ᐈ The 7 African Powers 【History, Prayer and MORE】

In religions throughout the world there are deities of a higher rank than others. This is quite common, since some represent things of greater relevance than the others. As well as, they have a higher hierarchy due to their historical journey. So if you are interested in the most important deities of Santeria, read this article until the end for more information.

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The 7 African Powers: Who are they?

Within the Yoruba pantheon of Santeria there are a total of seven important deities. Which they are usually the most revered or currently popular. This is due to its historical significance and the link between the saint and nature. Each of these has different qualities, powers and stories.

But who are these deities? The group is made up of male Orishas such as Obatalá, Eleguá, Oggún, Orula and Shangó. On the other hand, the female sex is represented by the figures of the mother of the seas and of wealth. That is, Yemayá and Oshún respectively.

As already mentioned, each of these refers to some symbolic value important. Here is a brief list so that you can more easily appreciate who and what these deities represent:

All these deities make up what is known as the Yoruba pantheon. There are a total of seven and they are adored by all the devout santeros. This is because they were created by their Supreme God, better known as Olodumare. Who gave them his ashé and power. At the same time, the ability to dominate humans as long as the order of nature is affected.

Below is a brief description of each of them. So that in this way you have basic knowledge of the Orishas that make up the seven African powers.

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Eleguá is that deity that opens and closes the doors of destiny. This can allow you to enter a good situation or quite the opposite. That is why it is so important, since to enter the cult a welcome ceremony is performed and the one who opens that door is the same spirit of Eleguá.

Besides, he is an Orisha belonging to the Odé group. Better known as The Warriors. He is also made up of other saints such as Ochosi, Oshún and Oggún. But Eleguá is the main one of them all. Furthermore, his power is such that He is the main messenger of the Almighty God, Olodumare. And it is said that he came down to earth accompanied by the creator, that is, Obatalá. So his age is an important factor.

Obatala

As indicated before, Ochalá as it is also known, it is within the Yoruba religion that made the planet and one of the main gods within the pantheon of religion. Likewise, he is considered the one who constituted the beginning of almost all the santeras deities.

Among its attributes we find that is possessed of great intelligence, as well as know what people think or dream. For many, Obatalá is the kindest God of all and he would come to be a kind of Jesus Christ for Santeria, which explains why he is so loved.

Yemaya

Yemayá at first is known as the mother of all the Orishas of this world. It was she who brought to life the multiple Osha that exist. It is widely known because its womb is the most fertile of all, and it functions as a source of life for all living things.

She owns the ability to have children in women. She also belongs to the main group of all Orishas, also known as the seven African powers. If we talk about how to find her or how she is represented, it should be mentioned that she makes up all the maritime waters of the universe. Her dances are a true reflection of the waves that hit the coasts.

Has a loving nature and represents intelligent people with great character. However, this behavior is overshadowed when fury takes over her. Since she becomes rigid as a stone in terms of her decisions.

oshun

She is the patron saint of the world’s sweet watercourses, including waterfalls, rivers, and springs. In addition, it syncretizes with the patron saint of Cubathat is, the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, then personifying the ability to give birth and affection towards people.

The people who need help With monetary problems, debts or if, on the contrary, they want to have a child to create a family, they must go to the deity. She will hear her prayers and grant her requests, due to her fertile powers and her ability to solve serious financial problems.

Of all the African powers, she It is the only one that has the possibility of approaching Orula and ask him a favor. Normally these aids are related to improving the well-being of humanity. Especially of his children on earth if they find themselves in situations of great complication.

Oggun

This Orisha is part of the Yoruba pantheon. Therefore, it occupies one of the highest positions. this saint is the guide of people who practice blacksmithingof large-scale world conflicts, technological advances, of the doctors who operate, of the police and of the national army of each country.

He is known to possess a personality extremely strong , angry and violent towards those who dare to harm their children. The most characteristic element of him is the machete, which in turn symbolizes masculine virility.

