Aganju

Aganju is an Orisha in the Yoruba religion and various Afro-Diasporic traditions, particularly Santería and Candomblé. He is associated with volcanoes, the earth's interior, the desert, and the flow of lava. Aganju is often seen as a powerful and formidable Orisha, representing strength, stability, and the untamed forces of nature.

He is considered the father of Shango (also spelled Changó), the Orisha of thunder, fire, and kingship, though some traditions consider Yemaya to be Shango's mother. Aganju's relationship with Shango is complex and often depicted as one of both power and conflict.

Aganju's colors are typically red, brown, and white. His devotees often offer him sacrifices of roosters, goats, and other animals. His attributes include a double-headed axe, representing his connection to both earth and fire.

In Santería, Aganju is syncretized with Saint Christopher, a Catholic saint known for carrying the Christ Child across a river. This syncretization occurred during the colonial period as a means of concealing the worship of African deities under the guise of Catholicism.

Aganju's presence is invoked for strength, stability, and overcoming obstacles. He is seen as a protector and a source of inner power for his followers. He embodies the raw, untamed energy of the earth and its hidden depths.