Editing Shango

{{Short description|Orisha, or deity, in the Yoruba religion}}
{{About|the spirit|other uses}}
{{Infobox deity
| type         = Yoruba
| other_names  = Sango, Ṣàngó, Changó, Xangô, Jakuta, Hevioso, Siete Rayos
| member_of    = the [[Orisha]]
| venerated_in = [[Yoruba religion]], [[Dahomey mythology]], Ewe religion, [[Vodun]], [[Santería]], [[Umbanda]], [[Candomblé]], [[Haitian Vodou]], [[Louisiana Voodoo]], [[Folk Catholicism]]
| image        = Representação de Xangô MN 01.jpg
| caption      = Representation of Ṣàngó, National Museum of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
| deity_of     = Thunder, Lightning, Fire, Justice, Dance, Virility
| color        = Red and White
| day          = The fifth day of the week
| region       = [[South West (Nigeria)|Nigeria]], [[Benin]], Togo, Ghana, [[Latin America]]
| ethnic_group = [[Yoruba people]], [[Fon people]], [[Ewe people]]
| spouse       = [[Oya]], [[Oba (Orisha)|Oba]], [[Oshun|Osun]]
}}
{{Yoruba people}}
'''Shango''' ([[Yoruba language]]: [[wikt:Ṣàngó|Ṣàngó]], also known as '''Changó''' or '''Xangô''' in [[Latin America]]; as '''Jakuta''' or '''Badé'''; and as '''Ṣangó''' in [[Trinidad Orisha]]'''<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Salamone |first=Frank A. |title=Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2004 |isbn=0-415-94180-6 |editor-last=Levinson |editor-first=David |location=New York |pages=24}}</ref>''') is an [[Orisha]] (or spirit) in [[Yoruba religion]]. Genealogically speaking, Shango is a royal ancestor of the [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] as he was the third [[Alaafin]] of the [[Oyo Empire|Oyo Kingdom]] prior to his posthumous [[deification]]. Shango has numerous manifestations, including Airá, Agodo, Afonja, Lubé, and Obomin.<ref name="a"/><ref name="William"/> He is known for his powerful double axe ('''Oṣè'''). He is considered to be one of the most powerful rulers that [[Yorubaland]] has ever produced.

In the [[New World]], he is syncretized with either [[Saint Barbara]] or [[Saint Jerome]].

==Historical figure==
Ṣàngó was the third Alaafin of Oyo, following [[Oranmiyan]] and [[Ajaka]].<ref name="William" /> He brought prosperity to the [[Oyo Empire]].<ref name="Anthony" /> According to Professor Mason's ''Mythological Account of Heroes and Kings'', unlike his peaceful brother Ajaka, he was a powerful and violent ruler. He reigned for seven years which were marked by his continuous campaigns and many battles. His reign ended due to the inadvertent destruction of his palace by lightning. He had three wives, namely Queen [[Oshun]], Queen [[Oba (orisha)|Obba]], and Queen [[Oya]].

Some of the slaves brought to the Americas were Yoruba, one of the various ethnic groups drawn into the [[Atlantic slave trade]], and they brought the worship of Ṣàngó to the New World as a result. Strong devotion to Ṣàngó led to Yoruba religions in Trinidad and [[Recife]], Brazil being named after the deity.<ref name="v" />

==Veneration of Ṣàngó==

=== Nigeria ===

Ṣàngó is viewed as the most powerful of the orisha pantheon and is often described in two differing narratives.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Sango in Africa and the African Diaspora |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2009 |isbn=9780253220943 |editor-last=Tishken |editor-first=Joel E. |location=Indiana |pages=218–219}}</ref> In the first narrative, Ṣàngó casts a "thunderstone" to earth, which creates thunder and lightning, to anyone who offends him. Worshippers in [[Yorubaland]] in [[Nigeria]] do not eat [[cowpea]] because they believe that the wrath of the god of thunder and lightning would descend on them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mp3indir.icu/sango-spit-fire-in-oyo-world-sango-festival-2016-mp3-indir_IEhWngH8OfU.html|title=Sango spit fire in Oyo @ World Sango Festival 2016 Mp3 İndir|website=mp3indir.icu|access-date=2019-06-10}}{{dead link|date=June 2024}}</ref> In the second narrative, Ṣàngó is gifted with the ability to breathe fire and smoke through his nostrils and is known for being angered by his quarrelsome wives. These narratives also encapsulate the virility, bravery, and governance of Ṣàngó.<ref name=":0" /> While he was feared for tyranny and destructive powers, he was also highly revered for his bravery, fairness, and tremendous powers.<ref name=":0" />

