Drumming The Gods:
Selections from Traditional Santeria Drumming
Luis M. Núñez
Copyright (c) 1995-97 by Luis M. Núñez
All Rights Reserved
(Converted from HTML by Martin Blais)

Version 1.0

Contents
1

Introduction
1.1 A note about the conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6
6

2

Overview of Santeria

7

3

The Drums
3.1 The Drums . . . . . .
3.2 The (Original) Notation
3.3 Example . . . . . . . .
3.4 Speed And Tempo . . .
3.5 Formal Tuning . . . .
3.6 The New Notation . . .
3.7 Playing Variations . . .

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8
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11
11
11
12

4

The Orus
14
4.1 The Orus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.2 The Orishas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5

The Oru Del Igbodu
5.1 The Oru Del Igbodu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.2 The Llames of the Oru Del Igbodu (Iya only)
5.3 Eleggua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.4 Oggun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.5 Ochosi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.6 Obbaloke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.7 Inle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.8 Babalu Aye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.8.1 Babalu Aye 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.8.2 Babalu Aye 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.9 Osain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.10 Osun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.11 Obatala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.12 Dada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.13 Oggue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.14 Agayu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.15 Orunla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5.16 Ibedyi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2

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16
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18
21
25
27
32
34
38
38
39
41
44
46
50
52
53
57
59

3

CONTENTS
5.17
5.18
5.19
5.20
5.21
5.22
5.23
5.24
6

Orisha Oko
Chango . .
Yeggua . .
Oya . . . .
Ochun . . .
Yemaya . .
Obba . . . .
Oddua . . .

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60
61
64
66
69
70
76
79

The Oru Del Eya Aranla
6.1 The Oru Del Eya Aranla
6.1.1 Costumes . . . .
6.1.2 The Chants . . .
6.2 Eleggua . . . . . . . . .
6.2.1 Eleggua 1 . . . .
6.2.2 Eleggua 2 . . . .
6.2.3 Eleggua 3 . . . .
6.3 Oggun . . . . . . . . . .
6.3.1 Oggun 1 . . . . .
6.3.2 Oggun 2 . . . . .
6.3.3 Oggun 3 . . . . .
6.4 Ochosi . . . . . . . . . .
6.4.1 Ochosi 1 . . . .
6.4.2 Ochosi 2 . . . .
6.4.3 Ochosi 3 . . . .
6.5 Orisha Oko . . . . . . .
6.5.1 Oricha Oko 1 . .
6.5.2 Orisha Oko 2 . .
6.6 Inle . . . . . . . . . . .
6.6.1 Inle 1 . . . . . .
6.6.2 Inle 2 . . . . . .
6.6.3 Inle 3 . . . . . .
6.7 Babalu Aye . . . . . . .
6.7.1 Babalu Aye 1 . .
6.7.2 Babalu Aye 2 . .
6.7.3 Babalu Aye 3 . .
6.8 Obatala . . . . . . . . .
6.8.1 Obatala 1 . . . .
6.8.2 Obatala 2 . . . .
6.8.3 Obatala 3 . . . .
6.9 Dada . . . . . . . . . . .
6.9.1 Dada . . . . . .
6.10 Oggue . . . . . . . . . .
6.10.1 Oggue . . . . . .
6.11 Agayu . . . . . . . . . .
6.11.1 Agayu 1 . . . . .
6.11.2 Agayu 2 . . . . .

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80
80
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81
81
82
82
85
85
86
87
88
88
89
89
90
90
91
92
92
92
93
94
94
95
96
98
98
99
99
100
100
101
101
102
102
102

4

CONTENTS

6.12

6.13

6.14

6.15

6.16

6.17

6.18

6.19

7

8

6.11.3 Agayu 3 .
Ibedyi . . . . . .
6.12.1 Ibedyi 1 .
6.12.2 Ibedyi 2 .
6.12.3 Ibedyi 3 .
Chango . . . . .
6.13.1 Chango 1
6.13.2 Chango 2
6.13.3 Chango 3
Obba . . . . . . .
6.14.1 Obba 1 .
6.14.2 Obba 2 .
Yeggua . . . . .
6.15.1 Yeggua 1
6.15.2 Yeggua 2
6.15.3 Yeggua 3
Oya . . . . . . .
6.16.1 Oya 1 . .
6.16.2 Oya 2 . .
6.16.3 Oya 3 . .
Yemaya . . . . .
6.17.1 Yemaya 1
6.17.2 Yemaya 2
6.17.3 Yemaya 3
Ochun . . . . . .
6.18.1 Ochun 1 .
6.18.2 Ochun 2 .
6.18.3 Ochun 3 .
Orunla . . . . . .
6.19.1 Orunla 1
6.19.2 Orunla 2
6.19.3 Orunla 3

The Guenmilere
7.1 Bayuba . .
7.2 Ebipkami .
7.3 Yakota . . .
7.4 Biobayare .
7.5 Bembe . . .
7.6 Idilantilanti

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The Closing
8.1 The Closing . .
8.2 Eggun . . . . .
8.2.1 Eggun 1
8.2.2 Eggun 2
8.2.3 Eggun 3

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103
104
104
105
105
106
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126
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128
128
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130
130
130
130
131
131

5

CONTENTS

8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8

8.9

8.2.4 Eggun 4 .
Oya . . . . . . .
8.3.1 Oya . . .
Babalu Aye . . .
Yeggua . . . . .
Osain . . . . . .
Yemaya . . . . .
Eleggua . . . . .
8.8.1 Eleggua 1
8.8.2 Eleggua 2
8.8.3 Eleggua 3
Olokun . . . . .
8.9.1 Olokun .

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131
133
133
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133
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135
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137
137

A Where To Obtain Supplies
139
A.1 Where To Obtain Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
B Bibliography
140
B.1 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
C Discography
141
C.1 Discography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Chapter 1

Introduction
The purpose of this book is to make available a selection of Santeria rhythms to all percussionists as well
as to provide bata drummers with a basic playing guide. Since a performer must go through initiations
and offer sacrifices before being allowed to play in rituals, this is not a guide to playing in the religious
ceremonies. The book provides enough material on the rituals, fetishes, dances and costumes to provide
a background for theatrical performances. This work covers 92 of the principal rhythms and chants. The
liturgical drumming repertory in Miami and New York exceeds 500 pieces so, it is not an exhaustive study.
No attempt has been made to transcribe the nuances inherent in bata performance since they can only be
communicated in a live teaching situation.
If your experience or research is at variance with this information, let me know. your input will be collated,
credited and posted here. I’m interested in distribution, not authority.
Luis Núñez
Luis M. Núñez
P.O. Box 750228
New Orleans, LA 70175
ialode@hotmail.com

1.1 A note about the conversion
These pages have been converted from the author’s set of HTML pages into a PDF document via conversion
to LATEXto typeset the document and GNU Lilypond to typeset the music.
The HTML pages were first stripped with a script to remove tags and then cleaned up by hand. The little
chunks of music were then scoped with a special LATEXenvironment. A Python script was written to extract,
parse and convert the chunks to GNU Lilypond source format without any human intervention. Then each
of these files were processed independently into PDF files, which were then included from LATEX.
Note that since the music notation was not written directly, the resulting note groupings may vary from what
a human would have written.
The only editing that was performed on the chunks of music was in the rare cases where incongruities were
found in the HTML pages, for example, a missing leading “|” character. Thus any errors in the music itself
should match errors in the original notation. Should you find this is not the case, please contact me by email.
I have not revised the content in any way, so the HTML page should match the music notation.
If for some reason you’re interested in getting the scripts that were used for the conversion, contact me at
blais@iro.umontreal.ca.
Martin Blais

6

Chapter 2

Overview of Santeria
The Cuban sugar plantations had an insatiable hunger for labor. For example, records of the Cuban slave
trade indicate the importation of 350,000 African slaves between 1821 and 1860. The slaves were principally
brought from Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Angola, Senegal, Liberia, French Guinea and the Congo. The ones
that were to have the greatest cultural influence on Cuba were the Yoruba from the Southwest of Nigeria.
Yoruba religion was, and is, intimatelly tied to a concept of family, those living and the dead. Control over
natural forces is attributed to the ancestors. Those with ashe, power, were transformed into divine beings,
Orishas. According to the Yorubas, this metamorphosis happens during moments of emotional crisis. The
individual’s material self disappears, burned by passion and only his or her ashe remains, manifested as pure
energy. These Orishas, and their liturgical drumming, chanting and dancing came to new world with the
slaves.
The Spanish colonists were far more permissive than their English counterparts when it came to allowing the
enslaved Africans to express their culture through festivals. Partly, this was done to maintain the differences
and rivalries among the tribes and nations. Religion stole hours from production, but the plantation owners
saw that it insured against the unity necessary for a rebellion.
A process of syncretism began when the African and Catholic belief systems met. The slaves accepted the
Catholic saints as new guises for their Orishas. They noticed simple similarities, and melded together the
figures of their divine ancestors with the church’s hagiography. St. Lazarus became associated with Babalu
Aye, Agayu with St. Christopher and Chango with St. Barbara. Eleggua became the Holy Child of Atocha.
With the abolition of slavery in 1880, Eulogio Gutierrez, an ex-slave from Matanzas, decided to return to
Africa. He was possessed by Olofi on two occasions while in Nigeria. The Orisha demanded that he return
to Cuba and found the Rule of Ifa, the sacred order of the babalawos.
Around 1900, a babalawo in Matanzas, Lorenzo Samá, became worried about the lack of unification among
the Yoruba cults. Along with a “daughter” of Chango, Latuan, he worked to unify the different cults into
a single liturgical body which he named the Rule of Ocha (La Regla de Ocha). His ideas gained general
acceptance and modern Santeria was born.

7

Chapter 3

The Drums
3.1 The Drums
Santeria drumming is played on three double headed hourglass shaped drums, the bata. Six hands integrate
a complex rhythm with nuances of tonalities.
The traditions state that the sacred bata drums have aña. They are supernatural beings in their own right and
have to be fed. Animals and food are sacrificed to them as they are to the Orishas. The aña inside the drum
is not at the mercy of the drummer.
Each ilu, or drum, has its specific name. The smallest drum is the okonkolo. The medium drum is the itotele.
The largest bata drum is the iya. It is known as the “mother” of the drums. The iya must be pla yed by the
olubata, the best musician of the trio.
The bata are played by three seated drummers having the drums lying on their knees and held in place by a
strap or cord under their thighs. If they happen to march, the drums are suspended from their necks by the
straps.

