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Sango Olukoso by macof(m): 3:11pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Sango (known as Changó or Xangô in Latin America; and also known as Jakuta) is an Orisha. He is syncretized with Saint Barbara in Santeria of South America. Sango is historically a royal ancestor of the Yoruba as he was the third Alafin (king: owner of the palace) of the Oyo Kingdom, born Arabambi(and according to some sources he was also known as "Olufiran" ![]() Some would rather say he was the second Alaafin after his elder brother Ajaka was dethroned, due to the fact that Oranmiyan never officially assumed the title of "Alaafin" before going back to Ile - Ife. Sango married at least three wives known as Oba, Osun and Oya. Oba was his first wife who controlled his household as the Iyale. Osun his second, a woman of immense beauty, Sango had used his dancing to attract her, and Oya his last, was his companion at battle, although he didn't pay her bride price..she had just run away from her cruel husband to Sango's arms. Why this might seem against everything traditional, it is believed that both Sango and Oya were destined to be together as Ifa had revealed through Orere, the greatest Babalawo of that time. CONCEPTION AND EARLY LIFE OF SANGO. Torosi, his mother was given by her father known as Elempe to Oranmiyan as a result of the treaty between them. At this time, Oyo-ile was at war with the Bariba of Borgu who wanted to subjugate the new City still under construction. Orangun Ajagunla of Ila, Oranmiyan's elder brother stormed in with his men to assist. Not long after the war was won, Oranmiyan welcomed a son Ajuwon Ajaka, much later Arabambi was born by the woman he received from Elempe Tapa, It is believed that the name "Sango" was given by his maternal grandfather or He adopted it from the local name for the God of Thunder, Either way the royal family was devoted to The Spirit of Thunder. At a young age Arabambi played with Leopard cubs, and developed a wooden axe he carried around everywhere. At a time he left the palace with his mother and stayed in a place later known as Koso. He became an entertainer, dancing with Masquerades. He even had his own personal drum(Bata) and drummer, he wouldn't dance to the beat of other drummers, everywhere Sango went his drummer followed him even to a fight. One day Arabambi was teased by the spectators for giving his usual tricks having nothing new to show, he decided to go to his mother's people , they gave him ingredients to make fire out of his breath. ALAFIN SANGO After Oranmiyan left Oyo to the hands of his son Ajaka and the Oyomesi things became bad for the people, Owu had developed into a fine kingdom with the best military around and they sought to conquer Oyo. One day Ajaka was captured by the Owu soldiers , the Oyo generals were confused and a tug of war began between them, to prevent a state of Anarchy the Oyomesi invited Arabambi. Immediately he took charge he set all the generals to thier place, joined the army himself and led the rescue mission to Owu, he brought Ajaka back but the Oyomesi dethroned him and made Sango the new Alaafin. As Alafin he was unlike his brother who was weak and let his generals roam without order, Sango placed each of them in strategic locations to keep the Owu in check , he also made successful campaigns to liberate some villages from Owu. Everyone feared Sango, his wives and even the Oyomesi feared him Seeking more power he went to the Babalawo for way to make his enemies perish instantly, a charm was prepared with a fine stone that with it Sango could conjure lightening and thunder, this charm known as "Edun ara" is still made today. Sango had become possessed by the spirit of lightening and thunder (Arira) A fighter, Head of the Sango cult, King, dancer, military strategist he was a Legend best at everything he did, he made everything he laid his hands on to prosper. Oya his wife found out his secret, how he was able to just bring up lightening when she found his hidden Edun ara stones, she stole some and used them for herself. When Sango found out, he confronted Oya but unlike usual he met her stand up to him, running back to the Babalawo he advised to let her be, and from then on she became his companion at battle. Oya herself was a priestess of the rain spirit having her craft and together they could bring up storms during battle Downfall of Sango During the late reign(7th year) of Sango, he had two generals: Timi Agbale Olofa-ina who could shoot arrows of fire and Gbonka who was equally powerful. After disobeying his direct order not to match on Owu in Battle, Sango follows Oya’s advice to get rid of them and sent them to govern the border towns of the Empire. Timi obeyed him and left for Ede but Gbonka stayed back in Oyo to pose further treat. Sango in his quest to destroy them both: sent Gbonka to Ede to capture Timi which he did. Sango who believed that the match in Ede was staged asked for a re-match in Oyo and Gbonka defeated Timi. Sango then ordered that Gbonka should be burnt to ashes. Mysteriously, he appeared after three days giving Sango ultimatum to vacate the throne for his infidelity. Sango angrily requested for his Edun-Ara from Oya, He found it wet and stained with blood from her period. He left the palace to a high rock facing the palace to re-affirm the potency of his thunderbolt. The thunder he created stroke the palace and burnt it down. Oba and