Oya – Taking Chances, Courage, Wisdom and Great Organization Skills.
Oya is one of the most powerful African Diaspora goddesses. She is an energetic Goddess of Transformation, mostly referring to the enigma of the human mind.
Oya reminds us that we are dynamic and ever-evolving creatures, in need to release our curiosity and take chances at our fate in order to find ourselves. She throws violent rainstorm on the fields of stagnation and boring gardens of comfort, advising us of possible mind-depleting danger of lazy coziness. She comes to disturb your life with excitement and challenge, bringing your life to its maximum potential and vibrant new change.
Oya is a Storm Goddess who rules fire and lightning and uses them to ward off the mind-clouding spirits. She has to find a balance between the wisdom and rage, becoming a Warrior Queen of the Dance. She dances with outstretched arms, making noise with her beaded jewelry to keep these mind-weakening spirits at bay. While dancing she clears the minds of people around her, accelerating their ability to focus and sharpening their memory. With thankful gesture Oya’s followers throw vines of grapes under her feet.
Oya encourages women to venture into business, expressing their talents and ideas. Oya’s statue is very popular in marketplaces.
By admiring Oya, you believe in yourself. Her (your) message echoes through your mind, forcing you to view and examine new opportunities. Following that echo, you may considerate venture onto the unknown path. The problem lies in fear to walk this road. However the aroused curiosity and ever-wondering mind will never rest until the end of this road is uncovered. Oya’s presence in the house or business is believed to ensure clear mental state, quick and witty thinking and wisdom in making decisions.
Oya stands 20” tall and is all hand crafted, without using any paints or glue. Her body is made of dark brown linen stuffed with poly-fill and covered with crocheted body-suit. The face is needle-sculpted, the eyes and lips are hand-embroidered with crochet-threads. The hair is made of beaded lace and sewn onto a crocheted base. Oya wears an African style “Duk” headdress; a colorful cloth wrapped around the head. This is made of two fabrics joined together; knitted poly-brand and the African printed cotton. Her wardrobe consists of a 3/4 dress made of two parts; African printed 100% thick cotton and bright orange underskirt made of lighter poly-linen. Back of the dress is flowing openly at the sides and it’s decorated with crocheted lace and bright orange beads. Front comes to a point, also decorated with beads, sewn onto the crocheted lace. The color and fashion is consisted with Ashanti female costume. Rich ornaments and the beaded jewelry are meant for making noise and visual effects of the shaking beads while dancing. Oya’s dance was supposed to ward off bad spirits and cleanse mind of stagnant energy. Her footwear, also very colorful, carry the Dancing Oya with magical speed through the air. Her body swirls with the winds spreading a message of celebrating life. Oya wears a large collar made of red yarn, decorated with beads and brassy ornaments, and a matching headband with a brassy swirl on a leather strap tied around her head. It symbolizes stimulation of brain activity. Oya also has wooden beaded choker, matching crocheted/beaded anklets and bracelets. The Goddess stands on a wooden stand decorated with grapes; her favorite fruit.
This doll is meant for decorative purpose (not as a toy), however she is very sturdily made and it doesn’t contain pieces that would easily come off.
