Ọya - Maria Leite

22" x 28"
Acrylic on paper
 
In the Yoruba society (Nigeria, Togo, and Benin), the origin of everything is explained through myths. As the Yoruba society did not have a formal writing system, most of these myths were transmitted via oral traditions (Prandi, 2001, p. 24). In the African diaspora, the Yoruba myths reproduced in the Americas, specially cultivated by the Orishas’ religions in Brasil and Cuba (Prandi, 2001, p. 25). The Yoruba believe men and women descend from the Orishas (Prandi, 2001, p. 24). For the Yoruba peoples, the Orishas are gods who received from Olodumare (Ọlọ́run - the supreme creator) the task of creating and governing the world. Each Orisha was then designated the responsibility for some aspects of nature and certain dimensions of life in society and human condition (Prandi, 2001, p. 20). These two pieces show abstract representations of Orishas Shango (Ṣàngó), the Orisha of the thunder and governor of justice; and Oya (Ọya), the Orisha of winds and thunderstorms. Each piece was created with emphasis on characteristics, colors and representations of each Orisha. Source: Prandi, R. (2001). Mitologia dos Orixas. São Paulo, Brasil. Companhia das Letras