Sopona Bringer of Small Pox Classification: Orisha Culture: West African...
Sopona Bringer of Small Pox
Classification: Orisha
Culture: West African Yoruba, Dahomean Religion, Afro-Brazilian
Associated: Small pox
Sopana is said to be the true name of the Orisha Babalú-Ayé,
He has dominion over all skin ailments, major and minor, as well as infectious
and viral diseases. He controls all illnesses that manifest on the skin, like
measles or chicken pox. Babalu Ayé has emerged as the spirit of AIDS and the
patron who protects those suffering from this illness. He owns all secrets of
death, disease, and cemeteries. who is a patron for those who are suffering. He
is the embodiment of both disease and cures.
When he was angered his true name Sopona is used. Because of
the nature of this Orisha, priesthood was highly controlled and only a priest
could use his real name.
people of this religion believed that if the priests were
angered, they were capable of causing smallpox outbreaks through their intimate
relationship with Shapona.
After the British invasion of the Gold Coast worship and
priesthood of Sopona was banned.
In Dahomean religion Sopono is known as Sakpata, Shakpana or
similarly Sopono. He is the divinity of smallpox and can inflict both insanity
and disease on humans.
Sopona is known in the Afro-Brazilian tradition of Candomblé
as Sakpata or Sakpata-Omolu in the (Jejé nation). He is associated with the
colors red, black, and white, as in Africa. Insects associated with him are
Sakpata-Omolu beetles, black butterflies, flies, and mosquitoes. A skirt and
hood made of straw that covers the entire body is the clothing associated with
Sakpata-Omolu followers and worship.
In the Trinidad Orisha tradition, Sopona is known as
Shakpana, and is similarly a ferocious god associated with healing smallpox.
