well as custodian said. He explained that Olokun is i as well as universal but her root is inward Ile-Ife, thus she should live worshipped the way it is done at the source.
Miss Olokun 2013 is Yetunde Barnabas
Photo credits as well as much appreciation to:http://orishada.com/wordpress/?p=681
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