8

9

3.2. THE (ORIGINAL) NOTATION

3.2 The (Original) Notation
A tablature notation system has been used to make the interlocking of the different drum parts visually
understandable. This is important because, even though each piece is written under a time signature, e.g.
6/8, the actual playing of the piece will tend to fluctuate somewhere between 6/8 and 4/4. This is due to an
entrainment effect that occurs between the drummers.
Entrainment may be considered vital to liturgical drumming. The Dutch scientist, Christian Huygens, published his research on the subject in 1665: “If 2 rhythms are nearly the same and their sources are in close
proximity, they will always lock up, fall into synchrony, entrain.”
As an example of the tablature, here is a portion of the first piece dedicated to Eleggua in the oru del eya
aranla:
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|:
Represents both the pulses within a measure and the time signature. All measures in 6’s have the beat land
on the “1” and the “4”. All measures in 4’s have the beat land on the “1” and the “3”. Other signatures used
are:
|1 2 3 4 5 6|
|1 2 3 4|
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &|
Each bata drum is assigned two lines:
|1 & 2 &
OKONKOLO
|S
|
ITOTELE
|
S
|
IYA
|
|O

3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
S
O

M

O

|S
|

S
O

O

S
O

|
|

S
O

S

S

|
|O

S

M

M

O
S
O
S
M

|l okon.
|r
|l itot.
|r
|l iya
M|r

S=slap, O=open tone, M=muffled tone.
The left hand plays the chacha, the small head of the drum. Its line is designated “l”. The right hand plays
the enu, the large head. Its line is designated “r”.

3.3 Example
Eleggua 1
y barago /o moyu /ba
/(rest)/
y barago /o moyu /ba o/mo de ko ni/
y barago /o mo yu /ba le leg ba /cho lo ni/
Honor and prayers to the stick.

10

CHAPTER 3. THE DRUMS

To he who teaches honor.
Honor the owner of life.
Eleggua owns the way.
Llame
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|
S
S
|l iya
|O
O
O
O
|r
Repeat as desired
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|S
S
|S
S
|l okon.
|
O
O |
O
O |r
|
|
|
|O

S
M

M

O

S
O

S

S
M

|
|

S
O

|
|O

S

S
O
S
M

|l itot.
|r
|l iya
M|r

Alternate (iya)
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|
S
S
S
|
S
S
S
|l iya
|O
|O
|r
This example can be broken down as follows:
Eleggua 1:
The piece is dedicated to Eleggua. The number 1 indicates that it is the first of a number of pieces to be
dedicated to this Orisha during the oru del eya aranla.
y barago /o moyu /ba /(rest)/, etc:
A phonetic transcription of the chant as sung during performances. This is accompanied by a rough translation. A more accurate idea of the chants can be gained by listening to the recordings of Mr. Lazaro Ros (see
discography). Orin Orisa by John Mason is another excellent source (see bibliography).
Llame:
(included in the oru del igbodu. not really used in the oru del eya aranla.) The measure that open the piece.
In the oru del eya aranla, the akpua, the lead singer, begins by giving a chanted cue that tells the drummers
to start a particular rhythm. The iya takes it up by playing the second measure of the part or by waiting for
the first measure to come around again.. In the case of the oru del igbodu, unaccompanied bata, the iya tells
the other drummers what piece is next by playing the Orisha’s llame, the brief identifying drumming phrase.
repeat as desired:
Repeat the measures as desired (along with the lead singer).
In the oru del igbodu, each section may be repeated more than once. The choice is up to the drummer
playing the iya. The parts form the signature of the piece, the rhythmic pattern that makes it “belong” to a
specific Orisha. While there are differences among bata ensembles and the iya may initiate conversations
with the other drums, playing the sections will provide a common ground for the musicians most of the time.
viro (not shown):

11

3.4. SPEED AND TEMPO

A one measure phrase or “turn” played by the iya that changes the rhythm from one part to another or from
a part to a conversation. It is, in effect the second measure of the next part to be played while the okonkolo
and the itotele continue playing the second measure of the current part. The iya will then continue to play
the next part while the other two drummers “catch up”.
If the ensemble is very tight, the “viro” only takes one measure to perform. If not, two or more measures
may be necessary. If the okonkolo and itotele still do not catch up, the iya may yell at them by playing:
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &|
|
|l iya
|O O O O O
|r
to get their attention.
Alternate:
Alternative ways of playing a part. They are usually more “generic” and can be played in the Bembe style.

3.4 Speed And Tempo
The speed of these pieces on a metronome averages to:
1/4 note = mid 60’s in 6/8
1/4 note = mid 50’s in 2/4
The fastest is Chango, in the mid 70’s. The speed of the performances in the oru del eya aranla, bata
accompanied by singing, is set by the chief vocalist and may vary quite a bit. However, the averages given
are a good place to start.

3.5 Formal Tuning
The tuning of the bata is as follows:
• The large head of the itotele has the same tone as the small head of the iya.
• The large head of the okonkolo has the same tone as the small head of the itotele.
The iya should have a ring of clay, the ida, molded onto its large head to lower the resonance. This is
really not needed with modern bata drums such as those manufactured by Latin Percussion. However, these
tunable drums are not considered suitable for religious ceremonies.
  










    






    





3.6 The New Notation
(This section was added by Martin Blais about that conversion from HTML)
In the printed form, we have converted the notation to standard musical notation, with a choice of notes and
symbols similar to John Amira’s book.
Thus this:

12

CHAPTER 3. THE DRUMS

|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|S
S
|l okon.
|
O
O
|r
|
|O

S

S
O

M

|
|M

S

S
O

O

S
M

|l itot.
|r

S
M

|l iya
|r

Becomes this:
   



   



 




















































3.7 Playing Variations
This music is to be played by bata. Various instruments may be used to explore the rhythmic patterns, but
the density of the pieces and their impact will be considerably lessened.
Here are some possibilities using the above musical excerpt as an example. The imaginative reader will be
able to come up with many of his or her own.
Three players with a tumbadora three congas and a quinto: Properly tuned, each pair of drums would
represent the two heads of the bata drums, e.g.: Tumbadora and conga = iya, two congas = itotele, conga
and quinto = okonkolo. Although awkward, this would provide the maximum sound density without the
expense of a set of bata.
Three players with a tumbadora, a conga and a quinto: Doubled strokes are eliminated and played as slaps
“S” (mostly for the itotele and okonkolo) or open tones “O” (mostly for the iya), depending on the feel of
the piece. The okonkolo is played on the quinto; the itotele on the conga and the iya on the tumbadora. The
transcription would change to this:
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|S
S
|S
S
|l quinto
|
O
O |
O
O |r
|
|

S

S
M

O

|
|

S

S
O

|l conga
|r

13

3.7. PLAYING VARIATIONS

|
|O

S

S

M

M

|
|O

S

S

|l tumba.
M|r

M

Two players with a tumbadora, a conga and a quinto: Doubled strokes are again eliminated. One player
plays the conga and the quinto bembe style, combining the okonkolo and itotele parts:
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|S
O
S
O |S
O
S
O |l quinto
|
S
M
O
S
|
S
O
S
|r conga
|
|O

S

S

M

M

|
|O

S

S

|l tumba.
M|r

M

One player with a quinto and a conga: Doubled strokes are eliminated. The itotele part is eliminated The
left hand plays the okonkolo part on the quinto. The right hand plays the iya part or the iya variation on the
conga:
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|S
O
S
O |S
O
S
O |l quinto
|O
S
S
S
|O
S
S
S
|r conga
Three players, claves: If the sticks are chosen for their high, medium and low tones, this is the cheapest way
to investigate the rhythms.
|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6 &|
|X
X
X
X |X
X
X
X |clave 1
|
|
|
|
|
|X
|

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

|
|

X

X

|X
|

X

X X

X

|clave 2
|
X|clave 3
|

Ideally, at least two musicians should play these pieces to approximate the feeling of bata. A single musician
may learn each individual rhythm and then find that s/he is incapable of coordinating with another player.

Chapter 4

The Orus
4.1 The Orus
Each Orisha or ”saint” has its own individual rhythms, which are played exclusively in his or her honor.
The lukumi musical liturgies in Cuba are known as oru. They cosist of a series of hymns dedicated to the
diverse Orishas in a ritual order. The sound oru could be the same as oro, which in Yoruba means ”word” or
”conversation”. So, oru is to ”speak” with the Orishas.
Santeria has three main liturgies. There is one of unaccompanied singing and chanting. The second, the oru
del igbodu, is unaccompanied bata drumming. The third, the oru del eya aranla, is composed of drumming,
singing, and dancing.
The singing oru seems to have precedence. It is only used in cryptic rites of operational magic, consecration
or sacraments such as initiations and ebos (sacrifices).
The bata oru is also private and is performed in the igbodu, the inner sanctum. It is a series of drummed
prayers played before the beginning of all solemn ceremonies and collective dancing, asking the Orishas for
permission to hold the ceremony and their participation in it.
When the oru del igbodu ends, the oru del eya aranla, the public ceremony; which takes place outside the
inner sanctum, begins. Most of the pieces in this oru are the same as parts of the oru del igbodu.
After that oru, there is the guemilere, in which the rhythms of the eya aranla can be played as desired,
without regard to formal order. ”Generic” rhythms, such as yakota, are played. The formal ceremonies turn
into a celebration. All pieces may be played except for those dedicated to the Eggun, the spirits of the dead.
When the nervous convulsions which precede a possession are noted, the chants are repeated. The phrases
and the tempo are speeded up, until one or more participants are ”ridden” by an Orisha.
The ceremonies end with a closing oru. These pieces are again played solemnly in a formal order.

4.2 The Orishas
The information given with the oru del igbodu is as follows:
1. The Catholic saint: This is the syncretic combination between the original African deity and church
orthodoxy. The feast day is also given.
2. The identifying characteristics of the Orisha and his or her relationship with the other Orishas.
3. Notes on playing.
14

4.2. THE ORISHAS

15

4. Alternate rhythms that can be played in addition to, or instead of, the transcribed piece. The information given with the oru del eya aranla is as follows: (It is meant to help in setting up a folkloric
theatrical performance. It is not a guide to religious practice.)
(a) The fetish: The specific object in which the Orisha resides, its house.
(b) Ornaments: The items associated with each Orisha. Usually, they are the things over which the
Orisha has power.
(c) Power objects: When a participant is possessed, these objects are handed to him or her.
(d) Collar: The “children” of an Orisha wear collars and bracelets of a particular color and beading
pattern “belonging” to the Orisha.
(e) Clothing: Both figurines representing the Orishas and the dancers are dressed in these costumes.
(f) Offerings: A brief listing of the items offered to the Orisha before or during a ceremony. Those
possessed by the Orishas may be offered this food during their trance. Some of the sacrificial
animals are also listed.
(g) Dances: When a person is possessed, he or she behaves in a stereotypical manner which “belongs” to the Orisha that has “come down”. These movements are also intentionally performed
by designated dancers during a ritual (who may later be themselves possessed) Or by those in
the audience who are moved by the rhythms.

Chapter 5

The Oru Del Igbodu
5.1 The Oru Del Igbodu
The room devoted to the Orishas is known in lukumi as the igbodu.
The pieces in the oru del igbodu are solely instrumental. Only bata drums are used. Ichoworo, bells threaded
around the heads of the iya, accompany the drums. They fill the “empty spaces” in the rhythm.
The rhythms are approximated semantically by certain brief phrases played by the iya and known as llames.
Each one of these phrases evokes the idea of one of the Orishas and is a shorthand call to him or her.
The llames are also used to call (llamar) the attention of the other drummers in the trio and indicate what
piece is to be played next. Some of the llames are so brief that they only take up a quarter of a measure.
The oru del igbodu is begun by playing the 23 llames in their order. This moyuba, prayer, is a liturgical
warmup. All of the Orishas are rapidly invoked by their musical names.
While the iya plays the series of llames, the itotele and the okonkolo repeat, either in unison or in counterpoint, a very simple rhythm of di-de,di-de,di-de....

