How All Yoruba Women are related with Water gods and goddess in Yoruba Worldview
In the Yoruba culture, women are often metaphorically associated with flowing water. This is reflected in the reverence for female Orisa such as Osun, Oya, Olokun, Ogbese, Yemoja, and Iyamapo, who are all linked to water.
Water holds a vital place in Yoruba life, symbolizing indispensability not only for its everyday uses but also as a crucial component in the preparation of ero, a softening agent and medicinal remedy. This significance is captured in a Yoruba proverb:
OMI L’A BU WE
Omi l’a bu mu
Enikan ki i b’omi s’ota.
We use water to bathe
We drink water
No one quarrels with water
This adage underscores the essential nature of water in Yoruba belief, paralleling the essential role of women in society. Just as water is the essence of life, women are seen as the bearers of life through childbirth, ensuring the continuity of their lineage and community. A miscarriage or abortion is often expressed with the phrase “omi lo danu, agbe ofo,” meaning “only water is lost, the keg remains intact,” highlighting the resilience and enduring potential of women.
Water, contained in a keg yet powerful in its flow, symbolizes strength, greatness, superiority, affluence, and immortality. As Olabimtan (1974) describes, water commands respect through its ability to shape its own path, move objects with its force, and alter landscapes. This power is often compared to the formidable influence of women in Yoruba society.
Abiodun, quoting Verger, emphasizes the indispensable role of women:
O ni gbogbo ohun ti enia ba n se**
Ti ko ba fi ti obinrin kun un
O ni ko le seese…
O ni ki won o maa fi iba fun obinrin
O ni ti won ba ti fi iba fun obinrin
Ile aye yio maa toro(Verger, 1965: 218)
In anything we do,
If we do not guarantee the place of women
That thing will not succeed
He said, ‘we should acknowledge the power of women
He said, ‘if we acknowledge their power,
The world will be peaceful
This passage underscores the belief that recognizing and honoring the power of women is essential for success and peace in the world. In the Yoruba worldview, the relationship between women and water is a profound symbol of life, strength, and the harmonious balance necessary for a thriving community.
