Osumare is the goddess of rainbow; she is the very essence of atmospheric beautification in Yoruba belief. Of all the 401 principal deities in Yoruba belief, Osumare particularly performs the duty of showcasing the glory of Olodumare by decorating the sky with seven awesome colours.
The totem of Osumare is a snake. She is believed to live inside water where she also produces and her eggs. Her eggs are believed to be a source of riches to whoever has them. It however takes not only the brave but the powerful to lay their hands on Osumare’s eggs since as a mother she jealously protects her eggs which later becomes her off springs.
It should be noted that Osumare is refer to as Medusa in Greek mythology. According to Greek mythology, Medusa was a monster, a gorgon, described as a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed upon her face are turned into a stone.