Skip to content
EntityQ1547934· pop 21· linked from 264 articles

Shango (Yoruba: Ṣàngó) is the Orisha (or deity) of fire, thunder, lightning, virility, dance, drumming, strength and justice in the Yoruba religion. Genealogically, Shango is a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as he was the third Alaafin of the Oyo Empire prior to his posthumous deification. Shango is believed to have numerous manifestations as various historical and legendary figures, including Airá, Agodo, Afonja, Lubé, and Obomin. He is known for his double-headed battle-axe (Oṣé). He is considered to be one of the most powerful rulers that Yorubaland has ever produced.

Key facts

Deity.type
Yoruba
Deity.other_names
Sango, Ṣàngó, Changó, Xangô, Jakuta, Hevioso, Siete Rayos
Deity.member_of
the Orisha
Deity.venerated_in
Yoruba religion, Dahomey mythology, Ewe religion, Vodun, Santería, Umbanda, Candomblé, Haitian Vodou, Louisiana Voodoo, Folk Catholicism
Deity.image
Representação de Xangô MN 01.jpg
Deity.caption
Representation of Ṣàngó, National Museum of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Deity.deity_of
Thunder, Lightning, Fire, Justice, Dance, Virility
Deity.color
Red and White
Deity.day
The fifth day of the week
Deity.region
Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Latin America
Deity.ethnic_group
Yoruba people, Fon people, Ewe people
Deity.spouse
Oya, Oba, Osun
Deity.children
Ibeji
Deity.equivalent1_type
Vodún
Deity.equivalent1
Hevioso
Deity.norse_equivalent
Thor
Deity.equivalent2_type
Catholicism
Deity.equivalent2
Saint Barbara

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image
Representação de Xangô MN 01.jpg
Show 1 more fact
Commons category
Shango
Sources (2)

via Wikidata · CC0

~8 min read

Article

13 sections
Contents
  • Historical figure
  • Veneration of Ṣàngó
  • Yorubaland
  • The Americas
  • Candomblé
  • Characteristics
  • In popular culture
  • See also
  • Notes
  • References
  • Bibliography
  • Further reading
  • External links

Shango (Yoruba: Ṣàngó) is the Orisha (or deity) of fire, thunder, lightning, virility, dance, drumming, strength and justice in the Yoruba religion. Genealogically, Shango is a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as he was the third Alaafin of the Oyo Empire prior to his posthumous deification. Shango is believed to have numerous manifestations as various historical and legendary figures, including Airá, Agodo, Afonja, Lubé, and Obomin. He is known for his double-headed battle-axe (Oṣé). 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.

Connections

Categories