This is the one in charge of opening and protecting his children in the densest trails and paths that his neighbor Eleguá opens. He often syncretizes in Catholicism with Saint Peter, because this is the guardian of the door of heaven and both the entrance and the key are made of metal (element of the Orisha Oggún). On the other hand, is the official messenger of the Orisha Obatalá and because he owns the knife (or faca) he is only behind the saint Elegguá within the santeria. He is the protector of the great entrances and homes of humanity.

orula

This Orisha was the first to be consulted by Olodumare at the time of the creation of the universe. In fact, it is the only one of the seven African powers that has been able to observe the moment of the invention of the earth. That is why it is so important within this group. He is the oldest and the wisest of all. Likewise, it was he who gave the various qualities to the other Orishas that make up the Yoruba pantheon.

Shango

This deity is represented by a great and corpulent warrior, and is part of the Yoruba religion. In addition, she is one of the most popular figures within the pantheon of the santero cult. Conforming one of the seven African powers.

The saint symbolizes strength, heat, dances, thunder and the equanimity of the universe. It is because of that one has a perception about him as an extremely powerful deity and strong. Since he is capable of instilling devastation and conflict in large towns.

What are they for?

you are probably wondering What are the seven African powers for? Here you will find the answer. They have various ways of being useful. On the one hand, through their prayers they give you the ability to defeat everything that affects you. Both from a purely physical perspective and one where the spirituality of the person is involved.

They also serve to help you in your life. That is to say, they can become your spiritual guides for your paths. On the other hand, you can invoke them to beg them for strength to solve your problems. They will eventually take care of giving you the necessary capacity to solve your situation.

History

If you are interested in learning about the history of these seven African powers, you should know that we have to search in the old patakíes of religion. These are short or long stories in which an attempt is made to capture a particular situation. And usually, they leave a moral or learning to the person who reads it.

However, these also allow us to refer back to the time of the saints. This in order to know in depth about the santera culture. Thus, we will be able to know the history of these seven Orishas. Both their origins and why they were created by the Supreme God, Olodumare.

The compilation of stories professes that it all started when Olodumare wanted to create what we know today as earth. For it asked for help from his other two representations, these are better known as Olorún and Olofin. Each of them has a mission within humanity. Likewise, they syncretize with the Catholic scheme of the holy trinity, that is, Father, son and holy spirit.

Together and teamwork They managed to create the planet earth. In turn, everything that would make it so that it would not be an empty planet. That is, plants, living beings, animals, organisms, among other things. And last but not least, they designated a series of main Orishas that would be part of the highest cult.

These were the aforementioned Obbatalá, Oggún, Eleguá, Oshún, Yemayá, Shangó and Orula. Although the latter was in charge of giving each of these deities their relationship specific with the world. Or, with some component of everything natural.

As the leader of all of them the Orisha of everything white was named, better known as Obatala. This would be in charge of governing the natural order of all things within the planet. In turn, the good behavior of humanity and the Orishas.

Candlelight of the 7 African Powers

In the various rituals that are performed within Santeria, always It is vitally important to have a series of elements. One of them is the presence of a babalawo. That is, an expert santero who will coordinate each of the things that will happen during the ceremony.

other element is the use of candles or candles within the ritual that is going to be done. This is because candles are especially liked by all deities. In addition, it has a religious quality and connotation of its own. So it makes it easier to make a link with the Orisha to whom the prayers and eventually the ritual will be dedicated.

It is there where a santero term known as “la veladera” arose. This means that it is a series of candles, seven (7) in total, each of which refers to one of the deities that make up the seven African powers. They are used when you want to invoke each of the Orishas that make up this group.

It also works as a ritual. and consists of placing a candle with the color referring to each of the seven deities. You should place them on the altar dedicated to Santeria with a white tablecloth underneath everything. There must be a sufficient quantity in the place…