Afro-Cuban Orishas are deities from the Yoruba religion, brought to Cuba through the transatlantic slave trade, who embody natural forces and human traits, and are honored through music, dance, and ritual in Santería.
| Orisha | Domain / attribute | Colors | Main toques (batá) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elegguá | Opener of roads, messenger | Red and black | Latopa, Bobo Araye, Abukenke |
| Oggún | Iron, work, war | Green and black | Ogún |
| Ochosi | Hunter, justice | Blue and yellow | Agueré |
| Obatalá | Purity, wisdom, peace | White | Obatalá |
| Yemayá | Sea, motherhood | Blue and white | Yakotá, Alaró |
| Oshún | Rivers, sweetness, love, wealth | Yellow and gold | Chenche kururú, Iyesá |
| Shangó | Thunder, fire, drum, kingship | Red and white | Alujá, Bayubá, Chachalokafún |
| Oyá | Wind, storms, cemetery | Purple, brown, red | Ayalikú, Tui-tui |
| Babalú Ayé | Health, illness, healing | Brown, purple | Oyokotá |
| Egungún | Ancestors | White and red | Egun, Chekete moti-moti |
📌 Notes
- The toques are a sacred musical language used to call each Orisha.
- A ceremony always begins with Elegguá, who opens the roads.
- Each toque goes together with specific songs (cantos).
- They can vary by house or tradition (Lukumí, Candomblé, Arará, etc.).