Religious Education
This site was created specifically for students of Religion in Secondary Schools and other persons who may be interested in learning more about the Gospels and some of the major world religions.
ORISHA
THE ORISHA / SHANGO BAPTIST
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Shango Baptist
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Technically there are no Shango Baptist. That name is a misnomer. The term “Shango Baptist” is actually a derogative term. It’s like saying fake Christian or witch doctor. When referring to Shango Baptist, there is no knowledge of the fact that there are two different entities that exist within that religious structure in the Carribbean. Because people are ignorant of that culture, things get lumped all together. There is Shango, and then there is Spiritual Baptist.
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ORISHA
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"ORI"- Head
"Sa" - Selected
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Orisa is a selected conscious within the realm of the supreme intelligence; an expression of a cosmic archetype.
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All things in the U-N-I-verse are aware and animate; even those objects that are inorganic. Everything has consciousness.
There are universal energies that govern the laws and character of the cosmos. These are called Orisa. Orisa are divine energies represented through nature’s forces.
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Ogun: Ifa and the Spirit of Iron
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Ògún is the Spirit of Iron in the West African religious tradition called Ifá. The essence of Ògún is considered one of many Spiritual Forces in Nature which are called Orisha.
There are a large number of Orisha and each Orisha has its own Awo. The unique function of Ògún within the realm of Orisha Awo (Mysteries of Nature) is to remove all obstacles that stand in the way of Spiritual evolution, which includes the evolution of all that is.
In order to do this Ògún must sacrifice all that stands in the way of spiritual evolution. Because of these sacred responsibility Ògún is considered the Guardian of Truth.
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Ògún does not protect the truth of what we would like to be, he guards the truth of what is. It is the process of making this distinction that lies at the core of Ògún’s mystery.
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There are different grades and types of priest or a Babalawo (and is at the center of everything).
Babaaláwo or Babalawo (Babalao or Babalaô in Latin America; literally meaning 'father of the mysteries' in the Yoruba language) is a spiritual title that denotes a priest of the Ifá oracle. Ifá is a divination system that represents the teachings of the Òrìá¹£à Orunmila, the Òrìá¹£à of Wisdom, who in turn serves as the oracular representative of Olodumare. A Babalawo's female counterpart is known as an Iyanifa.
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Each orisha has its own priest. There is no gender bias for priestly positions.
Ifa is the word of Oludumare
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Sacrifices very according to what the deity asks – could be a group or individual offering.
Patricia McCloud is the foundress of the Orisha in Trinidad and Tobago.
Revivalism
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The strongest neo-African cult in Jamaica, stemmed from ancient West African Ashanti ancestor possession cult and incorporates an African world view understanding of nature, deity and human relationships. Myalism is related to another religious formation called Pocomania, which is the union of Myalism and Protestant Christianity in Jamaica.
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This Neo-African religious movement promoted Christian revivalism plus oral confessions, trances, dreams, prophesies, spirit seizures, and frenzied dancing. It became the strongest of the native Jamaican religions until the emergence of Rastafarianism in the 1930s. Rastafarianism is the name of an anti-white, back-to-Africa movement in Jamaica. The Rastas believe and teach that Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was the 'Supreme Being' and the only ruler of black people.
Revivalism in Jamaica
'Revivalism began in Jamaica between 1860 and 1861 as a part of a religious movement called the Great Revival. It is a combination of elements from African pagan beliefs and Christianity and has several forms, the two major forms being Revival Zion and Pocomania.
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The Revival ritual involves singing, drumming, dancing, hand-clapping, foot-stomping, and groaning along with the use of prayers to invite possession.
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It also includes music and songs from orthodox religion'.
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After all, the belief is highly spiritual and mystic! Persons who are 'filled' often roll on the floor and many times appears to fall in a trance.
A key aspect of the faith is the warnings and predictions. My first experience at such a service was bloodcurdling! -
Towards the end of each quarter in the year, revivalists journey to Watt Town in St. Ann (Ocho Rios area of Jamaica). This is the conference center or headquarters (if you wish) of the movement. There, all the elements of revivalism in Jamaica are displayed!