CHILDREN OF OBATALÁ: Characteristics, names, tips and more

Learn all about the Children of Obatalá, knows their characteristics and diverse personalities, as well as their names, with which they differ from each other, and represent each of their paths. Do not miss this information, as it has many details about this type of cult of Yoruba origin.

Introduction

Through this article, we will reveal many details about the Children of Obatalá, who is known as Ochalá and also by the name of Oxalá, who is one of the important deities of the Yoruba religion. He is considered as the direct descendant of Olodumare, who is the supreme God of him.

Obatalá is one of the seven orishas that are part of the Pantheon of the Orisha religion, which is of African origin and which has spread to many countries in the world.

He is considered the creator of the entire earth, which is why he is the one who dominates thoughts, intelligence and represents everything white. He is a deity of great importance, since the birth of many of the other African gods is due to him; but also the origin of all the elements present in nature.

His presence is equivalent to that of Jesus Christ within the Catholic religion. For this reason, his objective is to govern the world, thereby ensuring that order, peace and all harmony are maintained in the lives of human beings. He being in this case represented in nature by the mountains. (We invite you to learn everything about Elegua)

In itself, he is the most respected God, as he maintains the highest hierarchy within the Orisha cult, always being a mediator between the Gods of his cult; when someone is in trouble. This great Orisha has twenty-four paths, which also symbolize his different avatars.

It is said that he lives in a castle that has sixteen windows, but that neither the sun, the night nor the air can enter any of them; In addition, it has paths that can be both masculine and feminine.

It is celebrated on September 24 of each year, its representative number being eight as well as multiples of it, with the color white, for its vestments and altars, and with special dedication during Thursdays and Sundays of each week. He is usually greeted by pronouncing “Jekúa Baba”.

Obatalá is syncretized, like the Virgin of Mercedes; That is to say, this Catholic image is used to identify the Orisha obatala, since this was the way in which African slaves could worship their gods without their masters realizing it.

Therefore they used many of the Christian images, which were identified or, as indicated, syncretized, in order to keep their religious cultures alive, and perform all the rituals without difficulty, this is how it was maintained and spread throughout the years; which is why today it continues to be carried out in such a way.

Some claim that Obatala is also often syncretized by Jesus nailed to the Cross; Everyone agrees that he is considered the Supreme God and therefore the great Orisha, with an energy that emanates from nature itself.

Obatala and the Virgin of Mercedes usually have many similarities, especially in terms of their capacity or position, since both are protectors and liberators, with a special gift for comforting captives and asking for their release. Also interceding in favor of the forgiveness of sins and the power to grant divine mercy. (See also Prayer to Elegua)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1aQWMDVkeg

These two representations are considered leaders within their religion, being therefore saints who have great power and protective action at the service of men. That through the action of syncretism both religious cultures are unified into one, thus being represented in this way for Yoruba believers.

In our article, we will not dedicate ourselves to studying the Children of Obatalá, with the aim that all people can adequately know what it is about, since this is of great importance within the Yoruba religion, and is part of the initiation of many of his devotees. (You can also see the article about Shango)

Children of Obatalá

Obatalá’s children are simply his worshipers, who have been prepared in advance for this purpose, who must have clean and upright conduct, and although they can wear clothes of any color, the most accepted color is always white, which is precisely the color of obatala; where some women even wear opaque white ribbons.

These ribbons are usually decorated with white pearls and also use lead-colored anklets. All this as with respect to their deity, and in a special way, while they are preparing to be baptized within this cult, which is important, because otherwise things tend to go very badly for them during the development of their daily life.

Well, all of this represents a commitment to Obatalá and when any of his devotees do not comply, or respect the taboos, they consequently have problems, since these requirements are necessary for their salvation and so that they can be part of the Children of Obatalá.

Within the Yoruba cults, there are many stories considered Pattakies, and in them there are also stories of obatala as well as the legend of the Children of obatalá. Therefore we are going to consider this, in order to know how they are born, and thereby understand what they represent within the Yoruba cult.

Obatalá had two sons, one of whom was older and the other smaller. When the time came, he gave them his recommendations so that they could leave in search of wealth. I told the elder that he should respect his elders and especially the elderly.

