The name ‘Orisha’ comes from the Yoruba term, meaning ‘African deity’. Another name variation is Orixa or Orixas. It’s a religion based in Brazil with African roots; hence, the Yoruba name of Orisha. People living in the Brazilian state of Salvador de Bahia (sometimes called the Africa of the Americas) are well known followers of this religion. Each Orixa has a different name and represents a certain place of importance. Oludum is the father of all the Orixas, while Omolú is the Orixa who personifies pestilence. Covered in straw, Omolú protects the righteous from disease and strikes the immortal with sickness. There are more Orixas such as Yemanjá who is the Orixa of saltwater while Oxun is the Orixa of fresh water. The Orixas tend to get much respect by the Brazilian people of Bahia. During the days when the religion was practiced in secret, the ancestors linked each of the Orixas to a more acceptable Catholic saint, such as Omolú linked to St. Lazarus. They would pretend to worship the saint to keep things on a low profile.

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