Osumare is an alternate or less common spelling of Oxumarê, a significant Orisha (deity) within the Yoruba religion and its diaspora traditions, including Candomblé in Brazil, Santería in Cuba, and Vodou in Haiti. Oxumarê is revered as the divine essence of the rainbow and the serpent, embodying cycles, movement, wealth, and renewal.
Etymology and Symbolism
The name Oxumarê (or Osumare) originates from the Yoruba language. The Orisha's primary symbols, the rainbow and the serpent, carry deep spiritual meaning:
- The Rainbow: Represents the bridge between heaven (Orun) and earth (Aiye), symbolizing connection, the path of transformation, and the beauty and transient nature of life's cycles. It signifies the continuous flow and change within the universe.
- The Serpent: Often depicted as a snake biting its own tail (Ouroboros), the serpent symbolizes eternity, continuous regeneration, the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It is also associated with wealth, prosperity, and the shedding of old skins for new beginnings. In some traditions, Oxumarê is represented by a double-headed serpent, signifying duality, balance, and the male and female principles.
Attributes and Domains
Oxumarê is associated with several key domains:
- Cycles and Transformation: As the embodiment of the rainbow and the serpent, Oxumarê governs all cyclical processes, including the water cycle, the changing seasons, and the personal cycles of growth, change, and renewal. This Orisha represents the constant movement and flux of existence.
- Wealth and Abundance: Oxumarê is a purveyor of prosperity, material wealth, and the continuous flow of resources. The shedding of the serpent's skin is often seen as a metaphor for acquiring new blessings and opportunities.
- Movement: This Orisha is also associated with all forms of movement, both physical and spiritual, ensuring progress and the unfolding of destiny.
- Health and Vitality: Through the power of renewal, Oxumarê can be invoked for healing and the restoration of vitality.
Worship and Syncretism
In the African diaspora, Oxumarê's worship has often been syncretized with Catholic saints:
- In Candomblé (Brazil) and Santería (Cuba), Oxumarê is frequently associated with Saint Bartholomew, due to stories in the saint's hagiography that involve serpents or dragons.
Devotees honor Oxumarê with offerings that reflect the Orisha's domains, such as various fruits, specific types of corn, and colorful cloths, particularly those with green, yellow, or multi-colored patterns reminiscent of the rainbow. Rituals often focus on prayers for prosperity, renewal, personal transformation, and the successful completion of life's endeavors. Oxumarê is often characterized as a calm, patient, and introverted Orisha, associated with the long-term processes of creation and evolution.