Osun; after losing everything to the inferno, left the palace angrily blaming one another for allowing Oya such access to Sango and fearing for their lives, returned to their homeland Osun to Igede and Oba to Igbon where they were immortalised into Rivers by their people, Oya on her part after hearing of Sango's death went back to the forest in Nupeland where Sango found her and possibly drowned in the Niger river later named after her. At the disaster which extended to large parts of the city caused by Sango, some groups began a riot, cursing Sango and demanding his removal. heartbroken he left the City followed by the chiefs and members of his royal cult known as Baba-Mogba persuading him not to leave. After an unyielding persuasion, the chiefs went back as they approach an Ayan tree in the place called koso with the news that the king has hanged. But another story told by only a few of the Baba-Mogba who did not go back: Sango was attacked by Gbonka but Sango unwilling to fight varnished into thin air only to appear in the sky to destroy Gbonka and those peddling the rumors that he hanged. – Hence the popular saying OBAKOSO OR OLUKOSO meaning the king did not hang. ORIKI Sango Olukoso Akata yeri yeri Arabambi Oko Oya Alaafin, ekun bu, a sa Eleyinju ogunna Olukoso lalu Ina l'oju Ina l'enu A ri igba ota, sete O fi alapa segun ota re 3 Likes 4 Shares
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Re: Sango Olukoso by asumo12: 3:15pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
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Re: Sango Olukoso by kekakuz(m): 3:34pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Its just so sad and emotional.
why did he have to die |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 3:40pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Alot of these stories are myths, take some of the myth out of it. Most myths are overblown truths to keep the story alive through fairy tales. This is my only suggestion. Sango doesn't have to appear mythical to be a real hero of Oyo. Sango simply was a very talented man, a very brave one, who became a just and noble king, which is why people still love him to this very day. The myths does Alaafin Sango a disservice because it makes people think believers in Sango aren't grounded. Like every illness doesn't have to have a spiritual cause, every cold isn't a bad spirit attacking the patient. The must be a balance between the physical and the spiritual world. Sango is the baba of duality as an ibeji himself. Sorcery can be combined with technology. So in the end Sango/Sorcery and Ogun/Technology both fight for justice. Love, Sango. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Sango Olukoso by macof(m): 4:00pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
KingSango: This is how the story is said, I don't think it's myth You are Brazilian devoted to Sango right? You should point out the exact myths Btw In Yoruba culture, everything is the working of spirits even an ordinary cold is being done by a spirit And I doubt that Sango was an Ibeji, he had Ibeji children from Osun but I don't think he was Ibeji himself |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 4:58pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
macof: Not everything problem is based on spiritual issues. Like you can pray for the Orisha to bless you but nothing will happen if you don't get up and work at your goals. Also you if you don't keep good hygiene you will get sick, this has nothing do with spirit. Like if you go into the bush and get bite by a snake that's not an enemy cursing you. All I'm saying is that somethings lie in the spirit realm and have spiritual roots and others lie in the physical and have physical world roots. That's all. And overspiritualizing Sango does a disservice to his historical image as a great king who made real world strives for betterment of his character and his people. That's it. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Sango Olukoso by macof(m): 5:14pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
KingSango: ![]() ![]() I didn't over spiritualise Sango, Edun ara is a physical charm |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 5:40pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
macof: I know what Sango stones are and the awesome power within them. I do know what you are talking about but I think you don't know what you are talking about. Africans over spiritualize their faith means that they expect the Orishas, spirits and demons to be responsible for everything that happens in the physical world. Humans are given life to experience it, it wouldn't be an experience if the spirits did everything for us. We have to have choice and struggle to improve ourselves. The spirits are here to help us or hinder us in our choices but the choices are ours to make. We must build Africa and we can't do it stuck in the clouds. We have to battle the evil men while Orishas battle the evil spirits. Its that simple. 8 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Lionhearted: 6:59pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Is Edun Ara same as Okuta Sango? |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 7:26pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Lionhearted: Edun Ara are stones that fall after lightning strikes that get collected by Sango priests, then blessed with Sango's energy, and can be used for protection juju, justice, vengeance, etc. They are extremely powerful and effective. 