A chant of praise to Ewá, the Orixá of beauty, mystery, and springs one of the most discreet and least known of the Ketu pantheon. Listen in the video above and follow the lyrics.
Ewá Ewá majô
Ewá Ewá, Ewá Ewá majô
Koiô, koiô Ewá lésé
Ewá Ewá majô, Ewá Ewá
The lyrics and meaning
The spelling is phonetic, the way it is sung in the circle. The name Ewá repeats as a continuous call: this is how many Orixá chants work: the repetition of the name is, in itself, the reverence. The soft melody and circular cadence combine with the temperament of Ewá, linked to the dew, the mist, and the spring waters that move in silence.
Who is Ewá, the Orixá of mystery
Ewá is a feminine Orixá of the waters and the mists, frequently associated with the springs, the dew, and the mist that covers the forest at dawn. She is the sister of Oxumaré (Oshumare) and, in many myths, lives between the visible and invisible worlds as a guardian of secrets and of what is not shown at first glance.
- Domain: beauty, mystery, springs, divination, purity
- Element: spring water, dew, and mist
- Symbols: the rainbow (together with Oxumaré), the serpent, pink, and coral
For ruling what is hidden, Ewá is also linked to divination and intuition. Her children tend to be reserved, sensitive, and observant people who perceive what is between the lines. She is one of the least worshipped Orixás in Brazil, which makes her chants even more special for those who preserve them.
When this chant is sung
The chants of Ewá enter the xirê, the circle of chants that greets each Orixá in sequence. As a little-known Orixá, Ewá does not always have a long moment in the festival but where she is worshipped, chants like this celebrate her discreet presence and her connection with the waters and mystery.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Orixá Ewá?
Ewá is the Orixá of beauty, mystery, and springs in Candomblé. Linked to the dew, mist, and divination, she is the sister of Oxumaré and one of the most discreet deities of the Yoruba pantheon.
What is Ewá's element?
Ewá rules the waters of the springs, the dew, and the mist, the subtle waters that move in silence. For this reason, she is also associated with what is hidden and the gift of intuition.