   




  




 





















or:

16













17

5.1. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 





































































18

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.2 The Llames of the Oru Del Igbodu (Iya only)
(Muffled tones (M) may be eliminated)
1. ELEGGUA


 




2. OGGUN



 









3. OCHOSI



 










4. OBBALOKE


 




5. INLE



 



6. BABALU AYE 1



 




BABALU AYE 2


 




7. OSAIN
 



















19

5.2. THE LLAMES OF THE ORU DEL IGBODU (IYA ONLY)
8. OSUN


 







9. OBATALA



 




10. DADA


 




11. OGGUE


 




12. AGAYU



 







13. ORUNLA




 









14. ORISHA OKO





 




15. IBEDYI



 



16. CHANGO
 













20

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

17. YEGGUA


 




18. OYA







 








19. OCHUN



 













20. YEMAYA


 




21. OBBA


 




22. ODDUA
 






After the 23 llames are played, the drummers begin to play the 23 pieces of the oru to the same 22 Orishas.

21

5.3. ELEGGUA

5.3 Eleggua
The Holy Child of Atocha (January 1)
Eleggua is first among the Orishas. He is the first to be called and offered sacrifices in any ceremony. He
serves as the messenger to the Orishas.
Eleggua holds the keys of destiny. He opens and closes the door to luck or misfortune, personifying chance
and death.
He is the first in the group of warriors (Eleggua, Oggun, Ochosi and Osun).
Eleggua is always closely related to Eshu (Eshu-Eleggua), the incarnation of humanity’s problems. They
represent the invitable duality of good and evil.
This piece is known as Latokpa, (Lati: because of. Okpa: center of the cane). This refers to the stick or
shepherd’s crook which characterizes Eleggua and which is carried by the dancer in the oru del eya aranla.

ELEGGUA
Llame


 




Part 1
Repeat as desired
   



    



 





Viro



































Alternative (iya):
 







































































 

22

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

Part 2
Repeat as desired
   



    



 






















 















































































Alternative (iya):


 




Viro

Part 3
Repeat as desired
   



   



 






Viro














Alternative (iya):
 






























































































23

5.3. ELEGGUA
Part 4
Repeat as desired
   



    



 



















































































































Viro

Part 5
Repeat as desired
   



   



 


















Alternative:








































































































































































































































































































































































































24

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 






























































































































































































































































































































































































































25

5.4. OGGUN

5.4 Oggun
St. Peter (June 29)
Oggun ”owns” all iron, minerals, and tools. He is the patron of blacksmiths, mechanics, engineers, chemists
and soldiers and has power over keys, locks, chains and jails.
He has two rhythms which may be performed and sung in public.

OGGUN
Llame



 









Part 1
Repeat as desired



  






   






 






 










































 



Alternative (iya):
 




Viro

Part 2
Repeat as desired









26

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU



  






   



































 



















Alternative:






  






   

 































































27

5.5. OCHOSI

5.5 Ochosi
St. Norbert (June 6)
Ochosi is the patron of those in trouble with the law. Along with Oggun, he has power over jails. Ochosi is
a great magician and seer; as well as a warrior, hunter and fisherman.
This piece is know as Agguere, (the base upon which the Ifa, the divination board, sits).

OCHOSI
Llame



 










Part 1
Repeat as desired




   








  





























 























Alternative (iya):
 








Viro

Part 2
Repeat as desired














28

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU



  






   













































 




















Alternative:



  






   






































 



















Viro

Part 3
Repeat as desired



  






   

 

Alternative:

























































































29

5.5. OCHOSI



  






   































































 




















Viro

Part 4
Repeat as desired (repeat these 2 measures 3 times)



  






   














 







































































Alternative (iya):




 

















(and end with this measure)



  






   

 




















































































30

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

Alternative (iya):




 





Viro

Part 5
Repeat as desired



  






   


















 

















































Alternative (iya):



 



















Viro

Part 6
Repeat as desired




   








  
























 
























31

5.5. OCHOSI
Viro

Part 7
Repeat as desired



  






   


































 





















Alternative (iya):



 











Viro

Part 8
Repeat as desired



  






   










 


























































Alternative (iya):

 







32

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.6 Obbaloke
St. Santiago (July 25)
Obbaloke is the mountain, the patron of anything that is high. He’s the strength of all the Orishas. His cult
is not very widely spread.
This Orisha is not featured in the oru del eya aranla.

OBBALOKE
Llame
 





Part 1
Repeat as desired
   

    

 















































































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Viro

Part 2
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33

5.6. OBBALOKE
   



   



 

































































Alternative (iya):
 



































34

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.7 Inle
The Archangel Raphael (October 24 or September 29)
Inle is the healer of the Orishas and ”owns”, with Ochun, the rivers and fresh water fishes. He is the patron
of doctors and fishermen.
Inle is the personification of the earth, provider of human sustenance.

INLE
Llame



 



Part 1
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Viro















 






































35

5.7. INLE
Part 2
Repeat as desired






   







  

































 
















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Viro

Part 3
Repeat as desired






   







  

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36

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU






   







  





































 























Viro

Part 4
Repeat as desired
   

  








































 






























Alternative:



  






   

 













Part 5
Repeat as desired







 
















































37

5.7. INLE



  






   









































 












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38

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.8 Babalu Aye
St. Lazarus (December 17th)
Babalu Aye is the father of the world. He is a very venerated Orisha and ”owns” smallpox, leprosy and
venereal diseases.
The first piece is known as iyankota, which means ”don’t fight”.
The second piece is known as iba iba agguede ma, ”gathering of the elegant lord that relieves pain”.

5.8.1

Babalu Aye 1
BABALU AYE 1

Llame



 

















Part 1
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39

5.8. BABALU AYE

5.8.2

Babalu Aye 2
BABALU AYE 2

Llame



 




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40

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 






  

 















 


  











 







 


  













  





  





  











   


  










 



 
 


  












  







 










  






 









 


  













  



  





  






 



 




  



  



 

 




  






 






  





 



 












 




41

5.9. OSAIN

5.9 Osain
St. Silvester (December 31)
Osain is the personification of vegetative nature. He ”owns” all herbs, medicinal plants and all vegetation
with magical powers, ashe . He only has one hand, one leg and one eye. One of his ears is large and the
other, the one that receives petitions, is small. Since all ceremonies involve some sort of herbalism, Osain
must participate in them all.
This piece is known as kuru kuru be te ”we worship he who drives away death”.
This Orisha is not featured in the oru del eya aranla.
Fetish: Osain resides in a hanging gourd with four feathers above clay pots containing an amazing amount
of things, according to which avatar is being worshipped. A turtle shell should also be nearby.
Collars: White, red and yellow. Repeat pattern: one white bead, followed by nine red beads and eight yellow
beads.
Offerings: Tree sap and herbs. Goats, turtles, red roosters.

OSAIN

Llame
 






Part 1
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42

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



   



 


































































































































































Viro



Part 2
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Viro

Part 3
Repeat as desired






   








  







 

















































































 























43

5.9. OSAIN
Viro

Part 4
Repeat as desired



  






   

 


























































44

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.10 Osun
St. John the Baptist (June 24)
Osun watches over the eleda, the spirit that resides in the heads of human beings. He ”owns” witchcraft and
secret ceremonies.
The piece is known as osun moyuba are, ”we honor the Orisha of witchcraft”.
This Orisha is not featured in the oru del eya aranla.
Fetish: Osun resides in a metal cup topped by a rooster (It could also be a dove, a dog or a lizard) and placed
on a pedestal. The base is very heavy. Its perpendicular axis is threaded through a covered receptacle.
Collar: It is made up of blue, red, brown, green, yellow, black, and white beads. Dance: Very private and
secret ceremonies.
Offering: All food offerings to the warriors. White doves.

OSUN
Llame


 







Part 1
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Alternative (iya):



 







Viro

Part 2
Repeat as desired







































































45

5.10. OSUN
   



    



 






































































































46

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.11 Obatala
Our Lady of Mercy (September 24)
Obatala created the earth and made humanity. His purity gives him power over all that is white. He also has
power over the head, its thoughts and dreams.
Obatala is respected by all the Orishas. They seek him out to negotiate arguments. He does not like nudity
or crude phrases.
This piece is known as jekua baba, ”yes, wonderful father”.

OBATALA
Llame
 







Part 1
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47

5.11. OBATALA
Part 2
Repeat as desired

   



    



 















  







































 

















































































































































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Viro

Part 3
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48

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

Viro

Part 4
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Viro

Part 5
Repeat as desired
   



    



 













 



























 









 




















 







 







 

Alternative:
   



   



 






































































































49

5.11. OBATALA
Viro

Part 6
Repeat as desired



  






   
































 











 












 

Viro

Part 7
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50

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.12 Dada
St. Raymond Nonnatus (August 31)
The patron of the newborn, especially those with curly hair. Also known as the Orisha of vegetables.

DADA

Llame


 




Part 1
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Viro

Part 2





 




























 









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51

5.12. DADA
   



    



 




















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52

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.13 Oggue
Saint unknown
Chango’s companion, the patron of all horned animals.

OGGUE
Llame
 





Part 1
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53

5.14. AGAYU

5.14 Agayu
St. Christopher (July 25)
Agayu is the patron of walkers, travellers, stevedores and porters. He also protects all forms of transport,
land or air.
He ”owns” those rivers that serve as frontiers, lava, and earthquakes.

AGAYU
Llame



 







Part 1
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Alternative (okonkolo):




 




Viro

Part 2
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54

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU




   
















  






















 






































Viro

Part 3
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Alternative:



   



    



 



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55

5.14. AGAYU
Part 4
Repeat as desired

   



   



 

















 














































































Viro

Part 5
Repeat as desired

   



   



 


















Part 6
Repeat as desired









Viro

































































56

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



   



 




















 















































































57

5.15. ORUNLA

5.15 Orunla
St. Francis (October 4)
Orunla is the great benefactor of humanity and its principal adviser. He reveals the future through the secret
of Ifa, the supreme oracle. Orunla is also a great healer. Whoever ignores his advice may suffer the curse of
Echu.

ORUNLA
Llame




 













Part 1
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58

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

Part 2
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Viro

Part 3
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59

5.16. IBEDYI

5.16 Ibedyi
St. Cosme and St. Damian (September 27)
The Ibedyi (Taebo & Kainde) are male and female twins. Playfull, gluttonous, mischievious; they receive
the love of all the Orishas and are considered the patrons of all children.

IBEDYI
Llame



 









Part 1
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60

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.17 Orisha Oko
St. Isidro (March 22 or May 15)
Orisha of the earth, agriculture and crops. He is the patron of agricultural workers.
Orisha Oko is the judge that settles disputes among the Orishas. On earth, he’s an arbiter in arguments,
especially among women.
He assures the prosperity of the earth and is responsible for all food. Sterile women turn to him for help.

