Sopona

Ṣọ̀pọ̀na(orShapona) is the god ofsmallpoxin theYoruba religion.^[1]The Yoruba people took their traditions about Shapona to theNew Worldwhen they were transported in theslave trade.He has become known asBabalú-Ayé,among many other names, in theOrishareligion that developed in the Americas.^[2]

Within the traditional religion of theYoruba peopleofNigeria,smallpox was believed to be a disease foisted upon humans due to Shapona's “divine displeasure.” Formal worship of the god of smallpox was highly controlled by specific priests in charge of shrines to the god. Prior to the early 20th century, people of this religion believed that if the priests were angered, they were capable of causing smallpox outbreaks through their intimate relationship with Shapona.^[3]The name "Sapona" (alt. Shapona, Saponna, etc.) is considered a secret and taboo name, not to be spoken aloud in respect for the power of the Lord ofInfectious Disease.For this reason, the deity has a number of other names and titles which have been in use since the pre-modern period, such as Omolu.^[4]

Sapona is the traditional, sacred and protected name of the Orisha popularly known asBabalú-Ayéor Omolu. Speaking his true name is avoided so as to not invoke the power of disease.^[5]^[6]

Dr.Oguntola Saparasuspected that the priests were deliberately spreading the disease, and surreptitiously joined the cult. He discovered that the priests were causing the disease through applying scrapings of the skin rash of smallpox cases. Based on this information, the British colonial rulers banned the worship of Shapona in 1907.^[7]Worship continues, however, with the faithful paying homage to the god even after such activities were prohibited.^[3]

Dahomey religion/Gbe religion

InDahomean religionSopono is known asSakpata,Shakpanaor similarlySopono.He is the divinity of the earth, wellness, smallpox, and can heal or inflict both insanity and disease on humans. It is known as Sakpata among other Gbe speaking people such as Ewe, Fon and Adja. Their territory stretches from south western Nigeria to the Volta Region of Ghana.Oral history has it that this disease decimated their ancestors during their sojourn at Adja Tado until they were cured by a Yoruba man known as Torgbui Anyi. Sakpata is one of the most worshiped deities among them.^[6]

Candomblé

Sopona is known in theAfro-Braziliantradition ofCandombléasSakpataorSakpata-Omoluin the (Jejénation). He is associated with the colorsred,black,andwhite,as in Africa.Insectsassociated with him are Sakpata-Omolubeetles,blackbutterflies,flies,andmosquitoes.A skirt and hood made of straw that covers the entire body is the clothing associated with Sakpata-Omolu followers and worship. In the Jejé tradition, Kpo and Loko are also associated with straw clothing. Thexaxará,abroomwith palm or straw bristles, is used in Sakpata-Omolu rituals. Small gourds, white cowry shells, a black necklace (laguidibá) are all accessories associated with Sakpata-Omolu. He is seen to have both the power to inflict and cure skin disease and other contagious diseases. In present times this includesHIV/AIDS.^[6]

Trinidad Orisha

In theTrinidad Orishatradition, Sopona is known as Shakpana or Ṣakpanna,^[8]and is similarly a ferocious god associated with healing smallpox. In a survey of Orisha shrines onTrinidad,James Houk found that flags toOgunare found in almost every location. Those toShakpanaand Osain (Osanyin) closely follow in popularity.^[9]

References

^Henderson, D. A.;Preston, Richard(23 June 2009),Smallpox- the Death of a Disease: The Inside Story of Eradicating a Worldwide Killer(1st ed.), Prometheus Books, p. 32,ISBN 978-1591027225
^Bennett, J. L. (2003). "JAMA -- The Greatest Killer: Smallpox in History, March 5, 2003, Wear 289 (9): 1171".JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.289(9): 1171.doi:10.1001/jama.289.9.1171-a.
^^a ^bHopkins DR (2002).The Greatest Killer: Smallpox in history.University of Chicago Press.ISBN 978-0-226-35168-1.Originally published asPrinces and Peasants: Smallpox in History(1983),ISBN 0226351777
^McKenzie 1997:70
^Idowu 1962:97
^^a ^b ^cParés, Luis Nicolau (2013).The Formation of Candomblé: Vodun History And Ritual in Brazil.Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. p. 230.ISBN 978-1469610924.
^Hilton, G (Oct 13, 1956)."Treatment of Intracranial Metastases".British Medical Journal.2(4997): 881–882.doi:10.1136/bmj.2.4997.881.PMC2035631.
^Salamone, Frank A. (2004). Levinson, David (ed.).Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals.New York:Routledge.p. 24.ISBN 0-415-94180-6.
^Houk, James (1995).Spirits, Blood, and Drums: the Orisha Religion in Trinidad.Philadelphia: Temple University Press. p. 150.ISBN 978-1439903766.

Literature

Bader, Richard-Ernst: Sopono, Pocken und Pockengottkult der Yoruba. Erster Teil. Medizinhistorisches Journal 20 (1985) 363-390 (German)
Bader, Richard-Ernst: Sopono, Pocken und Pockengottkult der Yoruba. Zweiter Teil. Medizinhistorisches Journal 21 (1986) 31-91 (German)
Idowu, E. Bolaji. 1962.Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief.London: Longmans, Green, and Co.
McKenzie, Peter. 1997.Hail Orisha! A Phenomenology of a West African Religion in the Mid-Nineteenth Century.Leiden, the Netherlands: Brill.

[h-1] Henderson, D. A.;Preston, Richard(23 June 2009),Smallpox- the Death of a Disease: The Inside Story of Eradicating a Worldwide Killer(1st ed.), Prometheus Books, p. 32,ISBN 978-1591027225

[w-2] Bennett, J. L. (2003). "JAMA -- The Greatest Killer: Smallpox in History, March 5, 2003, Wear 289 (9): 1171".JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.289(9): 1171.doi:10.1001/jama.289.9.1171-a.

[Hopkins_2002-3] Hopkins DR (2002).The Greatest Killer: Smallpox in history.University of Chicago Press.ISBN 978-0-226-35168-1.Originally published asPrinces and Peasants: Smallpox in History(1983),ISBN 0226351777

[4] McKenzie 1997:70

[5] Idowu 1962:97

[p-6] Parés, Luis Nicolau (2013).The Formation of Candomblé: Vodun History And Ritual in Brazil.Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. p. 230.ISBN 978-1469610924.

[BMed1956-7] Hilton, G (Oct 13, 1956)."Treatment of Intracranial Metastases".British Medical Journal.2(4997): 881–882.doi:10.1136/bmj.2.4997.881.PMC2035631.

[:03-8] Salamone, Frank A. (2004). Levinson, David (ed.).Encyclopedia of Religious Rites, Rituals, and Festivals.New York:Routledge.p. 24.ISBN 0-415-94180-6.

[ho-9] Houk, James (1995).Spirits, Blood, and Drums: the Orisha Religion in Trinidad.Philadelphia: Temple University Press. p. 150.ISBN 978-1439903766.

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