Another chant from the xirê of Iansã (Oyá), lady of the lightning and the eguns. Listen to the video above and follow the lyrics.
Oyá koro un le, o guerê gue
Sábà koro un lá, o gará ga
Omo obiri s’ala koro un le
Dà ni ìyá pá tá lodo ìyá
E L’oyá kobé lá jo è L’oyá
Ágé mito di ìyàwó
Òrìsà eréwe rè
Ágé mito e L’oyá
Oya oya oro vodun jẹ
The lyrics and meaning
The spelling is phonetic. Oyá is repeated as praise; obiri (woman) and ìyá (mother) reinforce her feminine strength; ìyàwó refers to the initiate. The chant greets Iansã as the warrior woman orixá (orisha), linked to the movement of the winds and the strength of the vodun/orixás.
Who is Iansã
Iansã, also called Oyá, is the orixá of winds, storms, and lightning, the lady of the eguns, a fearless warrior. Greeting: Eparrei, Oyá! See the complete profile of Iansã.
When this chant is sung
The chants of Iansã enter the xirê and greet her as the warrior of the winds. When calling her, one shouts Eparrei!.
Frequently asked questions
Are Iansã and Oyá the same orixá?
Yes. 'Oyá' is the Yoruba name; 'Iansã' is how she is best known in Brazil. She is the orixá of winds, lightning, and storms, and the only one who commands the eguns (spirits of the dead).
