Ogun

Orisha of iron, war, and metallurgy. Among the Irunmolẹ̀ — the primordial divinities sent by Olodumare. Cleared the path for the other orisha to descend to earth. Sworn-on by Yoruba oath-takers; the iron of his cult tools is the hardest material in the social fabric.

Children

• Oranmiyan

Domains

• iron metallurgy
• war
• hunting
• oaths and justice

Powers

• iron mastery
• martial prowess
• oath witness
• path clearing
• Clear the path/cut obstacles with the cutlass
• Deal violent divine judgment in war/hunt
• Forge and transform iron
• Witness oaths on iron and strike down liars

Epithets

• Ògún oníìré
• Ọ̀ṣìn ímọlẹ̀
• Ògún Láàkáyé

Relations

• equated with: Gu
• equated with: Vodu of Iron and War

Sources

• Yoruba oral tradition (Itan)
• Verger, Notes sur le culte des orisa et vodun (1957)
• Idowu, Olódùmarè: God in Yoruba Belief (1962)