OSAIN: Who is he?, history, prayers, as an orisha and more

Osain is an orisha of the Yoruba pantheon who governs nature and focuses his power on the use of the plant world, to cure and protect those who turn to him from evils and ailments.

This orisha surrounded by many and the most diverse stories about his origin, life and powers, is considered a fortune teller, sorceress and healer deity.

We invite you to read this article and learn much more about this enigmatic figure, venerated in traditional African religions and those that originate from them.

Who is it?

Osain Aguenegui Aguaddo and Kuri Kurialso known as Osain Agguchuiye, He is the orisha who governs nature and who in turn is part of it, belongs to the Yoruba pantheon and is considered a fortune teller.

This deity is located on the left side of the body and participates in all consecrations, since each and every one uses herbs, which must be used correctly to achieve their purpose.

It is believed that he was born from the bowels of the earth, like the mountain, and his spirit comes directly from Olofin.

He is an orisha who knows all animals, plants and minerals, and the secrets they contain, so his wisdom is valuable and essential when it comes to saving lives and warding off death (Iku).

Meaning of the name

There are many writings, stories and assumptions regarding the true meaning of his name, below we present some of the best known:

Sacred herb that has no father or mother Principle Mount Witchcraft Owner of herbs

However, even though these are not incorrect, one of the most accurate is the one who has the gift of multiplying.

OZA or OSA : translates as wind that is never still or calm and is unstable. Air current that moves and multiplies, remember that pollen and seeds are carried by the wind from one place to another. Its mission is to spread or multiply plants.

IN, INLE or INSHE: means first on earth, the first who acted and made the ashe, the one who gave the gift of mobility to this world. (See article: Children of Oduduwá)

Characteristics

Some of the characteristics of this deity of the Yoruba pantheon are:

It is associated with the color green, white, red and yellow and the number seven and multiples thereof. They consider him the orisha of nature and a deity of divination.

He is a deity represented as a man with many physical defects, which demonstrate the imperfect nature of the human race. He was originally the owner of the fresh waters, subsequently handing over the power of it to Oshun. It is considered that he was the one who initiated the river ritual, also called a preparatory bath. His greeting is Ashé Ossain, moguayé! He has friendship with Oggún, deity of hunters and metals and Oshosi, orisha who takes care of wildlife, since they are linked to nature. He has no known partner but he is close to Oshún and is Changó’s godfather. He is associated with the Catholic saints: San Antonio Abad and San Silvestre. Every January 17th, his day is celebrated. He communicates in the diloggún (oracle system of the Yoruba religion) by Obbara-Oddí (6-7) and Oddí-Obbara (7-6). The elekes are made of green, white, red and yellow beads.

Receptacle

The container or cavity that contains the orisha is generally a hanging güiro, which is accompanied by four feathers and the shell of a jicotea, made of clay. Three stones from the mountain are also placed in the güiro.

Offerings

This orisha likes certain gifts or offerings in particular, including:

Tobacco. Corn. Seeds and flowers Brandy Goats, jicoteas, griffin roosters and talking birds are sacrificed. Ewe: all the herbs and sticks of the mountain.

Take care of it

You can also serve it with alcoholic beverages, Kola nut, guinea pepper and roasted corn.

The person who makes the offerings must kneel on one leg, and the medicines that were prepared are placed in the Osun de Osain, so that he can try them.

It is important to know that care for this orisha must be carried out by people with knowledge of it, otherwise it can greatly harm that individual.

Roads

Its paths are related to the cure of ailments, the protection and defense of evils and the power of herbs, sticks and elements of nature. Among the best-known paths of this orisha we find:

Osaín Agé is a sorcerer who knows the secrets hidden in the pumpkin and medicinal plants. It lives at the foot of those dense, leafy trees with vines. Osaín Bi, is related to Iyami Osorongá, the queen of the witchcraft cult. She deals with birds and is a great witch and herbalist. Osaín Ajube is an effective healer in ailments of the internal organs, specifically the liver, stomach, etc. Osaín Beremi, associated with the banks of rivers with abundant vegetation. Osaín Oloógun, healer, owner and lord of the medicines that come from the plant world.

However, there are also other Osain paths:

Osaín Dompé. Osaín Getemá. Osaín Obióta. Osaín Tolá. Osaín Ra. Osaín Fumage. Osaín Seká. Osaín Ogunike. Osaín Tunesé. Osaín Molé. Osaín Bemarun.

Taboo

Their cult is exclusive to men and women cannot be part of the ceremonies, especially if they are menstruating.

It is important to know the herbs and plants very well, as there are some that cannot be mixed, since they are harmful.

Do not attend to Osain if you do not have the knowledge to do so, it is said that his character is impatient and conceited, in addition to being very powerful.

