The prayer to Obatalá consists of a powerful ceremonial recitation, offered as a form of supplication, to honor or simply request special favors from this Orisha of the Yoruba religion . There are many ways to offer these prayers, and this article will show the proper way to make a request, whether for prosperity, love, or other needs.
Prayer to Obatala
Before performing any prayer to Obatalá , it should be known that he is a deity belonging to the Yoruba Pantheon , a type of religion of African origin whose foundations are established on a series of traditions and beliefs of a spiritual nature, deeply rooted in the various cultural manifestations of the African people, especially those who live in West Africa.
From this region, we can speak mainly of Nigeria, although over time, they have been spreading to other nations of the world, for example, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba and Puerto Rico, through the practice that their cult implies. or ceremonial, well known as the Santeria rite.
However, in Africa itself, it is more traditionally called Candomblé, as it is in countries like Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. The Yoruba tradition is one of the religions derived from a complex framework of rites, prayers, songs, stories, and myths, forming part of a legacy being passed down to all humanity, where the essence of humanity is manifested in its people.
A wide array of deities and saints are worshipped and honored within the Yoruba religion . In their mythology, they are called " Orishas ," a name meaning "owners of the head." If you are interested in prayers to the gods of the Yoruba pantheon , we invite you to also review the Prayer to Shango.
Within the list of deities, some are more well-known than others, due to their importance and the role they play in the cult or ritual. In the case of Obatalá, his importance lies in the fact that this deity is considered the origin of the rest of the gods in the Yoruba pantheon, where he is known as Ochalá or Oxalá.
Its very importance derives in the same way from the importance of the prayer to Obatalá, since an orisha who within the religion is believed to have a direct relationship with the supreme god, who for this mythology is called Olodumare.
Obatalá is considered one of the seven most important gods in the Yoruba pantheon , a religion whose ideology originated in Africa, as previously mentioned. He is a deity of honor, since, according to tradition, it is thanks to this orisha that everything on Earth exists; he is a god of creation.
Some even suggest that this deity is the Christian equivalent of Jesus Christ , believing he was sent to Earth to rule it. Obatalá 's prayers are so powerful because, within the context of this god's character, they can bring harmony and peace, as well as the order and stability that all people need in the world to thrive.
As already mentioned, the importance lies in the roles that these deities fulfill, having in the case that Obatalá was assigned the task of appeasing the temperament of the gods Shangó and Oggun , considered as the most warlike and strong of the Yoruba religion , properties that also have the effect of their prayers.
Obatalá, for his part, is considered a loving, patient, and above all, merciful god, which is why he has many faithful followers who trust in him, offering prayers and supplications in his name. Other characteristics of this African deity that greatly influence prayer to Obatalá include his symbol, linked to nature and mountains.
According to his myth, this god lives inside a castle that has 16 windows and 24 paths, elements that are closely related to his transformations or manifestations, with which, generally, Obatalá is presented.
Among the gods of the Yoruba pantheon , this is the only Orisha with both male and female aspects, which is why it can appear in images as either a man or a woman. The day of this deity is commemorated on September 24th each year. Its name is invoked in rites and ceremonies with the greeting " Jekúa Babá ," and Thursdays and Sundays are the designated days for its veneration.
It is worth noting that during the colonial era, Obatalá had to be synchronized with representations of the Catholic religion, as happened with many other African saints, since this was the way enslaved Africans could continue paying tribute. In the case of the god Obatalá , the representation of Our Lady of Mercy was used.
Through prayer to Obatalá, his faithful followers and other devotees find a way to worship him. It is also a way to establish a spiritual connection with this deity and thus be able to ask for favors, help, and protection, among other things.
They hope that through the fulfillment of these favors and protected by their protection, they will be able to overcome the difficulties, whatever they are facing, either for the benefit of themselves or that of another close person and even a "client" who has required of his services as a santero.
The content of each of the prayers framed within the prayer to Obatalá may be suitable for a person in general; however, the way in which it is performed must be with the best possible disposition, with faith and devotion to the god, so that it may better reach the ears of this orisha, and that all their requests and desires may be granted, for the benefit of what they are needing, in order to solve their needs.
The prayers are considered as the elevation of prayers or prayers of a sacred nature, which are generally addressed to the saints, with the intention of establishing a channel of communication with them.
