Orixa: Oxumare
Every culture has a type of mythological aspect that focuses on the belief that supernatural or higher beings exist (or existed at some point). These beings usually contain certain attributes that are supposed to improve the society. In African culture, this is represented through a collection of deities, fondly known as Orixas. There is a great variation of these deities, which originated from the Yoruba region along the southwestern coast of Nigeria. The collection of these deities covers most of the basic natural elements and includes an arsenal of weapons that is directly related to the meaning of the Orixa. The deity that covers some of the most essential components of life is Oxumare. Herein lies the key to the rest of the deities for several reasons.
Before the characteristics of Oxumare are discussed, it is important to recognize how this deity (along with the rest) is interpreted. The most important fact to keep in mind is that the Orixas are all spiritual beings. They are essentially higher beings and therefore cannot coexist in the same world with man. Specifically, Oxumare is part of a family of three. His brother is named Omolu and his mother is Nana Buroku. Nana Buroku was not only the mother of Oxumare, but also of all the deities. Oxumare is commonly associated with the concept of duality, as there are two sides to himself. First of all, he does not have only one symbol. He is represented through a serpent and a rainbow. As he shifts between these two symbols, he embraces a different role each time.
On a deeper level, Oxumare’s concept of duality exists with more authority when he switches between a man and woman, initializing dual sexuality. For half of the year, Oxumare takes the form of a man while he assumes the symbol of the rainbow. During his tenure as a man, his main task is to bring the water from the waterfall to heaven. The other half of the year, Oxumare takes the form of a woman. In this case, his symbol becomes a serpent. The beauty side of the woman is sometimes seen when Oxumare transforms himself into a beautiful goddess named Bessom. Oxumare’s symbols are vastly different, as each of them embraces a different side of life that is incomparable. However, both the serpent and the rainbow have one thing in common. They both represent renewal through a new beginning. The rainbow gives hope to reach a new place and cleanse the spirit, while the s
erpent’s ability to transform provides a different take on life. The duality factor that is so important to Oxumare’s identity includes all of the contradictions that are seen in life. This is interpreted as day and night, good and evil, and of course man and woman.
Aside from representing renewal, Oxumare is also a symbol of continuity. This is more than apparent with the presentation of the Oxumare dance. This dance emphasizes serpent-like movements, which would mean that the dancers have to perform some of the movements along the floor. The reason behind the serpent movement comes from the dual sexuality that Oxumare is known for. When Oxumare becomes a woman for half of the year, he embraces the beauty side and it is transferred over to the dance performance. The degree of difficulty in an Oxumare dance is extreme. It requires great flexibility and patience, as there is always continuity that is provided from the dance.
From ludko2
There is no doubt that most of the details that are performed through the Oxumare dance have a meaning behind it. The part of the dance that is performed on the floor is attributed to the serpent symbol and its significance. However, looking more closely, I noticed that there is a great deal of marching. Of course, the majority of dances involve some sort of foot movement that cause the body to sway, bounce, move, or in this case, march. The marching complements the hand movements that also persist in the entire dance. Again, I went on to discover that these hand movements also have a deep meaning. It is amazing to notice that small details that simply seem to be part of a dance actually have a spiritual meaning. In other culture, entire rituals or ceremonies are performed in order to recognize a god or a deity. The way that the Yoruba were able to piece together a dance that serves as a sign of recognition for Oxumare is remarkable. The way that they perform it is nothing short of amazing. Performers of the Oxumare march forward while waving their hands in the air in the form of a rainbow. The march signifies the stay on earth, while the formation of the rainbow signifies the heavens. By marching and moving the hands together, this simple movement signifies the collaboration of heaven and earth, while including all the colors that could be associated with life (hence the rainbow).
There will always be counterarguments against Oxumare that instead praise the other deities. While these arguments may seem respectable, there is no arguing the power that Oxumare holds in his symbolic meaning. A serpent and a rainbow cover vast grounds of life, which includes everything from the foot of the sea to the clouds of heaven.
