Oya Central America Symbols Charm

Oya is an orisha (spirit) of winds, lightning, powerful storms, death, and rebirth. The name Oya is morphologically derived from the Yoruba word 'O ya,' which means 'she tore.' Lightning, storms, and winds are all under her control. She is the mother of nine children and the queen of the Niger river. She is a fighter and unconquerable. Her meal is pronounced 'Akara' in Yoruba. Oya also eats dark chocolate, pudding, mulberries and eggplant. She is comparable to the syncretized Catholic Saint Brigit, and the Haitian lwa Maman Brigitte.