Yorúbá mythology is likely one of the richest and most developed on the earth. Many mythology lovers declare that it’s on par with the Greek, Roman and Norse mythologies.
Sadly, Nollywood and the proselytizing on the a part of the followers of the Abrahamic religion have demonized the key characters of our mythologies, and the misrepresentation of those characters (particularly in Nigerian movies) has led to nationwide apathy in direction of them. Ògún, Sàngó and Èshù stand shoulder to shoulder with their Norse counterparts, Heimdall, Thor and Loki, by way of cultural significance, their demarcation and the diabolism related to the worship of the Yorúbá gods have made them nearly don’t have any which means or appreciation in well-liked tradition. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced the Norwegian folks into many individuals's consciousness.
Now Sangobiyi in Iragbiji thinks Thor is the lovable, 'true god' who wields the highly effective hammer, Mjolnir,
if solely he have been uncovered to Arabanbi's exploits! However in the present day it’s Ògún who has caught our consideration. The Yorúbá god of battle and iron is widely known in lots of cultures world wide, from West Africa to the Caribbean.
So who’s he?
Ògún is primordial and cosmic; he was current on the daybreak of creation alongside an eclectic and unique assortment of different gods despatched to earth by the supreme god Olodumare. On their strategy to Earth, the gods encountered a primordial chaos that stopped them of their tracks. And check out as they may, they couldn't get via! However
comes, the hour comes when the person comes. Ògún has by no means been one to draw back from challenges; his Achilles heel insists on assembly challenges head-on. So he used iron to carve a path via the chaos of the primordia, making a path for the opposite gods to entry Earth, whereas additionally cementing his legacy as the primary civil engineer…
Ògún is passionate, intense, authoritarian, cautious and impulsive. A sample is beginning to emerge, proper? That's as a result of Ògún is a type of paradox. Many fantasy heads name him a paradoxical god; he’s the god of creativity and destruction. He’s an embodiment of contradictions; Ògún kills indiscriminately, however he’s additionally able to acts of charity, corresponding to freely giving his garments. Ògún basks in chaos Exploits?
Other than his achievements on a cosmic degree, Ògún is a seasoned warlord, having at one level been the king of the Ire folks (within the present state of Osun). He’s a basic who leads from the entrance. He was a fierce warrior who decimated the enemies and turned on his males in an comprehensible frenzy, slaughtering them.
Why is He revered?
From his origin story, Ògún has proven a penchant for creativity and for embracing challenges. He’s the patron god of hunters, creators, drivers and blacksmiths. Regardless of the recognition of Christianity and Islam in Nigeria, many motorists and different highway customers nonetheless consider that Ògún controls the freeway, so it isn’t uncommon for them to supply libations to him earlier than embarking on a journey.
One other vital facet of Ògún's character is his affiliation with battle. He’s usually invoked by warriors earlier than a battle and is believed to grant them power and braveness in battle. He’s additionally seen as a protector of troopers and is typically referred to as upon to assist wounded warriors get well from their wounds.
Along with his warlike nature, Ògún can also be related to justice and truthful play. He’s seen as a defender of the oppressed and the weak. He’s invoked to assist those that have been wronged search justice.
His standing in popular culture
Sadly, Ògún has not loved a lot reputation in well-liked tradition. Tales can form views, and the tales surrounding Ògún should not endearing. It’s essential to retell Ògún's story; he's a flawed character, however who isn't? Zeus is a womanizer, and Odin has a genocide or two to his title. This writer needs an leisure large like Netflix to make a sequence that may revolve round Ògún. Nonetheless, I'm not holding my breath. Uli Beier's poetry completely captures the essence of Ògún:
Ògún is the forest god.
He offers all his garments to the beggars.
He offers one to the woodcock, who dyes it with indigo.
He offers one to the coucal, who paints it with camwood.
He offers one to the cattle egret, who leaves it white.
Ògún's laughter isn’t any joke.
His enemies unfold in all instructions.
The butterflies don't must see the leopard –
As quickly as they scent his shit
They unfold in all instructions!
Grasp of iron, chief of the robbers,
You might have water, however you’re bathed in blood.
The sunshine shining in your face
Isn’t simple to see:
Ògún, with the bloody cap,
Present me the pink of your eye.
Ògún is just not like pounded yam:
Do you suppose you may knead it in your hand?
And eat from him till you’re glad?
Do you suppose Ògún is one thing you may throw in your hat?
And run away with it?
Ògún is a loopy god
Who will ask questions after seven hundred and eighty years?
Ògún pity me:
Whether or not or not I can reply:
Don't ask me something!
The lion by no means lets anybody play together with his cub.
Ògún won’t ever permit his youngster to be punished.
Ògún, don't reject me!
Does the lady who spins ever reject a spindle?
Does the lady who dyes ever refuse a garment?
Does the attention that sees ever reject a sight?
Ògún, don't reject me.
Supply: Yoruba Poetry (1970) by Uli Beier
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