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Afro/Caribbean Gods and Goddesses- Obatala

 

 

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babalu

images courtesy Eric Lerner

Please remember that the artwork on this page appears courtesy of the original artist- please enjoy, but do not take anything with you. Too see more of this artist's work, please visit http://www.voiceofhtoth.com

Artist's commentary:

Obatala: Obatala is the greatest orisha. His name means “Lord of the White
Cloth.” It is from him that most of the other orisha take their forms.
Obatala has many roads or caminos. These can be thought of the archetypes
akin to the Platonic notion of perfect forms. It is from these primordial
essences the other orisha take their shapes. For instance, Obatla-Ajaguna
provides the elemental spark which becomes Shango. Obatala Oshanla can be
thought of as the source for Oshun. And so forth. (The orisha who do not
come from Obatala are elemental orishas, such as Babalu Aye and Olokun.)
Obatla embodies wisdom, creativity, and judgment.

Related Resources:

Afro/Carribean Syncretism
African Diasporic faith at Alternative Religions.

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