Venerating Oshun

Yeye Osun is one of the most popular Orisha and is known to bless all who appease her. Oshun is revered as one of the beloved Yoruba water deities and the only female among the 16 Irunmole in the Yoruba creation story. Her popularity has increased in the diaspora over the years with many sistas claiming to be daughters of Oshun, even without initiation or Orisha determination. While I often joke about that, Yeye Osun is, indeed, the primordial mother. So, while she may not have your head, she is mother to all.

Venerating or appeasing the Orisha is not guesswork. Each Orisha has certain items that are offered in veneration and Yeye Osun is no exception. If you are a non-initiate or you don't have a consecrated Osun shrine, we can appease Osun on your behalf at the temple. For the initiates and those with consecrated shrines, here are some popular items used to venerate Osun. Please note that some of these items may vary from region to region within Yorubaland in present day Nigeria.

Bibo Osun or Osun veneration is essential to Osun devotees and those who seek her blessings. Here are some of the most popular items used in venerating Osun.
Efo Yanrin (Wild Lettuce)
Abo Ewure (She-goat)
Abo Adiye Elese Marun(Hen with 5 toes)
Oyin (Honey)
Igbin isan(Snail)
White Cloth
Obi Olufuwa(5 lobed kolanut, instead of the 4 lobed used for most deities)
Ogede(Banana)
Epa (Groundnut)
Tangerine
Ataare (Alligator Pepper)
Ireke (Sugar Cane)
Candy (sweets)
Ewa Sise (cooked beans)
Ekuru

Please note that there are particular steps to be taken and Osun should be given the honor of being venerated as she should. I won't go into the details here, but the items are usually arranged in a calabash, water should NOT be sprinkled on Yeye Osun. As with all rituals, there must be homage and oriki. If you are initiated or have received a consecrated Osun, you should have been taught the correct procedure. During the upcoming Ifa Spirituality Intermediate Workshop, I will be giving attendees a PDF of oriki, so book your spot below, if that's something you are interested in.

If you can get efo yanrin, please try and do so, it is considered to be Osun's favorite food and is cooked with palm oil and served to Osun with nine morsels of pounded yam(white West African yam, not sweet potatoes called yams in North America).

I hope this helps those who asked me to list the items traditionally used to venerate Oshun.

Oree Yeye O!