Religious beliefs and Gods

There religion is made up of many and each follows its own spiritual path, they have main gods and lesser gods,

Eleggua
The owner of the roads and opportunities. He is the messenger between human beings and the other orishas. He is always the
first one to be honored during any ceremony because without his approval, nothing can be accomplished. Also a healer and master
magician, he can be extremely generous as well as cruel. That's why he is associated with the devil in the Brazilian Candomble
tradition. However, in the Yoruba tradition he is not seen as evil. His tricks are simply opportunities to learn lessons.
He is the trickster. In Santeria, Eleggua is the one who protects the home against dangers. Most santeros keep him in the
house close to the front door. They give him offerings every Monday and on the third day of the month. His favorite gifts
are candies, candles, toys, rum and cigars.

Obatala
The orisha of peace, harmony and purity. He is the father of most orishas and the creator of humankind. He is the owner of
the world. He represents clarity, justice and wisdom. Everything that is white on Earth belongs to him: the snow, the sky,
the bones and the brain. In some paths, Obatala manifests as a female. Some people see him as an androgynous deity that contained
both male and female energies representing respectively heaven and earth Obatala is invoked for health, peace and harmony

Oloddumare
The central creative force worshipped in the Yoruba tradition and in the Yoruba-based religions such as Santeria and Candomble.
He is the concept of God.

Oshun
The goddess of love, sexuality, beauty and diplomacy. She is the owner of the sweet waters. With her sweetness, she overcomes
the most difficult tasks. She is the protector of the abdominal area and the teacher of pleasure and happiness. She is a great
giver, but when she is angry, it is very difficult to calm her down. She is often invoked in matters of love and money.

Oya
Is the goddess of the wind, fire and the thunderbolt? As the female warrior of the Yoruba pantheon, she represents female
power. She is strong, assertive, courageous and independent and is always willing to take risks. When she is enraged, she
can create tornadoes and hurricanes, but these also happened when she is ready to make changes. Oya is a great witch and the
guardian of the gates of death. She is invoked when there are serious illnesses or when transformation is necessary.

Yemalla
The goddess of the sea and the moon. She is the mother archetype and the provider of wealth. As the one who gives life and
sustains the Earth, she is extremely generous and giving. She is the nurturing energy that sooth anyone. But like the ocean,
when she is angry, she can be implacable. Therefore, she represents the mother who gives love, but does not give her power
away. Yemaya is also the owner of the collective subconscious and ancient wisdom, since she holds the secrets that are hidden
in the sea. She is often invoked in fertility rituals for women and in any ritual concerning women's issues.

Shango
Once the fourth king of Yoruba, and immortalized as the thunder god, Shangó is legendary across the African Atlantic
world.
Shang's storms and lightning bring a purifying moral terror encapsulated by the boldness and immediacy of his art and altars.



The Lesser Gods

Agew: spirit of the sea

Aida Wado: rainbow spirit.

Ayza: protector

Baka: an evil spirit who takes the form of an animal

Baron Samedi: guardian of the grave

Dambala
or
Damballah-wedo: serpent spirit

Erinle: spirit of the forests

Ezili
or
Erzulie: female spirit of love

Mawu Lisa: spirit of creation

Ogou Balanjo: spirit of healing

Ogun
or
Ogu Bodagris: spirit of war

Osun: spirit of healing streams

Sango
or
Shango: spirit of storms

Yemanja: female spirit of waters

Zaka
or
Oko: spirit of agriculture

The Loa resembles Christian Saints, in that they were once people who led exceptional lives, and are usually given a single
responsibility or special attribute.
There are some beliefs that both voodoo and Christianity shear in.
Both believe in a supreme being
Both believe in an afterlife.
Both believe in evil spirits or demons. Both have as the center piece of their ceremonies, a ritual sacrifice and consumption of flesh and blood.

Followers of voodoo believe each person has a soul, and a big guardian angel as well as a little guardian angel that watches
over them.
They also believe the bones of dead individuals are considered to have great magical powers, particularly if the dead person
was a Houngan, Mambo, or in any other way notable or distinguished