Ọlọrun
| Ọlọrun | |
|---|---|
Monarch of Ọrun, Supreme Monarch of Deities, Sky, Earth, Universe | |
 Ọlọrun in Oduduwa script | |
| Other names | Olorun, Olodumare, Olofin-Orun, Olofi, Olofin |
| Venerated in | Yoruba religion, Umbanda, Candomble, Santeria, Haitian Vodou, Folk Catholicism |
| Abode | Ọrun |
| Region | Yorubaland, parts of Latin America |
| Ethnic group | Yoruba |
| Genealogy | |
| Children | Obatala, Oduduwa |
| Part of a series on |
| Yoruba religion |
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Ọlọrun (Yoruba alphabet: Ọlọrun) (Ede language: ɔlɔrun) is the ruler of (or in) the Heavens, creator of the universe, and the Supreme Deity or Supreme Being in the Yoruba religion and related syncretic religions. Ọlọrun is also called numerous other names including Olodumare (Yoruba alphabet: Olódùmarè), Eledumare and Eleduwa/Eledua. However, in some belief systems the different names refer to particular deities or aspects of the same deity.[1]
Etymology
[edit]From the Yoruba language, Ọlọrun's name is a contraction of the words oní (which denotes ownership or rulership) and ọ̀run (which means the Heavens, abode of the spirits).
Another name, Olodumare, comes from the phrase "O ní odù mà rè" meaning "the owner of the source of creation that does not become empty," "or the All Sufficient".[2][3][4][5]
Yoruba
[edit]In Yoruba culture, Ọlọrun is credited with creating the universe and all living things. Ọlọrun is frequently perceived as a compassionate entity who protects its creations and is thought to be omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. People do not worship Olorun directly; there are no sacred areas of worship, no iconography.[6][7]
Ọlọrun's ordained are known to be Oriṣa, divine beings[8] of whom Obatala is King, who govern, regulate and sustain the physical realm (Ayé).[9] Olorun is outlying, distant, and does not partake in human rituals. There are no shrines or sacrifices dedicated directly to them, although followers can send prayers in their direction.[10][11]
For Yoruba traditions, there is no centralized authority; because of this, there are many different ways that Yoruba people and their descendants or orisha-based faiths can understand the idea of Ọlọrun.[10]
Historically, the Yoruba worship Ọlọrun through the agency of the oriṣa; thus there is no direct image, shrine or sacrifice for the deity.[10] It is generally believed that Ọlọrun is manifest in all of existence, and the believer is therefore bound to be grateful and loving towards all beings.[12] However, there are those who also worship them directly, believing the deity to be the origin of virtue and mortality, and bestower of the knowledge of things upon all persons when they are born. Ọlọrun is omnipotent, transcendent, unique, all knowing, good, and evil.[12] The Yoruba have a dialectical view and understanding of evil, and believe its existence is necessary for cosmic balance; without evil (ìbì), there cannot be good (ìré).[13][14][15] Thus, the Yoruba thought does not face the problem of evil. The deity's manifestations are supernatural beings, both good (oriṣa) and bad (ajogun), who represent human activity and natural forces, and who maintain universal equilibrium.[16][17]
Trinidad Orisha
[edit]The one supreme God in Trinidad Orisha is Olodumare, the Yoruba deity who created the Ayé, the world of the living, visible to us, and the Orun, the invisible spiritual world of the gods, spirits, and ancestors. They (Olodumare) are the Creator of the cosmology and all that exists.[18]
Santería
[edit]Santería teaches the existence of an overarching divinity, known as Olodumare, Olofi, or Olorun.[19] Practitioners believe that this divinity created the universe but takes little interest in human affairs.[20] As this creator deity is inaccessible to humanity,[21] no major offerings are dedicated to them.[22] The three facets of this divinity are understood slightly differently; Olodumare represents the divine essence of all that exists, Olorun is regarded as the creator of all beings, while Olofi dwells in all creation.[23] In taking a triplicate form, this deity displays similarities with the Christian Trinity.[23]
Gender
[edit]Ọlọrun has no gender in the Ifá Literary Corpus, and is always referred to as an entity who exists in spiritual form only. [24][25] Christian missionaries, such as Bolaji Idowu, aimed to reinterpret traditional Yoruba culture as consistent with Christian theology as a way of pushing conversion. The first translation of the Bible into Yoruba in the late 1800s by Samuel Ajayi Crowther controversially adopted traditional Yoruba names, such as "Olodumare/Olorun" for "God" and "Eṣu" for the devil, and thus began associating Olorun with the male gender.[24]
Epithets
[edit]- Ọlọrun Olodumare or Eledumare: The "Supreme Creator," "the All-Sufficient," or "the owner of the source of creation that does not become empty".[26]
- Olofin Ọrun or Olofi: "Royal-one of Heaven" or the "owner of the law of Heaven".
- Ọlọrun Ẹlẹda: "Ọlọrun the Creator".
- Ọlọrun Ọga Ogo: "Ọlọrun the Head of glory".
- Ọlọrun Olowo: "Ọlọrun the Venerable One".
- Ọlọrun Ẹlẹmi: "Ọlọrun the Owner of Breath/Souls" or "Possessor of Breath/Souls", signifying that all life is at their mercy.
- Ọlọrun Ọba a se kan: "Ọlọrun the King who can do anything" or "The all-mighty".
- Ọlọrun Alagbara: "Ọlọrun the Powerful".
- Ọlọrun Atọbajẹ: "Ọlọrun the one who is sufficient to be King".[27][28][29]
Modern influence
[edit]- Olorun is mentioned in the song "The Rhythm of the Saints" from the 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon.
