Ayao

Ayao is a minor orisha in the Lucumi/Santería pantheon. She is the orisha of the air. Ayao is considered to reside in both the forest and in the eye of the tornado. She works closely with Osain and is a fierce warrior. Ayao has among her implements a crossbow with a serpent, a quill and nine stones. She is commonly placed next to her sister, Oya or on the boveda. Her colors are brown and green.

Ayao's cult in Lucumi had been thought to be lost among various adherents. However, a growing number of olorichas have her in their possession. Some individuals remove the crossbow from Oya's crown and place it in Ayao's receptacle.

Further Reading

• Charles Spencer King, Nature's Ancient Religion: Orisha Worship & IFA. ISBN 1-4404-1733-4
• Charles Spencer King, IFA Y Los Orishas: La Religion Antigua De LA Naturaleza. ISBN 1-4610-2898-1