"A minor, but much dreaded, demon is Sopponna, or Shankpanna, who brings small-pox. His symbol is a palm mid-rib, covered with white and red spots, and his messengers are flies. Small-pox is endemic in the country, and since, according to the legend, Shankpanna was borne by Yemaja, it would appear that it has existed since very ancient times.
The god of the children is called “Kori,” but his rites are carried on more as a “play ” than as a serious performance. Palm nuts are put round the neck of one of his little devotees, and the rest of the company dance round him or her. They then proceed to the market-place, where they dance again, and the onlookers make them presents.
Most of the Yoruba deities and spirits seem to be worshipped more in fear than from any other motive, but this is not the case with Ori (head), a sort of genius or guardian possessed by every adult or married person. His symbol is a kind of crown covered with many cowries, the maker of which is given presents of food, etc., during the whole time of its manufacture.
Ori is regarded as the luck-bringer; if adversity pursues you, it is said: “Your Ori has turned his back on you,” whereas, if you meet with good fortune, you sacrifice to it in thanksgiving. In some respects it resembles the I[g]bo “personal Chi,” or the Ikengga, mentioned later.
Most towns also have their tutelary god — often the spirit of an adjoining river, as Oshogbo is guarded by the goddess of the Awshun, which flows through it. Every fourth day food is thrown to the fish and the crocodiles, who bear the prayers of her worshippers to the goddess. Women ask her for children. No guinea corn is allowed anywhere near the river, as otherwise it is thought that she will stop the rain from falling on the crops. At Ijebu Ode a woman was sacrificed to her yearly.
A common protective deity in the old days was the Olori Merin, “Possessor of four heads,” which watched the various points of the compass; it was represented by a small hill or mound and was said to come out at night in the guise of a snake. An infant, not more than a few days old, used to be offered up to it four times a year in the presence of the mother.
Principal Deities - among the Yorùbá.
No comments:
Post a Comment