- Olorun is mentioned in the song "Lua Soberana" from the 1992 album Brasileiro by Sérgio Mendes (composed by Vítor Martins and Ivan Lins).
- The name of the popular African-Brazilian percussive group, "Olodum" is gotten from Olodumare.
- Olorun appears as one of the gods in the 2014 video game Smite.
- Eledumare is mentioned in the 2018 song "Soco" by Starboy featuring Wizkid.
- Eledua is mentioned in the 2022 song "Trenches" by the Nigerian singer, Skiibii.
See also
[edit]
- Oriṣa - tutelary deities created by Ọlọrun
- Obatala - king of the Oriṣa
- Aṣẹ - Yoruba concept of natural energy
- Agẹmọ - chameleon servant of Olorun.
- Yoruba religion - comprisal of Yoruba religious beliefs
- Diffused monotheism - belief in a Supreme Being who assigns authority to many lesser divinities
- Conceptions of God
References
[edit]- ^ "Olodumare, Olorun and Olofin: The names of God | oshaeifa.com". en.oshaeifa.com. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
- ^ Ayegboyin, Deji; Olajide, S. K. (2009), "Olodumare", Encyclopedia of African Religion, Sage Publications, Inc., doi:10.4135/9781412964623.n306, ISBN 9781412936361, retrieved 2019-10-10
- ^ Cynthia Duncan, Ph.D. About Santeria
- ^ Mobolaji Idowu (1994), Olódùmarè God in Yorùbá Belief Longman Nigeria ISBN 9780582608030
- ^ Ekundayo, Adejuwonlo; Ekundayo, Olugbemiga (2020), Spirituality and Mental Health: An Ifa Overview, INARC Corp, U.S., ISBN 978-0-9815-674-0-2, Kindle Edition ASIN B08FCVVKYG
- ^ FAMA, (Chief.) (2002). Fundamentals of the Yorùbá Religion (Òrìṣà Worship). Ile Orunmila Communications. ISBN 9780971494909.
- ^ "Chapter 4 – Olodumare is a Gracious Creator – African Traditional Religions Textbook: Ifa". pressbooks.pub. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
- ^ Robinson, Clara (2021). Orishas: An Introduction to African Spirituality and Yoruba Religion. Creek Ridge Publishing. ISBN 9780645445619.
- ^ Adewuyi, Olayinka (2013). Obatala: the Greatest and Oldest Divinity. River Water Publications. ISBN 9780989348904.
- ^ a b c R., Prothero, Stephen (2010). God is not one : the eight rival religions that run the world (First HarperCollins paperback ed.). [New York, New York]. ISBN 9780061571282. OCLC 726921148.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Akintoye, Adebenji (2010). "Chapter 2: The Development of Early Yoruba Society". A History of the Yoruba People. Senegal: Amalion Publishing. ISBN 978-2-35926-005-2.
- ^ a b John A. I. Bewaji (1998). "Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief and the Theistic Problem of Evil" (PDF). African Studies Quarterly. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-05-18.
- ^ "The Dialectics of Ire (Goodness) and Ibi (Evilness) | An African Understanding of the Philosophical Problem of Evil". Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Abidemi Israel Ogunyomi (2024). "An Existential Interpretation of Evil: A Critique of Ebun Oduwole and Kazeem Fayemi on the Philosophical Problem of Evil in Yorùbá Thought". Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ^ Sogolo, Godwin (1993). Foundations of African Philosophy: A Definitive Analysis of Conceptual Issues in African Thought. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press. ISBN 9789781212376.
- ^ Abimbola, Kola (2006). Yoruba Culture: A Philosophical Account (PDF). Birmingham: Iroko Academic Publishers. ISBN 9781905388004.
- ^ Daniela Calvo. "Harm in Yoruba Cosmology - The Ajogun as active forces contributing to cosmic and social order" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-11-17.
- ^ ""Gods and Spirits."". Odyssey Online, Africa. Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester and Dallas Museum of Art.: Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University.
- ^ Mason 1994, p. 36; Mason 2002, p. 8; Flores-Peña 2005, p. 105; Fernández Olmos & Paravisini-Gebert 2011, p. 39.
- ^ Mason 1994, p. 36; Mason 2002, p. 8; Wedel 2004, p. 82; Flores-Peña 2005, p. 105.
- ^ Sandoval 1979, p. 138; Fernández Olmos & Paravisini-Gebert 2011, p. 39.
- ^ Flores-Peña 2005, p. 106.
- ^ a b Fernández Olmos & Paravisini-Gebert 2011, p. 46.
- ^ a b Abímbólá, Kólá (2005). "Chapter 3: The Yorùbá Cosmos". Yorùbá Culture: A Philosophical Account. Great Britain: Ìrókò Academic Publishers. ISBN 9781483535944.
- ^ Mligo, Elia Shabani (2013). "Chapter 3: The Concept of God". Elements of Traditional African Religion. Eugene, Oregon: Resource Publications. ISBN 978-1-62564-070-3.
- ^ "Olorun: Ruler of the Heavens in Yoruba Mythology". World History Edu. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ "Olorun". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ "Chapter II: Chief Gods". Internet Sacred Text Archive. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ "Olorun". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- Ogumefu, M. I., Yorùbá Legends, London, The Sheldon Press, 1929.
- Idowu, E. Bôlaji., Olódùmarè: God in Yorùbá Belief, London, Longmans, 1962.
- Adebola Omolara Adebileje, ' "A Comparative Description of Affixation Processes in English and Yoruba"
- Asante, Molefi K. and Ama Mazama, editors. Encyclopedia of African Religion. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc., 2009. Sage Knowledge, 13 Apr 2023, doi:10.4135/9781412964623.
