African religious teachings have become widespread even among Europeans. However, the Yoruba religion is little known to the general public today.
From West Africa, the Yoruba religion came to America from slave settlers. Originally from Nigeria and Benin, the Yoruba people have extended their spiritual beliefs and traditions to the Hispanic Caribbean and Brazil. Banning the Spaniards from using their own beliefs forced them to practice the Yoruba religion, preaching it within the walls of the Catholic Church.
Each holy deity was assigned its own image. The Yoruba deities are called Orisha, which means "Master Lords."
There is also Oggun, Obbatala and others. They are addressed in various ceremonies after honoring the respective Orisha. It is assumed that the Orishas were once human, and when they died, they went to heaven, where they now live next to Olofi (God).
The main initiation ritual into the Yoruba religion
One of the most important initiation ceremonies for the Yoruba religion is the consecration of Ifa, a philosophical ritual that provides a system of divination. The initiate is awarded the hand of Orula (fortune-telling shield), as a result of which he receives knowledge of his fate, his mission and purpose in life. The ceremony lasts three days.
Initiates must have 16 palm seeds called ikinamiya. Orula decides who the guardian angel given by Orisha will be. This "invisible protector" needs to be visited every five days. In other words, the initiate must visit the altar regularly and keep it clean.
Early in the morning the priest begins divination (Ifa), makes sacrifices and recites poems dedicated to Orisha. The participants of the ceremony are offered food and drinks. 4 priests must participate in the ritual, who are responsible for preparing all the necessary details.
For three days, the neophyte initiate should take a herbal bath called omiero. At the same time, permission is requested from deceased relatives and ancestors to perform this ritual. At the place of initiation, animals are sacrificed in honor of the birth of the deity, as well as other secret actions are performed.
During the multi-day ritual, the initiate cannot visit hospitals or patients, cannot attend funerals, drink alcohol, and also cannot participate in fights.
On the third and last day, a drink of corn, brandy, milk and honey called "Nanareo" is prepared, which is presented to Olorun (the Sun), and they ask the blessings of all the saints and elders. Then, during a collective breakfast, the initiates exchange ideas that have come to their minds and become "brothers in religion."
The Yoruba religion sees the unity in the existence of the spiritual and the bodily, from the point of view of the followers of this doctrine, the gods literally permeate the Universe, coming into contact with people and influencing fate.
