 Oxum is the goddess of the river of the same name in Nigeria, in the Ijexá and Ijebú region. She was, one says, the second wife of Xangô after having lived together with Ogum, Orunmila and Oxossi. Her father would be Oxalá. Women in want of a child address themselves to Oxum, as she is responsable for fertility. The Axés of Oxum are little stones from the depths of the river of the same name, cupper jewels and a comb of tortoise. In Brasil, her followers cary necklaces of goldyellow glass beads and a lot of tin bracelets. The day that's dedicated to her is daturday. It is recommended to make her offerings of goats, Molukun (a mixture of ognion, fradinho-beans, salt and shrimps) and Adú (corn wheat whit honey and sweet olive oil). Her dance reminds of the behaviour of an idle, seducing woman going to the river to bathe. She pretties herself up with necklaces, shakes her amrs to make her bracelets resound, waves her fan and gladly admires herself in a mirror. The rithm that accompanies her danses is called Igéxa, the name of a region in Africa where the Oxum river flows. In Brasil, she is synchretised with Our Lady of Candeias (in Bahia) and Our Lady of Prazeres (in Recife), while in Cuba one assimilates her with Our Lady of the charity. | 