Ethnic group Yoruba people | ||
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Region Nigeria, Benin, Brazil, Haiti | ||
Oshosi (Yoruba: Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì, Portuguese: Oxóssi, is an Orisha of the Yoruba religion in West Africa and subsequently in Brazil.
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Candomblé
Oxóssi is the spirit associated with the hunt, forests, animals, and wealth. He is spirit of meals, because it is he who provides food. He is associated with lightness, astuteness, wisdom, and craftiness in the hunt. He is the orixa of contemplation, loving the arts and beautiful things. He hunts with a bow and arrow (called an ofá), hunting for good influences and positive energies. Animals sacrificed to him in Oxóssi rituals are goat, cooked pig, and guinea fowl. The salutation of Oxóssi in the Candomblé tradition is "Okê, arô".
Characteristics:
Oxossí is syncretized with Saint Sebastian in the Rio de Janeiro region, the patron saint of the city. He is associated with Saint George in the Bahia region.
Santería
In Santería, Ochosí is syncretized with Saint Norbert. St. Hubert was also syncretized with Saint Hubert, the imagery of St. Hubert has a bow and arrow and a stag next to him which are symbols of Oshosi. Another Catholic saint syncretized with Oshosi in Santeria is Saint Sebastian who is depicted with his body is covered with arrows, another symbol of Oshosi.