ARTS & CULTURE
5 Powerful Goddesses Who Answer Prayers In Nigerian Traditional Religions
Nigerian traditional religions are rich with powerful deities, many of whom are female (goddesses). These goddesses play crucial roles in the spiritual lives of their devotees, answering prayers and providing guidance.
Here, we’ll explore some of the most prominent goddesses in Nigerian traditional religions. Also, we would highlight their domains of influence and how they answer the prayers offered to them.
1. Oshun: The Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Prosperity
Oshun, revered primarily in the Yoruba religion, is a captivating and multifaceted goddess. She embodies beauty, love, sensuality, fertility, and prosperity. Often depicted as a woman adorned with golden jewellery and flowing robes, Oshun is associated with the Niger River, a symbol of life and abundance.
Devotees pray to Oshun for:
- Love and marriage: Singles seeking love and couples desiring a harmonious relationship turn to Oshun. They offer prayers for finding a compatible partner, strengthening existing relationships, and overcoming relationship challenges.
- Fertility and children: Women wishing to conceive often seek Oshun’s blessings. These women pray for a healthy pregnancy, childbirth, and raising happy children.
- Prosperity and wealth: Oshun is believed to bring good fortune and financial success. Entrepreneurs and those seeking financial stability pray to her for blessings in their endeavours.
2. Yemoja: The Powerful Mother of the Waters
Yemoja, another Yoruba goddess, reigns over the oceans, rivers, and all bodies of water. She is a powerful protector, especially for women, children, and those travelling on water. Yemoja is often depicted as a fierce yet nurturing mother figure, dressed in blue and adorned with coral beads.
The worshippers pray to Yemoja for:
- Protection and safe travel: Those embarking on journeys, especially by sea, pray to Yemoja for safe passage and a smooth return.
- Healing and wellness: Believers believe Yemoja heals, especially women’s health issues. They offer prayers for recovery from illness, childbirth complications, and emotional well-being.
- Blessings for mothers and children: Mothers pray to Yemoja for the well-being of their children, and women struggling with infertility seek her blessings for conception.
3. Aladura: The Earth Goddess of Abundance
In Igbo cosmology, Aladura represents the powerful earth goddess. The people associate Aladura with fertility, agriculture, and the bounty of the harvest. They also see Aladura as the life-giving force behind nature’s bounty.
Devotees pray to Aladura for:
- Fertile land and abundant harvest: Farmers and those working the land pray for Aladura’s blessings on their crops, ensuring a bountiful harvest and food security.
- Prosperity and wealth: Aladura is also associated with material wealth derived from the land. People in business ventures related to agriculture or natural resources pray to her for success.
- Health and well-being: A healthy, thriving harvest is believed to bring health and well-being to the community. Prayers are offered to Aladura for good health and the overall prosperity of the people.
4. Oya: The Powerful Warrior Queen
Oya, a prominent Yoruba goddess, embodies the forces of wind, storms, and change. She is a fierce warrior queen, often depicted wielding powerful winds and lightning. Despite her fierce nature, the believers associate Oya with fertility, the marketplace, and ancestral spirits.
Devotees pray to Oya for:
- Strength and courage: Those facing challenges or needing strength to overcome obstacles pray to Oya for her warrior spirit.
- Transformation and change: Oya represents change and transformation. People facing major life transitions pray for her guidance and support during these times.
- Prosperity in business: As the goddess of the marketplace, its believers believe Oja brings success in business ventures. Entrepreneurs pray to her for a thriving business and protection from rivals.
5. Aje: The Spirit of Wealth and Prosperity
Aje, a pan-Nigerian spirit, represents wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. She is not a single, defined deity but rather a spirit that can manifest in various forms, often associated with crossroads and marketplaces.
Devotees pray to Aje for:
- Financial success: Those seeking financial stability, increased income, or success in business ventures call upon Aje’s blessings.
- Debt repayment: Facing financial difficulties or struggling with debt? People pray to Aje for assistance in overcoming financial burdens.