The Ṣàngó god necklaces are composed of varying patterns of red and white beads, usually in groupings of four or six, which are his sacred numbers. Rocks created by lightning strikes are venerated by Ṣàngó worshipers; these stones, if found, are maintained at sacred sites and used in rituals. Ṣàngó is called on during coronation ceremonies in Nigeria to the present day.<ref name="mu" /><ref name="Onifade" /><ref name="v" />

In Yorubaland, Ṣàngó is worshipped on the fifth day of the week, which is named Ojo Jakuta. Ritual worship foods include guguru, bitter cola, [[Amala (food)|àmàlà]], and gbegiri soup. Also, he is worshipped with the Bata drum. One significant thing about this deity is that he is worshipped using red clothing, just as he is said to have admired red attire during his lifetime.<ref name="j"/>

=== The Americas ===

Ṣàngó is venerated in [[Santería]] as "Changó". As in the Yoruba religion, Changó is one of the most feared gods in Santería.<ref name="mu"/>

In Haïti, he is from the "Nago" Nation, and is known as Ogou Chango. [[Palo (religion)|Palo]] recognizes him as "Siete Rayos".

====Candomblé====

Ṣàngó is known as Xangô in the [[Candomblé]] pantheon. He is said to be the son of [[Oranyan]], and his wives include [[Oya]], [[Oshun]], and [[Oba (Orisha)|Oba]], as in the Yoruba tradition. Xangô took on strong importance among slaves in Brazil for his qualities of strength, resistance, and aggression. He is noted as the god of lightning and thunder. He became the patron [[Orisha|orixa]] of plantations and many Candomblé terreiros. In contrast [[Oko (Orisha)|Oko]], the orixá of agriculture, found little favor among slaves in Brazil and has few followers in the Americas. The main barracão of [[Ilê Axé Iyá Nassô Oká]], or the terreiro Casa Branca, is dedicated to Xangô. Xangô is depicted with an ''oxê'', or double-sided ax similar to a [[labrys]]; and a brass crown.<ref name="l"/><ref name="v"/><ref name="abril"/>

====Characteristics====

*Consecrated day: Friday 
*Colors: white and red
*Elements: thunder, lightning, fire
*Sacred food: amalá (a swallow food made of yam, cassava flour, or unripe plantain flour called èlùbọ́)
*Instruments: oxê, a double ax; bangles; brass crown; Thunder Stones, or objects struck by lightning 
*Garment: red cloth with printed white squares or cowrie shells
*Necklace or Elekes: white and red beads
*Archetype: power, dominance
*Sacred dance: ''alujá'', the ''roda de Xangô''. It speaks of his achievements, deeds, consorts, power, and dominion 
*Sacrificial animals: fresh water turtle, male goat, sheep<ref name="abril"/><ref name="l"/><ref name="m"/>

Amalá, also known as ''amalá de Xangô'', is the ritual dish offered to the orixá. It is a stew made of chopped okra, onion, dried shrimp, and palm oil. Amalá is served on Wednesday at the ''pegi'', or altar, on a large tray, traditionally decorated with 12 upright uncooked okra. Due to ritual prohibitions, the dish may not be offered on a wooden tray or accompanied by [[garcinia kola|bitter kola]]. Amalá de Xangô may also be prepared with the addition of beef, specifically an ox tail. Amalá de Xangô is different than [[amala (food)|àmàlà]], a dish common to Yoruba areas of Nigeria.<ref name="l"/>

