Taking of Oya's Freedom

Oya, the orisha of storms and winds, is forced to marry Ogun, the orisha of war, in order to bring about peace in the land. Oya, however, loves her freedom. To escape her husband’s possessive nature, and remove herself from under his watchful eyes, she assumes the guise of a water buffalo. By donning the animal’s skin, she can explore the world without being bothered. She can be completely free.

One day, Ogun spies Oya shedding her disguise. Without hesitation, he confiscates her buffalo hide, thus taking away Oya’s freedom.

Rosales’s painting focuses on the moment Ogun catches Oya in the act of stepping out of her buffalo skin. Storm clouds and winds whipping the drapery indicate the goddess’s defiance. Her fierce expression directed at her husband suggests she will not endure much longer Ogun’s attempt to control and limit her freedom.

Rosales’s attention to nature may be seen in Oya’s animal, whose horns, face, and brown textured hide are particular to African female water buffalos.