who is Oshun?

[Omowale]

This thread is dedicated to Ọ̀ṣun (Oshun, Ochún). This thread will contain resources to further study the Goddess of the River, Goddess of fertility, The Queen that adorns brass, the one who gives healing waters.

Relevant Ọ̀ṣun threads:
Why is Osun called the Mother of mirrors? Oriki Osun
Ìwúre Ọ̀ṣun



[Edit: Linked Ìwúre Oshun threads]

[Atipo]

Wanted to share what Ọ̀ṣun's name really means.

Ọ̀ṣun (called Ọ̀sun among the Ìbọ̀lọ́ Yoruba people, which includes Òṣogbo) is actually quite straightforward in its etymology, and isn't as debatable as say Èṣù or Ògún's names, which are up for several interpretations). It simply comes from ọ̀-ṣun/sun, "ọ̀ being a noun creating prefix and ṣun/sun meaning "to flow, to ooze" which one can combine as meaning "The one who [water] flows from." Generally from what is known about Ọ̀ṣun this make sense. The idea of origination or something flowing from a source is a very important concept in Yoruba religion, and Yoruba culture. All things have an origin point, which further entities flow from. Just look at the word Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (coming from the verb "ṣẹ̀" meaning to originate), which literally means "The source of our tradition."

Another example is the word "orísun" the general Yoruba word for source, meaning "The head from which things flow from." The concept of source is also seen in the verb "run" which we see in the Yoruba word ọ̀run, (often translated as heaven, but actually refers to the origin place of one's orí).

Ọ̀ṣun thus is the "great source" the source of not only water and therefore life, but of people and children.

One of my most favorite Yoruba proverbs, and one that encourages me in my research of my ancestors and Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is this, Odò tó gbàgbé orísun rẹ̀ a gbẹ. The river that forgets its orísun, the place it originates from, will dry up. This river is one's ìṣẹ̀ṣe, one's culture, ancestors, beliefs, language, etc. etc. As we continue to learn, let us appreciate and pay homogate to where our existence flows from, and the sources that continues to provide us with life and meaning.

[Omowale]

"The one who [water] flows from."

Wow I did not know thats what Ọ̀ṣun's name meant. But she is a Goddess of fertility so it makes sense that she would be represented the source of life.

One of my most favorite Yoruba proverbs, and one that encourages me in my research of my ancestors and Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is this, Odò tó gbàgbé orísun rẹ̀ a gbẹ. The river that forgets its orísun, the place it originates from, will dry up. This river is one's ìṣẹ̀ṣe, one's culture, ancestors, beliefs, language, etc. etc. As we continue to learn, let us appreciate and pay homogate to where our existence flows from, and the sources that continues to provide us with life and meaning.

This brings me to my research about the power of Oshun's Aṣé. She is a great diviner and apparently has a lot of influence over the other orishas. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but she's the mother Eshu, who we know has great power over good energies and bad. Who carries the sacrifice to the Orishas. So where I am getting at is Oshun must have been the source to Eshu's Aṣé? Correct me if I'm wrong on this.

[Omowale]

I'll add here some more info from my studies on Oshun.

 Oshun is known to be the Irunmole, the seventeenth divine being from Orun. Oshun was also known as the only female Irunmole to earth. Note that this applies to Irunmole, the ones that according to Yoruba cosmology were sent to Earth. Thanks to @Atipo's break down the meaning of the name Ọ̀ṣun, it is clear to understand Oshun's role on Earth. Olodumare put Oshun in charge of waters that is said to have been used to mix with the clay to create human form. Also she was put in charge of procreation and the deliverance of children.

I remember a story from the Odu-Ifa of how Olodumare gave the 16 male imole (Irunmole = 400 imole) instructions on earth. I believe Olodumare told them to bring Oshun with them but the imole felt like they did not need to bring a woman. After they finished their instructions they were supposed to return to heaven. But they forgot to bring Oshun when fulfilling Olodumare's instructions there was no rain and only sickness and chaos on earth apparently. The 16 imole were confused and consulted Orunmila about the chaos. Orunmila the asked Olodumare. Olodumare asked Orunmila if the 16 imole brought Oshun with them. Orunmila told Olodumare that they did feel like they needed a woman so they  did not bring Oshun. Olodumare told Orunmila that the 16 imole followed instructions but did not take Oshun with them and that is the reason that they could  not manifest any good on the world. Orunmila then came to the 16 imole and told them that they'd have to beg Oshun to assist them in making things right. The Imole begged but Oshun refused, until Orunmila came to her and asked her. When Orunmila asked her Oshun told them to pray that the child in her womb was male. If male the chaos will end, if female the chaos will continue. Obatala saw that the child in her womb was female and quickly changed the child's gender to male. The male child, Osetura, was born. Hence this story is from Osetura Odu, to my knowledge.

