Ọbàtálá

How to recognise Ọbàtálá

1. Elder with white hairHe is shown as an elderly man with a full head of white hair, calm and unhurried, which speaks of patience and age-old wisdom.
2. White cloth (aṣọ funfun)Long white robes cover him from head to foot, standing for light, clarity and moral integrity.
3. Opaxorô staffAs Oxalufã in Brazil he leans on a silver or white-metal staff, the opaxorô, often topped with a dove, and walks with slow, stooped steps.
4. Horsetail fly-whiskIn Lucumí tradition his tool is a white horsetail fly-whisk, though some roads carry a sword or cane.
5. White doveA white dove, one of his symbols, may perch on the staff or beside him as a sign of peace.
6. Silver and white emblemsLook for silver, cotton, white flowers and the snail (igbin), and in some lineages the elephant; the palette is white, silver, ivory and pale grey.
7. Ceiba, high places and the number 8The ceiba tree, hills and high places belong to him, and his number is 8.

Names and titles

• King of the White ClothThe literal meaning of Ọbàtálá (oba, king; àlà, white cloth)
• Owner of All HeadsHe owns every ori (head), where the soul is said to reside
• Shaper from the ClayOlódùmarè sent him to mould the first human bodies from clay
• Oxalufã, Elder of the Silver StaffThe elder form of Oxalá in Brazil, who walks slowly leaning on the opaxorô

Feast days

• Día de Obatalá24 September, every year

  The Lucumí (Santería) day of Obatalá, the orisha of purity, peace and the white cloth, whom devotees honour as father of humankind. It falls on the Catholic feast of Our Lady of Mercy, the saint he is paired with in Cuba.

  How it's celebrated. White is Obatalá's colour, so offerings are usually white: flowers, cotton, cascarilla, cocoa butter, coconut, yams or unsalted rice. Some houses hold a ceremonial meal, and many people pray or light a candle for peace and calm. Practice varies between houses and lineages. Catholics in Cuba keep the Virgin's day on the same date. This is a separate celebration from the Lavagem do Bonfim in Brazil.

  Sources: CiberCuba: Day of devotion to Obbatalá and the Virgin of Mercy · Patheos (Voodoo Universe): Feast of Orisha Obatala · Wikipedia: Virgin of Mercy

• Lavagem do Bonfim14 January 2027

  The Washing of Bonfim in Salvador, Bahia, is a shared Catholic and Candomblé celebration. Catholics honour Our Lord of Bonfim, and Candomblé devotees honour Oxalá, with whom the Lord of Bonfim is paired. It is a different celebration from the Lucumí Día de Obatalá.

  How it's celebrated. A procession of about eight kilometres, led by baianas in white, walks from the church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia to the Bonfim church. At the church the baianas pour scented water on the steps and churchyard, to drums and Afro-Brazilian chants. The church doors stay closed during the washing. Catholics, Candomblé devotees and visitors take part, many dressed in white for Oxalá.

  Sources: Wikipedia: Lavagem do Bonfim · Ministério do Turismo: Lavagem do Bonfim une turismo, cultura e fé em Salvador · Bahia Terra: Lavagem do Bonfim