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OSHUN
Oshun, or Osun (pronounced “aw-shoon” or
“aw-shung”), is said to be one of the first of the
Yoruba goddesses created. Oshun is commonly
calledtherivergoddessintheYorubareligionand
is typically associated with water, purity, fertility,
love, and sensuality.
Several myths exist concerning Oshun and her
significanceasaYorubadeity.Oshunisoneofthe
estimated more than 400 spiritual guardians and
deities of what is called Ifá, the Yoruba religious
traditionofthepeopleofWestAfrica.Oshunisan
orisha, meaning “spirit” or “spirits of divine ori-
gin,” also referred to as a force of nature. Each
orisha has its own followers who are responsible
for erecting shrines, paying tribute, praying,
and providing offerings. Oshun is considered one
of the most powerful of all orisha, and like other
gods, she possesses human attributes such as van-
ity,jealousy,andspite.Theorishahandleallissues
related to humanity and serve as enforcers of jus-
tice and retribution, each possessing its own
unique powers. In most Yoruba stories, Oshun is
generally depicted as the protector, savior, or nur-
turer of humanity. Oshun has also been described
asthemaintainerofspiritualbalanceormotherof
sweet things.
The Yoruba people believed that the orisha
were sent to populate the Earth. Oshun, being
oneoftheoriginal17senttoEarth,wastheonly
femaledeity.Shewassaidtobethecentralfigure
in the creation of human beings. As the myth
suggests, the creation of humankind was incom-
plete until Oshun was summoned. The other
gods, all male, failed at their attempts to revive
and populate the Earth. Even with the collective
forces of the 16 orisha, their powers were inade-
quate without the life-giving forces of Oshun.
When the other gods realized they were una-
ble to complete the task given to them by
Olodumare, who is considered the Supreme God
in Ifá, they tried to persuade Oshun to help
them. Oshun agreed and brought forth her sweet
and powerful waters, bringing life back to the
Earth and humanity and other species into exis-
tence. As this Yoruba myth suggests, humanity,
specifically the universe of Yoruba, would not
exist if Oshun, the goddess of life and fertility,
had not acted. Oshun is also believed to speak to
the Supreme God on behalf of the people and to
ensure their protection and livelihood.
In yet another Yoruba story, Oshun is depicted
as the goddess who not only gives life but also
takes it. When angered, Oshun may flood the
Earthordestroycropsbywithholdingherwaters,
thereby causing massive droughts. In one myth,
Oshun is incensed by her devotees and sends
down rain, nearly flooding the world. Yet once
she is appeased, Oshun saves the Earth from
destruction by calling back the waters.
In the Yoruba religious tradition, the orisha
grant a multitude of blessings to their devotees
and intercede with the Supreme God on their
behalf. Oshun plays several key roles. In Yoruba
culture, deities are revered, and devotees must
strictlyadheretotheprescribedmodesofworship
and other rituals so as not to anger or fall out of
grace from the gods. The Festival of Oshun is one
such example. The first recorded interaction
between Oshun and human beings takes place in
Oshogbo. This city is considered sacred, and it is
believedtobefiercelyprotectedbythewatergod-
dess. Oshun is said to have given the people who
came to her river permission to build the city as
longastheywouldhonorandworshipheraspre-
scribed. Oshun and the people made a covenant:
The people would set up their homes along the
OshunRiver,andOshunwouldprovideforthem,
protect them, and grant their prayers if they wor-
shippedherdutifully,makingtheobligatoryoffer-
ings, prayers, and other rituals. Out of this first
encounter between the people of Oshogbo and
Oshun evolved the Oshun festival, which is still
practicedtodaybytheYorubapeopleofOshogboOshun 509