ORICHAS the Warriors1/1/2019 Eleguá, Ogún, Ochosi and Osun are known as the guerreros (warriors). Short Oru Cantado Eleguá Ogún Ochosi Osun
Eleguá (or Elegguá) is the Lord of crossroads, in fact he plays a role in every decision we make in life, the beginning and end of life, and the opening and closing of paths in life. He is known as the trickster, he likes to play jokes on people. He is somethimes represented as a child and enjoys candy and toys like kites, whistles, balls, toy soldiers. Despite his childlike nature he's a very powerful Oricha and is one of the Warriors (along with Ogún, Ochosi and Osun). Eleguá's colors are red and black that represent life and death, war and peace, the beginning and end of all things. His number is 3, or any multiple of 3. His day of the week is Monday, and the 3rd day of every month. In the Catholic religion, Eleguá is syncretized with the Child Jesus of Atocha, Saint Anthony of Padua, and the Anima Sola (soul in Purgatory).
Eleguá is always mentioned first in any ceremony, in order to ask him the permission to open the doors of communication with the other Orichas. On Mondays, he should be offered something he likes as a way of paying tribute to him. When practioners receive Eleguá and the other warriors, they're "medio asentados" or half-way initiated: they can't perform all the duties of an Oloricha (priest/ priestess) but they have made a very serious commitment to the religion. Initiated receive him represented with a stone shaped into a head with a cement outer layer charged with the Oricha's aché, or special energy. He lives inside the house, usually behind the door. Most practitioners of Santería know that it's very important to maintain good relations with Eleguá because without him, nothing is possible. Eshu is not the same as Eleguá, he is a sort of part of Eleguá, a sort of his shadow or reflection. Eshu is wilder and more unpredictable than Eleguá, his tricks can be unpleasant or harmful, he can be naughty, so Santeros don't keep him inside the house. Eshu can be calmed by offering food or through Eleguá since the two of them understand each other. Metaphorically, Eshu and Eleguá can be understood as polar opposites they work together to create balance in life because it is made up of both good and bad. Ogún (or Oggún) is the owner of all metals and minerals, especially iron; he knows the secrets of the natural world and can perform powerful witchcraft. He's associated with knives, machetes, nails, metal tools, firearms and other weapons, surgery and operations, any kind of wound caused by metal, as well as mountains, is the patron of all those who work with metal, mechanics, engineers, policemen, soldiers, surgeons, is the master of construction, labor, and of the technology required for human progress and evolution in the material world. According to the patakis (sacred stories of the Yoruba mithology) Ogún is Obatalá's son and Eleguá and Ochosi's brother (with them twe he protects the interior entryway of homes), and was in love with his mother, but being discovered by Eleguá and Obatalá he told them that he would go live in the wilderness all alone and devote himself completely to work for the rest of eternity clearing the forests with his machete. In fact is generally portrayed as a solitary blacksmith or ironmonger who lives alone in the forest. The children of Ogún can be violent, impulsive, and unforgiving, but they are also brave, determined, and never give up hope. They're tireless workers, and they're astute. They're known for their frankness and sincerity, which make people overlook their flaws. Ogún's days of the week are Tuesday and Wednesday, his numbers are combinations of 3 and 7, and he is related with Saint Peter. His eleke (necklace) consists of alternating green and black beads. Ebbò for Ogun are left near railways stations. Ochosi (or Oshosi) lives in the woods and is a hunter, a fisherman, a warrior, and a magician with shamanistic powers. Ochosi is the lord of justice, and the patron of those who have problems with the law. According to a pataki, when Ochosi lived on earth as a human, killed his mother for justice; he wouldn't hesitate to punish any wrong doing he came across, so his job became to hunt for the truth and measure out justice in the world. Ochosi lives in an iron cauldron with Ogún, which is placed next to Eleguá near the interior entryway of the home. Ochosi's symbol is a crossbow and arrow. He's the owner of all kinds of hunting birds, like falcons and hawks, and he looks after wildlife in general. Some also say he's the patron of those who work with dogs, and he measures out justice to those who mistreat dogs. Ochosi's children are quick on their feet, have excellent reflexes, are sharp and attentive, trustworthy and truthful, full of initiative, love change and new adventures, but they enjoy family life too and are hospitable to others. Someone who has been falsely accused can ask Ochosi for intervention, in order to petition Ochosi for justice, the seeker must be in the right. His days are Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, and the 4th day of every month. The eleke for Ochosi is usually blue and yellow. His numbers are 3, 4 and 7. He's syncretized in the Catholic religion with Saint Norbert. Ebbó for Ochosi is often left in front of the jail or courthouse. Osun (or Ozun) is known as the ever-vigilant sentry. Is a major Orichá but traditionally he's not seated on anyone's head, so no one can claim Osun as his guardian spirit, or padre en Santo (father in the religion); anyway he protects the orí (head) of Santería practitioners. According to a patakí he was chosen by his father Obatalá to be the watchman and was supposed to be alert Obatalá in case of danger but failed once and then promised he would never let down his guard again, so he would be forever vigilant. He's a symbol of good health and stability in life. In the home, Osun stands on guard and never sleeps. Osun's primary job is to alert us to danger, and let us know when there's a serious threat to our physical or spiritual well-being, sudden death or disaster. Santeros keep him on a high shelf or on top of a bookcase, somewhere that allows him to see what goes on in the house. If he tips over and falls (without anyone touching him), we know there's a problem. Osun takes the form of a white metal rooster perched on a cup that sits on a tall pedestal. Sometimes there are small metal charms hanging from the lid of the cup. Osun doesn't have his own eleke (beaded necklace) and he doesn't possess anyone in a trance. Although he doesn't have specific colors associated with him as an Orichá, he's present in all colors, especially the four basic colors used in initiation, red, yellow, blue and white. Osun is syncretized in the Catholic religion with St. John the Baptist. Osun's day of the week is Thursday, and his numbers are 8, 16 and 24. Osun eats with the other Warriors, and as an offering he accepts whatever the other Warriors like.
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AuthorA journey into the world of rhythm through the drum and the "contaminated" music of a Neapolitan percussionist who became "Babalawo". History, knowledge, information and personal experience from Cuba to Partenope (Naples): from the ritual Batà drums, traditional music, santeria and Yoruba religion of the afrocuban culture to the "Napoletanity" and the Neapolitan traditional song. Archives
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