Oshun is the Yorùbá Orisha (Deity) of the sweet or fresh waters (as opposed to the salt waters of Yemaya). The Yorùbá clans inhabit parts of western central Africa, in present-day Nigeria. Oshun is the Goddess of the river of the same name, and She is especially worshipped in river-towns. During Her yearly festival, She is said to choose one or more women dancers to descend into (much like participants in Vodou ceremonies may be "mounted" or "possessed" by a Law).Oshun is a female deity that represents one of the manifestations of God for the Yoruba and Ifá people in southwestern Nigeria. It is usually called river orisha, and it is connected with water, purity, love, fertility and sensuality. Oshun is the most powerful of all orishas and paramount as a Yoruba deity. Just like all other deities, she also has some of the human characteristics like vanity, jealousy, spite.
Oshun is described as a protector and savior of humanity. She is also described as someone who keeps spiritual balance, the mother of all orphans, essence of love and someone who created all of the mankind. Oshun was an only female deity among original 17 that was sent to earth by the Supreme God to populate it. All the other male gods didn’t manage to populate the Earth, and then they asked Oshun for help. Oshun helped them, created sweet and powerful waters and all the life on Earth with it. This is the reason why Yoruba people myths are telling the stories that said that life would not exist without the help of Oshun, the goddess of life and fertility. As Orisha of love, Oshun is represented as a beautiful, charming and coquettish young woman. In some tales She is said to be a mermaid, with a fish's tail.