Atete

Atete

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Maram; Mariam

ORIGIN:

Oromo (Galla), Ethiopia

CLASSIFICATION:

Ayana

Atete is an Oromo goddess with dominion over reproduction and women. She controls fertility and can bestow or remove it. Atete is venerated by Christian and Muslim Oromo as well as those who maintain their traditional religion.

For Christians, Atete is profoundly identified with Mary, perhaps inseparably so. She is addressed by the Ethiopian variant of Mary, not her traditional Oromo name. Although rituals stem from Pagan Oromo tradition, Christian devotees perceive that they venerate the Mother of Christ and only the Mother of Christ. In addition to her traditional functions, within a Christian context, she serves as an intercessor with God. Regardless of a devotee’s primary spiritual orientation, Atete is venerated mainly by women and is petitioned for conception, safe childbirth, and healthy children.

Sacred time: Atete has two major annual ceremonies, each lasting for three days: one in July corresponds to the season of volatile, dangerous weather when she is petitioned for protection. The second corresponds to the Ethiopian New Year, usually in September, and offers thanks for surviving the previous year.

Day: Friday

COLOUR:

Black

ELEMENT

Water

SEE ALSO:

Black Madonna; Boldog Aszony

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.