45 PATHS of OBATALA

by Hector Izaguirre

From the usenet newsgroup alt.religion.orisha, December, 2000: The book "Obatala: El
Padre Creador del Hombre" by Hector Izaguirre, (1998, Editorial Panapo de Venezuela,
C.A.) lists 45 "caminos de Obatala." With the help of Babelfish, I've given them here in
English, although some terms were not translatable by the software. -- Kevin Filan
(rakshasanyc@my-deja.com)

FIRST PATH: OBATALA ORISHA AYE Here we find the purest and most mystical
aspect of Obatala. S/he is feminine and born of the sea. S/he is represented by means of a
large shell, named Okinkonko. In Santeria this path is tied to the Orisha Ochun. The
necklace for its adoration is fashioned with twenty-five stones (?) the color of egg yolk
and (to make the connection?) you sacrifice white doves.

SECOND PATH: OBATALA ORISHANLA Is imagined as a trembling old woman who

wants to be covered with a white sheet. She protects you from traps and has large hands
She eats cocoa butter. Her necklace is made with egg-yolk yellow and ivory. In Santeria
she is syncretized with St. Anne.

THIRD PATH: OBATALA IGBA IBO Represents divine thought and is symbolized by
the eye of Divine Providence. It cannot be seen, and those who manage to see it are left
blind. It is symbolized by an old person with wrinkles and white hair.

FOURTH PATH: OBATALA OBA LUFON Represents the sun and is identified with
Jesus of Nazareth. It was he who gave man speech and taught him proper ways of sexual
practice(?). When you want to request something from him, you must place sixteen parrot
feathers on your head. It was he who taught man to weave with needles. He is the
inventor of carpentry and is the protector of mothers.

FIFTH PATH: OBATALA OCHA GRINAN He is the messenger of Olofi. He raises the
mountains from the low places. (Sube y baja la montana)? Represented by the Crucified
Christ. He is also considered a soldier (guerrero) and he taught to Orula the secrets of (de
pelar el name).
 SIXTH PATH: OBATALA ACHO His presence stimulates the dance and directs the
rhythms. He is a soldier and wears a red waistband.

SEVENTH PATH: OBATALA OBA MORO Represented by an old person and

represents the pain and sacrifice necessary to reach one's goals. Is represented by a crown
of thorns.

EIGHTH PATH: OBATALA EFUN YOBI In the past he was worshipped in ways
which are forgotten today. He is represented by San Jose de la Montana.

NINTH PATH: OBATALA YEKU YEKU The protector of health, syncretized with the
Holy Trinity. Represents patience and humility. Its necklace is made of white beads with
balls of mother of pearl and ivory.

TENTH PATH: OBATALA AYAGGUNA Is male and represented by an intrepid,

aggressive warrior. Uses a cane and is most fine and elegant. His necklace is made with
eight red beads and sixteen white. Is syncretized with Jesus Christ in his 33rd year. He is
clothed in white and carries a sword.

ELEVENTH PATH: OBATALA ALAGUEMA Owns the ceiba and is tied to visions,
and for that reason is tied to Santa Lucia and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Is related to
friendship and protection. Is also a messenger of Olofi; takes a silver chain with nine
doves and dresses in red and white.

TWELFTH PATH: OBATALA TALABI Is female and identified with indifference.

Protects children and is syncretized with Saint Rita de Casia.

THIRTEENTH PATH: OBATALA ONDO Is female and a virgin. Lives in the rocky
places bordering the sea. Protects boats arriving at port.
FOURTEENTH PATH: OBATALA AYALUA Functions as the exterminator. Lives in
the center of the sea and has secrets which no man knows.

FIFTEENTH PATH: OBATALA OKEILU Lives in high places and grants houses to the
(desposeidos).

SIXTEENTH PATH: OBATALA OLUFON Protector of speech and oratory. Is old and
calm (apacible) and must have much light. Is symbolized by a crown of white stones with
sixteen parrot feathers.

SEVENTEENTH PATH: OBATALA AGUINYAN Is very little known, directs the

contacts of the Orishas with the world

EIGHTEENTH PATH: OBATALA OBALABI Is female and is the one in charge of

announcements. S/he is attracted by striking a silver-plated triangle.

NINETEENTH PATH: OBATALA ELEFURO S/he is the protector of the oil. Is

illuminated with oil lamps and lives behind a curtain.

