First of all, I would like to express my condolences to all the families of the passengers and crew who lost their lives in the tragedy involving Flight 2283. I was shocked when I heard about it and can only express my condolences for this irreparable loss.
I hope that the investigations identify the reasons for the plane crash, so that it never happens again and that due legal accountability is held. May this episode lead to a closer look at the importance of rigorous and independent public regulation of the aviation sector, as well as the importance of continuous monitoring of all aircraft operating in the country, passenger transport services and related economic activities.
An aircraft does not crash for a single reason. May the accident lead to an evaluation of airports and working conditions, from the airport gate to the aircraft door, especially for pilots. I reiterate my solidarity with the families and prayers for the victims to rest in peace.
Continuing our series on orishas in this newspaper, today we will talk a little about Ogum, the general orisha. The orisha who owns iron, wars and technologies, he was a pioneer and blazed trails in the world, creating trails and opening roads. He is known for his incomparable strength and courage, and for bathing himself in red in battles.
Ogun, after his many victories, decided to return to the city where he was king. He had been away for years, fighting to protect his people and expand his domains. However, as he approached, something unexpected happened.
As he arrived at the city gates, he expected to be welcomed with parties, songs and celebrations. However, he found a deathly silence. No one came out to welcome him; the people were gathered quietly. Ogum, feeling disrespected, became furious. For him, the silence of his people was not only a lack of recognition, but also a betrayal.
Without hesitation, Ogum drew his sword and, in his anger, began to kill everyone he found along the way. With his iron sword, he took the lives of many people until, finally, only one person was left to tell what had happened.
She revealed to Ogum that the people’s silence was not due to disrespect or betrayal, but because they were fasting and praying for his safe return, in deep respect and reverence. Upon hearing this, Ogum, completely overcome by feelings of guilt and regret, became divine.
I think this itã is very important for us to understand the human nature of the orishas. Ogum is a relentless protector of his people and is fair. On the other hand, he is impulsive and severe. It is the complex nature of the orishas that motivates much reflection.
Worshipped in different regions since time immemorial, the orishas have many itãs about them, some of which are even conflicting with each other. There is no single code that describes the lives of the orishas. However, it is still possible to understand aspects of each of them through critical reflection on what each itã is saying.
By the way, I mentioned Ogum in this same series when I wrote the text about Iansã. In it, I tell how the warrior stole the buffalo skin from the orisha and the reflection that unfolded from then on.
But what I didn’t mention in that text is that, one day, he returns from a war and finds a child in his house, his wife’s daughter. According to his calculations, considering the time he was away, it couldn’t possibly be his daughter. Iansã places the child in his arms and says, “the child is yours.” Ogum accepts without question, raising the child as his own.
His love for Iansã is evident, as are his feelings for other orishas, such as Oxum and Iemanjá —who will be the subject of our next text, and who in most itãs is considered to be the mother of Ogum. As Mateus Aleluia sings beautifully, the relationship between these two orishas is unique.
The people of the terreiro greet Ogum with a powerful “Ogunhê!” and ask for his protection in their daily struggles. He is always accompanied by dogs, which we can think of as a symbol of his loyalty.
On this subject, Zeca Pagodinho is remembered for the song “Ogum”, but there is another song that he sings that I also think is the face of the warrior orixá, when in the chorus he says: “When the gira spun, no one could stand it, only you stayed, you didn’t abandon me, when the wind stopped and the water receded, I was sure of your love”.
May our father Ogum always bless us.
LINK PRESENT: Did you like this text? Subscribers can access any link seven times a day for free. Just click on the blue F below.
