Iyaami

Iyaami is a term used in Yoruba religion and in Afro-diasporic traditions such as Santería and Candomblé to describe a group of powerful female spiritual beings. The name, often rendered as Iyaami or Iyami, is commonly interpreted to mean “our mothers” or “great mothers,” signaling a collective of feminine forces that preside over motherhood, lineage, and protective power.

In Yoruba cosmology, the Iyaami are viewed as potent feminine energies that predate and influence other deities. They are typically associated with the notional authority of women, fertility, and safeguarding children, and they may be described as guardians of sacred knowledge and ritual law. Depending on lineage, they can be conceived as a triad, a broader cohort of sisters, or as a defined group with specific roles within the pantheon. Their character can range from protective and nurturing to formidable, reflecting the complexity of feminine power.

Ritual practice and belief regarding the Iyaami vary among communities. In some traditions, offerings, ceremonies, and initiations acknowledge their influence as mothers and ancestral powers. In the Afro-diasporic contexts, Iyami figures are often invoked for protection, spiritual cleansing, and empowerment, with emphasis on female authority and resilience. The interpretation of Iyaami is not uniform; different lineages may emphasize different aspects or deities within the broader Iyaami concept.

Scholars note that Iyaami exists as a flexible, contested category rather than a single, fixed deity. Variations in how Iyaami are understood reflect diverse Yoruba-rooted practices across West Africa and the diaspora.