This is an example of how important Oshun is. I interpret it as a reason why feminine energy is very important in Ifa, and why Oshun's Àṣé is very powerful.

Oshun is commonly scene as the Orisha of beauty, fertility, seduction, rivers, and children but there are stories of her also being a skilled warrior and a conqueror. Which I will post about another time. Please correct me if I missed anything.




This is a depiction of Ọ̀ṣun in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria.

[Omowale]

NOTE:

It is important to know also that Oshun and the rest of the irunmole orishas for that matter are not 1 or even 2 dimensional beings that can be boiled down to character traits. They are very multidimensional. To compare, humans are multi-dimensional beings. We can have strong traits that people pickup on but those traits are not hard coded definitions of our individual existence. Oshun is larger than what many people today know her for, especially to those of us in the diaspora. She played a geographical, and political role in Yorubaland as well. I'll also expand on this later.

[Omowale]

Osun the conqueror, the liberator

Alright it's been a little while but I'll piggyback off of my last post by sharing a  from Ogundawori about Osun The Conqueror. Yes thats right, this ìtàn (story) you'll discover another dimension of the Orisa Osun. A warrior and a liberator. Because in the post above I explained how the orisa are not one dimensional that they can be simply boiled down to a couple traits. All over the internet and social media we see this packaged commercialization of the orisa. I'll be paraphrasing one of my favorite ìtàns that I actually discovered awhile back through Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon's book, Ifa: the Custodian of Destiny on Earth. Which I would highly recommend because it is written in the style of a workbook for any student of Ifa. Note that this isn't the full story, I just highlight the important parts. Partially I have memorized this.

Ogundawori
I II
I I
I I
II II

The story is about a woman named Yemese, who lived in a town in Ekiti called Ido. Yemese give her children the task to collect toll all over Ido even though it was only the King's right to do this. So this was a violation of law. Eventually she was summoned by the town's council to explain herself. She thanked the council and paid them homage. She then explained that she collected the toll because whenever there was war in the town that she could always be called upon to defend it. The council had doubt but Yemese promised them she would battle against any foe that threatened Ido.

A little while after Yemese's promise, Ido was sacked. The entire town was raided and the survivors  enslaved including Yemese and the King. They were in chains. One of the enslaved townspeople challenged Yemese, remembering her promise to defend Ido. Here are some small excerpts between the town's person:

Townsperson:
She said her back could withstand attacks...
But now, silent she is
Yemese of Ido, I call on you!..
War has engulfed Ido city, no one is left.

Yemese:
Let us endure a little..
Truly, I am the Yemese of Ido-city..
We have not reached the dust if a particular valley..
We are yet to reach teh place..

The enslaved towns people endured after hearing Yemese's response.

The raiders and their flock in chains journeyed until they arrived at a plantation. The raiders were hungry and their General decided they should stop here and take  the crops from this plantation. While the raiders were distracted by eating, Yemese broke her chains, took a commander's sword and killed the General along with his men. She defeated the raiders and she set the enslaved free! A townsperson shouted in joy that Mother Yemese did what she promised.

But there was one more problem. They have lost memory of how to return to home to Ido. They were lost in an unknown environment. Yemese assured them to not worry. She stamped her feet and a river appeared. The townspeople followed the river and they arrived back to their homeloand.

They celebrated Yemese,and the Ifa priests cast divination for them. Ifa told them that they should dance towards the direction of Yemese river.

And that is how Yemese became Osun the Conqueror. This is the story of how Yemese became an orisa through her good deeds and struggles. She became Osun incarnate. I believe Yemese river is Osun river. As in the ìtàn it says that ever since those events the barren women would go to Osun river and offer sacrifice to her. And it is believed the city of Ido never witnessed war again because of her protection. So people of the city were encouraged to run to Osun for all problems as she was the liberator of the people.

One of the reasons I really like this ìtàn is that it gives an example of how one who does a great deeds for their community is honored and remembered as an Orisa. Afterall a translation for òrìṣá is "selected head". So through Yemese's deeds she became the selected head of the city to venerate and give homage too.

Another reason why I like this ìtàn is how relatable it can be for the struggles of African diaspora during the trans-atlantic slave trade. You will hear some people say that Yoruba rebellions against slavery could be credited to Ogun. But who knows if the the ancestors of the people of Ido who were brought to the Americas, through their struggles channeled the essence of Osun the conqueror to start rebellions? A hero and liberator for those enslaved is an empowering and heroic act deserving Orisahood.

And this empowering story, is an example of how the orishas are dynamic and boiling them down to some traits is actually sort of a disjustice to the amount of depth to the orishas. And their complex  roles in societies.

