Who is Yemaya?

[Omowale]

@Omitayese Fabamise

Thank you for the information. Yes, I am interested.

[em992u]

i have seen it stated online that yemoja and olokun should be seen together and not as two seperate entities. is that true?

[Omowale]

@em992u E kaabo!

Do you have a link to the article you read that said so?

There is overlap between the two when it comes to their domains. It is said that Yemoja is the orisa of all sea life. She is the mother of mothers. Fish is usually a taboo to Yemoja children. It is said that her domain is the top half of the ocean.

Olokun means "Owner of the sea" . Olokun is said to be associated with the deepest depths of the sea. The lower half of the ocean.

Note: there is also other Olokun like Aje Olokun who is a patron of wealth.

[em992u]

"Yemonja/Olukun has been split into two enti- ties: Yemonja and Olukun. There is great danger in separating the characteristics of the single Yemonja/Olukun; quite simply, each half is incomplete."

-Philip Neimark
The Way of the Orisha
Page 117

I cant find a weblink stating that but it is in that book I just referenced.

[Omowale]

Alaafia @em992u!

It is a bit odd the author would spell Olokun as "Olukun". It should be Olokun. Okun = Ocean in Yoruba. Olokun basically translates to "owner of the ocean".

That being said, depending on the practice the two sometimes are said to overlap. It is also good to note that Olokun is usually described as androgynous. Possessing male and/or female traits. While Yemoja is usually portrayed as a woman.

[em992u]

yeah....reading about Isese is troublesome.....so many different things are being said.......
From what I gather so far spiritually I feel the need to do the Ita reading....but i am concerned about being scammed...or not getting a true reading....I am an african american male with no ties the the African community

[Omowale]

@em992u that is understandable. I am sorry to hear that. Since this is off-topic from Yemoja. Could you please create a new topic about this matter. We can discuss this issue there.

[em992u]

yes....thanks

[micky]

@Atipo
I disagree, I've found sources & babalowas that claim that Yemoja is an Irunmole. Many stories of Yoruba religion all hold truth but sometimes appear to have contradictions.
"Yemonja, also spelled Yemoja or Yemaja, Yoruban deity celebrated as "the giver of life" and as "the metaphysical mother of all orisha (deities)" within the Yoruba spiritual pantheon. Other names: Yewájọbí, as "Iya o" i.e., Mother of all or Great Mother, the All-Nourisher of life, the All-Begetter.

Yemonja's name is derived from the Yoruba words Yeye or Iya ("mother"), omo ("child/children"), and eja ("fish") and thus literally means "Mother whose children are the fish." According to the itans (stories) of the Yoruba, the orisha Yemonja was a primordial spiritual entity who was charged by Olofi (God; also known as Olodumare) to assist the orisha Obatala with the formation of humans in Olofi's creation of Earth. Yemonja descended to Earth on a rope with 16 other orisha from Orun, the abode of Olofi, and traveled throughout the world engaging with other orisha in preparing the world for humankind.- Britannica
"Yemoja is the Orisa (deity) that brought water for Obatala-the creator, god, during the time man was moulded with clay by Obatala. So, Yemoja is regarded as the mother of mankind and Orisa."- Chief Priest of Yemoja, Baale Olukunmi Egbelade. Yemoja & Obatala represent divine creation, female & male.
Yemoja represents the female aspect of creation in Yoruba thought. Both female & male are equal, except in creation, as that is a mostly female affair. The eggs, womb, growth, umbilical cord, birth, breastfeeding etc. Both female & male are involved in creation, but don't share the work-load equally. I don't think, either Itan stories have to be ignored. Osun's story represents, that fact people with discriminatory attitudes don't care about the facts, the past. You can't prove yourself in the eyes of discrimination. Obatala was helped by Yemoja, but the negative attitudes of some of the "male" Orishas/Irunmole continued. Osun had to confront that. As black people must prove themselves over & over again in a world that is Afrophobic to us. As women must prove themselves over & over again in a world that is misogynistic. And if you are both of African descent & a woman....the world will be rough on you, but you must create life as Yemoja & stand-up for your contributions like Osun. 

[Omowale]

@micky Thank you for your words. Welcome here. We are in the process of transitioning to the new project onisese.com . Please come and join us there. Sorry for the inconvenience.