Ilè Ase Oba Jagun

Characteristics

DAY: Wednesday.

COLORS: Red (or brown) and white.

SYMBOLS: Oxes (double axes), Edún-Árá, xerê.

ELEMENTS: Fire (large flames, rays), rock formations.

DOMAINS: State power, justice, legal issues.

GREETING: Kawó Kabiesilê !!!

Nor would it be necessary to speak of the power of Xangô (Sòngó), because the power is its synthesis. Shango born of power dies in the name of power. Absolute king, strong, unbeatable. Shango´s pleasure is power. Shango commands the powerful, commands his kingdom and the neighboring kingdoms. Xango is king among all kings. There is no hierarchy between the orixás, none has more axé than the other, only Oxalá, who represents the patriarch of the religion and is the oldest orixá, enjoys a certain primacy. However, if it were necessary to choose an all-powerful orixá, who but Xango to assume this role?

Xango loves the challenges, which often appear in the greetings that his devotees make in Africa. But the challenge is always to ratify Xango´s power.

The way everyone should refer to Xango already expresses his power. Try to imagine an elephant, but an elephant-of-eyes-as-big-as-pots-of-mouth-wide: this is Xangô, and if the animal´s body follows the proportion of the eyes, Xango really is the Elephant- Savanna, imposing, powerful.

It is perceived that the image of power is always associated with Xangô. Real power, for example, is due to him as the fourth aloof of òyó, which was considered the political capital of the Yoruba, the most important city in Nigeria. Xango dethroned his own half-brother Dadá-Ajaka with a military coup. His brother´s patient and tolerant personality irritated Xangô and certainly the people of òyó, who supported him so that he would become his great king, hitherto remembered.

The throne of òyó already belonged to Xango by right, because its father, Oranian, was founder of the city and its dynasty. He just made his ascension rush. Xango is the king who does not accept contestation, everyone knows of his merits and recognize that his power, before being conquered by oppression, by force, is deserved. Xango was the great òyo alafim because he knew how to inspire credibility with his subjects, made the right decisions, and, above all, demonstrated his capacity for command, persuading everyone not only for his repressive power but for his sense of justice too in a hurry

They do not err, as it turned out, those who say that Xango exerts power in a dictatorial way, which makes use of force and repression to maintain authority. It is known, however, that no dictatorship or despotic regime is maintained for long if there is no popular support. In other words, the despot reflects the image of his people, and he loves his master, either because in moments of tension he responds efficiently, or because he takes the position of a father. In Xangô´s case, his righteousness and honesty outweigh his arbitrary character; his measures, though imposed, are always fair and so he is, above all, a beloved king, for he is repressive by his style, not out of spite.

It is a fact that one can not speak of Xango without speaking of power. It expresses the authority of the great rulers, but also holds the magical power, since it dominates the most dangerous of all elements of nature: fire. The magic power of Xangô resides in the ray, the fire that cuts the sky, that destroys the Earth, but that transforms, that protects, that illuminates the way. Fire is Xangô´s great weapon, with which he punishes those who do not honor his name. Through the thunderbolt he hits the house of the evildoer himself.

Xangô is quite worshiped in the region of Tapá or Nupê, which, according to some historical versions, would be the land of origin of his maternal family.

Everything that relates to Xangô resembles royalty, his robes, his wealth, his way of managing power. The red color, for example, was always linked to the nobility, only the great kings stepped on the red carpet, and Xangô steps on the fire, the original red, his carpet.

Xango has always been a handsome, extremely vain man, so he conquered all the women he wanted, and, after all, what would a ´look of fire´ look like with a burning desire? Who resists Xangô´s "flirt" look?

Xango was an irresistible lover and so it was disputed by three women. Iansã was his first wife and the only one who accompanied him on his strategic exit from life. It is with her that she divides the domain over fire.

Oxum went to Xango´s second wife and the most beloved. Only by Oxum, Shango lost his head, only for her did he cry.

Xango´s third wife was Oba, who loved and was not loved. Oba abdicated his life to live by Xango, was able to mutilate his body for his king´s love.

Xango decides about everyone´s life, but about his life (and his death) only he has the right to decide. He is more powerful than death, which is why he has become his anti-symbol.