Ogum is a male Orixá linked with battle and iron, and he is often depicted with a machete and round shield. He represents the vital energy that is needed to constantly transform to meet new challenges and win battles. Ogum is associated with ideas of evolution, whether that be human evolution, personal transformation, or technological development. When something is transforming, it is in a state of Ogum.
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Who is Ogum?
Ogum is a symbol of struggle and achievements and is strongly related to the Catholic Saint George, also a fearless warrior who never abandoned his cause. Ogum is represented as a supreme commander, and whoever needs protection in moments of danger can call on Ogum. His blood boils in battle and he will fight in front of you with all his strength.
Ogum is a feared warrior who has always fought without stopping against everyone who challenged him or sought his fury. He makes his weapons with his own hands. Ogum is a loving son of Iemanjá, and a devoted older brother of Exú and Oxóssi.
Ogum gave all human beings the knowledge of battle and working with metal.
The Story of Ogum
In traditional Yoruba religion, Ogum is another deity that was thought to be a man before he became an Orixa. It says that he was asked to participate in a battle that had no end in sight. Therefore, he asked his son, who was the king of Ire, to make offerings for him one day each year that the battle continued. On this day, the entire population should fast and remain silent. In the end, the battle continued for seven years.
Upon returning, thirsty and hungry, Ogum knocked on the doors of several houses asking for drinks and food, but no one answered him. The silence in the city was absolute. Enraged by the population’s lack of consideration, Ogum could not control himself and decimated the entire village with the blade of his sword. The Orixá only stopped when his son appeared and, with the help of Exú, controlled his father’s fury without understanding what motivated him to commit such an atrocity.
Ogum then explained himself, saying that people should have welcomed him with a party and gifts, but on the contrary, when he asked for a drink because he was dead of thirst, they ignored him.
His son then reminded him of the request he made before leaving the village, for a day of silent tribute, and that was the day. Overcome with shame and remorse, Ogum opened the ground with his sword and buried himself standing up. This led to his transformation.
Ogum’s Passion for Oxum
In another story, Ogum got tired of producing metal weapons and decided to flee the village, hiding in the middle of the forest. All the Orixás did everything they could to call him back, but none of them succeeded. Oxum, upon learning what had happened, decided to try. No one believed that she would succeed.
Arriving in the middle of the forest and seeing the warrior in the distance, Oxum began to dance and sing, spreading her charms throughout the forest. As soon as Ogum saw her, he fell madly in love and began following her. Pretending not to see him, while he followed her, Oxum took him to the village. Ogum had no choice but to return to work as a blacksmith.
Iansã and Obá leave Ogum for Xangô
Iansã and Obá were Ogum’s wives, but both fell in love with Xangô‘s charms and abandoned him. This led Ogum to battle Xango, but he lost to the other warrior because Xango prepared a trap made from okra paste, which caused Ogum to slip and fall in battle, leading to his defeat. For this reason, Ogum hates okra.
Sons of Ogum
The sons of Ogum are athletic and virile, which can make them full of pride and aggression. While they appear strong, extroverted, and efficient, they are highly emotional, susceptible to bouts of anger, and can be impatient and intolerant. They tend to act before they think.
Ogum’s day of the week is Tuesday and he and his sons wear blue and green. His dance imitates battle. He is also honored on April 23rd, which is also Saint George’s Day.
Ogum really enjoys mango, black-eyed peas, shrimp, and light beer. They are the simplest offerings among the Orixás. They can be delivered to the edge of waterfalls, beaches, dirt roads, forests, and even in a garden.
Ogum and Sao Jorge
Ogum is closely linked with Saint George, called Sao Jorge in Brazil. Jorge was from a Christian family and fought in the Roman army when he was young. After his father’s death, he moved with his mother to Palestine.
At the age of 23, he was promoted to captain of the army. Agile and very skilled with the sword, he aroused the envy of many people. When he moved to the court in Rome to hold high positions, he became aware that Emperor Diocletian was organizing an extermination of Christians. Upon seeing the mandate, Jorge said that the idols they cultivated were actually false gods and that Jesus was the only salvation. The emperor didn’t think twice and ordered him to be tortured. He believed that in the face of pain, Jorge would abandon his God. But this did not happen, he insisted on his faith.
Saint George’s most famous legend involves him slaying a dragon. A kingdom in Europe was in danger due to a dragon that always appeared to try to break the city wall and destroy everything around it. To contain his fury, he wanted the sacrifice of a young virgin girl. One day, the King’s daughter was selected to serve as an offering to the monster. While waiting by the lake with no hope of being saved, a young gentleman with a sword in his hand appeared and transformed the dragon into a lamb and handed it to the girl, telling her to return home and tell everyone to never lose faith in miracles, asking everyone to convert.
Exu – Intermediary & Guardian of the Crossroads
Iansa – Warrior Goddess of Wind and Storms
Oxossi – Hunting and the Forest
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