Encyclopedia of African Religion

the thunder and the bolt that reaches Earth; she
is the aspect of thunder that electrifies the sky.
ShestoleShango’ssecrettomakefireandthuswas
allowed wine and sometimes the color brown.
Consequently, the relationship between Oya and
Shango as husband and wife or mistress exists
throughout the Yoruba tradition and its legends.
Oya is also known as a master of disguise; she
wears a mask to conceal her identity when doing
her bidding or in the case of battle. She is a fierce
female orisha, a known warrior who joins Shango
in all of his wars. In these battles, she is likely to
fight with a sword in each hand or bring along
some symbolic attributes such as a machete and
hammer.Oyaisalsoknowntocarryablackhorse-
tail,whichisusedtoblessandcleanherfollowers.

Representations of Oya

Oya is the owner of the number 9, the number
of completion. Therefore, nine copper bracelets

are worn on her right arm, and a copper crown

with nine points adorns the head of her human

personification. Her elekes (necklace made of

beads) are brown and red beads with white and

black stripes. It is believed that she finds favor

with most colors except black. She is known

for a multicolored skirt and bandanna in the

Lucumi context.

Tyrene K. Wright

See alsoShango

Further Readings

Bass, R. H. (1963).The Story of Natural Religion.

NewYork: L. Stuart.

Gleason, J. (1987).Oya:In Praise of the Goddess.

Boston: Shambhala.

Gonzalez-Wippler, M. (1992).Powers of the Orishas.

New York: Original Publications.

516 Oya