THE STORY OF YEMOJA; THE GODDESS OF RIVERS AND FERTILITY
West African Mythology (Nigeria Specifically)
Special request by @Mr_Sotubo
West African Mythology (Nigeria Specifically)
Special request by @Mr_Sotubo
Yemoja was one of the eldest children of Olodumare(image below) and as such, she was also one of the most worshipped of the Orishas(deities)
Yemoja was a life giving deity and was often celebrated as such. She was the metaphysical of all Orishas within the Yoruba spiritual realm
Yemoja was a life giving deity and was often celebrated as such. She was the metaphysical of all Orishas within the Yoruba spiritual realm
According to stories, Yemoja was instructed by her father Olodumare to assist Orisha Obatala with the foundation of humans in the creation of earth. Yemoja travelled to earth on a rope with 16 other orishas from the abode of Olodumare, known as Orun.
Together they travelled the world and engaged with other orishas in preparing the world for humankind.
Her name Yemoja is gotten from the yoruba words Iya(meaning mother), omo(meaning child or children), and eja(meaning fish). Her name when translated means "Mother whose
Her name Yemoja is gotten from the yoruba words Iya(meaning mother), omo(meaning child or children), and eja(meaning fish). Her name when translated means "Mother whose
children are the fish."
Yemoja was often depicted as a queen like mermaid and was considered the Queen Mother Goddess in Santeria. Depending on what part of the world you hear the story from, her origins, manifestations, and powers often differ
Yemoja was often depicted as a queen like mermaid and was considered the Queen Mother Goddess in Santeria. Depending on what part of the world you hear the story from, her origins, manifestations, and powers often differ
In Nigeria, towns had deities based on the myths of their founders and Yemoja originated from Tapa in the Oke Ogun Area, but the worship of Yemoja began in Saki. Her principal shrine is located in Abeokuta and she is especially celebrated in the Ibara quarter of that city.
She is said to be the mother of Ogun(1st image), Sango(2nd image), Oya(3rd image), Osun(4th image)
Oba(1st image), Orisha Oko(2nd image), Babaluiye(3rd image), and Osoosi(4th image)
She is often associated with the Virigin Mary as during the transatlantic slave trade, Santeria practice was illegal. So her worshippers fused their worship of her with that of the virgin Mary so no one would be suspicious. The practice was still outlawed until recently and
worshippers kept their practice a secret.
Some versions describe Yemoja as having long breasts due to the many children she nursed. She was quite sensitive to this topic and very embarrassed. As a response to their insults she turned herself into a river
Some versions describe Yemoja as having long breasts due to the many children she nursed. She was quite sensitive to this topic and very embarrassed. As a response to their insults she turned herself into a river
Yemoja is the deity of fertility and water bodies. Due to this, everyone who worked, lived or travelled around water were under her protection. She is also associated with the fish gill facial markings worn by the Iyawo and was said to have assisted Sango in ending the practice
of twin infanticide in Nigeria.
End of thread
We hope @Mr_Sotubo and everyone else reading this enjoys it❤
End of thread
We hope @Mr_Sotubo and everyone else reading this enjoys it❤
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