About NANÃ BURUKU

The Grandmother of Deities in African and Afro-Diasporic Religions. Nanã Buruku, revered in traditions such as Vodou and Candomblé, is often depicted as the Grandmother of all deities and is intricately associated with the creation of the universe, the earth, and the moon.

Nanã Buruku's influence in a person's life is profound and multifaceted. She is a symbol of maternal wisdom, nurturing care, and the natural cycles of life and death. Her presence instills a deep respect for the natural world, the cycles of life, and the wisdom of age. As a healer, she offers spiritual and physical solace, while as a protector of nature, she reminds us of our responsibility to the earth. Nanã Buruku's guidance is sought for understanding life's complexities and embracing the cycle of existence with reverence and respect.

BOOKS ABOUT ORISHÁS - ENGLISH

About the ORISHÁ

Roles and
Influence

Primordial Deity: Nanã Buruku is considered a primordial deity, involved in the creation of the universe, predating other deities.
Earth Goddess: She symbolizes the fertility and life-giving aspects of the planet, embodying the nurturing force of the earth.
Creator of the Moon: Nanã Buruku is attributed with creating the moon, symbolizing feminine energy and associated with her being.
Ancestor of Deities: As the grandmother of all orishas, she is a common ancestress from whom other deities descended.
Goddess of Maternal Love and Wisdom: Portrayed as nurturing and wise, she embodies maternal love, care, and the wisdom of old age.
Protector of Nature: Her role as an earth goddess extends to being a protector of nature and the earth.
Healer: Utilizing her deep wisdom and connection to the earth, she is considered a healer of both physical and spiritual ailments.
Symbol of the Life Cycle: Nanã Buruku embodies the cycle of life, death, birth, and rebirth, reflecting the natural processes of the earth and moon cycles.
Figure of Respect and Reverence: As a primordial deity, she is held in great respect and reverence across different traditions.

Characteristics and Symbolism

Symbols: Nanã Buruku is represented by a bundle of palm leaf veins wrapped with cowrie shells, symbolizing returning life.
Colors: Bluish white, purple, and black are colors associated with her.
Natural Places: She is connected to lakes, deep waters, mud, cemeteries, and swamps.
Flowers and Essences: Violet flowers, lilies, orchids, lemons, narcissus, and dahlias are associated with her.
Stones: Amethyst, cacoxenite, and tanzanite are linked to Nanã Buruku.
Metal: Brass and nickel are her metals.
Health: She is related to headaches and digestive problems.
Planet, Weekday, Element: Associated with the Moon and Mercury, her day is Saturday, and her element is stagnant and muddy waters symbolizing fertility.
Chakras: Third Eye and Throat Chakra.
Offerings and Animals: Offerings include popcorn, beans, rice, honey, yam root, efo, and animals like goats, frogs, guinea fowl, ducks, and owls.
Number and Commemoration Day: Her number is 13, and her day of commemoration is June 26th.

Key Manifestations (Aspects)

Nanã Buruku manifests in various forms, including

Nanã Abegeni - Ancient Orishá, born from the Igbadu, the pumpkin of existence. She is the primordial mother of the entire planet. Associated Orishás: Oshumarê, Odé, Yemanjá.
Nanã Adjaoci - Young Nanã, a warrior often confused with Obá. She is connected to flowing freshwater. Associated Orishás: Obá.
Nanã Ajapá - It is Nanã who lives at the bottom of swamps and mangroves. She resides in the embrace of mud and is connected to the darkness of primordial death. It is a highly feared and ancestral quality. She is associated with the mysteries of transformation and rebirth. She is connected to death. Associated Orishás: Iku.
Nanã Buruku - One of Nanã's most prominent qualities. She is the mistress of mangroves, mother of the ancestors, and matriarch of the Orixás. She dresses in purple and white and carries Ibiri with blue details.
Nanã Obaiá - Nanã quality associated with water and mud, also connected to swamps. Wears purple and adorns herself with crystal beads of the same color.
Nanã Omilaré - Older quality of Nanã. As the mistress of the deepest womb of the Earth, she is extremely forgiving. As the mother of unconquerable magma, she is considered the mythical mother of Omolu Intoto. Associated Orishás: Omolu Intoto, Eshu, Oshalufã.
Nanã Oporá - Another mother of fire, Nanã Oporá is connected to the hot earth. Associated Orishás: Omolu.
Nanã Savé - She dresses in dark blue and white. Wears a crown made of cowrie shells.
Nanã Shalá - Ancient Nanã associated with Funfun (white). Associated Orishás: Oshalá.
Nanã Ybain - Orixá closely associated with Omolu.