Yours or Mine?

We have Èṣù, Heremes and Loki. Thor, Sàngó, Amadioha and Odin. Oya, Oshun, Oba and finally Ogun, Hephaestus and Visvakarma.
Members of each group have something in common, can you guess?
Before answering, how many of the aforementioned names do you recognize?
If you answered all but one, I’d be impressed!!




It would have been perfect as Sàngó, Thor and Amadioha but it being that Odin and Sàngó share the tradition of hanging from a tree for a greater purpose and being vivid patrons of the arts. The list had to be extended to include him.
While Èṣù and Heremes have the messenger of the god’s thing going for them, it is Èṣù and Loki that really interest me as tricksters and spirits of chaos.







Oya, Oshun and Oba are female deities and wives of Sango while Ogun, Hephaestus and Visvakarma are
warriors

and masters of craft/creativity.

It is quite curious to know that Walt Disney, Paramount pictures and Warner Bros to name a few can with the assistance of creative writers take a cultural icon (like say Zeus) and turn him into a million dollar franchise.
In the process they not only line their pockets but also ensure that said characters remain in history for a long time to come.

Does “preservation of culture” come to mind?

Nigeria is divided into 6 geopolitical regions, each of these have their unique culture and traditions.
Of the 6 geopolitical regions, the south-west, south-south and south-east appear to have the most deities, myths and legends.
I remember some of the stories I heard growing up.
Of brave men and women who went against the odds to perform great feats in the name of their villages, clans or for the sake of lovers.
My mission is to recover as many of these that are still living and bring them home to where they would be loved, cherished and enjoyed.
Here is one:

Sango also known as “Oba Koso” is the ancestor of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. He is believed to be the “god of thunder” hurling thunder stones to earth, killing those who offend him or setting their houses on fire. History has it that he is the son of Yemoja, the mother goddess and protector of birth.
His symbol is a double-headed axe, which represents swift and balanced justice. He is the owner of the sacred batá drums.

Sango had three wives: Oba, Oshun and Oya.

Oba was Sango’s first and legitimate wife but was scorned by Sango after falling for a jealous trick played on her by Oshun his second wife. In agony she ran out crying, fell to the ground and turned into a river, which is still being worshipped till date. Oba became the patron of matrimony and is believed to destroy marriages in which there is abuse of either partner.

Oshun (or Osun) her likeness is usually depicted as a tall and beautiful woman. She wears a mirror on her belt. Thanks to her superb cooking, she was the favorite wife of Sango. According to beliefs, she was the only female “Irunmole” amongst the original 16 sent from the spirit realm to create the world as such, she is revered as “Yeye” the great mother.

Oya the third wife of Sango whom he made his queen was a crafty woman. She is believed to be the spirit of change, transition, and the chaos that often brings it about. She is seen in aspects as the warrior-spirit of the wind, lightning, fertility, fire, and magic. She creates hurricanes and tornadoes, and guards the underworld.

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