Let me know if there are any typos. Definitely would like to hear your thoughts.

[Michele294]

I'll add here some more info from my studies on Oshun.


...Oshun is commonly scene as the Orisha of beauty, fertility, seduction, rivers, and children but there are stories of her also being a skilled warrior and a conqueror...



This is a depiction of Ọ̀ṣun in Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria.

Beauty, fertility, seduction, children... Humans first settled near rivers because there was a drinking source there, and the land was fertile there (fertility) and so the humans could flourish. With fertile land and well-fed humans came healthy births and fat babies. Healthy, well-fed people were rounder, smoother, more nourished skin - more beautiful than a dehydrated malnourished human (beauty). And beauty seduces and brings about more births (fertility). So to me I see all that as coming from the river and since Oshun is (to me anyway, lol) a river spirit/guardian then it makes sense that she became associated with those things (although in the modern world we see it differently - "beauty" to us is extremely sexualized whereas back in the day it was more related to "healthy and looks like they could bear a child/support a mother and child). Prosperity - the river brought abundant crops (prosperity) and as humans evolved the river provided a way to move goods from one place to the next, and goods and money exchanged hands on the  banks and trading posts of the river. As for warrior, they say that water is the most destructive element on earth. It will carve through cement simply by drip-drip-dripping for an extended time, and a flash-flood will cut down a bridge. So to me that makes sense too. :-)  Thank you!

[Omowale]

Beauty, fertility, seduction, children... Humans first settled near rivers because there was a drinking source there, and the land was fertile there (fertility) and so the humans could flourish. With fertile land and well-fed humans came healthy births and fat babies. Healthy, well-fed people were rounder, smoother, more nourished skin - more beautiful than a dehydrated malnourished human (beauty). And beauty seduces and brings about more births (fertility). So to me I see all that as coming from the river and since Oshun is (to me anyway, lol) a river spirit/guardian then it makes sense that she became associated with those things (although in the modern world we see it differently - "beauty" to us is extremely sexualized whereas back in the day it was more related to "healthy and looks like they could bear a child/support a mother and child). Prosperity - the river brought abundant crops (prosperity) and as humans evolved the river provided a way to move goods from one place to the next, and goods and money exchanged hands on the  banks and trading posts of the river. As for warrior, they say that water is the most destructive element on earth. It will carve through cement simply by drip-drip-dripping for an extended time, and a flash-flood will cut down a bridge. So to me that makes sense too. :-)  Thank you!

This is beautiful. Thank you. I really enjoy your writing. Yes you make a good point about beauty being extremely sexualized. Oshun's beauty is joyfulness.

Again sorry for getting to this post late.

[Ayobamikale]

I did a small presentation in my environmental class about the Ọ̀ṣun River today and the current issues plauging the river as a result of the gold mining happening along the river banks. During some of my research some of the words I read from other Yorùbá people were quite disheartening by saying stuff like, "If your òrìṣà was powerful, why can't she clean the river???" and other nonsense like that. One thing about Ìṣẹ̀ṣe and a lot of other indigenous belief systems is that there is a deep relationship with the earth. The worship of rivers, trees, oceans, fire, and other natural phenomena is often directly linked to the way humans treat such natural beauties due to the sacredness of the deity or òrìṣà present. Even if the Yorùbá person is not a practitioner of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, I strongly believe that they should not mock the desecration of such a holy site, one of their own people.

This environmental disaster of the Ọ̀ṣun River also makes one more thing clear. The Nigerian government does not care for the native faiths that pre-date the creation of the country. Annually, the government spends millions on flights sending people to Mecca and Jerusalem, in lieu of protecting ancient religious spaces within the own country! Many practitioners of Yorùbá descended faiths such as Candomblé and Santería, often come to the Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Grove to pay their respects as well. Our own sites deserve the same respect as ones thousands of kilometers away. The main reason I believe this issue garnered the attention it did was because of the fact the Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo Grove is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If it wasn't, this would have most likely not been addressed like the many other environmental disasters that plague Nigeria on a yearly basis.

I'll link some sources that I used for my project below.

[Ayobamikale]

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2022/9/2/how-mining-polluted-nigerias-world-famous-river-and-upset-life
https://www.africanews.com/2022/08/29/nigeria-the-osun-sacred-river-highly-polluted-by-toxic-metals//
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/08/were-investigating-osun-river-pollution-nesrea/

[Omowale]

@Ayobamikale 💯 everything you just said. In every way Osun Osogbo qualifies as our "Holy site" but the government has not made any effort to care for it. It has just been left in the hands of those who wish to preserve the grove. Thank you for the links I will be sure to check them out.

[Omowale]

Filmed at the grove. I listen to this clip every now and then. Beautiful.