ORISHA OKO
Llame
 









Part 1
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61

5.18. CHANGO

5.18 Chango
St. Barbara (December 4)
Chango ”owns” fire, thunder and lightning. He also controls war and the bata drums. Chango is the patron
of masculine beauty, music and dance.
He represents a great number of human virtues and imperfections: a hard worker, courageous, a good friend,
a soothsayer and a healer. He is also a liar, womanizer, likes to provoke fights, is a braggart and a gambler.
This piece is named didi la ro, ”he who ties thunder”.

CHANGO
Llame


 




Part 1
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Part 2
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Alternative (iya):
 










 





 




































 

62

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 













































































































Alternative (iya):


 




Viro

Part 3
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Alternative (iya):
 





Viro

Part 4
Repeat as desired


































































63

5.18. CHANGO

   



   



 











Alternative (iya):
 




















































































64

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.19 Yeggua
Our Lady of the Forsaken (October 30)
Yeggua ”owns” the cemeteries, living among the tombs and the dead. She is in charge of turning over
corpses to Oya.
Yeggua is old, a virgin and extremelly chaste. Her oracles have great prestige and her ”children” live lives
of rigid austerities.

YEGGUA
Llame
 





Part 1
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Viro

Part 2
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5.19. YEGGUA

65

66

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.20 Oya
Our Lady of Candlemas (February 2)
Oya ”owns” shooting stars and the wind, whether breeze or hurricane. She is violent and impetuous, loves
war and accompanies Chango on his campaigns.
Oya also ”owns” the cemetery and lives at its door, being the gate of death.
The character of this piece is funereal. It is known as bayuba ka te, ”reverently playing to worship”.

OYA
Llame







 








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67

5.20. OYA




   































 








  



































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Part 3
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Viro

Part 4
Repeat as desired









68

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 






















































































































Viro

Part 5
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Alternative (iya):
   



    



 



 



 


















 

 




  





 

 










  







 

 

 




 




 











 


 




  






 

 






  






 

 






 











  



 

 
 

 








 







 


  



 

 

 




  



 

 









  

 

 








 


  

  
 

 
 
















 
  





  
   

69

5.21. OCHUN

5.21 Ochun
Our Lady of Charity (September 8)
Ochun is the Orisha of love, femininity and rivers. She embodies coquetry, grace and female sexuality. She
helps women give birth.
The name of this piece is chenche kururu, ”the water that flows from the earth and flows everywhere”. It is
to be repeated as desired. This piece is also played outside the igbodu with more of a salsa feel.

OCHUN
Llame



 













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70

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.22 Yemaya
The Virgin of Regla (September 7)
Yemaya is the mother of all life and all the Orishas.
Yemaya has power over the ocean, likes to hunt and to use a machete.
She has a huge amount of avatars, each one with its own rhythm and characteristics.
This piece is known as alaro, ”blue”, which is Yemaya’s color.

YEMAYA
Llame


 




Part 1
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Viro

Part 2
Repeat as desired


























































































71

5.22. YEMAYA
   



    



 
























































































































Alternative (iya):


 




Viro

Part 3
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Part 4
Repeat as desired





















































Alternative (iya):
 






























72

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 




















 
















































































Viro

Part 5
Repeat as desired

   



    



 


















Part 6
Repeat as desired

























Viro
Alternative (iya):

 



































































73

5.22. YEMAYA
   



    



 





















 














































































Viro

Part 7
Repeat as desired

   



 




















Viro

Part 8
Repeat as desired






































































Alternative (iya):

 







   









74

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 





































































































Viro

Part 9
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Viro

Part 10
Repeat as desired
   



   



 




































































































































































































5.22. YEMAYA
Alternative (iya):
 





75

76

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU

5.23 Obba
St. Catalina of Palermino (November 25)
With Yeggua and Oya, she ”owns” the cemetery.
Obba has power overs lakes and ponds. She symbolizes conjugal fidelity.

OBBA
Llame


 




Part 1
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Viro

Part 2
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77

5.23. OBBA
   



    



 








































































































Alternative (iya):



 





Viro

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Part 4
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Alternative (iya):
 














78

CHAPTER 5. THE ORU DEL IGBODU
   



    



 















 









































































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79

5.24. ODDUA

5.24 Oddua
Jesus Christ
Oddua took part in the creation of the world side by side with God (Olofi), which makes him the oldest of
Obatala’s avatars, the one who created Obatala himself. Oddua is the creator and administrator of justice.
He represents the mystery and secrets of death, and has power over solitude. This Orisha is not featured in
the oru del eya aranla.
Fetish: A silver coffin containing a metal skeleton. It is covered with cotton and a sheet and placed in a high
place.
Ornaments: Oddua ”owns” two ivory balls, a white horse. An almond oil lamp which is lit every Thursday.
A sword or machete, a globe. Two identical dolls. A rod made of white metal supported by a round base
with a white metal dove on top. Jet, coral, amber, mother of pearl and ivory also ”belong” to Oddua.
Power objects: A small broom made out of horse tail. It has a central handle consisting of eight rings of
white, black red and yellow beads.
Collars: Mother of pearl and coral. Repeat pattern: sixteen mother of pearl beads followed by one coral
bead.
Clothing: White clothing with a red girdle. When the girdle is tied, the right end should be longer than the
left. A hat or a kerchief covers the head.
Offerings: White animals, although some say that no animals should be sacrificed and that only food and
flowers should be offered.
Dance: Oddua is very holy and dignified, brushing evil influences away with his broom.

ODDUA
Llame
 






Part 1
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The oru del igbodu ends here. It does not close, as is usual in all ceremonies, with a piece to Eleggua because
this oru is considered an introduction to the public performance of the oru del eya aranla.

Chapter 6

The Oru Del Eya Aranla
6.1 The Oru Del Eya Aranla
The oru del eya aranla consists of dances and singing accompanied by bata drumming, in a traditional
liturgical order. The chants are led by the akpuon, the chief vocalist. Each piece is repeated at the akpuon’s
discretion, and he will establish a call and response pattern with the chorus (see the discography).
When a person is possessed by an Orisha, a circle of dancers surrounds the individual and imitate his
or her movements. Those Orishas who do not ”come down” have dances performed in their honor. Evey
performance is slightily different. The last piece to be played ”belongs” to the Orisha to whom the ceremony
is dedicated.

6.1.1

Costumes

When possessed, a person will remove all clothing that is not congruent with ancestral African culture:
shoes, socks, garters, hair ornaments, ear rings and everyday dress. He or she will then be dressed in a
special costume. This costume will ”belong” to the Orisha that has ”come down”. The Orisha’s collars,
jewelry and power objects will also be given to the possessed individual.
The male Orishas wear a vest or short coat, pants and hats or crowns. The females wear very wide dresses,
and adorn themselves with collars, bracelets and ribbons. A male Orisha may possess a woman and a female
Orisha may possess a man. If a female Orisha takes possession of a man, he keeps his pants, but puts on the
rest of the female costume. If a woman is possessed by a male Orisha, she will wear the costume’s pants.
The costumes are made out of the most expensive material that the worshippers can afford, preferrably silk.
It is hand embroidered with images of the ornaments and power objects that ”belong” to the Orisha that is
going to wear it.

6.1.2

The Chants

The chants are presented phonetically, as sung by someone who speaks Spanish. The transcriptions are not
grammatical lukumi. They are the performance of an orally transmitted liturgy by everyday practitioners.
When sung, they are understandable as lukumi.
The translations are only meant to convey the sense of the phrase. They are not a word for word translation.
Those wishing a more traditional approach to transcription and translation should consult Orin Orisa by
John Mason.

80

81

6.2. ELEGGUA

6.2 Eleggua
Fetish: Eleggua resides in a head shaped stone (they are now made of cement) with three cowrie shells
making up the eyes and the mouth. The stone should be placed on the floor behind the front door. He may
also be represented by a coconut.
Ornaments: Anything used by children in their games: kites, whistles, balls, dolls, etc., belongs to Eleggua.
He is also surrounded by: keys, a machete, a straw hat, lianas, deer antlers, hunting and fishing equipment;
gold nuggets and silver coins; sticks collected in a wild place; decorated dry coconuts, large beer bottles,
and goat horns.
Power objects: The garabato stick (a shepherd’s crook, sometimes only a crooked stick or cane).
Collars: Red and black. Repeat pattern: Three red beads followed by three black beads, then a red bead
alternates with a black bead three times.
Clothing: Eleggua dresses in a frock coat and knickers with a big red chef’s hat on his head. The costume
is all in red and black. Sometimes, the colors alternate in stripes. The whole costume, especially the hat, is
liberally ornamented with small bells and cowrie shells.
Offerings: Eleggua likes strong colorless liquors (vodka, aguardiente, white rum), cigars, toasted corn,
smoked fish, corojo butter, and sweets. Goats, roosters and mice are sacrificed
Dances: When Eleggua ”comes down”, he will run and stand behind a door. He will leap and shake, making
childish faces and playing children’s games. Some of the movements may be quite erotic. He will joke with
the audience and may disappear from sight only to return when least expected. A characteristic dance step is
to stand on one foot and to twirl rapidly. Eleggua is always handed a garabato stick. He will use it to mime
opening a path through heavy bush. The other dancers imitate Eleggua’s movements, either individually or
as a group moving counter clockwise.

6.2.1

Eleggua 1

y barago /o moyu /ba
/(rest)/
y barago /o moyu /ba o/mo de ko ni/
y barago /o mo yu /ba le leg ba /cho lo ni/
Honor and prayers to the stick.
To he who teaches, honor.
Honor the owner of life.
Eleggua owns the way.
Repeat as desired
   



    



 









































































































 

82

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

Alternate (iya):



 




Alternate 2 (iya):

 

6.2.2







Eleggua 2

y chonchona/
---(repeat as desired)
...be
/y chonchon a /be o da ra /
o le ri e /yo /y chon chon a /be o da ra /
o le ri e /yo la ro ye /chonchon a/...
--be/B
The knife, the knife.
Don’t mock the magician.
Stop me.
Same as Eleggua 1

6.2.3

Eleggua 3

A bu/
---(repeat as desired)
kenke a /bu ken ke /la ro ye la /to kan a bu/
kenke a /bu ken ke /e chua la ro ye/nki o a bu/
--Out of the way of little loud Laroye.
Out of the way of little loud Echu.
Repeat as desired

83

6.2. ELEGGUA
   



    



 

























































































































































































































































































































































































































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84

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

85

6.3. OGGUN

6.3 Oggun
Fetish: Oggun resides in a small three-legged iron cauldron.
Ornaments: All iron tools, including weapons, belong to Oggun. Models of a machete, a shovel, a pick, a
hammer, an anvil, a hoe, a knife, etc., are placed inside amd around the cauldron. He is also accompanied
by a black dog and a snake.
Power objects: A machete.
Collars: Green and black. Repeat pattern: seven green beads followed by seven black beads. Then, a green
bead alternates with a black bead seven times.
Clothing: Oggun wears a tiger skin bag ornamented with cowrie shells on his shoulder. His coat and pants
are purple. The hat is flattened out. He wears a belt festooned with long fringes of palm leaf fibers.
Offerings: Roasted yam, kola nuts and aguardiente. Goats and roosters.
Dances: When Oggun ”comes down”, he is known by two characteristic dances: In the warrior dance, he
strikes the air with his machete while squatting down, advancing with one foot and dragging the other. In
the laborer’s dance, he harvests plants with his machete or mimes beating on the machete, using his fist like
a blacksmith’s hammer. The other dancers imitate Oggun’s movements, dancing around him in a circle.

