I'm working on a series of photoshop illustrations of the Orishas of the Afro-Cuban religion Regla de Ocha which has its origins in Yoruba Culture. The Orishas are something I come back frequently in my work. They are deities or saints that take care of the world and the people living here. They represent aspects of nature and have the traits of humans with our virtues and faults. Each of them has their own dance, music, costume and myths. There are a number of female Orishas, but the three queens are Oshún, Yemayà and Oyà.
Orisha Oshún
Orisha of sensuality, of love and fertility, of honey and sweet waters. Her home is the river. She is seductive and loves to party. Her dance is sensual and coquettish. She is synchronised with Our Lady of Charity the patron saint of Cuba.
Orisha Yemayá
The Universal Mother and Queen of the seas. She is also known as the Mother of the Fishes. Her dance echoes the movement of the seas, with the movements of her body and skirts, in calm waters and furious storms. She carries a fan of peacock feathers.
Orisha Oyá
The warrior queen of hurricanes, of the rainbow and lightning. She is the keeper of the keys to the cemetery. She is fearsome. Her costume includes all the colours of the rainbow and her dance is whirling and fearsome.
