A chant of Obaluaê/Omolu, the orixá (orisha) of health and the earth. When greeting him, one shouts Atotô!. Listen in the video above.
I gan i gan ba si lo tun
E asó dudu lo Iyjenia olowo wo
O ijeniiwa babá
O si a bo bo wa lê
Dago lonan ki wá sawo orò
Dago ile ile
Ejí bará loko, ejí bará loko panzuê
Ejí bará loko panzuê, ejí bará loko
Omolú araiyêeee
Panzuê titún, e panzuê
Omolú Araiyê
The lyrics and meaning
The spelling is phonetic. The asó dudu appears, the dark cloth/clothing of straw (filá and azê) with which Omolu covers himself, and the greeting Panzuê, linked to his quality. Omolú araiyê praises him as the lord of humanity (aráiye). Permission is asked on the path (dago lonan) to worship him. It is a chant to the doctor of the poor, owner of the earth and of healing.
Who is Obaluaê
Obaluaê, also called Omolu, is the orixá of health and of disease, lord of the earth and of healing. He who brings the infirmity also brings the remedy. Greeting: Atotô! See the complete file of Obaluaê.
When this chant is sung
The chants of Obaluaê/Omolu enter the xirê. When greeting him, one shouts Atotô! and asks for silence and respect before the doctor of the poor.
Frequently asked questions
Are Obaluaê and Omolu the same orixá?
Yes. They are names/qualities of the same divinity of health and the earth. ‘Omolu’ (the son of the Lord) usually designates the older form; ‘Obaluaê’ (the king owner of the earth), the younger.