Another chant in praise of Ewá, the Orixá of springs and mystery in Candomblé Ketu. Listen to the video above and follow the lyrics below.
Ewá Ewá, onin operê
Ewá Ewá, onin operê ô
Ewá Ewá, onin operê
Ewá Ewá, onin operê ô
The lyrics and meaning
The spelling is phonetic, as it is sung in the circle. As in many Orixá chants, the name Ewá is repeated in the form of a call: repetition is reverence itself. The short and rhythmic refrain facilitates collective singing in the xirê, where the entire community responds to the lead singer.
Ewá, the guardian of the springs and secrets
Ewá is a feminine Orixá linked to springs, dew, and mist and, by extension, to everything that is subtle, hidden, and mysterious. Where Oxum rules the sweet waters of the rivers and Iemanjá rules the sea, Ewá guards the hidden springs and the mist that separates what is seen from what is not seen.
- Domain: mystery, divination, springs, purity, beauty
- Element: dew, mist, and spring water
- Kinship: sister of Oxumaré (Oshumare), with whom she shares the symbolism of the rainbow
Precisely because she rules the invisible, Ewá is associated with the gift of divination and perceiving what is hidden. She is one of the least worshipped Orixás in Brazil; preserving her chants is keeping alive a rare part of the Yoruba tradition.
When this chant is sung
This chant enters the xirê, the circle in which each Orixá is greeted in turn. In homes that worship Ewá, chants like this celebrate the Orixá of mystery and reinforce the community's bond with the spring waters.
Frequently asked questions
Are Ewá and Oxum (Oshun) the same Orixá?
No. Both rule waters, but they are distinct: Oxum is the Orixá of the fresh waters of the rivers, of love and gold; Ewá guards the hidden springs, the dew and the mist, being linked to mystery and divination.
Why are there several chants for Ewá?
Each Orixá has a repertoire of chants that celebrate different aspects of their history and their axé. Singing them in sequence in the xirê is a way to praise the divinity in its entirety, and not just one facet of it.
