Oya, Oia, Yansa, Yansan

Illustration from "African Tattoo Designs" by Yeye Siju Osunyemi (c)2007

Oya is also known as Iya Yansan, ‘Mother of Nine’, for the nine tributaries of the Niger River to whom she gives birth. The Niger is the Odo Oya, or the Oya River in the traditional culture.

She is the deity of the winds and tempest;the raging hurricane but also the calm center. Oya is a fierce warrior wielding a sword or machete.

Know as the protector of women she is called on to settle disputes in their favor. As the deity of change, associated with graveyards, she assists in the transition from the realm of the living to the realm of the ancestors. Her number is nine, her color is purple and her metal is copper. Oya also has 9 colors associated with her. She likes eggplants, coins and red wine.