Oshun, by Francisco Santos
ORIKIS
(Yoruba songs of praise)
Oshun, gracious mother full
of wisdom!
Oshun, gracious mother full of wisdom!
Oshun, gracious mother.
Gracious mother full of wisdom.
Who bedecks her children with bronze.
Who spends a long time in deep waters, producing
wealth.
Who retires to the river to care for the children.
Who never tires of wearing bracelets made of bronze.
Who knows the secret rites but never reveals them.
Who digs and digs in the sand, and there buries
wealth.
Powerful woman who cannot be assaulted.
Forceful woman who puts men to flight.
Generous and gracious mother who sits upon her
basket in deep waters.
Water that flows without ceasing.
She who has abundant breasts.
Great mother, protect me!
She is our mother and saviour. Oshun, listen and save!
Oshun Shiginshi!
Oshun Shiginshi!
Water flows not backwards.
The torrential river teaches us that the water
on earth is infinite.
Water that runs without overflowing.
Oshun, the water that flows and floods the homes
of the false.
Water flows there,
water flows here.
Oshun, divinity of the waters,
Wealth encounters divinity.
Oshun, with her great powers,
has opened the path to the home of the irreverent.
Water that runs to the sea.
Stream of water that creeps towards the false
one's home.
Greetings to gracious mother Oshun!
She, who receives offerings to the sound of
drums.
The woman who protects herself.
Children of Oshun are not lazy.
Oh, gracious mother Oshun!
I bow to Oshun
I bow to Oshun...
There is no place where it is not known that Oshun
is as
powerful as a king
She dances and takes the crown
She dances without asking...
She arrives and trouble is appeased
She shakes her bracelets to come to dance
She dances in the depths of richness
The water sounds like the bracelets of Oshun
We call Her and She answers with wisdom
She can do what the doctor can't
The Orisha who heals with cold water
We can stay in the world without fear.
From A Mitologia dos Orixás Africanos, vol.1 by Síkírù
Sàlámì (King). Translated from the Portuguese by Wara Omin.
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