2 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Funjosh(m): 7:55pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Lightning and Thunder ![]() |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Angelou(m): 8:31pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Sango oloju orogbo elereke obi |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 8:54pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Funjosh: Don't be afraid, the ancestors mastered the forces of nature. They were awesome people. God doesn't use a tool to make creation God speaks holy words of power. The nature of God, the Creator is juju. Science isn't separate from God only God is above it. Africans were the first people, and somehow, very long ago, they figured out how to cull and summon God's mysterious power. Ashe. If you understand Esu, then you will soon understand all Orishas, Egun spirits and demons. And if you go even further to access Orunmila, there's nothing you can't do. Love, Sango. 2 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by macof(m): 8:54pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
KingSango:Good you know them, so where is this talk about Sango's skills being a myth coming from? See why I said you don't understand what am talking about, The physical world is connected to the spiritual and only separated by a thin line The Spirits most move for anything in the physical to take effect Though it doesn't mean everything we do should be "mysticised" . Truth is Spirits are always involved |
Re: Sango Olukoso by macof(m): 9:01pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
Lionhearted:Yes 2 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Nobody: 11:56pm On Jul 06, 2015 |
KingSango: Your post makes a lot of sense and I should add that we share the same mind states as far as the above goes but for me it does not stop at Isese alone, it extends to how Africans handle religion in entirety - Islam/Christianity. The escape for an average African, rather than put in work, is to chase after miracles. However, I must point out that we cannot blame Africans for getting wired this way. African belief system is strongly spiritual (give or take) and this is why many would rather opt for the European or Arab religions. Orisa, Irunmole, Aje (iba O) and other forces are actually responsible for part of what happens in the physical word. Using your analogy of going to the bush and getting bit by a snake - do you not believe certain forces can make this happen even where there is no bush? There are many analogies one could use. As much as the years have gone past clinging to over spiritual-ising everything to being reasonably pragmatic in that man have now gotten to the peak of knowing there is indeed the law of free will to choose, make decisions and so on, we must not forget some forces may be responsible for the choices we make, things we do and how we do them. 2 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by absoluteSuccess: 5:24am On Jul 07, 2015 |
Sango Alado Okoya lode... my childhood repertoir of song goes thus: Olukoso Alado, Olukoso Alado o, Arokuta, Arokuta lai de cele, Olukoso Alado. The song is as old as my memory goes. Sango was indeed a virtuous woman, she was Olukoso, that is 'prominent but not fruitful', she was Alado, meaning she sire Ado. Ultimately, Ado in turn founded my town and she was our Queen in historical time but a mythical king to the rest in the false-analysis business. As to that I am not 'Yoruba' (meaning, I don't take all that is thrown at me as absolute record), I am 'omo Oduduwa'...(my contribution counts) Ile Akoko latii gb'Edo. 2 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 6:45pm On Jul 07, 2015 |
9jacrip: I love you and our God is the same. Sango is a just and noble god. Baba Egun of Oyo. But I like to remember Sango how he lived and not how he supposed have died. There are so many controversial stories of Sango's downfall that aren't in the Odu. Like what of the humanistic side of the Baba Alaafin Sango? What was his administration like? What did Sango do exactly to make the people of Oyo prosper, besides fight battles? How did you decide court cases, what are examples of his leadership in kingdom matters? We know he created cavalry. We know Sango instituted a code of honor for Oyo warriors to go into battle not ever showing their backsides. To come home victorious or not come home. We know Sango started the Ogboni secret society. Tell stories of Sango's life achievements. Celebrate the Egun as an example of manhood that normal men and women can relate to Sango. Yes, Sango was a great sorcerer but He wasn't the greatest sorcerer ever. But he was a king and a great sorcerer which means he was multi-talented. He was a great dancer, what are his dances? Show them. Talk about his creating certain dances that invoke the spirit of Sango, which is Olodumare's spirit of fire and justice. Talk about Baba Sango is a more practical way. That's all I'm saying. This is so people can get a grasp of Sango's history so we can understand what we must do to rebuild Oyo empire. 8 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Sango Olukoso by macof(m): 10:24pm On Jul 08, 2015 |
