I really recommend this book I only three chapters in but I love it already. I want it to be made into a film. A Studio Ghibli film because I imagine that way. (I guess its because I watched Spirited Away recently and this books reminds me of it in little ways)

Anyway the book is a fantasy book about this young girl called Sunny who is Nigerian American who moves back to Nigeria and she has albinism, she is also a free agent.

I can’t give too much away find a detailed description somewhere else I need to finish this book.

(Source: chuckstr)

Yewa (also known as Ewa)

The orisha associated with death and the final resting place of the underworld and watches over and protects people’s graves and is the guide the dead to the afterlife. As guardian of the underworld she aslo works alongside Oya. Yewa’s colours are burgundy and pink, she often depicted eliding a horsetail whip and a sword.

(Art by Miyokoshi)

Nyarvirazi the Were-lioness

Origins- Rwanda (South East African maybe)

Nyarvirazi was a chieftain daughter or a the last born princess of a King. One day when venturing out into the wilderness she got lost as day turned to night she became tired, hungry and thristy looking for a way back. She found cup of water sitting atop of a tree stump and drank from it.

The water turned out to be urine from a lion left there by a witch or jujuman for a ritual that was to be performed under the full moon. Nyarvirazi could noticed that her senses were enhanced  and as she made her way back home she had a craving for goat once seeing some she chagred after them turning into a lion and ate them. After devouring the goat she turned back into a human and ran back home, this became a habit on every full moon it wasn’t long until her brother became suspicious and saw her transformation and told the family about it.

Nyarvirazi warned them all to keep her transformation a secrect especially from her husband. When she had a baby the midwives joked about the baby no having claws, her husband wanted to know what they were talking about after many months of suspicion and threatened everyone with a spear which he ended up using on Nyarvirazi and the midwives and also the baby. Nyarvirazi transformed into a lioness and bit off his arm she called for other lions to appear and they ate him.

Nyarvirazi took her baby and went off with the Lions to become their Queen and Goddess thus keeping her family’s home safe from lions, she occasionally returns to her father’s village.

Shango (also known as Chango, Sango, or Xango)

King of the orisha pantheon, rules over thunder, fire, drumming, dancing and male virility. Shango is actually a deified king who was once the Fourth Alafin of the city-state of Oyó. He is one of the most worshipped orishas in the pantheon and his legends are numerous and speak to the human experience. He has four separate wives: Obba - his first wife who was faithful but unattractive so Shango withdrew his affections from her, Oshun his favourite lover, Oya his equal in strength and power, and Yewa the virgin daughter of Obatala whose purity was stolen by Shango. He is the the owner of the sacred drums, a powerful sorcerer who wields fire and lightning, and loves to seduce women, drink and dance. Shango has a special relationship with Babalu Aye as he was the only orisha to offer him assistance when he was sick and homeless. Shango is often considered the son of Yemaya and his fatherhood is either credited to Ogun or Aggayu. Shango was a very impulsive youth and was quick to anger, and legend has it that Obatala taught Shango the art of diplomacy and gifted him with the white bead that is now a part of his necklace. In nature, Shango is said to live at the top of the royal palm tree and his offerings are commonly placed at the foot of palm trees. Shango is petitioned for help with protection, enemies, sexual, business success, and good fortune.

Orunmila (also known as Orula, Orunla, or Ifa)

The orisha of divination. He is the “eleripin” — the witness of destiny — who knows everything that awaits us as part of our fate. He has a very close working relationship with Eleggua and together they intercede on behalf of humanity to alter people’s destinies, ward off death and other misfortunes, and guide us to cultivate good character. His worship is primarily centred around the Ifá tradition, both in traditional African worship and in the African Diaspora in the new world, where his initiated priests, called awos, babalawos, iyanifas or oluwos, act as diviners for the greater community. He is petitioned for help with making wise descisons, opening roads, healing and protection from evil.

Babalu Aye (also known as Omoluaye, Asojano, or Shopona)

Orisha who rules over infectious diseases and healing. He is one of the most feared and revered orishaw because of his power over life and death. Babalu Aye’s worship originated with the Fon tribe of Benin, in Western Africa, but his influence was so powerful that tribes up and down the West African coast adopted his worship. He is the patron of those suffering from many infectious diseases. Babalu Aye has a special relationship with the orisha Shango because he was the only one who reached out to assist him when he was sick and homeless. Babalu Aye is frequently called upon for help with healing and overcoming these plagues.

Osain (also known as Ozain or Osanyin)

Orisha of wild plants, healing and magic. He is a powerful wizard, master of all spell craft and is found out in the wild, untamed areas of nature. Without Osain, none of the ceremonies in the religion can happen; it is his magic that is used to conjure the shrines of the orishas. Osain is commonly understood to be Shango’s godfather who taught him how to spit fire and throw lightning. Osain’s magic is so powerful that no one can unravel his spells. Consequently he is petitioned for any purpose where unconquerable magic is required.

Osain is often depicted as an extremely disfigured, impish man. He has one eye, one hand, one foot, one tiny ear that can hear even a pin drop, and one ear larger than his head that hears nothing. He keeps all of his magic in a calabash that he hangs high in a tree, out of reach.

Ogun (also known Oggun, Ogum, or Ogou)

A warrior orisha, along with Eleggua and Ochosi. He is a talented blacksmith, a crafter of tools, and the father of technology. He is the cutting edge of the knife that can be used either to heal or hurt. Without Ogun, neither the orishas nor humanity could eat nor would we all cease to exist. He is a fierce soldier who is known for his fiery temper and his unending loyalty. He is, in many ways, the executor of Olodumare’s justice on the earth. In fact, it is still Yoruban custom to swear an oath upon a piece of iron when testifying, instead of a holy book, as Ogun’s retribution for breaking that oath is something truly to be feared. He is petitioned for help with seeking employment, defense against enemies, or for protection.

Aziza

Fairies/Forest dwellers

Friendly

Origins- Dahomey

The Aziza are a beneficent fairy race from . Living in the forest, they provide good magic for hunters although they can be quite shy at time. They are also known to have given practical and spiritual knowledge to people (including knowledge of the use of fire). They are described as little hairy people and are said to live in anthills and silk-cotton trees.