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In Nigeria, there’s a special kind of magic that you can’t just see. It’s a feeling. I want to share this Nigerian magic with you through this article. In this article, we’ll talk about crazy Nigerian myths.
These stories are very popular in Nigeria especially while growing up. If you’re from Nigeria, you probably know them well. If you’re not, stay tuned and gird yourself.
Nigerian myths instilled fear in us as children, keeping us grounded at home after dark.
These myths could breed all shades of fear and instil restriction in us as kids. Would you want to know them? Stay with me as we read on.
1. The Tattoo Candy
People say that once, a little boy had 20 naira and wanted to buy candy. He went to the school store and chose a candy with temporary tattoos. When he got home, he opened the candy and licked it. He was going to put the tattoo on his hand, but his mom stopped him and told him not to put any tattoos on his body.
The boy didn’t understand why his mom was against it, so that night, he ignored her and put the tattoo on his arm. He was happy with how it looked and played with it, then went to bed.
In his sleep, he dreamed of a green snake wrapping around him and trying to kill him. He woke up scared, only to find a real, scary snake on his arm. The snake was wrapping around him, trying to squeeze him.
The boy screamed, and his mom came into the room. She saw the snake and grabbed a broom to hit it, but the snake didn’t die. The mom didn’t know what to do, so she used the special oil she had in her room. She sprinkled some on the broom, prayed over it, and hit the snake again. This time, the snake slowly died, and the tattoo disappeared.
Since then, the boy never bought candy with tattoos and warned his friends not to either.
2. Rebecca/Oroma, The Headless Girl Who Braids Her Own Hair
In Nigeria, there was once a girl named Oroma. She was the most beautiful girl in the kingdom and always had the best hairstyles. Everyone loved her, but no one knew how she did her hair.
One night, two curious girls followed Oroma home to find out. When they looked into her house, they saw something shocking. Oroma was sitting on the floor without a head, and a hundred strange hands were fixing her hair.
The girls ran away and told everyone what they saw. The people got angry and tried to find Oroma, but she was gone. She disappeared. To this day, no one knows where Oroma went.
So it is believed that if you see a girl with amazingly beautiful hair, she might be Oroma.
3. Bush Babies
You lie in bed, struggling to fall asleep in the darkness of night. Suddenly, a baby’s cry pierces the silence, startling you awake. Concern floods your mind as you throw off the covers and swing your feet to the cold floor.
Following the haunting wails, you run out of your room and down the hallway. The cries grow louder as you approach the front door. Hesitantly, you turn the knob and step outside into the chilly night air.
The baby’s cries lead you away from your home and into unfamiliar territory. Tall grass brushes against your legs as you push deeper into a dense thicket. Branches snag your clothes, but an inexplicable compulsion drives you forward.
After what feels like hours of trudging through the wilderness, you stumble into a small clearing. There, in the centre, lies a baby face-down on the ground, its cries muffled by the earth.
Relief washes over you as you approach the infant. You reach out, ready to scoop up the distressed child and bring it to safety. Just as your fingers brush its soft skin, the baby abruptly stops crying.
In one fluid motion, the infant’s head swivels 180 degrees to face you. Your blood runs cold as you stare into glowing red eyes set in a repulsively ugly and deformed face. A mouth filled with needle-sharp teeth gapes open, and before you can react, the creature lunges at you with inhuman speed.
The forest falls silent once more. No trace of you is ever found, leaving behind only whispered stories of the thing that lures its prey with a baby’s cry.
The above narration is exactly how we were told. This is one of the Nigerian myths that kept us in fear even when there was a genuine cry of a baby.
4. Mami Wata
Contrary to the sweet, innocent mermaids portrayed in tales like “The Little Mermaid” or “Aquamarine,” Nigerian stories paint a very different picture of these water-dwelling beings. Known as mami watas, they are not benevolent creatures but rather vicious spirits with a penchant for deception and harm.
These spirits are renowned for their extraordinary beauty, a trait they use to ensnare unsuspecting victims. Often appearing in human form with legs, mami watas can walk among men. They are said to lure men to the river or sea, seduce them, and then claim them as their own, never allowing them to return to land.
