Sango- The God of Thunder

Sango- The God of thunder

SANGO in Yoruba mythology is a deity (Orisha). Yorubas are the people of South-west Nigeria who can also be found in some countries like Brazil, the Republic of Benin, Cuba, Cotonou, Trinidad, and some other countries.

A version of the story says that Sango was born by two men; Aganju the god of fire and Obatala, the king of white cloth. It is narrated that Obatala was traveling one day when he needed to cross a river.

Aganju the ferryman didn’t allow his passage. Obatala retreated and transformed into a woman, giving his body to Aganju to be allowed to pass. Sango is the result of the union between Obatala and Aganju the god of fire.

Sango was said to have traced his lineage to Aganju and had to throw himself into a burning inferno to prove his lineage.

Another version puts it that his father was Oranmiyan, the founder of the Oyo empire, and Princess Torosi from Nupe was his mother. Torosi’s father, Elempe, gave her to Oranmiyan as a result of the treaty between them.

It is said that the name Sango was given to him by his maternal grand-father, or adopted from the local name for the god of thunder

His background is reflected in his nature and character as a mysteriously powerful and violent deity.

He was from a royal family as he was the third Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom after Ajaka, son of Oranmiyan. Ajaka was very weak during his reign as Oyo was always attacked by Olowu who was Ajaka’s cousin.

In order to stop this, the Oyomesi (The powerful Chiefs in Oyo), sent for Sango to rescue the Oyo Empire from the grips of Olowu. As expected, Sango rescued Oyo from Olowu and Alaafin Ajaka was asked to leave the town while Sango was crowned as the next Alaafin.

Sango was a powerful king during his reign, he won many wars and brought prosperity to the Oyo Empire.

He reigned for seven years; his reign came to an end when his palace was inadvertently destroyed by fire that resulted from the thunderstorms he created.

He had two powerful generals in the kingdom; Gbonka and Timi Agbale Olofa-ina who was famous for his bow and arrow that spit fire.

Sango saw the two generals as threats to his authority. He planned how to get rid of them. Oya, who was Sango’s favorite wife of the three (Oya, Osun, Oba) advised him to send them to the border towns to govern.

Timi then left for Ede, but Gbonka refused to leave Oyo. Sango still saw it as a problem not solved, he then sent Gbonka to capture Ede where Timi relocated to.

Sango did not believe in the fight between Timi and Gbonka in Ede because there was no result. He then requested for another fight between the two, and Gbonka defeated Timi.

With Gbonka still alive, Sango was not satisfied. He then ordered that Gbonka should be burnt to ashes. Gbonka then knew that Sango wanted the two of them dead.

Gbonka appeared after three days and gave Sango an ultimatum to leave the town.

The ultimatum enraged Sango and he requested for one of his instruments of attack (Edun-Ara) that was kept with Oya. Unfortunately, it has been stained with Oya’s menstrual blood.

In annoyance, he rushed to the top of the rock in front of the palace for another instrument of attack (thunder). The thunder he created that day was so powerful that it burnt down the palace to ashes.

Sango felt highly disappointed, he then left the town with his chiefs and members of his royal cult called Baba-Mogba who were persuading him not to leave.

Some of his chiefs listened to Baba-Mogba’s persuasion and went back as they were approaching a tree called “Ayan,” in a place called Koso. The chiefs went back to spread the rumor that the king had hanged himself.

It was some of the Baba-Mogbas who did not go back that told the people that Sango was attacked by Gbonka and that he didn’t hang. In order to avoid fighting with Gbonka vanished into the thin air and appeared in the sky with wrath and flaming fire to destroy Gbonka.

That’s where the name, “Obakoso” originated. Those spreading the rumor that he hanged also shared from the attack. The attack continued until he was appeased.

Sango is worshiped in Yoruba land on the fifth day of the week, (Ojo Jakuta in Yoruba). He is worshiped with the following foods that are believed to be his favorite; bitter-kola, Amala, and Gbegiri (Bean-soup).

His favorite color was red and that is why he liked wearing red attire during his lifetime.

Sango always has his hair weaved and dances to a cylindrical Yoruba drum called “Bata.” The worshippers also adorn red clothes during the worship.

He also has a small axe (wand) as part of his instrument of attack. He is referred to as the god of thunder and lightning. When Sango speaks, smoke and fire come out of his mouth, especially when he is angry.