History

Osain, Ossain or Ozain had no parents and was born like a plant, directly from the earth, that is why it is plant nature, made human.

His spirit comes from Olofin and in many places where he is worshiped it is said that Osain lives in a tree, which takes human form to go out to plant and take care of the vegetation.

Other stories say that he lives alone in the mountains, among grasses and animals. He is celibate and owner of herbs, plants and trees, which is why he is a powerful orisha.

He is missing a leg, an arm and an eye, and he also has one ear larger than the other and just from the slightest listen, he also has a güirito hanging from it.

There are many different stories they tell about the reason for their condition.

Initially he was a saint of the Mandingas, Takuas and other tribes, but the wars and the prisoners they left behind took his cult to other lands.

In some places in Africa, Osain is not only the orisha of herbs and plants, but he is the father of hunters, being the one who taught Odde, messenger of Obatala and Olofí, regent of the hunting sorcerers.

That is why Osain and Odde essentially have some similarities, obviously being totally opposite divinities.

The truth is that Osain and its secrets are essential in the Yoruba religion, which relies so much on and requires the power of nature.

It is also indicated in the Yoruba Esoteric Encyclopedia (London in 1963, 1970 and 1978), that Osain is an Eggun who was exalted, dignified and ennobled as the orisha of nature, vegetation and their healing and medicinal properties.

It is made up of three eggunes or spirits:

Camaya Iya: the mother tragedy. Camaya Unu: the language that gave rise to it. Camaya Igbo: the tragedy of living in the world.

These spirits known as the godmothers of Osain are born in the oddun and represent the life, work and sacrifice of the deity.

The first song is sung to the oddun, it is the invocation of these three spirits: CAMAYA IYA, CAMAYA ENU, CAMAYA IGBO or OZAIN IYA, ENU and IGBO.

Ancient pataki of Osain origin

Before sending Oddua the orìşha of Creation to earth, Olofin sent four sons first: Igba, Oggue, Ala aye and Osain.

Igba, would be in charge of paving the roads. Oggue, who with her power would remove the spirits that disturbed her from the earth, known as Agungunes or Eggun.

Ala-aye was the one who modified the earth, raised mountains, corrected inequalities and anomalies of the terrain, among other things.

To give life and greenery, he sent Osain, with twenty-one seeds that he had to scatter on the earth so that the plants would grow and provide shade before the coming of Oddua.

When it arrived on Earth, it carried out its mission, throwing seeds in different places, growing and multiplying vegetation throughout the planet and covering it in its entirety.

When the flood arrived, the sea occupied places where there were plants, many perished, others adapted and that is why there are also plants in the sea.

Owner of fresh waters

Olofin called all his children to give each of them a religious government, but only Changó and Oshun attended.

They were sent to earth by the ruler of the world and were considered the fathers of the rule of osha.

Osain was the one who received them and also baptized them on the bank of the river, knowing an ancient song referring to that:

IMO WARA WARA

IGBU OKAN LOÑIO

OZAIN AGO LO NI ASHE

OZAIN IGBU ODDON

(Water that runs in the river, which Osain drank and gave his heart. This water was blessed by Ozain for consecration) (See article: Mother of Water in palo mayombe)

Pataki Ossain

Some time ago, a lame, one-armed and one-eyed man was knowledgeable and owner of all the powers and secrets of nature, especially the secrets of plants and how they could be used; and the language of the animals of the mountains.

This character lived in the land of the Congos, in a very humble hut and suffering from many deprivations, miseries and hunger.

Even though many came to him in search of remedies and cures for the ills, ailments and problems that afflicted him, his situation was precarious because he was always paid little.

The existence of that wise man and healer reached Orula’s ears, and she then decided to go to the intricate and dense forests of the Congo to meet him.

He walked for many days, among the centuries-old trees and large forest trees that rose majestically to the sky, until one morning he saw a hut in the distance.

Heading towards the place, he thought about ordering something to eat. He was greeted by a disabled man, with a nasal voice, who invited him to come in and share food and coffee with him.

Inside the hut everything was a little dark, however, when Orula got used to the lack of light, she realized that pots, jars and cauldrons surrounded her, full of herbs and sticks, and there were also güiros decorated with feathers. .

So there was no doubt, he was in the hut of the much-sought herbalist, that guy was the one he had been looking for days ago.

They talked for a long time, and Orula felt very indignant and angry at the deplorable and austere conditions in which the man found himself.

It offered him the possibility of living in the city of Ifé, where there were boardwalks, palaces and from where they could help human beings with their knowledge.

Osain accepted the proposal without hesitation, because he had planned to leave that place for a long time, but he had not found the way or the opportunity.

Osain then went to live in the great city of Ifé with Orula, where he did not go hungry again, he had clothes, shelter and was happy.

Pataki of war between Osain and Orula

It is said that the temperamental Changó was the first…