Ọya (Yorùbá: Ọya, also known as Oyá, Oiá, Yànsàn-án, Yansã, Iyámsá, or Iansã) is one of the principal female deities of the Yoruba pantheon. She is the oriṣa of winds, lightning, and storms and is the only oriṣa capable of controlling the Eégún (spirits of the dead), a power given to her by Babalú Ayé.
Beliefs and Attributes
Ọya lived on Earth as a human from the town of Ira, in present day Kwara state, Nigeria, where she was a wife of the Alaafin of Oyo, Shango. In Yorùbá, the name Ọya is believed to derive from the phrase coined from "ọ ya" which means "she tore," referring to her association with powerful winds. She was believed to have the power to shape-shift into a buffalo, and is often depicted as one in traditional Yorùbá poetry. As such, the buffalo serves as a major symbol of Ọya, and it is forbidden for her priests to kill one. She is known as Ọya Ìyáńsàn-án, the "mother of nine", because of the nine children she gave birth to with her third husband Oko, after suffering from a lifetime of barrenness. She is the patroness of the Niger River (known to the Yorùbá as the Odò-Ọya).
In the Yoruba religion, Ọya was married three times, first to the warrior orisha Ogun, then Shango, and finally, another hunting and farming deity, Oko.[citation needed]
Oya was traditionally worshipped only in the areas of Yorubaland once under the control and influence of the Oyo Empire. Because of the Atlantic slave trade, many of her followers of Oyo origin were kidnapped and sold to the New World, where her worship became widespread. Oya worship has also spread to other parts of Yorubaland.[citation needed]
Oyá gained control over the dead after dancing for Babalú Ayé, who, moved by her compassion and bravery, granted her dominion over the Eégún. This myth highlights her deep connection with death and spiritual transition.
The nine children
After struggling with infertility, Oyá was advised by a Babalawo to perform a sacrifice involving 18,000 sea snails, colored fabrics, and ram meat. She followed the instructions and gave birth to nine children, earning the name Iyansan.
Paths of Ọya
In some traditions, Ọya is believed to manifest in 23 avatars or paths:[citation needed]
Oya Yansa Bí Funkó
Oya Dumí
Oya De
Oya Bumí
Oya Bomi
Oya Nira
Oya Igbalé
Oya Niké
Oya Tolá
Oya Dira
Oya Funké
Oya Iya Efon
Oya Afefere
Oya Yansá Mimú
Oya Obinídodo
Oya Yansa Duma
Oya Yansa Doco
Oya Tombowa
Oya Ayawá
Oya Tapa
Oya Tomboro
Oya Yansa Odó
Oya Yansá Orirí
Candomblé
In Candomblé, Oyá is known as Iansã or lyá Mésàn, or most commonly, Iansã, from the Yoruba Yánsán. She is revered as a fierce warrior, the queen of the Niger River, and the mother of nine. Iansã controls mysteries surrounding the dead and is commonly associated with the color red in the Angola-Congo nation. Her salutation is "Eeparrei!" or "Epahhey, Oia!"
Iansã, as in Yoruba religion, commands winds, storms, and lightning. She is the queen of the river Niger and the mother of nine. She is a warrior and is unbeatable. Attributes of Iansã include great intensity of feelings, sensations, and charm. Another ability attributed to Iansã is control over the mysteries that surround the dead. Iansã is syncretized with Saint Barbara. In the Candomblé nação (association) of Angola Congo, Iansã is associated with the color red.
Ritual foods
Offerings include Àkàrà (acarajé), eggplant, mulberries, dark chocolate, and specific puddings. Acarajé, a fried patty made from crushed black-eyed peas and spices, is both a ritual food and a street delicacy in Bahia, Brazil.
Acarajé is a spherical patty made with peeled, crushed black-eyed peas, stuffed with small shrimp, okra, crushed peanuts, and other savory, piquant spices. The ball-like patty is fried in dendê oil (red palm oil). It's a traditional Afro-Brazilian dish that is also a traditional offering to Iansã in the Candomblé tradition. A simple, unseasoned form of acarajé is used in rituals and a version served with various condiments is sold as a common street food in Bahia in the northeast of Brazil. Ipeté and bobo de inhame are also associated with Iansã.
In Yorùbá, her food is Àkàrà. Eggplant, mulberries, pudding, and dark chocolate are also foods for Oya. In Brazil, Rosé wine and yellow flowers are also considered possible offerings.
Symbols and tools
Oyá is symbolized by lightning, swords, flywhisks (iruké), and tornados. She wears multicolored garments and carries ritual items forged from metal.