While some mami watas target men on land, others prefer to prey on sailors. These seafaring spirits use their seductive charms to lure men aboard their ships, only to reveal their true nature and claim them as their victims.
Therefore, if a stranger, particularly a woman, invites you to the beach or river on a first date, it’s wise to exercise caution. Nigerian legends warn that such an invitation could be a ploy by a mami wata, a dangerous spirit with malicious intent.
5. Night Whistling
Nigerian folklore warns against whistling at night, claiming it summons spirits to your doorstep. Various tales recount the fates of those who dared to whistle after dark…
One chilling story, passed down through generations, tells the story of a young girl named Adaku:
On a moonless night, Adaku’s cruel stepmother orders her to fetch water from the distant stream. Trembling with fear but unable to refuse, Adaku clutches her empty water jug and steps out into the oppressive darkness.
As she trudges along the dirt path leading deeper into the village, Adaku’s fear gives way to an eerie calm. Without thinking, she begins to whistle a quiet tune to keep herself company. The melody drifts through the still air, echoing off the silent huts.
Suddenly, rustling sounds originate from the thick bushes flanking the path. Adaku halts, and the noises cease. Curiosity overrides her caution, and she resumes her whistling. The strange sounds in the undergrowth grow louder, keeping time with her tune.
Heart racing, Adaku quickens her pace, her whistling becoming more anxious. In an instant, the bushes erupt with movement. Slithering snakes, ugly demons, and misty ghosts materialize around her. Decomposing corpses rise from the earth, their bony fingers reaching for the terrified girl.
The air fills with an otherworldly chorus as the nightmarish beings whistle and hiss in unison, surrounding Adaku in a dizzying whirlwind of sound and motion. She screams, but her cries are lost in the cacophony.
Adaku never reaches the stream. She never returns home. Villagers whisper that deep in the bush, where the shadows are darkest, Adaku still whistles with her demonic captors. They say her song lures unsuspecting travellers who whistle in the night, forever expanding the ghostly choir that waits in the darkness.
6. Madam Koi Koi
As this story goes:
Once upon a time, there lived a beloved secondary school teacher known not for her beauty but for her distinctive footwear. She was always seen in high-heeled shoes, the rhythmic “koi koi koi” sound of which earned her the nickname “Madam Koi Koi.” She was adored by students and staff alike.
Tragedy struck when Lady Koi Koi was involved in a car accident. However, rumours circulated that this was no ordinary accident but a deliberate act of malice. It was alleged that jealous staff and students at the boarding school had framed and killed her.
Following her untimely demise, Madam Koi Koi was said to have turned vengeful. She was believed to haunt boarding schools, seeking retribution for her murder. Her presence was allegedly signalled by the unmistakable “koi koi koi” sound of her heels. Students were warned to stay indoors and close to their friends and loved ones whenever they heard this strange noise.
According to belief, Madam Koi Koi’s spirit continues to roam, haunting boarding schools across the land. The question remains: where will she strike next?
7. The Evil Passenger
Another story that tells us about Nigerian myths is the tale of a traveller who encountered a sinister hitchhiker. One afternoon, while driving down a highway, the traveller noticed a nun standing at the side of the road, signalling for help. Moved by compassion, he stopped and offered the woman a ride.
As they journeyed together, the traveller became curious about the nun’s identity and purpose. He asked her questions about her life, but she remained silent. Despite his repeated inquiries, the nun refused to speak.
Growing increasingly uneasy, the traveller pressed the nun for answers. Finally, she responded, revealing that she was a nun who had been murdered by her own townspeople.
Fear and shock gripped the traveller. He urged the woman to leave his vehicle, but she refused. According to the story, the traveller perished that day, and the vengeful nun continues to roam the streets, highways, and bushes, seeking her next victim.
This haunting story is not isolated. There are variations of the legend involving prostitutes, school girls, and other individuals, earning it the title “The Evil Passenger” rather than “The Evil Nun.”
