Oya

Today is the Yoruba/Santeria feast in honor of Oya, the mother goddess of the Yoruba people in Nigeria. She is the 'good mother', but as goddess of storms she has her terrifying aspect as well. She manifests her force in strong winds, in tornados, in the powerful river Niger, in lightning and fire. She may be considered a fierce goddess, but good to have Her on your side if you are being threatened or bullied. Her power over natural phenomena, such as tornadoes, is what provokes fear all over the Yoruba territory.

Her name means 'she tore' in the Yoruba language, and She presides over wind, lightning, hurricane, and tornado, the chaos that disrupts unjust social orders.  In Africa, Oya is the goddess of the Niger River, flowing north and west through the Yoruba territory. She is the chief wife of the thunder god, Chango, of strong temperament and authoritative, who epitomizes female power and righteous anger, qualities expected of a warrior goddess.