6.3.1

Oggun 1

o gun de/ e /a re re /(rest) /
y le /gbon gbon /lo ku a /o gun /
gua ni le /o gun /gua lo na /(rest)/
y le /gbon gbon /lo ku a /e /
Oggun is here, everywhere.
Oggun in the house.
Oggun in the road.
Oggun in the world’s house.
Repeat as desired 4 times:



  






   






 






 










































 



Alternative (iya):
 











86

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

3 times:



  






   



































 






















Alternative:



  






   






 

6.3.2























































Oggun 2

A cho e gue/o gun de/o gun a le re/gban gban/
A cho e gue/o gun de/o gun meyeo/gun lor cho/
Oggun arrives to the house wearing herbs.
Oggun arrives wearing herbs.
Oggun adorned. We look for him.
Same as Oggun 1.
Alternative:
   



   



 

























 






















































































6.3. OGGUN

6.3.3

Oggun 3

E e/e e pkua/(rest)/
I e pkua/ke ye ke ye/mo dan so roa cho/
gun a la do/o ri sa/
Oh, oh, shout.
Honor, honor loud.
Oggun, owner of gourd and head.
Same as Oggun 2.

87

88

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.4 Ochosi
Fetish: Ochosi resides in a clay frying pan. It is always next to the fetishes belonging to Eleggua and Oggun.
Ornaments: Ochosi ”owns” all things associated with hunting and fishing. Next to these, there should be:
deer antlers, three arrows, three dog figurines, and a small mirror.
Power objects: A bow and arrow.
Collars: Green beads. Amber or brown beads. Also common are collars made up of dark blue beads
alternating with coral beads.
Clothing: Ochosi’s clothing is a combination of Eleggua’s and Oggun’s. The color is lilac or light purple.
His hat and his shoulder bag are made of tiger skin. Ochosi always carries a bow and arrow.
Offerings: Smoked fish. Deer. All game birds.
Dances: When Ochosi ”comes down” he shouts as if driving animals...”E.E.E”, while mimicking the movements of a hunter looking for game. As Ochosi dances, he raises his left leg and mimes shooting an arrow.
He dances with Ochun quite often.

6.4.1

Ochosi 1

ochosi/a yi lo/da a la/ma la de/
guo le guo/la o de/mata o/te o re/
yambo ra/i lo do/o de ma ta/ko ro ro/
Ochosi makes hunger run.
The brightness is here.
Come in. Come in.
Don’t shoot your friend.
We beg you not to shoot your friend.
Repeat as desired





   








  


























 








Alternative:

























89

6.4. OCHOSI



  






   

 

6.4.2















































Ochosi 3

fa o de de/e e e/e o de de/a fon fo o un/
o ya o de de/fagno re ra kun/fora o de de/
faguo re ra kun/fora/
Good fortune.
With the head we grow old.
How good to be old.
Same as Ochosi 1








o de mata/i guara o de/fa o de ma ta/i gua ra o de/

6.4.3





Ochosi 2

Hunter, don’t shoot.
May the hunter have luck.
Hunter, don’t shoot.
We’re not afraid. Arrive.
Same as Ochosi 1
















90

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.5 Orisha Oko
Fetish: Orisha Oko resides in a flat porcelain tray with a little pot placed on top.
Ornaments: He ”owns” all farming tools. There should be a horizontal tile and a model of a plow with an
umbrella pulled by two oxen next to his fetish.
Power objects: An achere, or large gourd covered in beads is shaken to call Orisha Oko. It is painted in dark
red and white longitudinal stripes.
Collars: Pink and turquoise. Repeat pattern: seven lilac or pink beads alternating with seven turquoise
beads.
Offerings: Orisha Oko likes everything that is cultivated. Goat, red rooster.
Dances: Orisha Oko does not ”come down”. There are dances in his honor, but they do not have a set
choreography.

6.5.1

Oricha Oko 1

o ri chaoko o/gun fe
ki M-qa yo bi a/ra o
cha kuo de bi a/ra o
i i o mo ye/ni o a/i

ye/mogui mogui ma/gunfe ye mo le/
ko o de/ya ma la bi o/misa go o de/
ko mo ye/mi o a/
i o/

Landlord. Good medicine.
Look at the knower of secrets.
The pure gathers the children
Repeat as desired

   



   



 



















 



Alternative (iya):

 













































































































91

6.5. ORISHA OKO

6.5.2

Orisha Oko 2

Yom ba le/i si le le/o/o/o/o/o/(rest)/
Yom ba le/i si le le/ko ko a/ro/
Yom ba le/i si le le/ko ko a/ro/
Meet the earth spirit.
Meet the earth spirit.
Repeat as desired
   



   



 





















He grows.
He grows.































































































92

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.6 Inle
Fetish: Inle resides in a soup toureen covered with a plate. His ornaments are placed on the plate. Next to
the toureen is a little pot in which his companion Orisha’s secret is kept.
Ornaments: A pedestal in the shape of a cross. Snakes and small fishes hang from each arm. Two snakes
coil around the shaft of the cross, similar to a doctor’s caduceus. Inle also ”owns” two rings and a fishing
hook made out of silver or white base metal.
Power objects: Fishing line and a net.
Collars: Dark green.
Clothing: Inle dresses in blue, yellow and white. His costume is heavily decorated with cowrie shells. He
may also dress in deep green.
Offerings: He likes sweet wine and cake. Almond oil. White ram and white rooster.
Dances: Inle seldom ”comes down”. Dances are held in his honor. The dancers gather in a circle, bent over
and moving the right hand from side to side, as if peering through shrubbery. They take zig zag steps. The
dancers also imitate the movements of fishermen rowing in a canoe or pulling in nets.

6.6.1

Inle 1

e o ynle/o ynle o yn/le a ya ya/o ynle/
Come to the elephant.
The courageous elephant.
Repeat as desired



  






   

 

6.6.2










































Inle 2

o yn le/keleago lo/ma o yn le/
ke leago lo/na a go lo na/a go lo na ma da/
o o in le/ke lea go lo/na/








Prayer to the elephant.
Make way. We are coming.
Repeat as desired





















93

6.6. INLE
   



    



 



6.6.3































































Inle 3

o in le/o o in/le o in le/ko ko ta ta/
ya ta ra ya/ko ko ta ra/ya ta ta ya/
Inle. The happy fierce dog.
Same as Inle 2























































94

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.7 Babalu Aye
Fetish: Babalu Aye resides in a large clay frying pan, with another turned upside down on top as a cover. A
gourd, in which guinea hen feathers from a sacrifice are inserted, is placed on top.
Ornaments: Two crutches and a rattle such as lepers used in the middle ages to warn passerbys. Two
figurines of white dogs with yellow spots made out of any type of material.
Power objects: An aja, a corojo palm or coconut palm fromd broom held together by a piece of sackcloth.
The broom is trimmed with cowrie shells and beads.
Collars: White beads with blue streaks.
Clothing: The typical dress of St. Lazarus as found in devotional images. It is made out of sackcloth covered
with cowrie shells.
Offerings: Babalu Aye likes fermented corn meal. Stale bread. Water. A mottled rooster.
Dances: Babalu Aye always ”comes down” as a sick person, with a bent back and gnarled hands. He limps
and is very weak, falling down at times. His nose is full of mucus and his voice is congested and nasal.
His movements are those of a feverish person, shooing away flies that land on his open sores with the aja.
Babalu Aye also makes sweeping gestures through the air to clean it of evil influences. Whoever is possessed
will want to lick pustules or wounds on those watching the ceremony.
While bakini bakini bakini is being performed, water is poured on the floor. Everyone wets their fingers and
pass them over their foreheads and the back of the neck. Later, the hand is kissed to protect against illnesses.
Babalu Aye is followed by a circle of dancers, who dance bent over and limping.

6.7.1

Babalu Aye 1

ba i ba o gue/de mo mo le/yanta a/mole ya/
ka ke ka ke/ka ke mo le/yan ta a/mo le ya/
Meet the elegant one.
That goes back and forth.
Relieving the earth’s pain.
The arrogant protector.
The earth’s strength.
Repeat as desired

95

6.7. BABALU AYE
   



    



 







































 




























































































 
























 






 












































































 


















































 
























 
















 















































 
















 



























 

































 






































 
 

 











 





























Alternative:
   



    



 



6.7.2




  

 















 


  











 


  










 


  













  





  











   


  













 
 


  





 






  







 









  







 











 




  



  






a ga ga go go/bo re e le/ko.../.../(rest)/(rest)/
ko o/ri ba ba/babalu a ye/
bo ri e le/ko o/ni ba ba/



 



 


  







  





  



 

 



Babalu Aye 2

The head is bound. Help us.
Father of the world.
The head is bound. Help us


  












  


 




  







 



 












 




96

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

Same as Babalu Aye 1

6.7.3

Babalu Aye 3

ba ba/e /a gua/
so ron so/ba ba/e /
ba ba o ri sa/so ron so/ba ba lu a ye/
y yan fo mo/re ba ba/chi re chi re.../.../
Give us relief.
Do us good.
Give us relief, father of the world.
Do us good.
Repeat as desired






   













  




 






 














 
































































  





























  































 

















  







Alternative:






   







 







  










 

Alternative 2:


















 
































































































































 

























97

6.7. BABALU AYE
   



    



 















































































































98

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.8 Obatala
Fetish: Obatala resides in a white toureen.
Ornaments: Obatala ”owns” everything white, including silver and white metals. He has a crown with 4
parrot feathers. A sun, a moon, a snake. six bracelets; all made out of silver. A silver hand holds up a white
scepter. Two ivory eggs.
Power objects: An opa, a scepter of power. A silver bracelet. An iruke, a white horse tail whisk.
Collars: White beads. Also 21 white beads followed by a coral bead repeated to the desired length.
Clothing: Obatala always dresses in white. His warrior avatars have a red sash across their chest. Suns and
moons are embroidered on his costume. Eight ribbons go around his waist.
Offerings: He likes white rice and all white foods. White chickens.
Dances: When Obatala ”comes down”, he does not dance. To honor him, the dancers imitate the cautious,
slow movements of the very old. If the dance is in honor of a warrior avatar, they mime a rider brandishing
a sword. He speaks very softly and makes predictions, brushing clean those present with his iruke.

