Oshosi, Divine Hunter and Tracker
Symbol: hunting
(Also: Osoosi, Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì, Oxóssi)
Oshosi is the orisha of hunting, forest, animals, and wealth. Because he provides food and nourishment, he is the spirit of meals. He is associated with lightness, astuteness, wisdom, contemplation, watchfulness, and craftiness. He has a deep love for the arts, as well as beautiful things. He hunts with a bow and arrow, and never misses his mark.
According to Ifa theology, spiritual evolution must remain in perfect harmony with the physical evolution occurring in nature. Therefore, Oshosi guides on the path to spiritual growth, while protecting and integrating the needs of the natural world. Oshosi is the magician and guardian of the forest. In Oshosi we find an orisha whose beauty, refinement, and intelligence shines through the rough nature of the skins that cover his body and bamboo shoots that serve as his hunting skirt. As such, while he acknowledges the need for civilization, his preference lies in solitude. So, he remains only half-tamed.
There is a story of how Oshosi and Ogún became hunting companions. Once upon a time, Oshosi and Ogún were enemies, due to a sisán (debt) Èṣù had provoked between them. One day, they both went into the bush and got to talking. As they spoke, they spotted a deer. Instinctively, Oshosi shot an arrow, piercing and killing the deer through the throat. Oshosi told Ogún that he could not reach the deer, as the bush was too thick to navigate. Ogún grabbed his bowie knife and created a trail as fast as the blink of an eye. Excited about their collective discovery and teamwork, they shared their catch and realized the senselessness in their animosity. Upon returning home, they made a pact of friendship. This is why Oshosi and Ogún are often seen together with Oshosi as master hunter and Ogún, as ironmaster.
Oshosi is syncretized with Saint Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and with Saint George in the Bahia region of Brazil. In Santería, he is syncretized with Saint Norbert, and Saint Hubert.
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References:
The Afro-Cuban Orisha Pantheon
Osoosi: Tracker in the Night [an excerpt from Issue 29 of “The Witches’ Almanac”]
