Ògún, the Yorùbá god of iron, is venerated throughout the Atlantic world. While many African-based religions coexist in Florida, the shrines discussed here were developed by individuals connected with Oyotunji Village in South Carolina. South Florida's urban shrines differ remarkably from north central Florida's rural shrines. I suggest several factors determine this variation: changing characteristics of Ògún, differing circumstances of the shrines' creators, the environment in which the owners work, and whether the setting is urban or rural. Urban shrines reflect religious competition where many manifestations of òrìṣà worship coexist but are not in agreement. In these shrines, Ògún is vengeful protector. The urban shrines tend to be visually strident, filled with jagged forms of protective weapons. In rural north central Florida, Ògún is clearer of the way, a builder, and reflects the personalities of those who venerate him. These shrines are less harsh and are filled with tools.
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August 2012
Research Article|
August 01 2012
The Many and Changing Faces of Ògún: Altars to the God of Iron in the State of Florida
Robin Poynor
Robin Poynor
Robin Poynor, School of Art and Art History, University of Florida, P. O. Box 115801, Gainesville, Florida 32611-5801. Email: rpoynor@ufl.edu
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Nova Religio (2012) 16 (1): 13–35.
Citation
Robin Poynor; The Many and Changing Faces of Ògún: Altars to the God of Iron in the State of Florida. Nova Religio 1 August 2012; 16 (1): 13–35. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/nr.2012.16.1.13
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