"Regla de Ocha-Ifá," an AfroCuban Spiritual Tradition | From Traditions of the Afrikan* Diaspora

From Traditions of the Afrikan* Diaspora | Regla de Ocha-Ifá, an AfroCuban Spiritual Tradition Chanted by Nadia Milad Issa, MTS I *Preferred spelling of the student representative. Seasons of Light is hosted by Harvard Divinity School's Office of Religious and Spiritual Life under the direction of Christopher Hossfeld, Director of Music and Ritual, and Kerry A. Maloney, Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life. The full video recording of Seasons of Light 2020 can be found on the HDS YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVuYb9d7tCc&t=587s TRANSCRIPT: Text on-screen at beginning of reading: Translations of Yoruba chants are highly exclusive to men Akpwón, an issue central to Nadia’s scholarly research. A rough translation, provided by one of their elders, of what they are singing follows. Yemayá is the Ocean and the universal mother. The Mayo is one of the names to refer to Yemayá. Oraye is the call to all people across the world to work together in community. Bambi is a power of Yemayá. Sung text: Yemayá mayo, Yemayá mayo. Yemayá mayo awoyo kuekue Ilé. Oraye Bambi Oraye, Bobo raye Oni Yemayá, Oraye Bambi Oraye O, Bobo Raye Alawa Bocheche.