HISTORY OF ORISHA OKO

Who Is Orisha Oko?

Orisha Oko teaches us how to cultivate our lives and the land. He is said to be the first to build a farm — the farmer who cultivates his land and gathers his harvest to feed his family. Wherever life is being cultivated in nature, Orisha Oko's energy is present.

He is the provider of food and life, and is seen as a form of reincarnation across many forms of life, including humans. Orisha Oko is a major Orisha — deity of the land, agriculture, and the harvest, and patron of farmers. He also serves as arbiter of disputes, particularly among women, and presides as judge in trials held between the Orishas.

He is diligent, hardworking, a keeper of secrets, and chaste. He ensures the prosperity of the land, and the bees are his messengers. Women who cannot conceive turn to Orisha Oko as an Orisha of fertility.

Relationships with Other Orishas

Alongside Oké and Oggué, Orisha Oko forms a trinity responsible for the harvest, the rains, and the inner fire that brings forth life from the land and its animals. He devours the bodies given to him by Yewá, and Oyá also provides bodies to Babalú Ayé through Oko.

He was the husband of Olokun, and the two are always spoken of together — it was he who told the world that Olokun was hermaphrodite, which is why Olokun hid at the bottom of the sea. He also quarreled with Yemaya, after she seduced him into revealing the secret of yam planting to Chango.

Sign, Day, and Colors

In the Diloggún, Orisha Oko speaks through Eyioko (2). His days are Monday, Tuesday, and the 12th of each month. His colors are red and white, and he is celebrated on March 22nd.

Attributes and Tools

The acheré (gourd rattle) used to call Orisha Oko is painted with long dark red and white stripes. His tools include the plow with oxen and parasol, and farming implements of every kind.

Necklaces

Orisha Oko's necklace is strung with seven pink or lilac beads and seven pale turquoise beads, sometimes adorned with coral, or alternatively white beads striped in red.

Traditional Offerings

Offerings to Orisha Oko include doves, roosters, and goats, along with all harvested fruits, dried meats, yams, beans, and snails.

Honor Orisha Oko

Whether you're beginning your path with Orisha Oko or deepening a lifelong devotion, Nelstar Services has provided authentic Santeria and Lucumí supplies since 2003. Browse our full Soperas collection and Orisha tools to find what you need for his offerings.