orisha

plural orishas · alternative orisa · alternative orixa

1. A divine entity in Yoruba religion that possesses the supernatural capability of reflecting some of the manifestations of Olódùmarè

   Under the command of Olorun were also orishas, intermediaries in the Yorubic religion said to be connected between man and the supernatural.

   2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin, published 2010, page 713

   1 more example

   I guess that is a good way to remember you. To rememeber you as a metaphor, but not to forget the text, to embrace all the humanity of your life... like an orisha — a flesh-and-blood hero. That sounds like a good African way to remember you.

   1989 February 5, Colin Robinson, “You Dared Us To Dream That We Are Worth Wanting Each Other”, in Gay Community News, volume 16, number 29, page 10