Ogun

Ogun or Ogoun (Yoruba: Ògún, Portuguese: Ogum, Gu; also spelled Oggun or Ogou; known as Ogún or Ogum in Latin America) is a spirit that appears in several African religions. He was the first Ooni of Ife after the demise of Oduduwa.[1] A warrior and a powerful spirit of metal work,[2][3][4] as well as of rum and rum-making. He is also known as the ‘god of Iron’, and is present in Yoruba religion, Haitian Vodou, and West African Vodun.

In Yoruba religion, Ogun is a primordial orisha in Yoruba Land. In some traditions, he is said to have cleared a path for the other orisha to enter Earth, using a metal ax and with the assistance of a dog. To commemorate this, one of his praise names, or oriki, is Osin Imole or the “first of the primordial Orisha to come to Earth”. He is the god of war and metals.[3][2][4]

In his earthly life Ogun is said to be the first king of Ife. When some of his subjects failed to show respect, Ogun killed them and ultimately himself with his own sword. He disappeared into the earth at a place called Ire-Ekiti, with the promise to help those who call on his name. His followers believe him to have wo ile sun, to have disappeared into the earth’s surface instead of dying. Throughout his earthly life, he is thought to have fought for the people of Ire, thus is known also as Onire.[2][3][4]

He is now celebrated in, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun and Ondo States.