Altars
Dublin Core
Title
Altars
Subject
Cultural Exchange
Orisha
Loa
Cuba
Haiti
Orisha
Loa
Cuba
Haiti
Description
On the left side of the photo at the very top are four necklaces (elekes). From left to right are Elegua, Ochún, Changó and Yemayá. See below an explanation for each of these Orishas.
A. In the center of the necklaces is Osún. Osún is a warrior, and is represented by a small metal staff with a metal rooster mounted on top. Osun represents your "head" (Ori). His function is to warn of danger. He is never allowed to fall over, since that would be a sign of danger coming to you. He is usually placed in a high place in the home, so that he can better "see" and so that he will not be accidently overturned.
B. Directly under Osún is the white turin (sopera) for Obatalá. The turin contains the sacred rocks (otanes) that represent the Orisha. Obatalá is the kindly father of all the Orishas and all humanity. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Though it was Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatalá who is the creator of the world and humanity. Obatalá is the source of all that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. He has a warrior side in which he enforces justice in the world. His color is white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to represent his/her different paths. White is most appropriate for Obatalá as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is above them.
C. Below and to the left of Obatalá is the turin for Ochún. Oshún rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. She also is the one we most often approach to aid us in money matters. She is the youngest of the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. She heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. The bell to the right of the turin is an implement to call Oshún down to earth.
D. Below and to the right of Obatalá is Yemaya’s turin. Yemayá lives and rules over the seas and lakes. She is the Mother of All. Her name, a shortened version of Yeyé Omo Eja means "Mother Whose Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are uncountable. She partakes of Olokun's (Orisha of the deepest parts of the ocean) abundance as the source of all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshún. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. Her number is seven for the seven seas, her colors are blue and white, and she is most often represented by the fish who are her children.
E. Directly below Oshún and Yemayá is the turin and implements of Changó. Considered to be the most 'popular' of the orishas, Changó rules over lightning, thunder, fire, drums and dance. He is a warrior Orisha with quick wits, temper and is the epitomy of virility. He is an extremely hot blooded and strong-willed Orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, drumming, women, song and eating. His colors are red and white. His numbers are four and six. To the left of the turin is a Changó figure a libation bowl and rattle to call him down to earth. In front of the rattle is a hand carved turtle figure, Changó is fond of turtles. To the right of the turin is Changó’s axe and his red and white beaded shekere (gourd).
On the left side of the photo at the very top are four necklaces (elekes). From left to right are Elegua, Ochún, Changó and Yemayá. See below an explanation for each of these Orishas.
G. To the right are two Haitian Vodún altars for the loas.
A. In the center of the necklaces is Osún. Osún is a warrior, and is represented by a small metal staff with a metal rooster mounted on top. Osun represents your "head" (Ori). His function is to warn of danger. He is never allowed to fall over, since that would be a sign of danger coming to you. He is usually placed in a high place in the home, so that he can better "see" and so that he will not be accidently overturned.
B. Directly under Osún is the white turin (sopera) for Obatalá. The turin contains the sacred rocks (otanes) that represent the Orisha. Obatalá is the kindly father of all the Orishas and all humanity. He is also the owner of all heads and the mind. Though it was Olorun who created the universe, it is Obatalá who is the creator of the world and humanity. Obatalá is the source of all that is pure, wise peaceful and compassionate. He has a warrior side in which he enforces justice in the world. His color is white which is often accented with red, purple and other colors to represent his/her different paths. White is most appropriate for Obatalá as it contains all the colors of the rainbow yet is above them.
C. Below and to the left of Obatalá is the turin for Ochún. Oshún rules over the sweet waters of the world, the brooks, streams and rivers, embodying love, fertility. She also is the one we most often approach to aid us in money matters. She is the youngest of the female orishas but retains the title of Iyalode or great queen. She heals with her sweet waters and with honey which she also owns. The bell to the right of the turin is an implement to call Oshún down to earth.
D. Below and to the right of Obatalá is Yemaya’s turin. Yemayá lives and rules over the seas and lakes. She is the Mother of All. Her name, a shortened version of Yeyé Omo Eja means "Mother Whose Children are the Fish" to reflect the fact that her children are uncountable. She partakes of Olokun's (Orisha of the deepest parts of the ocean) abundance as the source of all riches which she freely gives to her little sister Oshún. She dresses herself in seven skirts of blue and white and like the seas and profound lakes she is deep and unknowable. Her number is seven for the seven seas, her colors are blue and white, and she is most often represented by the fish who are her children.
E. Directly below Oshún and Yemayá is the turin and implements of Changó. Considered to be the most 'popular' of the orishas, Changó rules over lightning, thunder, fire, drums and dance. He is a warrior Orisha with quick wits, temper and is the epitomy of virility. He is an extremely hot blooded and strong-willed Orisha that loves all the pleasures of the world: dance, drumming, women, song and eating. His colors are red and white. His numbers are four and six. To the left of the turin is a Changó figure a libation bowl and rattle to call him down to earth. In front of the rattle is a hand carved turtle figure, Changó is fond of turtles. To the right of the turin is Changó’s axe and his red and white beaded shekere (gourd).
On the left side of the photo at the very top are four necklaces (elekes). From left to right are Elegua, Ochún, Changó and Yemayá. See below an explanation for each of these Orishas.
G. To the right are two Haitian Vodún altars for the loas.
Creator
Francisco G. Gómez
Date
7-24-2009
Rights
© Raíces Cultural Center
Format
jpeg
Language
en
Type
Still Image
Identifier
2009PRCulturalExchange01.jpg
Coverage
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Digital Image
Physical Dimensions
3420 × 2736
Files
Collection
Citation
Francisco G. Gómez, “Altars,” Raíces Cultural Center Digital Archive, accessed April 24, 2024, https://archive.raicesculturalcenter.org/items/show/101.