Olorun

The Yoruba believe in the existence of a Supreme Being who has no less than 200 names and more than 1,000 oriki (cognomen). The name Olorun is more commonly used in popular language among the Yoruba than any other name for the Supreme Being. It is used not only in the adoration of the Supreme Being, but also frequently in ejaculatory prayers: Olorun gba mi o! (Deliver me O God). Also, when any Yoruba wants to convince his listener of the veracity of information, he exclaims, in the form of swearing Olorun n gbo (God is my witness). At times, the Yoruba combine another name, Olodumare, with Olorun in their reference to God, especially in times of distress or as an exclamatory phrase. In times ...