Ọbatala

Common card · No. 212651

Obatala (; lit. 'King of White Cloth') also known as Oriṣanla (lit. 'The Great Orisha') is the king of all oriṣa in the Yoruba religion, believed to have created the Earth (Ile Ayé) and humans. In some versions of the story, he failed the task by being drunk on palm wine after being tempted by the trickster deity Eshu and was outperformed by his little brother Oduduwa. He was instead given the job of creating human beings. This was authorized by the Supreme Deity, Olodumare which gave Obatala the name "sculptor of humankind". "Obatala descended from Heaven on a chain to mold the first humans and now molds every child in the womb, according to the Yoruba. Obatala created the world and humanity, whereas Ọlọrun breathed life into humanity. Ọbatala is therefore considered the father of humanity and owner of all the heads where human souls reside." Obatala had worked on his task with the assistance of Yemòó. He is believed to be successful at creating human beings with water and clay. According...

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