==Popular culture==
* "Shango (Chant to the God of Thunder)" is a track from ''[[Drums of Passion]]'', an album released by [[Nigeria]]n [[percussion]]ist [[Babatunde Olatunji]] in 1960.
*"Shango" is the title of a [[Hugh Masekela]] track on his 2016 album ''[[No Borders]]''.
* Shango is the name of the Europa Mission vessel in season 2 of ''[[Star Trek: Picard]]''.
* The song "Que Viva Chango" by [[Celina González|Celina y Reutilio]] refers both to Chango and to Santa Barbara.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0_0frqtOok&list=RDK0_0frqtOok&start_radio=1%3C%2Fref%3E%3Cref%3Ehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.paroles-musique.com%2Feng%2FCelina_feat_Reutilio-Que_Viva_Chango-lyrics%2Cp036582493%3C%2Fref |title = - YouTube |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.paroles-musique.com/eng/Celina_feat_Reutilio-Que_Viva_Chango-lyrics,p036582493 |title=Que Viva Chango lyrics by Celina & Reutilio}}</ref>
* Shango is a large theme in the [[Mighty Sparrow]] song "Congo Man".
* Caliban invokes Shango in [[Aimé Césaire]]'s play ''[[Une Tempête]]'' (''A Tempest'').<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?BLD2;PL005436|title=A tempest|last=Césaire|first=Aimé|date=2010|publisher=[[Alexander Street Press]]|location=Alexandria, VA |language=en}}</ref>
* Shango appears as a minor character in ''[[The Iron Druid Chronicles]]'' by [[Kevin Hearne]].
* In episode 28 of the telenovela ''[[Celia (2015 TV series)|Celia]]'', loosely based on the life of [[Celia Cruz]] and produced by Telemundo, the cultural ancestors of Celia's African heritage visit her in her dreams, chanting and invoking the presence of Chango.
* "Shango" is a bonus track on [[Guadalcanal Diary (band)|Guadalcanal Diary]]'s album ''[[2×4 (Guadalcanal Diary album)|2x4]]''.
* Chango is portrayed by [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]] in season 3 of ''[[American Gods (TV series)|American Gods]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/323792/why-chango-from-american-gods-season-3-looks-so-familiar/ |title=Why Chango From American Gods Season 3 Looks So Familiar |work=Looper.com |author=Abbey White|date=2021-01-31 |access-date=2021-02-01}}</ref>
* FC Shango is an American men's recreational football club based in Minnesota and was formed in 1992. Competing in the highest division in amateur soccer in Minnesota, FC Shango won the state amateur soccer tournament in 2017, and currently has three teams: MASL D2, MSSL O40, and O50. They are the 2023 over 50 Masters League champions of the Minnesota Senior Soccer League MSSL. [https://minnesotaseniorsoccer.com/].
* Shango is the fifth album released by the multi-genre trance group Juno Reactor. The tracks "Pistolero" and "Masters of the Universe" were released as singles.

== See also ==
{{portal|Traditional African religion}}

==References==

{{reflist|2|refs=

<ref name="a">{{cite book | last = Adeoye | first = C. L. | title = Ìgbàgbọ́ àti ẹ̀sìn Yorùba | publisher = Evans Bros. Nigeria Publishers | location = Ibadan | year = 1989 | isbn = 9781675098 | pages = 285–302 | language = yo}}</ref>

<ref name="abril">{{cite book | editor-last = Hargreaves | editor-first = Patricia | title = Religiões Afro: as origens, as divindades, os rituais | publisher = Abril | location = São Paulo | year = 2018 | isbn = 9788569522492 | page = 28}}</ref>

<ref name="Anthony">{{cite book | last =Lum | first =Kenneth Anthony | title =Praising His Name in the Dance | publisher =[[Routledge]] | year =2000 | pages =231 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=OvLBLzXQ1eYC&pg=PA231 | isbn =90-5702-610-4 }}</ref>

<ref name="j">Johnson, [https://books.google.com/books?id=7XSiGw4_qlAC&q=johnson,+history+of+the+yorubas ''History of the Yorubas''], 149-152.</ref>

