A chant of Nanã, the oldest of the Orixás, with a translation transcribed by the community. Listen in the video above.
Òdì Nàná ewà, lewà lewà e
Òdì Nàná ewà, lewà lewà e
Awá ló bímon ayò Olóko, Nàná ayò
Awá ló bímon ayò Olóko, Nàná ayò
Ó ìyá wa òré ó ni ayalóòde
Ó ìyá wa òré ó ni ayalóòde
The lyrics and meaning
The spelling is phonetic and the transcription included the translation: 'The other face of Nanã is beautiful (ewà, lewà lewà)'; she is Nàná Olóko, who can bring joy in the birth and reincarnation of children; and she is 'our mother and friend (ìyá wa òré), the Lady of high society (ayalóòde)' . A praise to the beauty and ancestry of the oldest Orixá.
Who is Nanã
Nanã is the oldest of the Orixás of the waters, mistress of mud, clay, and ancestry, linked to birth and death. Greeting: Saluba Nanã! See the complete profile of Nanã.
When this chant is sung
The chants of Nanã enter the xirê and praise her ancestral wisdom, her patience, and her role as the grandmother of the pantheon.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Saluba Nanã' mean?
It is the greeting to Nanã, the oldest Orixá. It expresses respect and reverence to the matriarch, mistress of clay and ancestry.
