Osumare, Spirit of the Sacred Rainbow

Also known as Ochumaré, Oxumaré, or Oshunmare, meaning rainbow in the Yoruba language. Osumare is the spirit of the rainbow. The “mare” in the name has several meanings, including serpent, depth, and the essence and immensity of power. This rainbow serpent deity is possible when two elements are present: water and sunlight, translating to the union of feminine (water, often associated with the colour blue) and masculine (solar, often associated with the colour red) energies. Hence, Osumare is an androgynous and dual-spirited essence. The colours of the rainbow mirror the colors of the chakras. This makes Osumare the archetypical representation of kundalini energy. Kundalini can be described as the free-flowing, unobstructed flow of energy through the chakras of the body, from base of spine to the crown of the head.

Osumare is the divine rainbow serpent that connects one’s destiny to the inner self through a colourful path. This powerful orisha provides an infinite gateway of immense personal power, thus making them the orisha of cycles, transformation, movement, balance, and paradoxically, permanence. They are also known as Ketu, where they are connected to the spirits of the dead and the ancestors (i.e., egun, roughly translated to mean the spirit of the ancestors). Osumare resides at the back of huge mountains, dutifully beautifying the skin with a great splendor of colours and carrying messages between heaven and earth.

Osumare is the patron of children and is associated with the umbilical cord. Among the Yoruba, umbilical cords are considered links between the living world and the realm of the ancestors. Much like how the umbilical cord ties mother to child, as her cord did her to her own mother, and so on into ancient history.

In Cuba, Osumare is often worshipped alongside Yemaya, as they are the “Crown of Yemaya”. In fact, Osumare is reach through Yemaya. Devotees call them “the light which crosses through the tray of the Earth (the firmament) on one side to another, from front to back.” Osumare is known to be Shango’s assistant whose role consisted of gathering rainfall and taking it back up to the clouds. Recognition of Osumare in Cuba peaked in the 19th century, and today is maintained by very few elders. In Haiti, Osumare is called Dambola Ayido. In Brazil, they are syncretized with Saint Bartholomew.

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References:

GMC: Orisha Osumare

Osumare: The Spirit of the Rainbow

Oshumare – The Sacred Serpent

THIS WEEK EPISODE: The Story of Orisha Oshumare (Rainbow God of the Yoruba Tribe)