45 PATHS of OBATALA

by Hector Izaguirre
The book "Obatala: El Padre Creador del Hombre"
by Hector Izaguirre, lists 45 roads of Obatala:
FIRST PATH: OBATALA ORISHA AYE
A pure, mystic female Obatala born of the sea. Oninkonko (large shell)
is her symbol. Walks with Ochun. Her beads are 25 egg-yolk colored stones.
ORISHA AYE (Spirit of the Earth). Pure air. This road of Obatala
accepts pure white doves.
SECOND PATH: OBATALA ORISHANLA
A trembling old woman with large hands who wants to be covered with
a white sheet. Protects against entrapment. She eats cocoa butter.
Her beads are egg-yolk yellow and ivory. Her Catholic image is St. Anne,
the mother of the pure Virgin Mary.
THIRD PATH: OBATALA IGBA IBO
Higher Divine Thought. Its symbol is the eye of Divine Providence.
This Obatala is not allowed to be seen and those who violate this taboo
are left blind. An old Obatala with wrinkles and white hair.
FOURTH PATH: OBATALA OBA LUFON
The Sun. Its Catholic guise is an image of Jesus of Nazareth.
This Obatala gave man speech and taught him proper ways of having sex.
When you request something from him, you must place sixteen parrot feathers
on your head. He taught humans to weave with needles.
invented the Art of Carpentry and is the Protector of Mothers.
FIFTH PATH: OBATALA OCHA GRINAN
Olofi's messenger who raises the mountains from low places.
The inexorable process of natural wind erosion represented by the Crucified Christ.
A warrior Obatala who taught Orunla how to peel Yam.
SIXTH PATH: OBATALA ACHO
His presence stimulates the dance and directs the wind of Rhythm.
A warrior that wears a red sash around his waist.
SEVENTH PATH: OBATALA OBA MORO
An old Obatala who represents the pain and sacrifice necessary
to reach one's goals. He is identified with the "Crown of Thorns" image.
EIGHTH PATH: OBATALA EFUN YOBI
In the African past he was worshipped. His ways are largely forgotten today.

He is represented by St. Joseph of the Mountain.

NINTH PATH: OBATALA YEKU YEKU
Protector of health. Keeper of patience and humility.
Obatala is the Holy Trinity in this aspect. His beads are white
with mother of pearl and ivory.
TENTH PATH: OBATALA AYAGGUNA
Fearless and aggressive, this Obatala is a warrior and a sharp dresser
in white clothes with a cane sometimes a sword. Represents elegance
and fine things. His beads are eight red and sixteen white.
His Catholic image is of Jesus Christ in his 33rd year.
ELEVENTH PATH: OBATALA ALAGUEMA
Owns the Ceiba. Rule visions closely related to Saint Lucy
(who holds her own eyes on gold plate near her bosom)
and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A friendly, protective Obatala.
Messenger of Olofi. Here Obatala takes a silver chain
with nine doves. His colors are red and white.
TWELFTH PATH: OBATALA TALABI
Is female and identified with indifference. Protects children and is
identified with Saint Rita of Casia.
THIRTEENTH PATH: OBATALA ONDO
A female, virgin who lives in the rocky places bordering the sea.
Protects boats which arrive in the port.
FOURTEENTH PATH: OBATALA AYALUA
This Obatala functions as the Exterminator. Air over remote sea
where there are unknown secrets.
FIFTEENTH PATH: OBATALA OKEILU
Lives in high places and grants houses to the dispossessed.
SIXTEENTH PATH: OBATALA OLUFON
Protector of speech and oratory. Old and calm, this Obatala likes Light
and should have an ample amount. His symbol... a crown of white stones
decked with 16 parrot feathers.
SEVENTEENTH PATH: OBATALA AGUINYAN
Rare road in the West. Governs the relationship between
the Orishas & the World.
EIGHTEENTH PATH: OBATALA OBALABI
A female in charge of announcements. She is attracted

by striking a silver-plated triangle.

