How Did Oya Become the Guardian of the Cemetery Gates?

Yemayá, Oshún and Oyá, three sisters, lived in a harmonious town where the people, although poor, were happy. The fertile land, rivers and sea provided abundant food. The sisters lived gratefully, taking only what they needed and living peacefully with their neighbors and their environment. Their gratitude and joy sustained them throughout the years.

One day, some warriors invaded the sisters' territory. While Yemayá was in the ocean and Oshún in the river, Oyá was at home. The assailants grabbed Oya, who was a girl, and took her away. Despite her screams, her sisters did not hear her. When Yemayá and Oshún returned home, they were devastated to learn of Oyá's capture.

Oshún was deeply attached to Oyá and fell into a deep depression due to her capture. Desperate to rescue her sister but without money or an army, Oshun decided to work harder, fishing and selling more fish to raise money, hoping to pay a ransom for Oyá's return.

Realizing the urgency of rescuing Oyá before she reached puberty and faced potential harm, Oshun diligently saved her. He then traveled to the town where Oya was held captive, hoping to negotiate his sister's release with the money he had collected.

Oshún found the leader of the group and approached him with pleading eyes and a honeyed voice. She hoped he would take pity on her and free Oyá. "Please!" - Oshún exclaimed. "My sister is everything to me. I would give anything to have her back home with me. Have mercy. This is all the money I have in the world. Take it and give me my sister."

The man, captivated by Oshún's attractiveness and beauty, proposed to free Oyá in exchange for Oshún's virginity, asking her to submit to him.

Oshun collapsed in tears, desperately pleading for the man to show mercy, but he remained heartless. He coldly issued an ultimatum: either comply with his demand or face the consequence of never seeing his sister again, while threatening revenge by keeping Oyá in his harem.

Oshún considered Yemayá's beliefs, knowing that her sister valued virginity as a sacred treasure reserved for marriage. She was sure that Yemayá would never accept such treatment from an unscrupulous man. However, overwhelmed by concern for Oyá, Oshun felt compelled to do whatever was necessary to secure her sister's release from captivity. Despite feeling embarrassed, she reluctantly nodded and accepted the man's terms.

After returning home with Oyá, Oshun recounted the events and begged Yemayá for forgiveness. Yemayá assured her understanding, recognizing the sacrifice made by Oshun to ensure her sister's freedom. She assured Oshun that there was no shame in his actions and suggested that they move on without thinking more about it.

Oyá's captor rejected the copper coins kept by Oshún for ransom. In response, Oshun and Yemayá decided to melt the coins and make copper bracelets for Oyá. This gesture symbolized his love and joy at having Oyá back home. From then on, Oyá wore nine copper bracelets made by her sisters as a token of her affection.

Olofi found out about the sisters' ordeal and decided to visit them. First he recognized Oshun's sacrifice by granting him ownership of all the rivers. "From now on, Oshun, this will be your domain. No one can take it from you. You will prosper and be powerful, and you will never have to worry about financial struggles again," he assured her. Olofi also wanted to reward Yemayá for her diligent care and responsibility towards her sisters over the years. "Now you will rule the ocean," he announced. "The ocean will be your source of strength and prosperity, ensuring that you can always provide for yourself and your sisters."

After a long silence, Oya stayed in the shadows, waiting for Olofi to recognize her. Finally, Oshún broke the silence, pleading for Oyá. "What's wrong with Oyá?" she screamed. "What can you grant her? She deserves to govern something too."

Olofi felt compassion, but shook his head sadly. "I have already given everything away," he said regretfully. "But there is one place left without an owner: the cemetery gates. Would Oya accept this?"

Oyá gratefully accepted, recognizing Olofi's kindness and her sisters' support in freeing her from captivity. He rose to great power, overseeing all movements between the realms of the living and the dead. Oya establishes and maintains the boundaries between these worlds, ensuring order and proper placement of all beings. Since then, Oyá has carefully guarded the cemetery gates and visitors honor her by leaving copper coins as a tribute when entering the cemetery.