The Orishas are divine beings originally worshipped by the Yoruba people of West Africa. Their worship was carried to the New World in the holds of slave ships, and became well established in many countries of the western hemisphere. Combining and recombining with various Native American, Roman Catholic, European Spiritualist, and other African traditions, the Orishas remain worshipped today in the religions of Santeria in Cuba and the United States, Candomble and Umbanda in Brazil, and Shango in Trinidad.
Music is a major element in the worship of the Orishas. Each Orisha has devotional songs, dances and rhythms associated with Him or Her, and singing and drumming is a part of most important ceremonies. Outside of a strictly religious context, the Orishas have also insinuated themselves into the melting pot of popular culture, and songs celebrating their existence have come out of many musical genres, from jazz to salsa to disco.
While recorded music is no substitute for the practice of living religion, it's a wonderful thing to be able to listen to the sacred and inspiring sounds of our tradition. This discography lists recordings of traditionally performed Orisha-religion music as well as "secular" songs celebrating, praising or even mentioning the Orishas, and includes material from African, North American, Afro-Cuban, African-American, and Brazilian performers. Some material from related (esp. Vodou) traditions is also listed. I'm sure the discography is far from complete and additions and corrections are welcomed.
DISCOGRAPHIES
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Modupue Oshun, iya mi. Thank you Oshun, my mother, for the music!
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A Jazz Supreme | |