African Gods & Goddesses Re-Envisioned in New “Yorùbá African Orishas” Photography Series

African deities come to life in new photography series by James C. Lewis and Noire 3000 Studios

From the mind of Atlanta-based photographer and Noire 3000 Studios CEO, James C. Lewis comes a stunning new photography series that brings African deities to life.

The series depicts 20 Gods and Goddesses from the indigenous Yorùbá religion, which finds its origins in Nigeria.

Due to the slave trade, the religion has since spread to Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, the Caribbean and various other regions around the globe. Yorùbá has also influenced ways of life such as Lucumí, Umbanda and Candomblé.

Lewis‘ use of live models conceptualizes the Yorùbá African Orishas unlike we’ve ever seen them before, as they are usually represented in paint or illustration form.

While there are over 400 Orishas, Lewis chose the most well known: Agayu, Babalu Aye, Erinle, Eshu, Ibeji, Obatala, Obba, Ochumare, Ogun, Oko, Olokun, Olurun, Ori, Orunmila, Oshu, Oxosi, Oya, Ozain, Shango and Yemaja. Enjoy the vibrant full series below.

Yorùbá Orishas – Ori, Ruler of the head

Yorùbá Orishas – Oshun, divinity of rivers, love, feminine beauty, fertility, and art, also one of Shango’s lovers and beloved of Ogoun

Yorùbá Orishas – Shango, warrior deity ; divinity of thunder, fire, sky father, represents male power and sexuality

Yorùbá Orishas – Obba, Shango’s jealous wife, divinity of marriage and domesticity, daughter of Iemanja

Yorùbá Orishas – Obatala, arch-divinity, father of humankind, divinity of light, spiritual purity, and moral uprightness

[spotted via Drea Avellán]