Ija
Yoruba[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Possibly from ìjà (“fight, conflict”), but the tone shift from low to mid is unclear, and may suggest origin from a root ja. Also possibly related to ìja (“whirlwind”). Among the Ekiti people, the deity is known as Ụ̀ja or Ị̀ja, and is largely recognized as a brother and close hunting associated of Ogun, while other traditions regard the deity as a female counterpart and the wife of Ògún, representing the male-female dualities of energies in the form of deities. For other examples, see Ṣàngó, Òrìṣàoko and Ọya; Ọbàtálá with Yemòwó, Ọ̀rúnmìlà and Ọ̀ṣun, ọ̀pẹ̀lẹ̀/ikin divination with ẹ̀rìndínlógún.
The association of a female deity associated hunting is quite peculiar as hunting and war were primarily seen as strictly male professions, but also the duality of male and feminine aspects of hunting can also been seen in deities like Lógunẹ̀dẹ.
Pronunciation[edit]
Proper noun[edit]
Ìja
- a primordial divinity (irúnmọlẹ̀) and orisha of war, hunting, and fighting. He is closely associated with Ògún and is regarded as his brother along with Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì.
- the wife of Ògún, the feminine aspect of hunting