DEFEATER OF PLAGUES, EPIDEMICS AND PANDEMICS
OBATALA'S NUMBER IS EIGHT
OR
INFINITY UPRIGHT
Obatalá, Owner of All Heads
Obatalá
Obatalá (Obbatalá) is called the creator of earth and the sculptor of mankind because he was given this job by his father Olodumare, the supreme God in the Lucumí pantheon. According to a patakí (sacred story), Olodumare sent Obalatá to earth at the beginning of time, when there was nothing there but water. Olodumare gave his son a little bit of dirt and a chicken, and he told him to create the earth with it. Obatalá put the dirt in a pile in the middle of the sea and put the chicken on top of it. Soon, the chicken started scratching the dirt, spreading it around, and that's how the earth took shape. Once the continents had been formed, Olofi, another manifestation of the supreme God, told Obatalá to form human beings. Obatalá obeyed, adding the final touch by putting heads on the bodies of the humans he created. That's why Obatalá is said to be the owner of all heads.
Another patakí says that Obatalá saved humans from destruction. On one occasion, the Orichas were having a party and they forgot to invite Yemayá. She was so angry that she whipped up the oceans and flooded the world. Humans were terrified and didn't know what to do, so they ran to Obatalá and asked him to intervene. He ordered Yemayá to retreat, and she did out of respect to him. Obatalá, as the creator of earth, can be the only one to end it.
Obatalá is the owner of all things that are white, as well as the human head and all of its thoughts and dreams. He also owns silver and white metals, and the ceiba tree. Obatalá likes cotton, cocoa butter, cascarilla (powder made of egg shells), marble eggs, and snails. As tribute, he likes merengues, white rice, white custard, rice pudding, black eyed peas, fruits with a grainy texture like pomegranates, pears and custard apples, roasted ñamé (sweet potato) and malanga (taro root). Obatalá's food can never be salted. He's an Oricha who came directly to earth from heaven as the son of God, specifically Olodumare and Olofi. He was sent to earth to do good and govern as the king of the planet. Obatalá is calm, wise, understanding, and he loves peace and harmony. He demands proper behavior from his children and, out of respect, they obey him. No one can swear or blaspheme in front of Obatalá, and no one should appear naked in his presence. He hates alcohol and prohibits his children from drinking it. He always dresses in white, and his eleke (beaded necklace) is also white. He lives in a white porcelain sopera (soup tureen) kept on the altar of the home. Obatalá protects against blindness, paralysis and dementia.
Obatalá
Obatalá Takes Many Forms
Obatalá can be male or female
Orichas have different caminos or paths, meaning that the same Oricha can be manifested through different avatars.
Obatalá can be either male or female, depending on his camino.
For example, Obatalá Ocha Griñán, Obatalá Obu Moró, and Obatalá Ayáguna are male;
Obatalá Obanlá, Obatalá Ochanlá, and Obatalá Alaguema are female.
In all, Obatalá has 24 caminos.
Some Santeros will know Obatalá as mother and others will know him as father.
The sons and daughters of Obatalá are strong willed but they're peaceful, calm and trustworthy people.
They're a bit reserved, and don't complain much.
Because Obatalá is the owner of human heads, his children are usually very intelligent and fond of studying.
Obatalá likes order and cleanliness.
He likes to have a calm environment.
He's patient with his children and very loving toward them, but he must be respected and obeyed.
Obatalá's number is 8, and his Catholic counterpart is the Virgin of Mercy.
His feast day is September 24.
Some lineages say his day of the week is Thursday, and others say Sunday.
In nature, tall majestic mountains are his symbol.
Because Obatalá is considered the creator of human beings, everyone can ask him to intervene and help in times of need. Obatalá will intercede when other Orichas are turning a deaf ear.
The prayer to Obbatala is
Obbatala, the king of Orishas.
- Submitted by: admin
- Editorial Articles
- Culture and Traditions
- 05 / 25 / 2007
Obbatala is the Orisha of highest level, because he was the first to descend to the earth materializing Olofi, therefore he gave life to others. The etymology of his name is "king of all saints". His main mandate is the good for all and he mediates among the Orishas since his word is law and he is respected as such. He represents all that is true, wise and fair.
He is the God of the houses. In addition, he controls head and educates based on our thinking. He is seen as a veteran in the snow-covered mountains.
Generally, his sons are albinos as well as the disabled people.
The half-light attracts him, that is why his altar should be far from light.
His syncretic symbol is the Virgen de la Merced. His color is white and the celebration date is on September 24.
His sons must be respectful because Obbatala does not accept lack of respect or insults.
Among the parts of the body that influences the most are : the flee flowing, the head and bones. The plants used are Alacrancillo, Almond, Cotton, Campana, Peregun and Canutillo.
The animals to sacrifice are the white hen, Guinea fowl, pigeon and goat. His devotes are not allowed to drink alcohol and eat crabs and navy bean.
The prayer to Obbatala is
"Gemu Obatala Obatala Birivigua Aligua Ligua Lano Yakuto Kabo Kabo Ke Dedere laboru Dedere la boshishe Doba lori meridilogun".
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