She is the multi-tasking deity of the River Niger, but she is far more than just a river goddess. One of the most impressive Orishas, her corporate portfolio includes a range of essential public services such as weather, funerals and lung disease. She is also an expert marketing professional. Hence this free publicity.

As you might imagine, she has a very colorful personality, favoring rainbow hues plus black and burgundy. After a hard day’s work she likes a drop of red wine. Particularly on her special day, Wednesday. And she deserves it; one of her specialist duties is looking after mucous membranes and bronchial passages. You would never think it to look at her.

Oya is not averse to a bit of strong-arm stuff and has had a few conflicts with Shango — her consort — and Yemaya. She also keeps in touch with the dead and is a good ancestor guide.

All this and she has found time to be the mother of nine and keep them away from the glare of publicity. Nine tributary rivers, that is.

We are utterly impressed. They don’t make goddesses like this any more.

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Article last revised on May 19, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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