This is a statue of the deity also known as an orisha. Oshun comes from the Yoruba faith which has its origins in the West African communities. During colonialism European/American powers dispersed these people throughout the Americas. The Yoruba faith which is called IFA was then adapted into many religions. This connects to what the migrants in colonial America were going through, in terms of how their traditions changed when entering a new place. The colonial family was centered around working and tending to the family religion took a back seat. The same is said for my ancestors who came to America against their will. They openly practiced a religion that was closely tied to the land ingrained in everything that they did. They were uprooted. The foundation of IFA is the interaction between humans and the Orishas. Each Orisha correlates to certain ideas and nature. Oshun represents the river and symbolizes femininity and healing. When my ancestors got here they masked their religion with christianity, thus from Ifa the religion became Santeria, directly translating to worship of the saints. Oshun became Lady of of Charity within the Catholicism. This statue is in all of my family members homes acknowledging a rich extensive history of our family and culture. 

– AJ

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more