Individual Orisas

Òrìṣà Ajé

Òrìṣà Ajé, is the Òrìṣà of Wealth, she is the daughter of Olókun, the Òrìṣà of the Deep Sea, hence she is sometimes called Ajé Olókun. Being the daughter of Olókun, she has access to the vast amount of richest from the sea. Ajé is considered to be patient and great with the management of money. She knows; it requires dedication, and persistence to acquire wealth, and strategic investment to maintain it. White is her symbolic colour, signifying; her purity, clearness of thought, and honesty. She is almost always adorned with cowry shells, which at a time were used as currency during trading.

Òrìṣà Ọbà

Is known as the Òrìṣà of Domesticity, she concerns herself with the maintenance of the home and family life through marriage and childbirth, which makes her an Òrìṣà of transformation. She stands for fairness and justice, and she is also a fierce warrior, taught by her sister Òrìṣà Ọya. Òrìṣà Ọbà, is personified as the River Ọbà, which flows though in Oyo, intersecting with the Ọ̀ṣun River. Òrìṣà Ọ̀ṣun and Òrìṣà Ọbà are also referred to as sisters. Like her sister, both being Òrìṣàs symbolized by water she represents movement, grace, unity and is a natural giver. In these stories Òrìṣà Ọbà is represented by the number eight which signifies love and abundance.

Òrìṣà Orí.

Is the oldest of all the Òrìṣàs and probably the most important of them all, or should be considered as the greatest among equals. Òrìṣà Orí, is the Òrìṣà of Destiny, who gave us all our own individual destiny, to suit our unique and complementary purpose to life, our destiny is held in our Orí (head). The grandness of Òrìṣà Orí extends to the Irunmoles, Òrìṣà Orí is responsible for providing them with their own individual destiny, making them who they are. As we have all been assigned our own individual destiny, through its mastery we all have the potentials of being Òrìṣàs. Although Òrìṣà Orí is considered as a genderless Òrìṣà, however In the books Òrìṣà Orí is depicted as a girl wearing white to symbolise purity and calmness.

Òrìṣà Ọ̀ṣun

The Òrìṣà of the Rivers and all sweet waters, she is popularly known as the Òrìṣà of love, beauty, sensuality and childbirth. Being associated with rivers and water, like her sister Òrìṣà Ọbà, Òrìṣà Ọ̀ṣun represents clarity and free flowing thoughts, and like the river she could be temperamental, unpredictable. But yet she contains all the elements found in unconditional love; purity, honesty, patience, joy, giving, and forgiveness. She has the power of healing, also known as a clairvoyant. Òrìṣà Ọ̀ṣun holds a special place in the pantheon of Òrìṣàs, she was the only female among the first sixteen Òrìṣàs (Irunmoles), involved in the creation of earth. She is symbolised by the colour yellow, golden jewelry, the number five, and she is associated with honey, which represents her divine sweetness.

Òrìṣà Ọya

The Orisa of Storms and Earthquakes, she is also known as a protector of children, owner of the Marketplace, and the Òrìṣà of Change. Her symbolic number is nine, a number that signifies the highest level of change, this is why in the stories she lives on cloud nine, her associated colours are red, blue, and purple. Òrìṣà Ọya is considered to be a fiest warrior with her ability to harnest the power of the wind to form great storms. She is often spoken along side her great companion Sango the Òrìṣà of Thunder and Lightning, in the stories in these books they appear as twins.

Òrìṣà Yemoja

The Mother of All, Yemoja is the Òrìṣà of the Oceans, she is considered as the Òrìṣà that gave birth to all, the greatest nurturer, with out her life would not exist. Like all mothers she is a natural protector, she is compassionate. Her love is immense and as vast as the oceans she rules over. Because of her protective nature she can also be temperamental and vengeful if harm comes to any of her children. In the stories in the book she is depicted as a mermaid and she also has an association with the moon. According to some account her symbolic numbers are 7 and 10, 7 representing the moon and number 10 represents the end of a circle and new beginnings.

