15 deities and 24 followers ➡️ See the Orixás and their Exus!

Did you know that for each Orisha there is a corresponding Exu? In religions of African origin, arising from the fusion of other religious strands, the presence of these spiritual beings is common. Exu is one of the greatest deities of Yoruba and Jejê, aspects that served as the basis for the creation of Candomblé in Brazil, Santeria in Cuba and Vodou in Haiti. Discover now all Orixás and their Exus.

Orixás and their Exus in Candomblé

In historical terms, Candomblé is considered a religion of Afro-Brazilian origin, given that it was brought here from the African continent through the blacks. At the time of slavery, a very sad period for the history of Brazil, thousands of blacks were arrested and brought in ships to work on Tupiniquin lands. Many of these blacks continued to practice their beliefs.

To fully understand the relationship between Orixás and their Exus, it is essential to be aware of each of these concepts and what they represent. Because it is a religion with a multiplicity of gods and beliefs, unlike what happens in religions of Christian origin, Candomblé can be considered complex for those who do not practice it.

It is in this scenario that the debate about the Orixás and their Exus enters. These two denominations are very present in Candomblé, one of the largest religious strands brought from Africa to Brazil as Umbanda. The terms are very close, but they can also be analyzed separately. This is because the Exu normally corresponds to a superior manifestation of each of the Orixás.

What are the Orixás in Umbanda and Candomblé

Although there are several gods in religions such as Candomblé and Umbanda, these religious strands are not considered polytheistic. This is because, in the religious conception, the Orixás (gods) are part of a whole, representing the same God. This is the definition of Orisha: an African god who adds unique characteristics, related to a force.

All Orixás in Umbanda add both divine and human characteristics. Unlike what happens in Christian religions, where the figure of God is described in a more formal way, in most religions of African origin the Orixás are endowed with personality and emotions, which make them closer to men. The Orixás and their Exus are always in constant contact.

There are several Orixás and their Exus, being a very variable number and about which little is known. Studies point to the presence of a total of 72 main Orixás, 16 of which are worshiped in Brazil by Umbanda. Some of them have already come to earth, as is the case of Xangô, Oyá, Ogum and Oxossi. Likewise, there are several Orixás and their corresponding Exus.

What is Exu in Candomblé and Umbanda

Within Candomblé, Exu is considered an Orisha. But not just any Orisha, but the greatest of them, being one of the maximum deities. There are several characteristics attributed to Exu, who is described as a messenger deity, responsible for making the bridge between man, in the physical world, and the spiritual world, of the divine. It is generally considered mischievous, but fair and faithful.

It is not just in Candomblé that Exu is present. In Umbanda, a typically Brazilian religion, this deity is also worshiped, although there is no consensus on its contours. In each Umbanda terreiro it is possible that the deity is described differently. The contact between the corresponding Exus and Orixás also depends on each terreiro.

There are, however, some general characteristics, always present within Umbanda: Exu represents strength, vitality and is responsible for the application of spiritual law. They demonstrate their power mainly in relation to priests and faithful already initiated in Umbanda. Even though there are terminological and conceptual differences, these basic characteristics are always present.

List of the main Orixás and their corresponding Exus

• Exu Akesan – Accompanies Oxumaré
• Exu Jelu or Ijelu – Accompanies Oxalufan
• Exu Ínã – Responsible for the Ipadê ceremony
• Exu Onan – Accompanies Oxum, Oyá, Ogun
• Exu Ajonã – Present in the ancient Ijexá region
• Exu Lálú – Accompanies Odé, Ogun, Oxalá
• Exu Igbárábò – Accompanies Yemanjá, Xangô
• Exu Tìrírí – Accompanies Ogun
• Exu Fokí or Bàra Tòkí – Accompanies Oyá and various Orixás in Umbanda
• Exu Lajìkí or Bára Lajìkí – Accompanies Ogun, Oyá and the concierges
• Exu Sìjídì – Accompanies Omolú, Nanã, etc.
• Exu Langìrí – Accompanies Oxaguiã
• Exu Álè – Accompanies Omolú
• Exu Àlákètú – Accompanies Oxóssi
• Exu Òrò – Accompanies Odé, Logum
• Exu Tòpá/Eruè – Accompanies Ossãe
• Exu Aríjídì – Accompanies Oshun
• Exu Axanã – Accompanies Oxum
• Exu L’Okè – Accompanies Obá
• Exu Ijedé – Accompanies Logum
• Exu Jinà – Accompanies Oxumarè
• Exu Íjenà – Accompanies Ewá
• Exu Jeresú – Accompanies Obaluaiê
• Exu Irokô – Accompanies Irôko

The list of corresponding Exus and Orixás is large. We can see that one of these African gods can have up to 3 or 4 corresponding Exus, as is the case with the Exus of Oxum.

The religions of African origin are marked by the worship of various gods, demonstrating their complexity. For each god there is a story, a knowledge and knowledge that is passed on to practitioners. Knowing in depth the origin of these terms is essential to understand the functioning of these religions and to be able to form a more accurate opinion about them.

Now that you know more about the Orixás and their Exusalso check: