Orixas

Orixas are deities from West African religions, primarily Yoruba religion, which spread to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade. These deities are considered intermediaries between the supreme creator god, Olodumare, and humanity. Each Orixa embodies specific aspects of nature, human endeavors, and life itself. For example, Ogun is the Orixa of iron, war, and technology, while Yemaya is the motherly Orixa of the ocean. Oxum represents love, beauty, and rivers.

These deities are worshipped in various syncretic religions such as Candomblé in Brazil and Santería in Cuba and Puerto Rico. In these traditions, Orixas are often associated with Catholic saints due to the forced imposition of Catholicism on enslaved Africans. This syncretism allowed practitioners to maintain their ancestral beliefs while outwardly adhering to the dominant religion. Devotion to Orixas involves rituals, offerings, music, dance, and divination. Believers seek guidance, protection, and blessings from their chosen or assigned Orixas throughout their lives. The concept of Orixas is central to understanding the spiritual and cultural heritage of many Afro-diasporic communities.