I understand all you've said oga KingSango, Sango must have lived till his late 30s at least and there's much the op didn't state but that's not a big deal as those that know, know what they know; his military reforms, political reforms, reforms on the Sango mysticism, Dance moves etc |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Nobody: 12:03pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
KingSango: This is the problem with African/Yoruba Academia and social circles. The mythical part of the life of a historical figure often takes the centre stage and is mostly exaggerated. I like your postulation, I hope many will start growing interest in the actual historical aspect of the lives of these figures. 1 Like |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Nobody: 12:14pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
absoluteSuccess: I didn't realize that there were some Yoruba who view Sango as female. 1 Like |
Re: Sango Olukoso by absoluteSuccess: 1:25pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
Radoillo:No no, you will never see anyone like that. Its only me that think this way among 40million Yoruba people ![]() ![]() |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 2:46pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
absoluteSuccess: Women have enormous power is apart of African history like Queen Sheba. This Queen was not only the ruler of her people but so was many women before her. Queen Sheba was very political savvy, shrewd and even handled Solomon in conversation. But without Obba, Oshun and Oya there is no Sango. Raising up women is how you raise up the culture. That's is what I've been teaching and suffered attacks by Sodomites who hate women. 3 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by absoluteSuccess: 3:08pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
KingSango: I support you on this, they want to silence the part played by womenfolk in the formative era. I believe one day we would get to know that these female characters above are one and the same. Nothing happen in isolation, I use to think that many names in Yoruba pantheon are re-entry of the same set of charismatic people and leaders, who got different names from the fact that many ancient scholars or wordsmith were trying to make reports about them. the many names was because each scholar want to use his creative imagination to name the individual in such a way that it would invoke history. I believe different scholars re-produce the names in their community and we thus have conflicting accounts on the icons of history. |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Nobody: 3:24pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
absoluteSuccess: Everything you wrote especially the emboldened are not only false but nauseating. 1. Nowhere in Yorubaland do we have such happening. Roles of Moremi, Osun, Luwoo, Oya etc have never been altered or in no time have they been obliterated. 2. No one has a record of how Sango dressed. Asides the braids, tying wrapper or wearing what seems like a skirt with charms attached all over it has been prevalent in Yoruba traditional circles for eons till present day. Kindly disabuse your mind from thinking up and holding to thoughts such as this. Busy now, will write more later. 4 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by absoluteSuccess: 3:29pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
9jacrip: Don't take my language for it, I am not talking about a grand scheme to edge womenfolk out of anything, if I sound like that. The truth is, if you dont know the reason for Sangos dresscode, fnd out more. Sorry if my language hurt your pride in Yoruba history anyway. Sango is not transgender, but she is a woman, that is the secret concealed in Koso. |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 3:30pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
absoluteSuccess: We see the example of a strong and powerful ruler in Queen Quet of the Gullah Gee Chee Nation, who is very political savvy, very shrewd and is actually a scientist so she has enormous brain power. Queen Quet united the Gullah Gee Chee people into a coalition and then formed them into a nation, they have various cultural and educational center where they are pushing socioeconomic empowerment. Also another example, Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda of Buganda Kingdom, who is their Queen Mother. Nagginda Sylvia is a powerful visionary, she has made many social reforms in the culture of Buganda, she's cleaned up some of the perverse attitudes against women and children. She has also instituted a vision for a huge cultural and religious complex. When you look at these two examples, one can easily see the future of Africa lies in uplifting more women into leadership positions. If we want to reach the children then we must go through women, there is no other way. Women make better rulers in the long run because it takes this burden off of the male and allows him to be more a protector like in the Lion's world. Female lions actually really are the leaders of the cubs, which is the family. The female lion hunts, teaches the cubs and the one Alpha female lion is the leader of the other two female adult lions in the pack, who also have cubs. The alpha male lion just watches over them and makes sure nothing harms them and for his services he gets to eat first when a hunt is captured. I think this is why East Africans used the Lion as their symbol as it symbolized their female dominated society but also put the male in a prominent place. Dr. Charles Finch, disciple of Chek Djiop, noted scholars and anthropologists, that Ancient Kemet reach a point in which women and men were equal. Unlike Greece, India and China, also torch bearers, they downgraded the status of women and thus were not able to achieve the same civilizational height as Ancient Kemet. Women are the key to creating a highly advanced civilization, you can't do it with the male alone on top. Love, Sango. Queen Quet's website and Facebook page. http://queenquet.com/ http://jonesqueenquet..com/ Nagginda Sylvia website and Facebook page. http://nnabagereka.org/ https://www.facebook.com/nabagerekabuganda 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Sango Olukoso by absoluteSuccess: 3:57pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
