Olokun

Olokun is a deity in the religion of the Yoruba Orisha namely the depths of the ocean, prosperity and fertility. Olokun is considered to be male or female depending on the region.

In the religion of the Yoruba of the creator god Obatala had to create problems, mainland because Olokun engulfed it again and again. Therefore, Orunmila, the Orisha of wisdom tamed, her / him. With golden chains Olokun is responsible for floods and shipwrecks, there is also strength and confidence and is linked iconographically with the mud fish, mirrors, coral and shells.

In the religion of Edo he is the son of the creator god Osanobua and is regarded as closely linked with the supernatural power of the Oba, the political and ritual leader of the Kingdom of Benin.

In Santería, he is connected with Yemayá, the Orisha of the sea and of motherhood and is also syncretized with the Catholic Holy Virgen de Regla.

Bibliography

• Paula Ben- Amos: Symbolism in Olokun Mud Art. In: African Arts (Los Angeles ), 6 ( 4 ), 1973, pp. 28-31; 95
• Alfred Burton Ellis: The Yoruba -Speaking Peoples. London 1894, pp. 70-72.
• Alfred Omokaro Izevbigie: Olokun, a focal symbol of Religion and Art in Benin. University of Washington, 1978, S. 381 (PHD ).
• John Mason: Olóòkun, Owner of Rivers and Seas, Yorùbá Theological Archministry. Brooklyn, NY, 1996, 118 pp. Audio Cassette ( ISBN 1881244059 ).
• Mud Shrines of Olokun, Nigeria (Lagos ), No. 50, 1956, pp. 280-295.
• The Origin of the Cult Olokun. In: Ọsẹmwegie Ebohon: Life and Works of a High Priest of African religion, Ebohon Cultural Centre and Ebohon Hospital for Traditional Medicine, Benin City (Nigeria ), 1989, chap. 5, pp. 21-28.
• Norma Rosen: Traditional Uses of Pattern and Decoration in Olokun Worship. In: Benin Series ( Benin City ), 1 ( 3 ), 1986, pp. 34-40.
• MR Welton: The Function of the song in Olokun Ceremony. In: Nigeria Magazine ( Lagos ), No. 98, September - November 1968, p 226-228.

Footnotes

• Orisha
• African deity
• Afro Brazilian deity