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1. Short history of Sango: Oba koso
In Yorùbá religion, Sàngó is one of the most popular “Orisha”. He was a strong ruler and anotable
magician. Sango was the third king of the Oyo Kingdom. He succeeded Ajaka, son of Oranmiyan
who appears to have been a weak ruler. His symbol is a double-headed axe, which represents
swift and balanced justice. He is the owner of Bata ( double-headed drums), as well as the Arts
of Music, Dance and Entertainment in the Yoruba Culture. In the Lukumí (Olokun mi which
means “my dear one”) religion of the Caribbean, Sango is considered the center point of the
religion as he represents the Oyo people of West Africa.
Sango had three wives; Oshun, (a river goddess) was his favorite because of her excellent
cooking, Oba (another river goddess) offered Sango her ear to eat. He scorned her and she became
the Oba River, which merges with the Oshun River to form dangerous rapids. Lastly, Oya
(Sango’s third wife) was a crafty woman who stole the secret of Sango’s powerful magic.
Oba was Sango’s first and legitimate wife, Oshun; his second wife, and Oya; his third wife, whom
he made his queen. Oshun played a trick on Oba, out of jealousy. She deceived Oba that if she
can cut a piece of her ear and offer it to Sango as part of his meal, he would love her the more.
Oba, excited by this information, ran home to prepare Shango’s “amala”, his favorite meal. She
sliced off her ear and stirred it into Sango’s food. While Sango was eating, he saw the ear in the
food and was infuriated thinking that Oba was trying to poison him. Sango drove her from his
house and Oba ran out crying. She fell to the ground and turned into a river which is still being
worshipped till date. She became the patron of matrimony (as “Orisha”) and it is believed that she
destroys marriages that abuse either partner.
Historically, Sango brought prosperity to the Oyo Empire during his reign. He is associated with
the sacred animal, the ram, and the colors of red and white. Sango is venerated in Haiti, as a god
of thunder and weather; in Brazil, he is known as Xangô; in Umbanda, as the very powerful loa
Nago Shango; in Trinidad as Shango god of Thunder, drumming and dance ; and in Cuba, Puerto
Rico and Venezuela – the Santeria equivalent of St. Barbara, he is known as Changó.
Sango displayed his magical powers by directing lightning unto his own household killing his
wives and children. He got angry and entered the ground in Ira by himself after the incidence; he
was deified as the god of thunder and lightning. Sango as purpoted did not hang himself. Sango’s
followers went to another village to acquire magical powers and returned furiously to destroy the
enemies of Sango in old Oyo.