OGGUN: Who was he?, his story, patakie, tools, and more

Oggun, a deity of the Orisha Pantheon, where it is said that he is the master and lord of iron, belonging to Yoruba mythology, with a lot of strength, which is the energy represented by the human body itself, here we tell you everything, don’t miss it because You will learn how to count on the favors of this important Orisha.

Introduction

The Yoruba religion is an ancestral culture represented by a series of beliefs, traditions and spiritual cults, dedicated to deities that are followed by devotees of this cult, whose origin dates back to the time of slavery, where its saints were syncretized through use of images of Catholic saints.

A culture that mainly originates in towns such as Nigeria and Benin, but whose beliefs spread throughout the world, in order to keep its roots intact. It is in this way that Oggun himself appears, symbolizing with him the beginnings, the beginning, the strength, the violence, and all the danger of iron as well as that of fire, as weapons of defense.

This is an Orisha who is next to other great deities, forming part of the Yoruba Pantheon, very important within their religion and representing strength for work, but also what strength is in a rough and initial way. With iron and metals as his symbols, and all the virility present in human beings.

For all these reasons we have decided to consider Oggun, as a representative of this article, since it is necessary that all people can know him, since he presents a series of important characteristics, and unsurpassed strength qualities. In this sense, we invite you to continue reading, so that you know properly how to satisfy this Orisha God, worthy representative of the Yoruba culture and religion. (We recommend you read the article about Elegua)

Who was?

Oggun represents the Orisha of blacksmiths, he is the master of iron, metals and consequently of wars, because weapons made of metal are used. He also represents work disciplines related to technology, surgery, military, police and all the like. He is therefore an emblem of all those who carry out this type of professions.

He is a deity who can show irascibility and violence when facing his enemies; The tool that symbolizes him is the machete, with which he confronts both his enemies and the weeds that he finds in his path, along the paths he takes in the jungles, his natural home.

In the scriptures or legends presented through Yoruba mythology, this machete is known as Embelebobo, and Oggun uses it for his defense as has already been said or simply to make his way through the vegetation present in the jungles. ; not only for him, but also to help clean the paths of the other Orishas.

As we have indicated, many of his deities have been syncretized with figures of the Catholic religion and in the case of Oggun, this is also the case, since he is represented with Saint Peter, who in this Catholic image carries the keys of the kingdom in his hands. of the heavens, properly made of metal, thus being established as the syncretization of Oggun among the Yoruba.

It is said that as these keys of Saint Peter symbolize him, they are also his; In other manifestations of this culture he is syncretized with Saint George, because he carries a sword in his hands, and is a warrior with a helmet and spear, which is also the role of the Oggun, since he is part of the group of Orisha warriors, present in the Yoruba Pantheon.

The truth is that Oggun is the Orisha who ensures the passage to all paths, which opens to his brother Eleggua, who is the owner of the paths and destinies of all human beings.

Within the culture of Bantu origin, such as Palo Mayombe, Oggun is related to Zarabanda; for being the one who comes from the mountains, and being the owner of metals, as well as the master of wars, who gives and maintains the strength of all warriors, with great courage and assures them of final victory.

These two mythological beings have the same qualities, they are only differentiated by the fact that Oggun is born from the Yoruba religion that originated in Nigeria with the name of Candomblé Nagó, and Zarabanda emerged from the Palo Mayombe culture, considered by many to be the oldest in the world born in the Congo itself. (See also Offerings to Yemayá)

When Oggun is angry, his strength is impressive and is of such magnitude that only Obatalá can calm him down, because he always fights fiercely, he can even kill dragons and become invisible to the enemy, always being greeted with the Ogunhé.

Ok Oggun! Oggun Kobú Kobú, Aguanilé!

An Orisha who is identified with the numbers 3, 7 and their multiples, and who usually likes colors such as green, black, white and red; Thursdays are dedicated to him, although some consider Mondays of each week instead. His name can be identified as, Ogun, Ogum, Oggún and he is honored on April 23 of each year, but some also celebrate June 29, Saint Peter’s Day.

As has been mentioned, this Orisha is syncretized with Catholic images and that is why it is not only done with Saint Peter, they also use, where appropriate, Saint Paul, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Raphael the Archangel.

