The Lesser Orishas they differ from the head Oshas (main orishas) in that they are not guardian angels and, therefore, cannot be crowned in the ceremony of Kari Osha (become a Saint).
These Orishas have the task of supporting in one way or another the Oshas, who directly represent the natural elements of nature, which is why they are just as important in Yoruba religiosity.
Did you know the great power of these Orishas in the Osha?
These are some of the Minor Orishas of the Yoruba Pantheon, as there are many more, below, we explain some of their qualities and their meaning:
oggue, horn and ostentation
Oggue is the Orisha of horned animals and herds. He forms a trilogy with Oke and Orisha Oko and is represented by two ox jars or two horns.
Oke, the firmness of mother earth
Oke is the Orisha of the hills, of the mountains and of the heights of the earth. He represents the perfection of the spirit of man that is born from Olodumare and returns to him.
It is seen in the mysteries of Olofi and the firmness of mother earth.
It forms an important trilogy with Oggue and Orisha Oko, since it governs all the movements of the earth.
ibeyis, twins that save from evil
The Ibeyis or Jimaguas are the Orishas personifying fortune, luck and prosperity.
It is said that their power is so great that they can save from death and evil, they protect walkers.
Abita annihilate with evil
Abita is an Orisha composed of three alboranes: Abta, Ara Unla, Tentaorun and his Ikoko.
It represents the existence of the malevolent and its vast power, it is compared to the Devil in the Christian religion.
Boromu and boronsiathe keepers of secrets
In the Osha Boromú and Boronsiá are the guardians of Odduduwa's secrets, they live and are received with him.
- Boromu represents the bones of the dead and inhabits the desert
- Boronsiá represents tornadoes.
Ori, deity of good luck
Orí is an Orisha, rector of the divine in the exclusive particularity of a being.
It governs the destiny of the individual and is the deity that each person possesses from the moment of their birth, to guide their spiritual head.
Aje Shalunga bless us with money
It is an Orisha related to health, prosperity and abundance. People who badly need money have it as their patron.
aroni works with powerful herbs
Orisha related to the secrets of plants whose cult was lost over the years. He was represented with the head and tail of a dog and with only one leg.
Ayao lives high in the clouds
She is a female Orisha, sister of Oyá and it does not settle, although the daughters of Oyá. He lives in a basin painted wine red and hung from the ceiling with chains.
It lives in the roots of the ceiba tree next to Irokó.
Dada Obañene, defender of the little ones
It is the Orisha of newborns, it is also considered of vegetables, because when Obatalá was entrusted with populating the world, he gave him the creation of the kingdoms (vegetable, mineral and animal).
He was the one who raised Shangó when Obatalá expelled him from the kingdom.
Other minor orishas little known, but powerful:
- In this text "Irunmole" is understood as the spirits of nature, manifestations of the power of nature represented in the Yoruba Pantheon.
| First Name | Its meaning in Yoruba religion: |
| abata | He is the Orisha of the swamps. He is symbolized in nature by the majá. |
| Aña | It is an Irunmole of percussion music, it lives in the foundation drums or Batá, which is why it is related to Shango, the king of the drum. |
| Ogbón and Ogboni | His cult is lost today. Ogbón is the brother of Ogboni and Oggan. |
| elesu | Irunmole from the sand. |
| aggana | Irunmole of the rain. |
| Agba Lode | It is the Irunmole of infinite space. |
| Ajá | He is the Orisha of whirlwinds. She is said to have been the wife of Olokun and for some the mother of Yemayá, the goddess of the sea. |
| Egbe | This Orisha rules over stagnant waters, aqueducts and the water in the jars. |
| Yes | It is the Orisha for protection |
| fride | It is the Irunmole of string music |
| ikoko | He is the Orisha of all aquatic plants |
| irawó | It is the Irunmole of the Astros |
| People | It represents the lakes in nature. |
| Bandit | It is the Orisha of the lagoons. |
| Onirawo | It is the Irunmole of comets. |
| Dare | It is an Orisha that symbolizes waterfalls and waterfalls. |
| Oshupa | Orisha that represents the moon. |
| poolo | It is the Irunmole of wind music. |
