Olosa

Olosa is the presiding spirit of the Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria. Olosa may be Olokun’s sister and/or wife. She may or may not also be Yemaya’s child. She is the guardian of fish and marine creatures. Olosa is invoked for abundance, prosperity, and fertility.

Olosa is the spirit of the lagoon, and she is the lagoon. When Olosa is angry, the water overflows its banks. Her lagoon is treated as a dump site for industrial and domestic waste and is now very polluted.

CLASSIFICATION:

Orisha

MANIFESTATION:

She has long hair and a body shaped like a woman but covered in fish scales.

Spirit allies:

Olokun, Yewá, Yemaya

COLOURS:

Blue, white

Number:

5

Creature:

Crocodiles are her messengers.

Sacred site:

Lagos Lagoon: temples were dedicated to her along its shores.

ALTAR:

Olosa’s domestic altar should reproduce the lagoon aura. Offerings were traditionally brought to the shores of the lagoon where they were collected by crocodiles and brought to Olosa.

OFFERINGS:

Candles; coral; clean up her lagoon; images of fish, crocodiles, and other marine creatures; hand mirrors; elegant hair combs

SEE ALSO:

• Olokun;
• Yemaya;
• Yewá

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.

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