KingSango: Indeed your love for the womenfolk and their place in history is inspiring. I'm working on a short storybook I titled "Yoruba legends" should be out by next week, I intended it for young readers and history enthusiasts in our population. One talked about Owa Oni, a female ruler of Ijeshaland in ancient time. Let me share a bit about it here. Chapter Five Two Wise Women There was a time in the past when the forces of Nupe was charging against Yoruba land. They have been able to sack different Yoruba city-states in their wake. Nobody could check their mounted horses and the aggression of the fearsome riders. They were all brave fighters of the kingdom of Nupe. At one point, they mark out Ijesha as next to fall by the edge of the sword. This was a serious concern to the Yoruba city-states of old. The people of ijesha were troubled because the Nupe horses were just too many. Perplexed by the Nupe aggression, the Queen of Ijeshaland, known as 'Owa-Oni' summoned the women of the land for a 'tactical advice'. She said “who knows, the women also might have a wise counsel strong enough to defeat the horsemen”. So, Owa-Oni invited the women of Ilesha and asked for their opinion on how to prosecute the war. One of the women suggested a tactical combat that will defeat the horsemen, she asked the people of Ijesha to fetch several palm nuts and empty it on all paths that leads to Ilesha. By so doing, when the horsemen will force their entry into ijeshaland, they will all become an easy prey. The people were overjoyed at the counsel and they did exactly as planned. Then they kept vigil at the bush by the path, where the horsemen will emerge from. As expected, the Nupe cavalry force did came rushing on horse back to sack Ijeshaland. But unknown to them, the path that lead to the city has been compromised. As the horses hordes their way over the palmnut, they fell to the ground and lost control. Their riders too fell off the saddle to the ground. At this stage, the Ijesha troop-out from the bush and launched an onslaught against their attackers. They crush the Nupe aggression on their homeland at once. At the end of the carnage, the people were so exited, the Queen also wondered in amazement that who could have thought that women can be instrumental to defeating the horsemen? The woman in question was made Iyalode and also nicknamed Arise, from this comes the proverb “Arise l'arika”. 5 Likes |
Re: Sango Olukoso by Nobody: 4:22pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
absoluteSuccess: Interesting. I'm quite sure other Yorubas will find this position of yours very controversial, to say the least. While we are on the issue of gender, what do you think of Oduduwa? I know there are some early-recorded versions of the traditions that present him as a female. Do you find these versions plausible? 1 Like |
Re: Sango Olukoso by KingSango(m): 4:38pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
absoluteSuccess: It is my love for the return of the golden age, the world of light. Without women at the helm it is not possible. The $126,000,000 fundraiser for Black Nationalism cause, Gardening gifts for Mother, donate to the cause and/or send a gift, share the link and spread the word. Love, Sango. www.gardeninggiftsformother..com |
Re: Sango Olukoso by absoluteSuccess: 4:52pm On Jul 09, 2015 |
Radoillo: Of course, I have always claim Oduduwa to be woman, I don't agree to Oduduwa being a man. Of course that has been the position of my hometown too. There, they have a temple to that icon. You know we are all bending our traditions to fit in to what later crop up from our modern scholars. Not that the Yoruba history conflict as such, but each community has their pieces that harmonizes with the next, if they harness the similarities. I don't see needs to uphold one side and silence the other, it is better to review all. As to the Sango aspect, I'm on my own sha. But if I have my way, I will promote my findings someday. Thank God there is Sango picture up there, the guy beside him is spotting the regular Yoruba male dress, Kembe and Ewu, but the Sango guy was on braids, with skirts. You my fellow here believe we do not have anything to do with outsiders, why is Sango wearing skirt and the lady in Aso Oke wearing the typical Yoruba lady's wear? Is it a medieval variant style? The title of the ruler of my town use to be Olofin Adimula Oodua, He used to plait his hair like a woman, and that's the rule. Why? Then there is a parallel ruler that is dormant in the town, Obara. He is equal to the Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado. Obara means Sango, or one who has wonders. Wonder and and thunder can mean the same thing in Yoruba. 1 Like |
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