Orisha Forces of Nature
Dublin Core
Title
Orisha Forces of Nature
Subject
Description
Brief description/definition of Orisha, or Forces of Nature from Nigeria and Cuba.
Creator
Nicole Wines
Date
2011
Contributor
Nicole Wines
Rights
© Raíces Cultural Center
Format
pdf
Language
en
Type
Text
Identifier
EFMI_Orishas_Infosheet_2011.pdf
Coverage
Cuba
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
The Orisha traditions and belief systems, while originating in Africa, are now practiced worldwide. This evolution of these traditions in Cuba is an example of hte meshing of African and European cultures. Practitioners of Orisha belief systems were brought from Yorubaland in Nigeria during the transatlantic slave trade and kept their traditions alive throughout the Caribbean and the diaspora, often disguising their traditional forces of nature with avatars of Catholic Saints.
Orisha are not gods or deities. In Ochá there is only one God called "Olodumare" or "Olofin" and many aspects of god or natural forces which are known as Orisha.
Each Orisha has many roads or paths, just as each force of nature can behave in different ways at different times.
Those who believe in and are devoted to the Orisha are called Aborisha. Those initiated as priests and priestesses of the religion are called Olorisha.
Orisha belief has spread throughout the world and is practiced by people of all cultures.
Orisha are not gods or deities. In Ochá there is only one God called "Olodumare" or "Olofin" and many aspects of god or natural forces which are known as Orisha.
Each Orisha has many roads or paths, just as each force of nature can behave in different ways at different times.
Those who believe in and are devoted to the Orisha are called Aborisha. Those initiated as priests and priestesses of the religion are called Olorisha.
Orisha belief has spread throughout the world and is practiced by people of all cultures.
Original Format
paper
Citation
Nicole Wines, “Orisha Forces of Nature,” Raíces Cultural Center Digital Archive, accessed March 29, 2024, https://archive.raicesculturalcenter.org/items/show/1.