OBATALLA

The Orisha Obatala is fundamental to the creation
Myth of West African's ancient Yoruba civilizations
Where he is also manifested as the "white gods"
Of creativity and justice: Orishanla, Oshala,
Oshagiyan, Oshalufon, Orisha Oko, and Osha Funfun.

He also explains the moral function of Shango,
The Orisha of lightning and thunder
Obatala is claimed to have dropped from heaven
On a chain to shape the first humans and indeed
Every kid in the womb, despite
The fact that he is merely one facet of Olodumare,
The Almighty God, who alone can breathe life into Obatala's creations.

Obatala, a saint among saints
And the archetypal spirit of creativity
Has been transferred to many New World nations
Where he has been worshiped for millennia
As the patron of children, childbirth,
Albinos, and anybody with a birthmark.

It is said in both the New and Old Worlds
That "Obatala marks his children."
Oba is "king" in Yoruba, and tala [ala]
Is undyed fabric, a blank canvas
Which is why the King of the White Cloth
Is supposed to be a calm judge.

Obatala is remembered
With magnificent white cloth, lace,
White beads and cowries, white flowers,
Silver coins, and silver jewelry.
He is honored with white hens, snails,
White melon soup, pounded yams, and other
White foods such as eko, fermented yams, and pounded yams.

"where the world began."
Some experts equate the gentle Obatala
With Christ and the Egyptian Osiris
Because he is associated with honesty,
Purpose, purity, peace, the New Year,
Forgiveness, and resurrection.
The patron saint of painters,
Known as the Divine Sculptor,
Is "the old man" as the deity of created form.
He is also known as Alamo Re Re,
or the One Who Transforms Blood Into Children.

He is Alabalashe,
Wielder of the Scepter of Life,
And O Ho Ho,
Father of Laughter,
"who sits in the sky like a swarm of bees."