Other Nigerian Myths with No Associated Stories
There are other Nigerian myths that do not have stories associated with them. These Nigerian myths just came to us on their own through beliefs, customs and traditions.
In certain regions of Nigeria, like Ota, Ogun State, and Okrika, Rivers State, there are tales of trees that bleed real blood. These mythical trees are believed to possess supernatural properties.
In some villages, snakes, particularly those known as “Eke Njaba,” are considered the owners of the land. If a snake enters your home, it is forbidden to kill it. Instead, you must offer it food and treat it as a guest. Once it has finished, gently remove it using a stick.
In certain areas, sweeping and packing dirt at night is considered taboo.
After 6 PM and before 5 AM, it’s advised to avoid going to certain streams. If you must, upon reaching the stream, clap your hands to alert any water spirits that may be present, giving them time to disappear.
In some parts of Igbo land, sleeping with your legs facing the door is said to be a practice reserved for spirits. It is forbidden for humans to do so.
If you accidentally injure someone with a knife, it’s customary to stab the knife into the ground immediately. Additionally, the same applies to brooms too: if you mistakenly brush someone with a broom, it is customary to brush it into the ground as well.
Further, according to local beliefs, lifting babies high in the air at night or early evening can be perilous. It is said that spirits are more active during these times, and raising babies could expose them to danger.
In certain Yoruba regions, pregnant women are not allowed to go near corpses.
What’s more, it is advised against picking wild cherries early in the evening. It is believed that spirits gather under cherry trees at this time, and disturbing them may pose a risk.
Finally, in certain parts of Nigeria, entering a room where someone has died requires a specific ritual: walking backwards. Those who violate this custom may face supernatural consequences, such as being slapped by angry spirits.
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Nigeria, a melting pot of various cultures, is renowned for its vibrant and captivating festivals. These Nigerian festivals are more than just entertainment; they are vital pillars of the nation’s rich heritage, binding communities together and preserving age-old traditions.
The Role of Festivals in Nigerian Society
- Cultural Preservation: Festivals act as time capsules, encapsulating the essence of a people’s history, beliefs, and customs. Through rituals, dances, and songs, these celebrations transmit cultural values to younger generations.
- Social Cohesion: Festivals bring communities together, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity. They provide opportunities for people to interact, exchange ideas, and strengthen social bonds.
- Economic Impact: Many festivals attract tourists, boosting local economies through hospitality, crafts, and food sales. They also create employment opportunities for artisans, performers, and event organizers.
- Spiritual Renewal: Religious festivals are integral to Nigerian life, providing platforms for spiritual rejuvenation and communion with deities or ancestors.
- Agricultural Significance: Some festivals are tied to agricultural cycles, marking the beginning or end of planting and harvesting seasons. They express gratitude for bountiful harvests and seek blessings for future yields.
Examples of Nigerian Festivals
To illustrate the significance of these festivals, let’s explore a few examples:
- Oshogbo Osun Festival: Celebrated in honour of the goddess of fertility, Osun, this festival attracts thousands of devotees and tourists. Participants engage in traditional dances, offerings, and river processions to appease the goddess and seek blessings.
- Calabar Carnival: A spectacular display of music, dance, and costumes, the Calabar Carnival is Nigeria’s biggest street party. It showcases the diversity of Nigerian cultures and has become a major tourist attraction.
- Eyo Festival: This traditional Yoruba festival, primarily celebrated in Lagos, features masked masquerades known as Eyo. It is a solemn occasion commemorating the death of a king and serves as a reminder of the kingdom’s history.
- Argungu Fishing Festival: Held in Kebbi State, this festival is a thrilling competition among fishermen. It showcases the region’s fishing prowess and attracts spectators from far and wide.
- Igbo New Yam Festival: Marking the harvest of the new yam crop, this festival is a time of thanksgiving and celebration among the Igbo people. It involves rituals, feasting, and cultural displays.
These are just a few examples of the countless festivals celebrated across Nigeria. Each festival holds unique meaning for the participating communities, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Would you like to know about a specific festival in more detail? Let us know in the comment section.
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