Oshosi

What it is

Oshosi, known in Portuguese as Oxóssi, is an orisha in the Yoruba religion. An orisha is a divine being in that tradition. He is associated with the hunt, forests, animals and wealth. In Candomblé he is also a spirit linked to meals, because he is held to supply food. Followers describe him as light, astute, wise and crafty in hunting, and as an orisha of contemplation who favours the arts and beautiful things. His main emblem is the bow and arrow, called ọrun àti ọfà or ofá. Worship is found in West Africa and in Brazilian, Cuban and Haitian traditions.

Where it comes from

Oshosi comes from Yorùbáland in West Africa. He is worshipped in Nigeria, Benin and Togo, though he is not as widely followed there as Ògún. Shrines, priests and devotees are found in many towns and smaller communities. Local names vary: Ẹ̀ṣọ́ùsì in Èkìtì, Ọ̀sáòsì in Igbóǹnà, Ọ̀sọ́ọ̀sì in Ọ̀yọ́ and Ìsẹ́yìn, and Ọ̀ṣ́ọ̀sìn or Ọ̀tchọ́ọ̀sìn near the Benin border and in Kétu. Worship also took root in Brazil and Cuba. The forms of worship, the insignia of devotees and the links between Oshosi and other orishas differ from place to place.

How it is done

Worship is centred on shrines served by priests and attended by devotees. Offerings to Oxóssi include goat, cooked pig and guinea fowl. His sacred food is axoxô, maize cooked with coconut, and it is served with black beans, yams and roasted cowpeas. In Candomblé his consecrated day is Thursday, and blue is worn in ritual in the Ketu nation. A bow and arrow stand as his main sign. These are customs described within the tradition.

Tools and materials

The bow and arrow are Oshosi's chief symbols. In Yoruba they are called ọrun àti ọfà; in Candomblé the arrow is called an ofá. Blue beads form a necklace, and blue is also the ritual garment in the Ketu nation. Offerings include goat, cooked pig and guinea fowl, while axoxô, a maize and coconut food, black beans, yams and roasted cowpeas are among his sacred foods. These objects and foods mark his link with hunting, food and prosperity.

What it is for

People honour Oshosi as a provider of food and as a power behind wealth. In Candomblé he is linked to meals because he is held to supply what is eaten. He is also the orisha of contemplation, with a love of art and beautiful things. He is said to hunt for good influences and positive energies. As a warrior figure he is linked with strength and with the defence of a community. These are claims made within the tradition.

Who does it

Priests serve Oshosi at shrines, and devotees maintain his worship. Shrines, priests and followers are found in many parts of Yorùbáland, with local differences in insignia and imagery. In Brazil and Cuba he is honoured inside Candomblé and Santería. In both traditions his identity is paired with Catholic saints. The role of priest is tied to the shrine and to the ritual life of the community.

Peoples and places

The Yoruba are the main people associated with Oshosi, in Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Local communities use different names and dialects, including Èkìtì, Igbóǹnà, Ọ̀yọ́ and Ìsẹ́yìn forms. In Brazil, Candomblé gives him blue in the Ketu nation and green elsewhere. In Rio de Janeiro he is linked to Saint Sebastian, and in Bahia to Saint George. In Santería, in Cuba, he is linked to Saint Norbert, Saint Hubert and Saint Sebastian. Haitian Vodou and Umbanda also honour him.

What people believe

Oshosi belongs to a world of orishas, divine beings who are held to shape parts of life and nature. He is associated with the hunt, forests, animals and wealth, and in Candomblé with meals and food. His bow and arrow express his hunting role. The tradition links him to lightness, astuteness, wisdom and craftiness, and to contemplation and the arts. In the Americas, many followers also honour him through Catholic saints, a practice of syncretism, or the joining of two religious systems.

When it is done

In Candomblé, Thursday is his consecrated day. A second marker is the third day of the Kọjọda week. Both are named observances tied to him in the tradition. His colour in the Ketu nation is blue, which also appears in his ritual garment and bead necklace.

Compare and confuse

Oshosi appears under several names: Oxóssi in Portuguese, Ochosí in Santería, and Ẹ̀ṣọ́ùsì, Ọ̀sáòsì, Ọ̀ṣ́ọ̀sìn or Ọ̀tchọ́ọ̀sìn in local Yoruba forms. He is related to Ògún, another orisha, though he is less widely followed. In the Americas he is often matched with Catholic saints: Saint Sebastian, Saint George, Saint Norbert and Saint Hubert.

Today

Oshosi is honoured today in West Africa and in the Atlantic diaspora. Shrines, priests and devotees continue in Nigeria, Benin and Togo. In Brazil he belongs to Candomblé and Umbanda; in Cuba to Santería; and in Haiti to Vodou. Worship includes offerings, sacred foods and a day of the week. In the Americas, devotion is often expressed through Catholic saints as well as through orisha traditions.

Questions people ask about Oshosi

Good reading and sources

• Oshosi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data