Òrìṣà Èṣù

Known as the Òrìṣà of Justice, he is among the group of Òrìṣàs responsible for maintaining law and order, by punishing wrong doers and rewarding good deeds. He is also considered to be very mischievous, almost child like and also an excellent debater who seeks out the truth and fairness. Òrìṣà Èṣù his also known as the Òrìṣà of the Crossroads, the Crossroads are where decisions are made, and it’s here you will find Òrìṣà Èṣù, as a messenger between the two worlds, advocating on behalf of humans and contradictorily judging them. His symbolic colors are red, and black and his associated number is three which signifies imagination, and eagerness.

Òrìṣà Ọbàtálá

The Ruler in the White Cloth, also Known as Òrìṣà Nla, the head of all the Òrìṣàs. Òrìṣà Ọbàtálá is responsible for forming human beings by molding us, like the potter moulds clay. The creation of earth is also attributed to him, he his the ultimate Òrìṣà of creative. He is a concerning and protective father, who looks for the best in all his creation.

Òrìṣà Ògún

Is the Orisa of Metalwork,hence a blacksmith the first tools are associated with him. He is known as the path maker for it was him who led the way from Orun to Ile aye for all the other Òrìṣàs. Òrìṣà Ògún is a prolific hunter, he lives in the forest and has become master of it. He is also considered as an enforcer of justice because of his no nonsense approach to maintaining the rule of law. His associated numbers are 4 and 8 and his color is green.

Òrìṣà Oko

The word Oko means farm. Òrìṣà Oko is subsequently the Òrìṣà of Farming, and all that that is associated with food production. This includes animal husbandry, and reproduction, soil science, and the hybridisation of crops and plants. Because of this he is known to be an excellent healer. the concept of food being our medicine is not far from his consciousness. He has a great knowledge of the forest, as he used to be a hunter and sometime associated with the likes of Òrìṣà Ogun. Òrìṣà Oko is also a protector, a provider, and a nurturer of children. He is charitable, he his also an enforcer of justice.

Òrìṣà Òsoòsì

Is a great hunter, he is described as the Òrìṣà of the Scouts in the book, his preferred tools are the bow and arrow. Òrìṣà Òsoòsì hunting skills are highly intuitive, so to say he can predict the next move of his target. He operates in bravery and accuracy, because he has spent so many years in the forest he is able to communicate with various animals, his preferred hunting companion is the parrot. Òrìṣà Òsoòsì is also among the Òrìṣàs who deal with law and order. Him and Òrìṣà Ògún are brothers and great hunting companions. he stands guard outside his brother Ogun’s house. Òsoòsì operates with swift justice his knowledge of the forest plants has also made him a great healer

Òrìṣà Ọ̀sanyìn

The Orisa of Herbs, the ultimate father of medicine, who has an entire institute of pharmacy benefiting from his knowledge, in the Onisegun. Osanyin is also known as a great hunter with particular deformities, blind in one eye and deaf in one ear. Because of his deformity and his vast knowledge of the forest, the animals, and the plants, especially the plants, Òrìṣà Ọ̀sanyìn had to develop an understanding in plant science which made him an efficient and prolific hunter, surpassing any other Òrìṣà. It is said that Òrìṣà Ọ̀sanyìn is a solitude character, despite that, he is closely related to Ogun and other who seek him out for his technical advancement in herbal remedies and the crafting of tools.

Òrìṣà Ṣàngó

The Orisa of Thunder and Lightning and also known as the Lord of the Dance. Although in these books Sango is depicted with a djembe drum, he is normally associated with the Bata drum (talking drum). Ṣàngó’s colours are red and white, and his number is six, which signifies an artistic nature, which can also be vain. In some parts of the book Ṣàngó is seen wearing yellow and white, the yellow reflecting Ṣàngó’s cool nature and when he is seen wearing red and white, this is Ṣàngó in rage. Sango is a temperamental Òrìṣà, known as the Lord of Vengeance, hence he is among the Òrìṣàs that are associated with justice.

Children of the Stars is a collection of children’s books, written by Femi Odufunade, and
illustrated by Balarabe Abdulmalik