á»Âya (Yorùbá: á»Âya, also known as Oyá, Oiá, Yànsàn-án, Yansã, Iyámsá, or Iansã) is one of the principal female deities of the Yoruba pantheon. She is the oriá¹£a of winds, lightning, and storms and is the only oriá¹£a capable of controlling the Eégún (spirits of the dead), a power given to her by Babalú Ayé.
á»Âya lived on Earth as a human from the town of Ira, in present day Kwara state, Nigeria, where she was a wife of the Alaafin of Oyo, Shango. In Yorùbá, the name á»Âya is believed to derive from the phrase coined from "á» ya" which means "she tore," referring to her association with powerful winds. She was believed to have the power to shape-shift into a buffalo, and is often depicted as one in traditional Yorùbá poetry. As such, the buffalo serves as a major symbol of á»Âya, and it is forbidden for her priests to kill one. She is known as á»Âya ÃÂyáà Âsàn-án, the "mother of nine", because of the nine children she gave birth to with her third husband Oko, after suffering from a lifetime of barrenness. She is the patroness of the Niger River (known to the Yorùbá as the Odò-á»Âya).
In the Yoruba religion, á»Âya was married three times, first to the warrior orisha Ogun, then Shango, and finally, another hunting and farming deity, Oko.
Oya was traditionally worshipped only in the areas of Yorubaland once under the control and influence of the Oyo Empire. Because of the Atlantic slave trade, many of her followers of Oyo origin were kidnapped and sold to the New World, where her worship became widespread. Oya worship has also spread to other parts of Yorubaland.
In the Americas, á»Âya is syncretized with Catholic saints such as Saint Teresa of ÃÂvila (October, 15) and the Virgin of Candelaria (February, 2).
Oyá gained control over the dead after dancing for Babalú Ayé, who, moved by her compassion and bravery, granted her dominion over the Eégún. This myth highlights her deep connection with death and spiritual transition.
After struggling with infertility, Oyá was advised by a Babalawo to perform a sacrifice involving 18,000 sea snails, colored fabrics, and ram meat. She followed the instructions and gave birth to nine children, earning the name Iyansan.
In some traditions, á»Âya is believed to manifest in 23 avatars or paths:
In Candomblé, Oyá is known as Iansã or lyá Mésàn, or most commonly, Iansã, from the Yoruba Yánsán. She is revered as a fierce warrior, the queen of the Niger River, and the mother of nine. Iansã controls mysteries surrounding the dead and is commonly associated with the color red in the Angola-Congo nation. Her salutation is "Eeparrei!" or "Epahhey, Oia!"
Iansã, as in Yoruba religion, commands winds, storms, and lightning. She is the queen of the river Niger and the mother of nine. She is a warrior and is unbeatable. Attributes of Iansã include great intensity of feelings, sensations, and charm. Another ability attributed to Iansã is control over the mysteries that surround the dead. Iansã is syncretized with Saint Barbara. In the Candomblé nação (association) of Angola Congo, Iansã is associated with the color red.
Offerings include ÃÂkàrà(acarajé), eggplant, mulberries, dark chocolate, and specific puddings. Acarajé, a fried patty made from crushed black-eyed peas and spices, is both a ritual food and a street delicacy in Bahia, Brazil.
Acarajé is a spherical patty made with peeled, crushed black-eyed peas, stuffed with small shrimp, okra, crushed peanuts, and other savory, piquant spices. The ball-like patty is fried in dendê oil (red palm oil). It's a traditional Afro-Brazilian dish that is also a traditional offering to Iansã in the Candomblé tradition. A simple, unseasoned form of acarajé is used in rituals and a version served with various condiments is sold as a common street food in Bahia in the northeast of Brazil. Ipeté and bobo de inhame are also associated with Iansã.
In Yorùbá, her food is ÃÂkàrÃÂ. Eggplant, mulberries, pudding, and dark chocolate are also foods for Oya.
Oyá is symbolized by lightning, swords, flywhisks (iruké), and tornados. She wears multicolored garments and carries ritual items forged from metal.