Quel est le role d'Ogiuwu dans la mythologie edo ?

Il est le dieu de la mort. Selon le mythe de creation, le createur Osanobua lui confia ce domaine, et la tradition dit qu'il detient le sang de tout etre vivant.

Pourquoi n'existe-t-il pas d'image d'Ogiuwu ?

Aucun artiste n'osait representer le visage de la mort. A la place, on figurait Ofoe, son messager redoutable, charge d'annoncer et d'executer la fin des vivants.

Ogiuwu est-il encore venere aujourd'hui ?

Son culte, centre sur un sanctuaire de Benin City, a decline apres la chute du royaume du Benin en 1897. Il n'est plus activement honore, mais reste une figure importante de la cosmologie edo.

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OGUWU

ally

God

✦ SoulEdo →Edo — EdoElder

Gender: MasculineSign: mort

Ogiuwu, sometimes transcribed Oguwu or Ogiwu, is the god of death in the traditional religion of the Edo of the kingdom of Benin, in the present-day south of Nigeria. According to the Edo creation myth, he received the domain of death when the creator god Osanobua divided the world among his children; he was the youngest of them, alongside Olokun, deity of the waters. Ogiuwu passes for holding the blood of every living being, which makes him the master of the end of each life. Before the fall of the kingdom in 1897, a sanctuary was consecrated to him in the heart of Benin City, near the altar of war, and sacrifices were offered there, notably to protect the warriors setting out for battle. No image of death was figured: in its place was represented Ofoe, his terrifying messenger. A deity feared rather than loved, Ogiuwu is today no longer actively venerated, but he remains a major figure of Edo cosmology.

Powers & Attributes

death

Role in the ROHO universe

Ferryman of souls. OGUWU ensures the circulation of souls and prevents stagnation between the worlds. Bound to the Edo pantheon.

Sacred Mask

An ancient ritual mask of vegetable ivory, amethyst and sacred wood, engraved with symbols of death, embodiment of the power of Oguwu

Era

Ancient cycle

Frequently asked questions

What is Ogiuwu's role in Edo mythology?

He is the god of death. According to the creation myth, the creator Osanobua entrusted this domain to him, and tradition says he holds the blood of every living being.

Why is there no image of Ogiuwu?

No artist dared to represent the face of death. In its place was figured Ofoe, his fearsome messenger, charged with announcing and executing the end of the living.

Is Ogiuwu still venerated today?

His cult, centred on a sanctuary of Benin City, declined after the fall of the kingdom of Benin in 1897. He is no longer actively honoured, but remains an important figure of Edo cosmology.

Related spirits

ORI SOKO EGUNGUN ABIKU

Sources and references

R. E. Bradbury, The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking Peoples of South-Western Nigeria (etudes sur la religion et la royaute edo)
Paula Ben-Amos, The Art of Benin (1980)
Flora Edouwaye S. Kaplan, Edo Religion, dans Encyclopedia of Religion, 2e edition, dir. Lindsay Jones (2005)