Obatala

Arch-divinity and sculptor of humankind; patron of purity and white.

Parentage

• parent: Olodumare

Domains

• creation craft
• purity wisdom

Powers

• Moulds human bodies from clay
• Embodies and enforces ritual purity

Epithets

• Aláṣẹ yoruba · orikiThe one possessing authority/command; sculptor-king of mankindE. B. Idowu, Olódùmarè: God in Yoruba Belief (1962), ch. on Ọbàtálá (secondary)
• Òrìṣà-ńlá latin · Orisha-nla · praise-nameThe great orisha; Ọbàtálá’s supreme title as arch-divinityE. B. Idowu, Olódùmarè: God in Yoruba Belief (secondary)
• Alámọ̀rere latin · Alamorere · praise-nameOwner of the finest white clay; the sculptor who moulds human bodiesJ. O. Awolalu, Yoruba Beliefs and Sacrificial Rites (secondary)
• Ọba tálá Yoruba · Oba tala · cultKing of the White ClothIdowu, Olódùmarè: God in Yoruba Belief (1962) (secondary)

Relations

• sibling: EshuFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Olodumare) per the figures' cited genealogy.
• sibling: OduduwaFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Olodumare) per the figures' cited genealogy.
• sibling: OrunmilaFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Olodumare) per the figures' cited genealogy.
• sibling: OsanyinFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Olodumare) per the figures' cited genealogy.
• sibling: OshunFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Olodumare) per the figures' cited genealogy.
• sibling: YemojaFull sibling — shares the same attested parentage (Olodumare) per the figures' cited genealogy.

Sources

• existence: Idowu, Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief (1962) (secondary)