Ikan!

Symbols, Numbers, Colors and Attributes of Oyá

An eleke for Oyá is typically distinguished by the use of a special brown bead with thin white and black stripes.

Number: 9

Sacred Place in Nature: the marketplace, wind and the gates of the cemetery

Colors: brown or burgundy, plus nine different colors (no black)

Tools: machetes, masks, scythe, horsetail fly-whisk (iruke)

Temperament: fierce, temperamental, protective

**La Muerte**

Today is the feast day for Shango in the Lukumi (Cuba) orisha tradition. Shango is the KING, and is associated with strength, strategy, and leadership.

May the ancestors bless you and your family with peace and prosperity in 2017!

Traditional Yoruba Egungun/Ancestral Masquerade from Nigeria.

Photo Credit: knowingeachother.com

I love this picture of Oshun because it depicts the Oshun that I know - a fierce mother. Oshun is often likened to a flirtatious party girl but people often forget that she was the sole feminine force sent to make the earth fit for life and when the masculine forces disrespected her they had to appease her and include her in the work to make creation go smoothly. People often describe Oshun as loving, sweet, and relishing in attention but I know her to be as precise and severe as she is loving and sweet and the attention she receives must be on her terms, and is due her because of who and what she is and provides to the entire world - pure, life-sustaining water.

When traditional religions and wrestling mix (”Nkisi” or in French “Fêtish” wrestling)

Featuring wrestlers Shaolin, Mad Mbochis, Igwe Texas, Viper Matete and Yabeli