Omi Orisa Discussion: Osun, Olokun and Yemoja

[Omowale]

In this interview Iya discusses the meshing of all omi òrìṣà and how this has led to confusion about their identities. As a priestess of Ọ̀ṣun, she gives us clear distinctions of what it means to be ọmọ Ọ̀ṣun versus the other omi òrìṣà.

I would like to discuss her comment about Iyemoja being a slave (messenger) to Ọ̀ṣun and Olókun? I have never heard of this and I am respectfully cynical of this claim. I would like to know what you think about this dilemma of people merging all of our water spirits.

https://youtu.be/bP45YPHFBCU

[Atipo]

There are a lot of water deities, and I was talking about this, a lot of water deities were local until Lucumi made deities universal.

Yemọja was restricted to the Ògùn River. Stories about her are unique to that region. It doesn't make her necessarily lesser, but Ọ̀ṣun is known as the only female irúnmọlẹ̀, even though this is arguable.

In my hometown for a long time I thought our main water deity was Ọ̀ṣun. The chief priest, my second cousin, is known as Èyé Ọ̀ṣun.

But what I have come to understand is that our water deity is actually Olókun. Olókun Sẹ̀níadé, the female form of Olókun. I have to investigate more, because its not making sense lol.

[Omowale]

@Atipo Yeah that is true. Ọ̀ṣun is the only female irúnmọlẹ̀. Though I am wondering about how credible this priestess is about Yemọja being specifically a servant of Ọ̀ṣun. Then again as you say, these local òrìṣà became universal. There must be a lot of growing pains that come with that  and conflicting information. Though I wish I knew an Ọ̀ṣun or Olókun priest personally. Its interesting that in the case of your hometown that you found out that your omi òrìṣà is Olókun. Also what is the meaning of Èyé Ọ̀ṣun? And what are the responsibilities of that title?

Feel free to archive your investigation on this open platform. Ẹ ṣé mo dúpẹ́ o