Brazilian Visions of Orixás
When I visited Bahia in February of 1997 for the annual Yemojá celebration, I came across an incredible collection of post cards by Gil Abelha that depict the Yoruba Orishas from the Candomblé perspective. Though I had to search for hours in many stores in the Pelourinho ad the Mercado Modelo, I was finally able to gather all but two of the collection of these wonderful illustrations. I am still trying to obtain Logunedé and Omolú which I hope to find when I return to Bahia in the near future.
I have another set of post cards from Bahia that I picked up in 1988, but the Abelha collection is truly marvelous. The attention that the artist pays to detailing the attributes of the orisha and the all its ritual colors, regalia, and paraphernalia is incredible. I especially enjoy Osayín, Oshumaré and--of course—Shangó! Nonetheless, they are all strikingly beautiful. Please enjoy the art of Gil Abelha.
The post Cards are distributed by Brascar Edições de Postais Ltda. You can see more of this great artist’s work at his website (for unknown reasons, the website has been down for a while): http://www.gabelha.hpg.com.br/flame7.html
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE
 Egum Baba Abaoula/Egún |
 Exú/Eshú Elegbá |
 Ogum/Ogún |
 Oxossi/Oshosi |
 Ossaim/Osanyín |
 Tempo |
 Iroko/Iroko |
 Oxumaré/Oshumaré |
 Ibejí/Ibejí |
 Xangó/Shangó |
 Oxaguían/Obatalá Oshaogiyán |
 Oxalufán/Obatalá Oshalufón |
 Nanán/Naná Burukú |
 Oba/Oba |
 Ewa/Yewá |
 Yansa/Oyá |
 Yemanjá/Yemojá |
 Oxum/Oshún |
 Orumila/Orunmila |