Deities & Spirits
noun1 min readỌbàtálá
/oh-bah-tah-lah/
Definition
The Òrìṣà of creation, purity, and light; the sculptor of the human form who represents profound wisdom and peace.
The Creator of Forms
According to oral history, Olódùmarè tasked Ọbàtálá with creating the physical earth and molding human bodies from clay, before Olódùmarè breathed life into them. He is revered as the father of all Òrìṣà and humanity.
Purity and Peace
Ọbàtálá is deeply associated with the color white, representing ethical purity, clarity, and coolness. His devotees are expected to maintain pristine moral character (Ìwà Pẹ̀lẹ́) and a cool, patient mind (orí tútù).
Topics
Related Terms
Olódùmarè
Deities & Spirits
The Supreme Creator in Yorùbá cosmology, the incomprehensible source of all existence and the ultimate authority over the universe.
→Òrìṣà
Deities & Spirits
Divine emissaries and forces of nature that intermediate between Olódùmarè and humanity, governing specific domains of the cosmos and human experience.
→Ìwà Pẹ̀lẹ́
Core Concepts
Gentle or good character; the highest ethical standard in Yorùbá philosophy, emphasizing patience, balance, and moral integrity.
→Yorùbá Version Available
Ọbàtálá
Òrìṣà tí ó ṣe ìṣẹ̀dá fọọṣú, mímọ́ tí ó mọ ọmọ-ènìyàn; àti baba nlá tí o duro fun ọgbọ́n tútù pọ.