<ref name="l">{{cite book | last = Lody | first = Raul | title = Dicionário de arte sacra & técnicas afro-brasileiras | publisher = Pallas | location = Rio de Janeiro | year = 2003 | isbn = 9788534701877 | pages = 38, 195–197}}</ref>

<ref name="m">{{cite book |last1=Magalhães |first1=Elyette Guimarães de |title=Orixás da Bahia |edition=8a |location=Salvador, Bahia |publisher=Secretaria da Cultura e Turismo |year=2003 |pages=155–156 }}</ref>

<ref name="mu">{{cite book | last = Murrell | first = Nathaniel Samuel | title = Afro-Caribbean Religions : an Introduction to Their Historical, Cultural, and Sacred Traditions | publisher = Temple University Press | location = Philadelphia | year = 2010 | isbn = 9781439900406 | pages = 32–33}}</ref>

<ref name="Onifade">{{cite journal|last1=Onifade|first1=Olasunkanmi Adeoye|title=. Perception of Health educator about the effects of food taboos and fallacies on the health of Nigerians.|journal=Educational Research and Development |date=2006|pages=44–50|url=http://www.unilorin.edu.ng/publications/onifadeoa/perception%20of%20Health%20Educators.pdf|access-date=13 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604092215/http://www.unilorin.edu.ng/publications/onifadeoa/perception%20of%20Health%20Educators.pdf|archive-date=4 June 2016}}</ref>

<ref name="v">{{cite book | last = Voeks | first = Robert | title = Sacred leaves of Candomblé: African magic, medicine, and religion in Brazil | publisher = [[University of Texas Press]] | location = Austin | year = 1997 | isbn = 9780292787315 | page = [https://archive.org/details/sacredleavesofca00voek/page/55 55] | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/sacredleavesofca00voek/page/55 }}</ref>

<ref name="William">{{cite book| last =Bascom | first =William Russell | title =Sixteen Cowries: Yoruba Divination from Africa to the New World | publisher =[[Indiana University Press]] | year =1980 | pages =44 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=CfmDsiI7TbgC&pg=PA44 | isbn =0-253-20847-5 }}</ref>

}}

==Bibliography==
* Johnson, Samuel, [https://books.google.com/books?id=7XSiGw4_qlAC&q=johnson,+history+of+the+yorubas ''History of the Yorubas''], London 1921 (pp.&nbsp;149–152).
* Law, Robin: ''The Oyo Empire c. 1600 – c. 1836'', Oxford 1977.
* Seux, M.-J., ''Épithètes royales akkadiennes et sumériennes'', Paris 1967.
* Tishken,Joel E., Tóyìn Fálọlá, and Akíntúndéí Akínyẹmí (eds), ''Sàngó in Africa and the African Diaspora'', Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 2009.

==Further reading==
*Charles Spencer King, "Nature's Ancient Religion: Orisha Worship & IFA" {{ISBN|1-4404-1733-4}}
*Charles Spencer King, "IFA Y Los Orishas: La Religion Antigua De LA Naturaleza" {{ISBN|1-4610-2898-1}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Shango}}
* [http://www.en.santeria.fr/?s=shango Santeria.fr :: All about Shango] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917233601/http://www.en.santeria.fr/?s=shango |date=2016-09-17 }}
* [http://www.es.santeria.fr/?s=shango Santeria.fr :: Todo sobre Shango] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924001936/http://www.es.santeria.fr/?s=shango |date=2015-09-24 }}
* [http://www.santeria.fr/?s=shango Santeria.fr :: Tout sur Shango]
{{Alaafins of Oyo}}
{{Orisa-Ifá}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Yoruba gods]]
[[Category:Fire gods]]
[[Category:Sky and weather gods]]
[[Category:Thunder gods]]
[[Category:Traditional African religions]]
[[Category:Yoruba deities]]
[[Category:Santería]]
[[Category:Candomblé]]
[[Category:Afro-American religion]]
[[Category:Nigerian art]]
[[Category:Deified men]]
[[Category:Alaafins of Oyo]]