NINETEENTH PATH: OBATALA ELEFURO
Protector of Oil. This Obatala is illuminated with oil lamps
& lives behind a white curtain.
TWENTIETH PATH: OBATALA ORISHA YEYE
Protector of Femininity. Represented by a beautiful woman wearing
a crown with sixteen shells. She also carries a bow and arrow.
This Obatala is Desert Air. She is owner of monkeys.
TWENTY-FIRST PATH: OBATALA OBON
In charge of the departed souls. Owner of Khemetic Mysteries.
This Obatala is given a small metal chest where it hides a golden
scarab. It is near the heads of those who are dying.
TWENTY-SECOND PATH: OBATALA OBANLA
A female Obatala who lights pathways. She wears a crown & a silver cane.
Her symbol... a Sun with sixteen rays emanating from it.
TWENTY-THIRD PATH: OBATALA AYCALAMBO
A drunk Obatala who lives covered with shells.
TWENTY-FOURTH PATH: OBATALA ORISCHA IWIN
Protects the door of Obatala's palace. Patron of Potters.
TWENTY-FIFTH PATH: OBATALA YEMMU
Our Primordial Mother. Beads are coral with fourteen transparent and blue
crystals with a key and an anchor. The Immaculate Conception.
TWENTY-SIXTH PATH: OBATALA AGGUIDAI
The messenger who takes petitions to Obatala.
Beads are white with sections of colors.
TWENTY-SEVENTH PATH: OBATALA EYUARO
Unchangeable and unmoving, this Obatala stimulates consent or fusiness.
TWENTY-EIGHTH PATH: OBATALA AYENOLU
Encites calm. Wears Ilekes (beads) of sixteen jet beads.
Eight candles are lit in honor. Wears handkerchiefs of many colors.
TWENTY-NINTH PATH: OBATALA ABANY
Protects the blind. Lives in the water. Its symbol is a tin model of a boat.
THIRTIETH PATH: OBATALA EURURU

Youth Counselor. Laid across a silver cane is a horse's image,

a pen & a book. This Obatala is adorned with palm leaves.
THIRTY-FIRST PATH: OBATALA OSHEREILBO
Both male and female. Covered in shells and parrot feathers.
THIRTY-SECOND PATH: OBATALA OYE LADE
Ode mata (Hunter). This warrior Obatala carries
"un tarro de venado", ivory & a small woodcarving of a female.
THIRTY-THIRD PATH: OBATALA OYU ALUEKO
The Diviner Obatala.
THIRTY-FOURTH PATH: OBATALA EDEGU
King of the earth. Symbolized by sixteen seashells.
THIRTY-FIFTH PATH: OBATALA BIBI NIKE
A huge cyclops represents this Obatala who fights for difficult things.
Wields a sword, a lance & a shield.
THIRTY-SIXTH PATH: OBATALA EKANIKE
Guardian of the Town. Expert warrior wears red and white.
A horn of gunpowder goes near his pot.
THIRTY-SEVENTH PATH: OBATALA OLOYU OKUNI
Rules the eyes. Uses arrows. Its crown is decked with 4 parrot feathers.
THIRTY-EIGHTH PATH: OBATALA OCHA ORULU
Orisha of Metal. His pot is wrapped with a silver chain
THIRTY-NINTH PATH: OBATALA ALABALACHE
Represents the Oracle. This Obatala knows Past, Present and Future.
Guide to the Divining Seashells.
FORTIETH PATH: OBATALA ANA SUARE
Its symbols are: 2 machetes, 2 lances, 2 whips a crown and a crucifix.
FORTY-FIRST PATH: OBATALA OCHALUFON
Taught man how to speak, Bees are his messengers. His symbols...
a silver tongue & a cane.
FORTY-SECOND PATH: OBATALA OGAN
The Guardian. Remains near the other pots. His beads have

16 palm nuts that are washed with immature coconuts.

FORTY-THIRD PATH: OBATALA AIRANIKE
Warrior Obatala. His symbol is the Rainbow. He is mounted on a horse
with tools of silver.
FORTY-FOURTH PATH: OBATALA EKUNDIRE
Rides a tiger with a sword in his hand
FORTY-FIFTH PATH: OBATALA OBRALA
A young Obatala who resides near a peregun plant.
He rides a wooden snail which lives in a small house.