Oya

Oya is one of the seven primary orisha in the Yoruba religion, which originated in the Old Oyo Empire of Ancient Yorubaland, present-day Nigeria. The name Oya is defined by the action “she tore,” “O-ya” in Yoruba. The River Niger, the thunderbolt, fire, tornadoes, buffalo, and the wind represent this female orisha. Guardian of the gates of death, she stands at the gates of the cemetery, yet she does not represent death. She is only the keeper and guardian of the gates, allowing souls to enter. Because of her post, she has a special relationship with the ancestor world (egun [Page 514]and egungun). Oya is actually the opposite of death; she is symbolic of the air that humans breathe, and she can perpetuate life or death with her wrath (i.e., hurricanes, tornadoes). Practitioners of the religion believe she is Olofi's (Oludumare: God in the Yoruba tradition) secretary, informing him of all Earthly events. Because this is the aspect of Oludumare that governs the affairs of man, Oya is also a master of disguise. Occasionally, she is masked, allowing her to play numerous roles in her relationship with humans and the egun (ancestors). A common disguise is that of a buffalo.

Because the Yoruba tradition has spread to the Caribbean as well as South, Central, and North America and was preserved by enslaved and free Africans, Oya can be found in the Western Hemisphere manifested in Santeria, Lucumi, and Candomble. In the Western Hemisphere, she may be referred to as Odo Oya, Yansa, Yanza, Yansan, Oya Odu Oya, Oya Funka, or Oya Bi, as well as several other names. A multiplicity of colors and the number 9, symbolizing transitions and completion, represent Oya. Of the seven primary orisha, Oya is considered one of the warriors. In the context of ancient Kemetic worship, she has been known to be equated with Aset.