Yoruba cosmology depicts reality as being divided into two separate worlds: heaven and earth. Heaven is the invisible home of the gads and ancestors. Earth is the world of normal experience and home to human beings. Humans are descended from the gods, but some are believed to be witches and sorcerers who cause disastrous harm if they are not controlled. The purpose of the religion is to maintain the balance between the human beings of earth and the gods and ancestors of heaven, while guarding against the evil deeds of sorcerers and witches.

Yoruba people believe that there is one supreme god and many less powerful deities. The supreme god is named Olorun or Olodumare, and the

Some gods, such as Olokun, appear only in certain regions. Olokun, owner of the sea, is described as both a god and a goddess, lives under the sea with his or her soldiers and mermaids. An admired myth tells of Olokun trying to conquer the earth by means of a great flood. The worship of Olokun occurs in the southern coastal regions.

deities are known as orishas. There are hundreds of orishas. Olorun is thought to be the original source of power in the universe. All other life forms ultimately owe their existence to him. He is distant and is not involved in human affairs. He is therefore hardly ever worshipped. Instead the orishas function as mediators between Olorun and the people on earth. The orishas are all sources of sacred power and can help or hurt humans depending on how well the rituals designed to appease them are carried out.

Heavenly ancestors are deceased human beings who have acquired supernatural status. They possess special powers and can help or harm the living There are two types of ancestors. Family ancestors, who gained their supernatural status by living a good life until an old age, are only worshiped by their families. Defied ancestors were very important and famous people during life, and are worshipped by many people. Ancestors are worshipped through special shrines and rituals.

The second step in a persons journey is called “knowing the head". This ritual is performed when the child is within three months of age. It the first step in understanding the head or personality of the person. This ritual is important because it prepares the child and parents for the next step in life’s journey, which establishes the personality and thus what is the person.

Some topics in this essay:
Ogun Yoruba, Olorun Olodumare, Togo Americas, Ile-Ife Africa, , heaven earth, supernatural status, supreme god, personality person, one’s future,