6.8.1

Obatala 1

ba ba fu/ru ru/loe re re/o.../
o ke/M-qe M-qe/le yi bo/.../
e le/ri fun/mo si gua/sa guo/
e yi bo/re re/mo si gua/o.../
...o lu/a ye/ya gua o.../.../
e ya gua/guo ro e/le se ken.../.../
Father of the white cloud.
Master of the head, strike.
Master of the snake.
Yes, wonderful father.
Repeat as desired

   



    



 















































































































































































































99

6.8. OBATALA

6.8.2

Obatala 2

i gue re/i ye/ye.../.../(rest)/(rest)/
ye o lu/guo mi o/ba ta la.../.../
o lu/gua mi o/bao ri sa/(rest)/
i ba i/ba ba/i ba i/ye ye/
i ba ka/ro guo o/da cho ma/me guo/
o di ka/guoa da/che o/lo mi o/
i ba ka/ro guo o/da cho ma/me guo/
o di ka/guo a da/che o/lo mi o/
sa o/lo fin o/ba ra ye/
Be calm, king of the white.
King of the head.
Honor the Father.
Honor the Mother.
Count money.
Count cloth.
King of the world.
Repeat as desired



  






   

 

6.8.3


















Obatala 3

babaoba/o ma se ye/do ma ba ba/
o ma se ye/ba ba o ba/o ma se ye/
do ma ba ba/o ma se ye.../.../
Father king.
Father forever.
Same as Obatala 2



















































100

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.9 Dada
Fetish: Dada resides in a pumpkin decorated with cowrie shells. A ball of indigo is placed on top.
Dance: A group dance with no particular coreography.

6.9.1

Dada

da da/o mo lo guo/da da o mo/lu be yo/
da da ma/cho kun masele/da da ma/cho kun ma/
Child with curly hair. Rich child
Long life for the curly hair.
Repeat as desired
   



   



 










 




























 









Alternative (iya):
 













 

 















 
















 

101

6.10. OGGUE

6.10 Oggue
Fetish: Oggue resides in a small calf’s horn placed inside Chango’s fetish.
Ornaments: Two calf horns painted with red and white stripes.
Offerings: Doves and horned animals.
Dance: He does not ”come down”. During a circular dance in his honor, the dancers put their forefingers up
to their foreheads, simulating horns.
This might be the simplest piece in the bata repertory.

6.10.1

Oggue

o i cha e gue/mi lo do/kounko to/mi lo do/
ko ri o/e le ko/kori o/e le ko.../
o/lo yu lo yu/re o/lo yu ro ri/
ko ko/ma la ma la a/de o gue/mala mala a/
de o gue/bi o pka ma/la yen ye/e le gue mi/
o o gue/bi o pka ma/la.../
The face. The good face.
The face of secrets.
Here is the shining one.
The one who saves mothers.
Repeat as desired
   



   



 

































































































102

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.11 Agayu
Fetish: Agayu resides in a wooden or clay basin painted in seven colors (black, white, red, blue, yellow,
green, and brown).
Ornaments: An oche, a double headed axe painted red and white with hanging decorations in yellow, green
and blue. Two calf horns. A cane.
Power objects: The double headed axe and a cane.
Collars:
White, red and yellow. Repeat pattern: a big white bead followed by nine red beads and eight yellow beads.
Clothing: Agayu’s coat and pants are dark red. Multicolored kerchiefs hang from his belt.
Offerings: Seven big crackers with corojo butter. All fruits. Roosters and doves.
Dances: Agayu takes very long steps and lifts his feet extremelly high, as if stepping over obstacles. At the
same time, he strikes out with his oche. He likes to lift children to his shoulders. The other dancers imitate
his steps in a circle.

6.11.1

Agayu 1

o ke o/ke e/a ga yu lo/meguoi cha/(rest)/
He makes you feel good.
The jungle gave birth to the Orisha.
Repeat as desired
   



    



 



6.11.2


















 


































Agayu 2

o/ya o ya o/ta kpa o/
ya o ya/a ga yu cho la a/e ma che e ru/
o o/ya o ya o/ta kpa o/ya o ya.../
It overflows. Our business overflows.
The jungle makes wealth. It won’t go away.
Same as Agayu 1.














































6.11. AGAYU

6.11.3

Agayu 3

tererema a/te re i cho la/o yan sa ma/
te re re ma/te re re ma a/te re i cho la/
Don’t be hard.
Maker of wealth.
Same as Agayu 1.

103

104

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.12 Ibedyi
Normally, this would be the place for Orunla, but since this ceremony is in his honor, he passes to the end,
# 48.
Fetish: The Ibedyi reside in two little pots. One is painted red and white and the other blue and white.
Ornaments: They are represented by two small wooden dolls seated on miniature stools, tied together by a
cord. The male doll wears Chango’s collar. The female doll wears Ochun’s collar.
Power objects: Two rattles. Two small drums. Two sets of bells. Two white gourds with crosses painted on
the sides.
Collars: The same as Chango’s and Ochun’s.
Clothing: The twins do not ”come down”. There is no prescribed clothing.
Offerings: Sweets, popcorn, things kids like. Men suffering from impotency offer ram and goat testicles.
Dances: The circle of dancers imitate the small skipping steps of children at play, giving little hops forwards
and back.

6.12.1

Ibedyi 1

be yi i mo be/kun i mo bi/M-qa re re/
ke le ke le/ya a la ba/M-qa ido un i/
M-qa re re/ke le ke le/ya/
Ibedyi, understand. Jump.
Busy here and there.
With the good fight. Jump.
Softly, lively.
AM-qa’s companions.
The sweet.
Repeat as desired




  




 





   












































































































































105

6.12. IBEDYI

6.12.2

Ibedyi 2

e yi/re e e dun/be yi/la a e dun/
be yi be yi/la o be kun o/ya re/
Rich who give birth to two.
Monkeys give birth in pairs.
Rich who give birth to two.
They make mothers happy.
Repeat as desired (Yakota-a generic rhythm)
   



   



 



6.12.3














































Ibedyi 3

repeat as desired
be yi/la e se a/re mu be yi o/ro e se.../.../
Twins make you rich.
Play drums for the first.
Play drums for the second from heaven.
Same as Ibedyi 2.






106

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.13 Chango
Fetish: Chango resides in a wooden tub with a cover, preferably made out of cedar wood. It is painted red
and white and may have the shape of a castle.
Ornaments: Chango’s image, an indian warrior, carries a cedar and palm wood scepter. It ends in a sharp
point or in the shape of a double hatchet as a simbol of divinity. He also ”owns” a chekere made out of a
turtle shell. His fetish is also surrounded by a black horse, a tambourine, a bright red flag, three hatchets a
club, and a scimitar.
Power objects: A double headed hatchet, a cup, a sword.
Collars: Red and white. Repeat pattern: six red beads follow six white beads. Then, red and white alternate
six times.
Clothing: Chango wears a loose shirt and pants with red and white stripes. Sometimes, he wears cut off
pants with the legs cut in points. His chest is bare. He might also wear a short jacket with red and white
stripes and a crown in the shape of a castle.
Offerings: Chango likes plantains, corn meal and okra. A ram, red roosters.
Dance: Chango will butt with his head and do three forward rolls towards the drums. He opens his eyes
extremelly wide and sticks out his tongue. Characteristic movements are waving his hatchet and grabbing his
testicles. No other Orisha jumps higher, dances more violently or makes stranger gestures. He commonly
eats fire. Chango’s dances are either warlike or erotic. As a warrior, he waves his hatchet and makes
threatening gestures. As a lover, he tries to demonstrate the size of his penis, bumps and grinds and acts
very lasciviously with the women in the audience. The circle of dancers imitate his movements and join in
his sexual exhibitionism.

6.13.1

Chango 1

a la/do lu be lu be/lu be yom ba/
la e lu be/lu be yom ba/la o o fu u/
sa go e/e a yagba mi/ra o ba ko so/
Red Chief. We’re saved by the Red Chief.
Turn to the chief. Obakoso.
Repeat as desired

   



    



 













Alternative (iya):













































































107

6.13. CHANGO
 






Alternative 2:
Repeat as desired

   

    



 






6.13.2




























































































Chango 2

repeat as desired
mo fo yu guo/re le chan go/mo fo yu guo/re le
mo fo yu guo/re le o/a la yo ta/do bo le.../
Cover my head.
Cover my head.
Repeat as desired

   



   



 



Chango is great.
Great king.













Alternative (iya):











































































108
 

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA





Alternative 2:


   

6.13.3


















   

 






























































Chango 3

repeat as desired
o go do/ e e/ a gua me/ to/
o go do/e/a gua lo/na/
We come for the palm.
We come for the palm.
Same as Chango 2

We’re six.
We come for the way.





















109

6.14. OBBA

6.14 Obba
Fetish: Obba resides in a white toureen painted with flowers.
Ornaments: She owns a wooden anvil, two keys, a shield, a mask, a toothed wheel, a book, armor, ears. All
items made out of wood and copper.
Power objects: Five golden bracelets like Ochun’s.
Collars: Alternating yellow and pink beads.
Offerings: Doves.
Dances: Obba cannot dance. Dances are performed in her honor She does not ”come down”.
A designated ”slave” in the center of the dancers’ circle is whipped while the chorus sings. The face of the
”slave” is covered with a mask.

6.14.1

Obba 1

o ba/o ba ko i/ma guo a la/mo bay che/
You who increases.
Continue the mystery.
The knowledge saves us.
Repeat as desired

   



    



 



















 



Alternative (iya):

 































 





























































 

110

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.14.2

Obba 2

o ba re le ko/a ya o si a/cha bo re le ko/a ya o si/
a ba re le ko/lo mo ba a/cha bo re le ko/a ya o si a cha/
bo e ku o ba/la mo ba o bi/ri i ga o ba/lo mo ma/
ba ya o si/e le ko/i ya o ba/lo ma ba/
e gue i ya/o.../e gue e gue/si.../
egue i ya/o.../e gue e gue/si a cha/
bo e gue e gue/ si la o fi/si o ku o de/i ma guo a da/
fe re le kun/fe re e ru/la fi nda/fa ra guo/
e yi o guo/(rest)/e yi o guo/a de/
fe te le kun/fe re e ru/la fi nda/fa ta guo/
ko ro e le/e le/ko e le ko a/da mi guo/
ko ro e le/e le/ko/
Knowledge’s owner. Misery’s wife.
Protect us. Knowledge’s owner. Misery’s wife.
Knowledge’s owner. Misery’s wife.
Suffering brings knowledge.
Honor the one that makes grow.
So we increase.
Misery. Knowledge.
Misery. Knowledge.

Part 1
Repeat as desired
   



    



 



















 



Alternative (iya):

 




















































 








































 

111

6.14. OBBA
Viro

Part 2
Repeat as desired
   



    



 








































































































Alternative (iya):



 





Viro

Part 3
Repeat as desired
   



   



 





























































































Alternative (iya):
 














112

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

Viro

Part 4
Repeat as desired
   



   



 















 








































































Alternative (iya):
 



















113

6.15. YEGGUA

6.15 Yeggua
Fetish: Yeggua resides in a small doll house placed on a high shelf in an inner room of the house. It can also
be nailed on the wall. Her house should be placed far from Ochun’s fetish.
Ornaments: Her belongings are a doll, and a basket or a small pot.
Collars: Pink beads.
Clothing: Yeggua wears a pink dress. The wide skirt is bound at the waist by a sash of the same material.
She wears a crown heavily decorated with cowrie shells.
Offerings: Female goats.
Dance: Yeggua seldom ”comes down”. When she does, she mimes tying a bundle with twine. Her demeanor
is somber. She is very shy with men, since she is a virgin, and does not dance.