Being the son of Obatalá and Yemu, considered the brother of Shango, Oranmiyán, Oshosi, Osun and Eleggúa. Who is born as an Osha from the group of Orisha Oddé, who are commonly known as warriors, which is why he is seen carrying the machete in his hands. (see also Prayer to Elegua)

His story

In order to properly know Oggun, it is necessary to consider his history; Well, as has been indicated, this deity is the brother of Shango, considered a warrior king and also of Eleggua, who is the first Orisha to be received, since he represents all the paths. But he has other brothers, such as Oshosi, Osun and Dada.

He is the son of Obatalá, who is the Orisha, the greatest creator of the earth and the sculptor of all humans, and his mother is Yemu, considered the first Yemayá, being like the female representation of Obatalá. All of them coming from Nigeria in the city of Llesha, Africa.

He is the god of iron, minerals, mountains, tools and everything related to metal forging, also housing disciplines such as mechanics, engineers, physicists, chemists and especially soldiers. Well, he has a great representation since he can be both a solitary hunter and a gatherer, who wanders through the forests and discovers all the secrets.

This Orisha Oggun has a multifaceted way of being, as he can dominate all the mysteries of the mountains, just like a witch, or simply be barbaric, meat-eater and bestial. But on another level he is presented as the farmer, who works sedentarily, who consumes domestic animals as well as food and fruits.

Therefore, when he is observed by the other Orisha, he has a projection of spirit that is good and bad at the same time. Since he can cause wars, which are the cause of human destruction, and on the other hand, he can protect medicine as an alternative to cure all types of illnesses.

Oggun is considered according to many legends or Patakíes Yorubas, as the owner of the keys, the chains that represent the confinement by means of steel of those who are locked in prisons.

The mountains are his, and whose territory he shares with Oshosi, but he also dominates the roads alongside his brother Eleggua. He is the messenger of Obatalá himself, being the one who wanders alone along all the roads, with his vigorous and inflexible temperament, since he has the resistance of the metal which he symbolizes.

His emblematic machete places him second in importance after Elegua within the santero cult followed by the Cuban people. Always taking justice into his own hands and paying no attention to others. His greatest love has always been with the goddess Oyá, although she considers that she has had some other loves.

This great Orisha is considered a good protector for the entrances of houses and temples of worship, and also guardian of those who have professions such as the military, soldiers, farmers, surgeons and many other workers who are associated with metal elements. .

Oggun Patakki

The Patakki or Patakíes are considered a series of stories, where the life of each of the orishas is revealed, which are part of the entire Yoruba religious cult; considering that they form each Ódun or sign of the Oracle of Ifá.

Many of these Patakíes are presented in the form of parables, or metaphorical ways of appreciating the legends, but with all of them a high culture and an accumulation of experiences acquired over the years are manifested.

For this reason, in our article we are going to consider a Patakie that is typical of the Orisha Oggun, in which it will allow us to get to know this deity of the Yoruba Pantheon a little better.

It is said that when the orishas came down to earth, it was Oggun who opened the way for them by cutting all the obstacles with his tireless machete. And at that time he lived in the house of his parents Obatalá and Yemú, being accompanied there by his brothers Ochosi and Eleggua. They also say that he was in love with her own mother and even wanted to rape her.

This was generally avoided by Eleggua who was always vigilant, but in an almost careless act Oggun achieved his goal and was discovered by Obatala. But before he said anything, Oggun stated. “I’m going to curse myself.” For this reason, as long as the world is the world, I will dedicate myself to working for Ocha.

From then on he went to work in the mountains, with his dogs, and hidden from all men, being seen there only by Ochosi, who was his brother and hunter. He worked tirelessly, but he lived bitterly, he produced many irons and began to dominate the world.

But one day Oshún enters the mountains and attracts her with his song, making her taste the honey of life. Thus Oggun continued working, but without feeling bitterness, and with this the world calmed down, because now he would no longer spread ofoché (powders of curses) all over the world.

With all this, Oggun also calmed down, because he lived with the honey that Oshun offered him. This shows that Oggun is the mochoggún or what is known as the assistant of all the orishas. Giving them food, because the offering animals are sacrificed with his knife, which represents one of Oggun’s tools.

The scholars of this cult consider then that the blood that is put on the representative tureens of other orishas first passes through the hands of Oggun, and that is how it always is, which he himself has imposed as punishment.

Roosters are sacrificed to him, and this is due to the fact that he has always liked the tranquility and silence of the forests, which on one occasion was interrupted by the crowing of a rooster, which he took and cut. the head, since then roosters have been sacrificed to him

Why does Oggun work Day and Night?

This is probably a characteristic of Oggun, that most people may not know, because it is…