In this way they begin the journey through the towns, arriving at one where they find an old destroyed hut, in which an old man lived; Logically, the eldest son greeted the old man cordially, but he did not hear his greeting, so he told his brother that he would make the old man listen to him.

Throwing a stone at him, while the old man still did not respond; For this reason, the younger brother tells the older brother that it is better to follow the path. But this brother was very stubborn and he answers that he is not going to leave until the old man listens to him.

To do this, he took dry leaves, set them on fire and put them in the hut, at which point the old man runs screaming. “As long as the world is the world, the fire will be behind you.” The old man who did not respond was Olofin, the creator of Obatala.

With this action, the brothers’ way of acting was being tested, and one of the qualities they should have was respect, but also being patient and avoiding stubbornness; Well, he had to respectfully greet, but not force the old man to respond to this greeting. But this son reveals a quality that is precisely stubbornness.

Characteristics of your children

The children of obatalá are those people who choose this deity of Yoruba origin, as their saint, with the purpose of paying tribute, offerings and prayers, to which they also dedicate their entire lives, in respect of the established rules, to form part of this cult, and become creditors of the favors that this Orisha has prepared for them.

The Children of Obatalá are called this way due to the fact that they themselves have decided to dedicate their lives to serving and honoring this deity, representative of the religion of their ancestors, and with this they can count on his protection and support, in the solving problems, both theirs and that of other people who make this request.

Logically, in order to be the Son of Obatalá, it is necessary to have a process of training and preparation, through which the person follows a series of rules, which are Law within the cult, and through which they can become one of the Sons of Obatalá. Obatalá, as long as he fully complies with them.

Each of Obatalá’s protégés are people who have a series of characteristics that distinguish them from other people, which is why it is important to know each one of them. (You may be interested in learning about Offerings to Oshun)

Their personality is introverted, they are humble, prudent and have moral rectitude, while also being respectful. They have a lot of poise, they are not submissive. And their criteria are usually balanced, also relying on a lot of willpower. It has leadership as one of its main characteristics. They can be stubborn, but this is due to their paternal or maternal instinct. They do not usually regret their decisions, and for this reason, they always seek to achieve the proposed objectives. They usually have a special predilection for bread. Their hair usually turns white at an early age. Generally, the Children of Obatalá find themselves in important jobs, being admired by everyone around them. They are people who usually earn the trust of others and therefore also the respect. They sometimes hold important government positions. They can be humble, analytical, calculating and also over protective. They always have a mission that dignifies them and which they must fulfill, but respecting all the norms and laws of the Obatala cult.

In love

When we consider the Children of Obatalá in terms of love, it can be said that we are in the presence of all the grace of this Orisha, since he always consecrates loving unions; and being his son, she can count on marriages and homes that are happy and full of love.

Obatalá is considered a father when it comes to love, as he always sees his followers with great compassion and seeks to help humanity in this sense. Putting the energies of nature in favor of humans, so that they can find a partner or maintain the one they already have.

For this reason, the Children of Obatalá are obliged to reflect in their lives all the virtues that are typical of their father, which will be rewarded by the Obatala himself, and therefore gives them a lot of prosperity. Many people consider that for this reason the people of this cult generally have material goods and power.

The Children of Obatalá must adhere to the moral rules of this deity, and for this reason, they must be faithful, just, benevolent and upright in all their conduct, especially from the point of view of love, with which they are guaranteed to have money and prosperity, since they will make Obatalá feel pleased. (See also Prayer to Oshun)

They must always control arrogance and pride, which is their weak point; which is why sometimes their homes can shake, generally due to lack of communication, when troubles arise and especially, if this element is increased by the presence of alcohol, it is said that obatala, this fact is he cursed.

Well, he does not allow his children to drown their sorrows with alcohol consumption, and tells them that they must always face reality with integrity and always protect both their family and their property. That is why they usually dress in white, which serves as protection, and is an element of purification with which they face their relationship problems.

For this reason all the Children of Obatalá will be lucky in love, always finding the ideal person for…