TWENTIETH PATH: OBATALA ORISHA YEYE Protector of femininity and

represented by a beautiful woman. She wears a crown with sixteen shells and carries a
bow and arrow. She lives in the deserts and is owner of monkeys.

TWENTY-FIRST PATH: OBATALA OBON Is in charge of the souls of the departed.

Has the original secrets of Egypt. Is given a small metal chest, where it hides a secret
golden scarab. It is near the heads of those who are dying.
TWENTY-SECOND PATH: OBATALA OBANLA Is female and lights the pathways.
She is given a crown, a silver cane and a sun with sixteen rays.

TWENTY-THIRD PATH: OBATALA AYCALAMBO Represents a drunkard. Lives in

a tinaja (?) covered with shells

TWENTY-FOURTH PATH: OBATALA ORISCHA IWIN Protects the door of

Obatala's palace, protects potters.

TWENTY-FIFTH PATH: OBATALA YEMMU The Mother. Their (?) necklaces are
made of coral and fourteen clear and blue crystals, with a key and an anchor. Is identified
with the Immaculate Conception.

TWENTY-SIXTH PATH: OBATALA AGGUIDAI The messenger who takes petitions

to Obatala. Necklace is white with sections of colors.

TWENTY-SEVENTH PATH: OBATALA EYUARO An unalterable and immovable

Saint. Stimulates consent or (mimosidad)

TWENTY-EIGHTH PATH: OBATALA AYENOLU Stimulates calm. Takes a necklace

of sixteen jet beads and is pledged to him with eight candles (? -- Lleva collar de dieciseis
azabaches y se le prenden ocho velas). Wears handkerchiefs of many colors.

TWENTY-NINTH PATH: OBATALA ABANY Protector of the blind. Lives in the

water and takes a (botecito) of tin.

THIRTIETH PATH: OBATALA EURURU The advisor of young people. Symbolized

by a silver cane upon which is placed a cross, a horse, a pen, a book, all adorned with
palm leaves.
THIRTY-FIRST PATH: OBATALA OSHEREILBO Is male and female, and is adorned
with many shells and parrot feathers.

THIRTY-SECOND PATH: OBATALA OYE LADE Is a hunter, carries (un tarro de

venado), ivory, and a carved figure of a woman in wood. THIRTY-THIRD PATH:
OBATALA OYU ALUEKO Is a diviner.

THIRTY-FOURTH PATH: OBATALA EDEGU Is king of the earth. Represented by a

mounted lead doll (a tin soldier on a horse?) carrying sixteen seashells.

THIRTY-FIFTH PATH: OBATALA BIBI NIKE Is represented by an enormously large

cyclops and represents the fight for difficult things. Manifests with a sword, a lance and a
shield.

THIRTY-SIXTH PATH: OBATALA EKANIKE Guardian of the town, an expert

warrior and ancient (tembloroso). Wears red and white. You put a horn full of gunpowder
outside its sopera.

THIRTY-SEVENTH PATH: OBATALA OLOYU OKUNI Ruler over human eyes.

Carries arrows; its crown is decorated with four parrot feathers.

THIRTY-EIGHTH PATH: OBATALA OCHA ORULU The king of metals, his sopera is
wrapped with a silver chain THIRTY-NINTH PATH: OBATALA ALABALACHE
Represents the oracles of Obatala and knows the past, present and future. Guide to the
seashells.

FORTIETH PATH: OBATALA ANA SUARE Magnificent in suffering (? Es sufrido y

soberbio). Represented by two machetes, two lances, two whips, one crown, and one
crucifix.
 FORTY-FIRST PATH: OBATALA OCHALUFON The deity who taught man how to
speak, takes a silver tongue, a cane and rules over bees.

FORTY-SECOND PATH: OBATALA OGAN Guards Obatala's back and is always near
the sopresa. His necklace has sixteen (corojos?) and is washed with green coconuts.

FORTY-THIRD PATH: OBATALA AIRANIKE Warrior and companion of (arcoiris?).

It goes mounted on a horse and its tools are made of silver.

FORTY-FOURTH PATH: OBATALA EKUNDIRE He rides a tiger and in his hand he

has a sword

FORTY-FIFTH PATH: OBATALA OBRALA He is young and always lives near a

(mata de peregun). Rides a wooden snail which lives in a small house.