Before colonialism and the spread of Christianity in Edo land, the Edo people served certain gods. These gods were worshiped and held great importance in maintaining societal norms. They played a vital role, acting as guides and enforcers of the values that held the community together. The people saw these goods as sacred beings, deeply ingrained in the daily lives of the people.
In this blog post, we will explore the gods of pre-colonial Edo, uncovering their stories, significance, and the profound impact they had on the lives of the Edo people.
Edo Gods
Osanobua
Osanobua is the name of God in the Edo language. This is the creator of the universe. In today’s world, it is essential to note that this name is for the Almighty God. However, before the missionary era, the name referred to a god. This god, Osa, a sky deity, was thought to have created the universe.
Other Edo tribes have names that refer to God. For example, the Esan people call God “Osenebra” or “Osenobula”. Ose is a common abbreviation for it. God is also called “Ofuekenede” (merciful God), “Okakaludo” (stronger than stone), “Obonosuobo” (the great physician), and “Oshimiri atata” (a river that never runs dry).
Olokun
This is the god who confers fertility and riches. Olokun is the “father” of Aje, the orisha of enormous wealth and the ocean’s depths. The Edo people honor Olokun as the supreme water god who rules over all other water deities. Depending on who you ask in both West Africa and the African diaspora, Olokun is a female, a male, or of uncertain gender. Talk about gender fluidity being a new thing
Read also: Adesuwa: The Beauty That Caused a War
Ogun
A god known as Ogun or Ogoun, he is present in a number of African faiths, including Benin’s. This god of combat, iron, and metalworking is the protector of the Benin people. He is responsible for making it possible for people to create tools, works of art, weapons, and, in modern times, machines, out of metal. The people built shrines in his honor. These shrines have a fiery red color and frequently include an accumulation of metal objects.
Ogiuwu
This is the horrifying god of death. Interestingly, the Benin people had erected a shrine built in his honor near the war shrine in the former Benin royal palace. There’s a rumour that this god drank human blood and consumed human flesh. No surprise there. He had a principal messenger called Ofoe.
Osun
The god of magic and healing, Osun (also spelled Oshun) was one of the gods of the Edo people. People used to think that he was in charge of the rainforest’s entire plant and animal life. He used the birds on his crown to make future predictions.
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