CASA PAI ROGERIOCarapicuíba/SPOssaim: meaning, history and traditions in Umbanda and Candomblé
Orixá of medicinal and liturgical plants, guardian of the knowledge of leaves.
Who Ossaim is
Belief / interpretationOssaim holds the knowledge of leaves. In many traditions, no rite is performed without specific plants, which is why Ossaim holds a prominent place. He knows herbs and ritual words like no other Orixá, and is associated with keeping secrets.
Traditional narrativeNarratives represent him with one leg and able to move in a whirlwind. These characteristics led scholars to compare him, in popular imagination, with the saci. It is a cultural approximation, not a religious identification.
Documented historyBrazilian popular music made him famous: "Canto de Ossanha", by Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes, is one of the best-known references, and is recalled in studies of the Orixás' presence in culture.
Leaves, health and care
Teaching of a house or traditionIn terreiros, the use of leaves follows the house's knowledge, transmitted by those with training. The site presents cultural information about plants in the Herbs and nature section and does not recommend ingestion or promise cures.
Traditional narrativeOssaim distributes the leaves
So the other Orixás would stop envying him, Ossaim shared leaves among them, but kept the deepest secrets for himself. The one who speaks for him is Aroni, his helper. Since then, the Orixás honor him whenever they use his leaves.
Narrative retold in summary, in the site's own words. Variations exist among houses and traditions; the bibliographic attribution, when available, appears at the end of the page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Ossaim's herbs as medicine?
No. The site does not recommend ingesting plants or promise cures. Seek healthcare.
Bibliographic references
- PRANDI, Reginaldo. Mitologia dos orixás. São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2001.