Shango, the God of Thunder
Shango was the fourth king of Ancient Oyo, before becoming the god of thunder and lightning. His reign on earth came to an end when he was banished from Oyo by the superior power of the hero Gbonka. Shango, shamed, hanged himself in the forest, but instead of dying, he reclaimed his place in the firmament. From there he watches over humanity and continues to send storms upon it.
Shango has three wives:
-
Oya, the goddess of the Niger River. She entered it when Shango’s life came to its end.
-
Oshun
-
Oba
Shango is depicted with the head and horns of a ram. It is said that the sound of thunder is made by the ram when it bellows.
He is thought to punish the guilty by striking them with his lightning bolt, which is why he is considered the god of justice and righteousness.