HISTORY OF OSHOSI
Who Is Oshosi?
Ochosi is the tracker — the scout who goes ahead of the hunting party to find the path toward food and game. That path must be found before it can be cleared, which is why Ogun and Ochosi work as partners: Ochosi is known among the Orishas as the greatest hunter, and no one knows the forest paths better than he does.
Ochosi's ashé is carried by his beloved companion, Odidé — the parrot, known as "Odidé la ko gbo ògún," the speckled bird who gathers the medicine for the hunt. The parrot always arrives first when Ochosi returns from hunting, and before leaving the house to hunt, Ochosi speaks to his companion: "Odidé gan fi di ja" — "Parrot, lead me beyond fear." Ochosi reminds us that we exist in constant flux with the Universe and Nature.
Ochosi and Ogun
Ochosi is the finest of hunters, always at Ogun's side after the pact they made together in Orula's house — from that day forward, they agreed they needed one another, and that apart, neither amounted to much.
Domain and Role
Ochosi is a major Orisha, son of Yemaya, and patron of those facing legal trouble, along with magicians, diviners, warriors, hunters, and fishermen. At guemileres, he dances alongside Oshún. Ebbó is made to Ochosi to ensure success in surgery, given his connection to Abbatá, a saint of the Inlé lineage — the scalpel is counted among his attributes. He lives, symbolically, in the jail.
Sign, Day, and Colors
His number is three, and in the Diloggún he speaks through Eyioko (2). His days are Monday, Wednesday, and the fourth of each month. He is known as Ochosi Odé Mata, syncretized with Saint Norbert. In the Kimbisa tradition, Ogun and Ochosi travel together, and Ochosi is called Lufo Kuyu or Watariamba.
Attributes and Tools
Ochosi's attributes include all instruments of hunting and fishing, deer antler pieces, and hunting trophies. His tools include three arrows (as carried by warriors), three dogs, a small mirror, a piece of deer antler, a fishing hook, and a bow and arrow.
Necklaces
Those not yet initiated receive a simple chain — two strands of Prussian blue beads, with an amber bead at intervals, finished with four cowrie shells set in pairs separated by amber. Amber beads, leopard fangs, and cowrie shells are also traditional. Coral beads are most common, sometimes alternating with Prussian blue. Some houses, following Martínez Furé's tradition, use bright green matipó beads instead.
Traditional Offerings
Offerings to Ochosi include goat and deer, rooster and chicken, dove, jutía, quail, and any hunted bird.
Honor Oshosi
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