6.15.1

Yeggua 1

ym ba la ye/ko ro moi ye gua/ym ba la ye/
ngue i o o/ym ba la ye/ko ro moi ye gua/
Honor the world.
It teaches the children of the hard mother.
Repeat as desired
   



    



 

































































































Alternative:



   



   



 





















































114

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.15.2
a
a
o
a

fa
fa
lo
fa

Yeggua 2
kun/fe ne
kun/fe na
o/ye ba/o
kun/fe na

gba/si lo o/de/
gba/si lo o/de/
lo o/mo mi/
gba/si lo o/de.../

Teach us to blow the smallpox away.
Teach us to blow the smallpox away.
Repeat as desired
   



   



 



6.15.3




























































Yeggua 3

i ye ye e ri/ko/i ye ye e ri/ko a ri guo/
fi ko da a ma/guo ro noyegua/i ye ye ri/ko/
e ki fa la o/ye o/e ro e ro ko guo/le o ya de/
Here we come.
Same as Yeggua 1.



Knowledge stops the head from hurting.































115

6.16. OYA

6.16 Oya
Fetish: Oya resides in a porcelain toureen painted in nine colors.
Ornaments: Her image has a crown with nine points from which hang nine ornaments: a pick, a hoe, an
Ochosi fetish, a lightning bolt, a scythe, a stick, a mattock, a rake, and a hatchet. She also ”owns” a rainbow
and a shooting star.
Power objects: A black horsetail whisk, an iruke. Nine copper bracelets.
Collars: Black and white. Repeat order: nine black beads followed by nine white beads. Then, black and
white beads alternate nine times.
Clothing: Oya dresses in skirts made of the dried fibrous tissue found on the upper part of the royal palm
frond, yagua, and the fan palm. She also wears an over skirt made of hanging kerchiefs in nine colors. The
remainder of her costume is flowered crinoline. A strip of the same material, or multi-colored ribbons, is
wound around her head.
Offerings: Oya likes white rice with eggplant. Black eyed peas. Black female goats. Black chickens.
Dances: When Oya dances, she shakes the black horsetail whisk to clean bad influences from the air. Her
dance is very frenetic, very fast. It’s a bacchanal, delirious. She carries a flaming torch in her right hand,
making a fiery whirlwind as she spins to the left.

6.16.1

Oya 1

e ki fa la o/ye o/e ro e ro ko guo/le o ya de/
Save us.
The ripper of the palm.
The graves.
Ripper comes.
Repeat as desired



  






   
































 

























Alternative (iya):



 























116

6.16.2

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

Oya 2

i e i e pka/(rest)/o ya/
si le kun fo ya/o ta gba de a la/pke ru ma i guo/o ya de.../
Marvel. The ripper is slowing.
No destruction. The ripper is gone.
Marvel. Look.
The ripper is slowing.
Repeat as desired
   



    



 



 
 



 



















 

 






 






 

















 
 

 




 




 






  





 

 




  






 

 










 






  





 

 


  







 






 







 




  






 

 


  






 




 
 



  



 
 





  




  


 

 

 







 





 









 





   










  
   


Alternative (iya):
   



   



 



 



 















 

 




  







 

 




  










 

 










 







 








 

 




  




 

 

 




  







 

 





 




 






  






 

 










 









 
 

 


  



 


 


  



 

 












 

 






 


  

  

  

 




 



















    



 














































 











































  



















Alternative 2:
   






117

6.16. OYA

6.16.3

Oya 3

o ya o ya/o im ba/o kei mba/le ta pka/
a ka ra o ye/o im be/o kei mba/le ta pka/
Call the ripper.
The ancestor is strong.
Keep the tradition.
Call the ripper.
The ancestor is strong.
Repeat as desired
   



   



 






















































































































Alternative:
   



    



 




















 




























































































118

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.17 Yemaya
Fetish: Yemaya resides in a blue and white soup toureen painted with large flowers.
Ornaments: Her fetish is surrounded by a sun, a full moon, an anchor, a life preserver, a boat, seven oars,
seven silver rings, a key, and a star. All of these objects are made out of silver or white base metal. Her altar
is decorated with nets, sea shells, sea horses, starfish and anything to do with the sea.
Power objects: An agbegbe, a peacock or duck feather fan decorated with mother of pearl and cowrie shells.
A horsetail whisk with blue and white beads. A bell is rung when her worshippers call.
Collars: Crystal and blue. Repeat pattern: seven crystal beads followed by seven blue beads. Then, crystal
and blue alternate seven times.
Clothing: Yemaya wears an embroidered crepe mantle. She waves her agbegbe. Her dress is navy blue and
has blue and white streamers, with little tinkling bell sewn all over it. A wide cloth belt with a rhomboid
stomacher goes around her waist.
Offerings: She likes watermelons, banana chips and pork cracklings. Lamb, duck, fish.
Dances: When Yemaya ”comes down”, she breaks out in loud peals of laughter. Her body moves like the
waves of the ocean, first gently, then agitated as if by a storm. She proceeds to turn like a waterspout.
She may mime swimming and diving into the ocean and bringing up treasures for her ”children”. She also
mimes rowing. The other dancers circle around her. They make wavelike movements that grow faster and
faster until they begin to twirl.

6.17.1

Yemaya 1

so ku ta a ni/bo/a gua se/si/
e gui ma a se/re/o lo o mi/de.../
We cannot move. We come to the water.
You do good. Come.
Repeat as desired
   



    



 



















Alternative (iya):

 
































































































119

6.17. YEMAYA

6.17.2

Yemaya 2

guo li yo a/yo ye ma ya/
guo li yo a/yo o lo mi/(rest)/
See her. We swim to Yemaya.
Repeat as desired
   



   



 

























































Alternative (iya):
 

6.17.3





Yemaya 3

bo da a se/su/o ki ye e ma/ya/
bo da a se/su/o ki ye e ma/ya/a
bo de pke le be/o/a gua se/si/
gue re gue re/a cho e gue/gue re gue re/
a cho e gue/gue re gue re/a cho e gue/
She creates water
Hail the mother of the fishes.
Water is mother of the fishes.
Long life to the one that flows.
We come to the flowing one dressed in leaves.
Dressed in leaves, fast.
Same as Yemaya 2



































































120

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.18 Ochun
Fetish: Ochun lives in a multicolored soup toureen full of river water. Yellow predominates.
Ornaments: Ochun’s image has a halo with five sharp points. She is also surrounded by small gold fishes,
shrimp, conch shells, small boats, mirrors, jewels, coral, embroidered sheets and kerchiefs rattles, chekeres,
cowbells. Ochun ”owns” all objects associated with female beauty: brushes, make up, etc.
Power objects: Ochun fans hersef with a yellow sandalwood or peacock feather fan. She jingles her five
gold bracelets. A half moon, two oars, a star, a sun, and five little bells are embroidered on her dress. These
objects change according to which of her avatars is manifested.
Collars: Amber beads. Also coral and amber beads. Repeat pattern: five coral beads followed by five amber
beads. Then, amber and coral alternate five times.
Clothing: Ochun wears a yellow dress cinched by a girdle with a rhomboid stomacher. The dress is hemmed
in points with hanging jingle bells.
Offerings: She likes spinach and shrimp, honey and any type of sweets. Turtles, neutered goats, white
chickens.
Dances: Ochun’s dance is the most sensual. She laughs like Yemaya and shakes her arms to make her
bracelets jingle. Ochun runs her hands over her body to emphasize her charms. As she dances, she makes
very voluptous movements and asks men for sex with extended hands and thrusts of her hips. She asks for
oM-qi, honey, craving the sweetness of sex and life. She mimics rowing a small boat and grinding in a large
pestle. When she combs her hair, admiring herself in a mirror, she is very haughty and looks down her nose
at those around her.

6.18.1

Ochun 1

la de co yu lo/cha ra ka te mi o/guo ye te/
cha ra ka te mi o/guo o mi/da ra o da ra o/gue ye ye/
cho ra ka te mi o/guo o chun o/ba go mo ra la a/gue/
Ochun, bless me with money.
Ochun, bless me with money.
Water, you are beautiful and expensive.
Ochun, hurry with the money.
Repeat as desired

   




  




 

Alternative:
































































































121

6.18. OCHUN
   














  

 








































e o un ro/gue re gue re/gue re o un lo a/
la de ko o yu/o o un ro/gue re gue re/gue re la ko le/
a fu de co ma lo/gue o un ro/gue re gue re/gue re o un ro
You make riches.
Owner of the crown.
You make riches.
Repeat as desired


    



 



6.18.3
























ye ye o lu/be/che gba de o lu/be guasi/
ma ri im ba/so ro ko/ye ye o lu/ba/
cha gba de o lu/be gua si/ma ri im ba/so ro so.../
of brass.
our call.
of brass.
our call.





Ochun 3

Mother owner
Come down to
Mother owner
Come down to
Same as Ochun 1.























Ochun 2

   









6.18.2





























































122

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

Alternative:




   








  






















 



























123

6.19. ORUNLA

6.19 Orunla
Fetishes: Both of Orunla’s fetishes are consulted to obtain oracles. The ekuele, is a chain about 16 inches
threaded through charms and talismans. The talismans are made of metal, coconut shells, seeds and pieces
of tortoise shell. The ate, or ifa board, is a round piece of wood about 14 inches across. It is engraved with
the four cardinal points and other symbols necessary for the babalawo’s reading of the oracle.
Ornaments: Kola nuts, a balance, and deer antlers surround his fetish.
Power objects: The ifa board, which is used as a percussive instrument in some ceremonies. A horse hair
whisk used to drive away evil.
Collars: Alternating yellow and green beads.
Offerings: Orunla likes yam puree. Black chickens.
Dances: He has no specific dance, since he does not ”come down”. Dances are held in his honor.

6.19.1

Orunla 1

yo ko mi lo bo/gui a ya ra guo/yo ko mi lo bo/
gui a ya ra guo/yo ko mi lo bo/gui/
The kola will save you.
We go to buy the secret.
Repeat as desired



  






   






















 












































































Alternative:







   










  

 






























































124

CHAPTER 6. THE ORU DEL EYA ARANLA

6.19.2

Orunla 2

o fe/ye gue de o lo/se ra do/
e M-qi ki la ba/che o fe/ye gue de o lo/
fe ri sio/e M-qi ki la ba a/che a guo/
Honor the big water gourd.
Not the one with the secret.
Who will watch over us?
The one with the secret.
Repeat as desired



  






   



6.19.3





















 



























Orunla 3

o un ko/o/o run la/(rest)/
o yu/e ye/lo gba la/i fa/
fu un ko/o o/o run la/(rest)/
o yu/e ye/lo gba la/do.../
The goat is saved.
He can say no.
Ifa’s goat is saved.
He can say no.
Repeat as desired



  






   

 



























































125

6.19. ORUNLA
Alternative:




   









  


































 











This is the last piece in the oru del eya aranla.













