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Oya
Oya controls the wind, called Afefe, which is her messenger. Like the wind, Oya is mercurial and has many faces and moods. Normally calm and gentle, her quiet demeanor is said to hide a rumbling storm underneath, and when provoked her wrath can be terrible to behold. She may manifest as a calm, soothing breeze or as a destructive whirlwind or hurricane. She is described not only as the air which sustains life but also as the last breath exhaled at death. She assists in the final transition from life to death, and also in rebirth. Petitioned with eggplant, her favorite food, she may intercede and save those who are near death, especially children. Oya rules the cemetary and guards its gates together with Ghede Nimbo, an avatar of the messenger orisha, Esu, and has power over the dead. Hence, she is also petitioned to deal with troublesome ghosts and spirits. Yet in contrast to her associations with death, Oya is also a goddess of life, representing the inner and outer changes which are a part of life, as well as revolutions against oppressive status quos. Indeed, it is Oya's great vibrancy which contributes to her changeable passions, personality, and manifestations. This is even reflected in the Niger River, which is calm through most of its course and its nine estuaries (called Oya's children), but becomes violent and turbulent as it reaches the ocean. Some stories and traditions speak of a bitter rivalry between Oya and Yemaya (or Yemoja), the orisha of the seas, and the churning waters are described as the two goddesses fighting. When worshippers become possessed by the orishas during rituals, it is reported that those possessed by Oya will immediately attack those possessed by Yemaya. Despite her many moods and forms, Oya is usually described as a fierce Amazon warrior, often sporting a beard and lightning blue hair. Fire may shoot from her eyes and she often wears a veil, for her look is often so fierce as to kill any who look upon her. She usually wears a skirt of red crepe, but is also partial to shades of purple, maroon, and brown, and especially multiple variegated colors. On her head is a copper crown with nine spikes. Oya wields a spear and other weapons obtained from her first husband Ogun, the orisha of metals and smithing. With her current husband Sango she shares mastery of fire and lightning. Oya always accompanies and precedes Sango in battle. Her winds precede his thunder and fan the flames started by his lightning. One legend has Oya saving Sango from his enemies. She does this by dressing him in her clothes, so that those pursuing Sango believe him to be Oya and let him escape. Oya's status as a warrior goddess who fights for change and justice, and also to protect her children, makes her a powerful icon for women. So too does her role as ruler of the marketplace and a powerful force in business, a largely male-dominated realm. Coupled with the fact that her priests have often been gay men, and with her association with multiple colors (i.e. the rainbow), she would seem to be a powerful avatar for the gay community, including lesbians and especially persons, both male and female, who have African heritage. She is also an appropriate icon for Wiccans and Goddess worshippers, as she is traditionally associated with witches and even said to be a powerful witch in her own right. Traditional symbols for Oya include buffalo horns, skulls, horsetail whips, cow bells, and brooms. Prescribed offerings include she-goats, guinea fowl, eggplant, plums, starfruit, rainwater, and camwood. The flamboyan and camwood trees are sacred to her. Painting of Oya by Francisco Santos Green Dome Temple Archives: Oya Discussion The Vodou Page - Mamman Brigitte Images of Oya's Worship in Dahomey
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