Agayú
The Orisha of the Volcano.
Biayá!
In Cuba, this hot and explosive Orisha came to be associated with the volcano. But truly, Agayú is the gentle giant - a humble Orisha who rarely asks for thanks for saving us. The brother of the gregarious Shangó, Agayú lives in the lonely, deserted places. And like Shangó, Okere as he is sometimes called was also once the living Alaafin of the Òyó empire.
Agayú is like the masculine version of Oyá - he shares with her not only a fiery temperament but also a profound connection to the dead, symbolized by the use of nine-colours on his elekes and other accoutrements. Sometimes he is said to be the ferryman who takes spirits to the world of the dead, like the Greek Charon. In his guise as ferryman, Agayú shares a close relationship with Oshún, the sweet Orisha of the river who calms and pacifies the fire inside him.
Despite his volcanic nature, Agayú is said to bring stability to the heads of those who receive him, and is particularly associated with issues around depression.
Painting: Aggayú by Erik Olivera.
Agayú teaches us that destruction can lead to new growth, just as the hot lava from the volcano can create new land. But through his relationship with Oshún, he also shows us that these ferocious aspects of our personalities must be sweetened and pacified, or else we’ll find ourselves living in a desert of our own making.
Maferefún Agayú!