Before the characteristics of Oxumare are discussed, it is important to recognize how this deity (along with the rest) is interpreted. The most important fact to keep in mind is that the Orixas are all spiritual beings. They are essentially higher beings and therefore cannot coexist in the same world with man. Specifically, Oxumare is part of a family of three. His brother is named Omolu and his mother is Nana Buroku. Nana Buroku was not only the mother of Oxumare, but also of all the deities. Oxumare is commonly associated with the concept of duality, as there are two sides to himself. First of all, he does not have only one symbol. He is represented through a serpent and a rainbow. As he shifts between these two symbols, he embraces a different role each time.
On a deeper level, Oxumare’s concept of duality exists with more authority when he switches between a man and woman, initializing dual sexuality. For half of the year, Oxumare takes the form of a man while he assumes the symbol of the rainbow. During his tenure as a man, his main task is to bring the water from the waterfall to heaven. The other half of the year, Oxumare takes the form of a woman. In this case, his symbol becomes a serpent. The beauty side of the woman is sometimes seen when Oxumare transforms himself into a beautiful goddess named Bessom. Oxumare’s symbols are vastly different, as each of them embraces a different side of life that is incomparable. However, both the serpent and the rainbow have one thing in common. They both represent renewal through a new beginning. The rainbow gives hope to reach a new place and cleanse the spirit, while the s
erpent’s ability to transform provides a different take on life. The duality factor that is so important to Oxumare’s identity includes all of the contradictions that are seen in life. This is interpreted as day and night, good and evil, and of course man and woman.Aside from representing renewal, Oxumare is also a symbol of continuity. This is more than apparent with the presentation of the Oxumare dance. This dance emphasizes serpent-like movements, which would mean that the dancers have to perform some of the movements along the floor. The reason behind the serpent movement comes from the dual sexuality that Oxumare is known for. When Oxumare becomes a woman for half of the year, he embraces the beauty side and it is transferred over to the dance performance. The degree of difficulty in an Oxumare dance is extreme. It requires great flexibility and patience, as there is always continuity that is provided from the dance.
From ludko2
There is no doubt that most of the details that are performed through the Oxumare dance have a meaning behind it. The part of the dance that is performed on the floor is attributed to the serpent symbol and its significance. However, looking more closely, I noticed that there is a great deal of marching. Of course, the majority of dances involve some sort of foot movement that cause the body to sway, bounce, move, or in this case, march. The marching complements the hand movements that also persist in the entire dance. Again, I went on to discover that these hand movements also have a deep meaning. It is amazing to notice that small details that simply seem to be part of a dance actually have a spiritual meaning. In other culture, entire rituals or ceremonies are performed in order to recognize a god or a deity. The way that the Yoruba were able to piece together a dance that serves as a sign of recognition for Oxumare is remarkable. The way that they perform it is nothing short of amazing. Performers of the Oxumare march forward while waving their hands in the air in the form of a rainbow. The march signifies the stay on earth, while the formation of the rainbow signifies the heavens. By marching and moving the hands together, this simple movement signifies the collaboration of heaven and earth, while including all the colors that could be associated with life (hence the rainbow).
There will always be counterarguments against Oxumare that instead praise the other deities. While these arguments may seem respectable, there is no arguing the power that Oxumare holds in his symbolic meaning. A serpent and a rainbow cover vast grounds of life, which includes everything from the foot of the sea to the clouds of heaven.
Posted by Carlos Salazar
Works Cited:
McHugh, Isabelle. "Of Rainbow, Thunder, and Oceans: Oxumare, Xango and Iemanja." 2005. isIS Transcript. http://www.isistrance.com/files/2%20Of%20Rainbow,%20Thunder%20&%20Oceans.pdf
you need to hotlink text in your essay to their citations.
ReplyDelete--Ryan the TA
Carlos, while your writing and interpretive skills are excellent, you flubbed the video selection! But even tat seems absolutely perfect. You posted a link to a capoeira group called "oxumare," not to the performance of the ritual dance of Oxumare. Amazingly, you actually went on to describe the correct dance. Did you not watch the video all the way through? That's 'ingraçada,' funny.
ReplyDelete√+