Chapter 7

The Guenmilere
The festivities are not over after the oru del eya aranla. An unstructured series of chants and drumming
dedicated to various Orishas follows it. These pieces can be requested by those present, begun by the the
lead singer, or the drummers. They are, generally, repetitions of the formal ”greetings” already made to the
Orishas.
The drumming goes on much longer than in the orus, since the purpose now is not to salute the Orishas,
but to call them so that they ”come down” and possess those present. The rhythms are more insistent. The
accelerated repetitions are meant to cause a hypnotic trance state in which ”the saint will get hot” and ”come
down” taking possession of the devotees.
Each of these rhythms is usually accompanied by the percussion of the agogo, a small cow bell or iron hoe
struck with a large nail, and the achere, a gourd within a network of beads (chekere). Typical patterns are:






































and



























The Orishas can ”come down” and possess their followers during the oru, and this happens quite often. But,
it is more common for the possessions to take place during this informal segment. When possessions occur,
the Orisha is dressed and treated the same as during the formal oru.
Some of the most popular rhythms for this section are:

7.1 Bayuba
Repeat as desired
126

127

7.2. EBIPKAMI
   



    



 




















 



























































































7.2 Ebipkami
Repeat as desired
   

   

 

















































7.3 Yakota
Repeat as desired
   



   



 

























































































































128

CHAPTER 7. THE GUENMILERE

7.4 Biobayare
Repeat as desired





  






   






















 











7.5 Bembe
repeat as desired



  




 





   





























7.6 Idilantilanti
Repeat as desired
   



   



 









































































































7.6. IDILANTILANTI

129

The songs already performed, or new songs from the vast repertory, are sung to these new rhythms. It’s up
to the akpua.
Generally, a single Orisha ”comes down” and possesses one or more of those present. If there is more than
one person possessed, each one dances separately with a few friends and devotees. Sometimes two Orishas
”come down” and dance together, which is the case with Yemaya and Ochun. Chango and Ochun will do
a very voluptuous dance together. If Chango and Oggun ”come down” together, they must be separated or
they will fight.

Chapter 8

The Closing
8.1 The Closing
The guemilere ends with the cierre, the closing. It is a brief oru of drumming, singing and dancing which
honors a set number of Orishas, usually those who are most feared. It is considered a solemn occasion.

8.2 Eggun
The Eggun are the spirits of the dead, the ancestors. They are under the power of their king, Oddua. The
Eggun of evil or insane people can be manipulated to work black magic.
The Eggun are honored in all ceremonies. They are the ones that have the knowledge and the secrets.
The sacrifices to the Eggun are made in narrow channels of waste water and trash heaps.
Fetish: The pagugu, a cudgel about three feet long. Sometimes it may have a head on top similar to Eleggua’s, but with the cowrie shells facing inwards. It is placed in a corner of the bathroom, next to the toilet.
Offerings: Flowers, coconuts, water, tobacco, aguardiente and sweets. Roosters. The offerings should be
placed on broken plates.
Ornaments: Male and female dolls. Photographs. Walking sticks.
Dances: The dancer holds the pagugu in his right hand and pounds out the rhythm on the bata drums on the
floor.

8.2.1

Eggun 1

Repeat as desired
   



   



 






























































130

































































131

8.2. EGGUN

8.2.2

Eggun 2

Repeat as desired

   



    



 



8.2.3































































































































































































Eggun 3

Repeat as desired

   



   



 



8.2.4














Eggun 4

Repeat as desired























































































132

CHAPTER 8. THE CLOSING

   



    



 











































































































Repeat as desired
   



    



 



































































































133

8.3. OYA

8.3 Oya
It is danced, but not sung.

8.3.1

Oya

Repeat as desired
   



    



 























































































































Alternative:
   



    



 




















 



























































































8.4 Babalu Aye
These pieces are the same as Babalu Aye 1 and Babalu Aye 2 in the oru del igbodu. They are danced, but
not sung.

8.5 Yeggua
This piece is the same as Yeggua in the oru del igbodu. It is danced, but not sung.

134

CHAPTER 8. THE CLOSING

8.6 Osain
This piece is the same as Osain in the oru del igbodu. It is danced, but not sung.

8.7 Yemaya
This piece is the same as Yemaya in the oru del igbodu. It is danced, but not sung. It is played faster and
with more energy here.

135

8.8. ELEGGUA

8.8 Eleggua
8.8.1

Eleggua 1

e le/yi re un ko/yan ko ro e le/
yi re un ko/yan ko ro e le/gba tan de/
yan ko ro i bo/ro ta ande ko i/ma ko i ma mi/
dha ku ru ma e le/gba tan de/cha ku ru ma i bo/ru ta an de.../
The ruler of talk comes first.
Eleggua comes. The one who talks.
The ruler of the road sits.
Eleggua comes to sit.
Repeat as desired
   



    



 




















 


















































Alternative (iya):
 

8.8.2





Eleggua 2

e le gba/a go lo na fu a/gua e le gba/
a go lo na fu a/gua e chu/di na to bo i/
ki M-qa e chu/ba ra a to ki i/ba ra e chu/
ba ra a to ki i/ba ra e le gba/a go lo na fa a/gua e le gba/
o ya o ya/o ya e le gba/o ya o ya/o ya/
Eleggua give way on the road.
Echu let me pass.
Eleggua give way on the road.
repeat as desired
































136

CHAPTER 8. THE CLOSING

   



    



 







































































































 

Alternative (iya):


 

8.8.3




Eleggua 3

e le gba ni/ta la ro ya/
so ku o/ e/e le gba ni/
ta la ro ye/so ku o/e/
The ruler of life has stone.
The ruler of talk will live forever.
Repeat as desired
   



   



 



















Alternative (iya):
 






























































































137

8.9. OLOKUN

8.9 Olokun
This piece is played as a continuation of the last Eleggua piece. There should be no pause as one rhythm
changes into the next.
Olokun represents the awesome aspects of the ocean. It is the male avatar of Yemaya. Some say that Yemaya
came from Olokun. He is terrible, powerful and extremely mysterious, the Orisha of the babalawos.
Rarely, his dance is performed by a masked babalawo who must immediately make a sacrifice so as not to
die.

8.9.1

Olokun

o u ya/e.../o u ya/e le ku che/
ku e te ru le/o e du/le ko e/le te ru le/
e te ru le/o e du/le ko e/le re ru le/
a grio ro le/te mi lea su/bo cho/i so fi/
a guo ro lo/te mi lea su/bo cho/i so fi/
o o lo kun/ba gua o/o gua so mu ga/ba gua o e/
e o lo kun/ba gua o/o gua lo mu ga/ba gua o e/e.../
Be ready.
May your path be smooth.
We worship you. Maintain us.
Maintain the house.
King of the sea save us.
Repeat as desired




  






   

 










138

CHAPTER 8. THE CLOSING



  






   














































 





















 































 

































































 


8 times



  






   

 









This is the last piece in the closing ceremonies.


























































































































































































































































 








Appendix A

Where To Obtain Supplies
A.1

Where To Obtain Supplies

Look in the Yellow Pages under religious items and supplies. Any store called a botanica or featuring the
name of an Orisha will have all the necessary supplies: toureens, images, ornaments, etc.
Bata drums may be obtained from:
LP Music Group, 160 Belmont Ave. Garfield, N.J. 07026 (201)478-6903.
Be aware that some people may enter an altered state of consciousness, or think that they have, when exposed
to these materials in a performance setting. Keep on drumming. Gently blowing into the affected person’s
ears and spraying them with Florida water will usually calm them outside of a genuine ritual setting.

139

Appendix B

Bibliography
B.1

Bibliography

Amira, John & Cornelius, Steven; THE MUSIC OF SANTERIA, Traditional Rhythms of the Bata Drums;
Crown Point, 1992
Arostegui, Natalia Bolivar; LOS ORISHAS EN CUBA; Havana, 1990
Cabrera, Lydia; KOEKO IYAWO: Aprende Novicia (Pequeño Tratado de Regla Lucumi); Miami, 1980
Cabrera, Lydia; EL MONTE (Igbo. Finda. Ewe Orisha. Vititi Nfinda); Miami, 1986
Cabrera, Lydia; LA REGLA KIMBISA DEL SANTO CRISTO DEL BUEN VIAJE; Miami, 1986
Cabrera, Lydia; REGLAS DE CONGO (Palo Monte Mayombe); Miami, 1986
Cortez, Julio Garcia; EL SANTO (La Ocha); Miami, 1983
Efunde, Agun; LOS SECRETOS DE LA SANTERIA; Miami, 1983
Mason, John; ORIN ORISA, Songs for Selected Heads; New York, 1992
Nuñez, Luis M.; SANTERIA, A Practical Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic; Dallas, 1992
Ortiz, Fernando; LOS BAILES Y EL TEATRO NEGRO EN EL FOLKLORE DE CUBA; Havana, 1951
Ortiz, Fernando; LA AFRICANIA DE LA MUSICA FOLKLORICA DE CUBA; Havana, 1950
Ortiz, Fernando; LOS INSTRUMENTOS DE LA MUSICA AFROCUBANA, 5 VOLS.; Havana, 1952-55
Pichardo, Ernesto; ODUDUWA OBATALA; Miami, 1984

140

Appendix C

Discography
C.1

Discography

AFRO-ROOTS; Prestige, PRCD-24018-2
AFRO-CUBA; Rounder, CD1088
BATA KETU; Bembe, CD2011-2
CONJUNTO FOLKLORICO NACIONAL DE CUBA; Bembe, CD2010-2
CUBA, LES DANSES DES DIEUX; Ocora, C 559051
CUBA, TAMBOURS BATA; Playa Sound, PS65138
ILU ORISHA; Iroko, PHONE (504)523-0855
ITO IBAN ECHU; Qbadisc, QB9022
LAZARO ROS, OLORUN; Xenophile, GLCD 4022 ASOYI, Discmedi 077
LES DANSES DES DIEUX; Ocora, C 559051
MOFORIBALE-TAMBORES BATA; 00-8901
MONGO SANTAMARIA, DRUMS AND CHANTS; Vaya Records, VS 56
THE MUSIC OF SANTERIA; White Cliffs Media Co., ISBN 0-941677-22-2
OUR MAN IN HAVANA; Fantasy, 3311
PERCUSSIONS CUBAINES; Playasound, PS 65084
REAL RUMBA; Corason, COCD110
RITUALES AFROCUBANOS; EGREM CD 0058
SACRED RHYTHMS OF CUBAN SANTERIA; Smithonian Folkways SF CD 40419
SANTERIA CUBANA; Popular, P-142
SANTERIA ORO CANTADO, vols. 1&2; GO Productions, 10032
SANTERIA RELIGION AFROCUBANA; OLM Records, 10037
SANTERO vol. 2; TH-Rodven Reconrds, Inc., CDD/159
TOQUES Y CANTOS DE SANTOS, vols. 1&2; Cubilandia, C-CD 511

141