Description
Obatala in Yoruba religion
According to mythical stories Obatala is the eldest of all orisha and was granted authority to create the earth. Obatala is the second son of Olodumare (The Creator) and is authorized by Olodumare to create land over the water beneath the sky, and founded the first Yoruba city, Ife. Obatala is Olodumare’s representative on earth and the shaper of human beings.
According to mythical stories Obatala created “defective” (handicapped) individuals while drunk on palm wine, making him the patron deity of such people. People born with congenital defects are called ‘eni orisa’: literally, “people of Obatala”. He is also referred to as the orisha of the north. He is always dressed in white, hence the meaning of his name, Obatala (King or ruler of the white cloth). His worshippers strive to practice moral correctness as unblemished as his robe.
In Candomblé, Obatalá (Oxalá) is the oldest “Orixa funfun” (“white deity”), referring to spiritual purity and pure light, symbolically as in the “light” of consciousness). In the Bahia State (Brazil), Obatala has been syncretized with Our Lord of Bonfim and is the subject of a large syncretic religious celebration, the Festa do Bonfim, which takes place in January in the city of Salvador and includes the washing of the church steps with a special water, made with flowers.
In Santería, “Regla de Ocha branch”, Obàtálá has been syncretized with Our Lady of Mercy.
