A chant of Oxóssi, the king of the forests and lord of the hunt. Listen in the video above and follow the lyrics.
Arolè o inaio ke o ajô
Arolè o inaio ke o ajô
O ní aráiye
Ke o inaio ke o ajô
The lyrics and meaning
The spelling is phonetic. The transcription itself brings the translation: Arolè is a title of Oxóssi, and the chant asks that he illuminate our journey and help all of humanity (aráiye). It is a prayer request for light and direction to the hunter who knows all the paths of the forest.
Who is Oxóssi
Oxóssi is the king of the forests and lord of the hunt, Orixá of abundance, knowledge, and sharp intelligence. Greeting: Okê Arô! See the complete profile of Oxóssi.
When this chant is sung
The chants of Oxóssi enter the xirê and are usually sung in the aguerê toque, vibrant and fast like the hunter's run in the forest.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Okê Arô' mean?
It is the greeting to Oxóssi, the hunter. It works as a cry of respect to the king of the forest, evoking his accurate aim and his protection.
