The Idea of a Supreme Deity.

Yoruba believers in African mythology were receptive to the idea of a benevolent sky God who rules over all terrestrial life. True to form, it manifests as the heavenly entity Olodumare, who defies categorization as either male or female or any other arbitrary boundary. Olodumare, known as a celestial being that transcends the boundaries of gender, space, dimensions and time. Olorun, a form of Olodumare's name, signifies "the Almighty." The Yoruba people do not have any temples, shrines or churches devoted to him, despite the fact that his omnipotence inspires a powerful feeling of existential authority. It's said that Olodumare is so godlike that he's completely removed from the mundane concerns of human life.

 

Olodumare and the creation of Earth

To put it simply, Olodumare is God. The story of Olodumare and the creation of Earth is a tale that has been passed down from generation to generation. In the beginning, there was only darkness and chaos. Olodumare, the supreme being, existed in this void, along with other spiritual entities known as Orishas. These Orishas were the intermediaries between Olodumare and the physical world, and they had different roles to play in the creation of Earth. Olodumare decided to create a physical world, and so he summoned the Orishas to help him in this task. He assigned each of them a specific job, and together, they set about creating the Earth.

The first Orisha to be summoned was Obatala, the god of creation. He was given the task of creating the physical form of the Earth. Olodumare gave Obatala a calabash filled with soil, a white rooster, and a palm nut. Obatala was to pour the soil onto the waters that covered the Earth, and then place the palm nut on the soil. He was then to release the  white rooster, which would scratch the soil and spread it over the water. Obatala set about his task, pouring the soil onto the water and placing the palm nut on it. However, he got carried away and drank too much palm wine, causing him to become drunk and lose focus. As a result, he accidentally created several deformed beings with disabities, which he deemed unfit to live on the Earth.

When Olodumare saw what had happened, he was angry with Obatala and decided to assign another Orisha to complete the task. He summoned Oduduwa, the god of light, and instructed him to create the physical features of the Earth, such as the mountains, rivers, and valleys. Oduduwa accepted the task and set about creating the Earth. He used a chain to lower himself from the sky onto the waters and then used a snail shell filled with soil to create the first land. He then used a white rooster to scratch the soil and create the mountains, valleys, and other physical features of the Earth.

When he had finished, Olodumare was pleased with the work of Oduduwa and the other Orishas. He blessed the Earth and gave it life, creating animals, plants, and other living beings. He then created humans, who were tasked with looking after the Earth and all its inhabitants. And so, the Earth was created, and it was a beautiful and bountiful place. The Orishas continued to watch over the Earth, and the people lived in harmony with nature. Olodumare, was pleased with his (Oduduwa) creation, and he continued to watch over it, guiding the Orishas and the people towards a brighter future. Oduduwa's legacy lives on in the stories and traditions of the Yoruba people, who continue to honor and celebrate him as a symbol of creativity, innovation, and the power of the human spirit.

Each Orisha represents unique values, attributes, and symbolism, and their followers often seek their guidance and assistance in various aspects of life.

How many Orishas?

The Yoruba people have historically believed in a pantheon of deities called Orishas, who were all sent by the supreme God, Olodumare. While it's impossible to put an exact count on the number of Orishas, the whole idea is fascinating. There are supposedly 400+1 Orishas, with the noting of an infinite number that’s beyond comprehension.

Since there is no definitive count, estimates range from 700 to 900 to even 1440 Orishas. Regarding the "400+1" idea, the one is a highly revered number that indicates there are an infinite amount of Orishas, but that no matter how many times you attempt to count them, you will always come up short. Hence, you may calculate the sum as frequently as you desire, but there will always be another Orisha to include in. As for the length of time this continues, you're correct, it's forever.

 

This is the pinnacle of African mythology

The vast cultural and ritual diversity of traditional African faiths is astounding. Yoruba ideas and practices have an impact on people's daily lives outside Africa.

In terms of popularity, the Yoruba faith stands as a culmination of African faiths. One of the few African faiths that continues to grow is this one. Yoruba mythology has developed into a religion in modern Nigeria, with adherents addressing the deities in accordance with the intricate oral traditions handed down from one generation to the next.

This faith is known as Ìṣẹ̀ṣẹ among the Yoruba people. The word may be split in two: " Ìṣẹ̀'" indicates "source," and " ìṣe" implies "application." By uniting, we are "practicing our origin," as the word translates to in English. The Orisha Pantheon is the source of many of their traditions and beliefs, thus this is a fitting way to pay tribute to their ancestors.

 

Concepts of Vital Importance

Yoruba Animism is a widely practiced tenet of the faith. The term "animism" is used to describe the conviction that every material item has some kind of inherent soul. As a result, it is generally accepted that everything, no matter how inanimate, has some degree of consciousness.

Hence, they are all subject to the Orishas' jurisdiction. There has always been a supreme entity looking out for everything, much like the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt and Rome.

Reincarnation is the basis of another religion and philosophy. There is a direct line between the beliefs of their forefathers and their current-day reincarnation ideology. Reincarnation is the belief that a person may return to their original family after death by having a child. That's why it's not uncommon for Yoruba people to have visions of, or physical similarities to, their deceased ancestors. Names like "Babatunde," which means "father returns," and "Yetunde," which means " mother returns" are common. These reborn individuals often help their offspring with practical matters of religion and daily living. So, after death, deceased ancestors are still as important as they were in life.