A passage from the long xirê of Oxalá/Oxaguiã, with a translation transcribed by the community. Listen to the video above and follow the lyrics.
E rìn lè wá
A ba wá okàn
E lè dùn se ìpadé siré
Koró lè koró lè Bàbá Ifá
Be wi rò ko Ájàlá
A jagun ná Bàbá o
Elemaxó Bàbá Olorogun
Òrisà rè wà
Mò rò Bàbá nilè wá o
The lyrics and meaning
The spelling is phonetic and the transcription included the verse by verse translation: 'Your energy approaches us and comes to our heart (a ba wá okàn); makes the party pleasant; Bàbá Ifá, bring your energy. We pray that Ajalá brings peace. He is the first of all warriors (a jagun ná), the Elemaxó. Orixá, come to us; Pai, bring your peace to our house.' It is the chant of the father creator in his face of Oxaguiã, the warrior in white.
Who is Oxalá
Oxalá is the greatest of the Orixás, father of all, lord of creation and peace, dressed in white (the alá). Greeting: Epa Babá! See the complete profile of Oxalá.
When this chant is sung
The chants of Oxalá usually close the xirê, in the ijexá drumming, in a serene atmosphere. Everything is covered in white in his honor.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Epa Babá' mean?
It is the greeting to Oxalá, the father of all Orixás. 'Babá' means 'father'; the expression reveres the lord of creation and peace.
