Oxalá
Portuguese form of the Yoruba title Orisa Nla, "the great orisha", used in Candomblé for Obatalá.
Meaning and origin
Oxalá is the Candomblé name for Obatalá, the Yoruba orixá of creation, purity and peace, said to have moulded human bodies from clay.
How to pronounce Oxalá
| Portuguese (Brazil) | oh-shah-LAH /oʃaˈla/ |
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About this entry
Drafted with the help of an AI model, then checked by a person. Last checked on 16 September 2026.
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