In the same way, they serve as a spiritual path through which their help and interception can be requested, in terms of seeking a solution to a problem or other specific situation.
For it to be more effective, it is necessary to know in advance the characteristics of the saint or deity to whom the prayers will be directed, their tastes, specific elements, symbols or other useful tools so that the prayer reaches them with confidence. greater force.
Part of these tools are the offerings, where they appear: as the traditional and common ones, the candles or candles, the fruits; and the gifts, which are offered according to the tastes of the saint, since in addition to fulfilling the purpose of guaranteeing a positive result with respect to the request, it is also a way of expressing gratitude and venerating him.
When offering a prayer to Obatalá , it's important to remember that he is a benevolent saint, yet he still demands respect from his devotees. He dislikes profanity, insults, and actions that involve lust. The devotee must show obedience once they invoke Obatalá 's presence through prayer.
His preferred color is pure white, so he can be represented by all white metals, especially silver. This Orisha has the specific mission of helping people with mental and physical problems.
All the faithful followers and other devotees of this deity must be characterized by having patience, being compassionate and showing love in the face of problems and difficulties that other people face.
Once they offer a prayer to Obatalá , they often receive a profound sense of harmony and calm in response, which empowers them to think clearly and intelligently, making sound decisions throughout their earthly journey. They view each experience as a learning opportunity, transforming themselves into wiser individuals.
Prayer for Tranquility
The god Obatalá is considered by many of his followers to be a good father, which gives them the confidence and freedom to turn to him when they need his protection and help. He is one of the Orishas of the Yoruba pantheon, endowed with qualities and attributes such as leadership, knowledge, and justice.
Most people ask this saint for support and peace, so they can have a tranquil life despite facing difficulties. Obatalá is the Yoruba deity venerated as the " King of Kings ," since, according to tradition, he is the creator of the Earth and everything created upon it, including the beings that inhabit it.
Through prayer to Obatalá for peace and tranquility, the saint shows compassion and kindness toward the faithful devotees who offer these prayers. Obatalá is the god who intercedes in conflicts that arise among the other orishas , acting as a mediator to resolve their disagreements.
He offers arguments and reasoning that he believes are the most appropriate and fair for each situation. He acts as a good judge, demonstrating patience and justice. Through this article, the reader will be offered a prayer through which they can achieve tranquility by invoking the god Obatalá.
Prayer
Oh holy Obatala !, I invoke you as the King of Kings that you are,
You who dominate the Earth even if you have your kingdom in heaven,
That you give men hope through your Glory,
That you give your children your attributes of kindness, charity and faith,
Holy Father that to all the other holy guides,
Creator of everything on Earth, of nature,
Of all that is pure and white, and that is why peace is your symbol,
Make me able to have your wisdom,
And with it understand everything that until now I don't understand.
Put in me the wise words to address others,
Grant me the Gift of patience and knowing how to listen to others,
Let me have a life with resignation,
That I can face all the pains that afflict me,
May this prayer to Obatalá fill me with deep tranquility.
That with only your presence, my spirit is filled with joy,
Soothe me when anger invades me, help me straighten my path,
Teach me to understand with your infinite wisdom,
All the things I don't understand.
Serve me as a support to lead my life in peace and calm,
Give me your holy blessing to be able to withstand everything that is coming,
Give me the necessary strength to carry the weight of my burdens.
The tranquility that I ask of you, will be the prize that you have reserved for me.
Oh my Father, holy Obatalá!, watch over every step I take in my life,
Cover me with your white light, and through it,
give me the mental and spiritual tranquility that I need so much.
Guide my life along the paths you have planned for me,
And if I have to change course, come with me so I can reach Peace.
Allow me the power to lead others, your pure and clear light,
the same one you give me when you take care of me at night.
Trust fully in your sacred wing, and cover me with your protective mantle.
Oh my holy Obatalá , my sovereign king and redeemer, in you I faithfully trust. Amen!
This is just one of the prayers that are part of the prayer to Obatalá for tranquility; a way to request it spiritually, where people can obtain as an answer, a little peace and harmony in their lives, taking into account that for it to have an effect, they must perform it with great faith.
When reciting the prayer to Obatalá for peace and tranquility, it is recommended to build a small altar, adorned with an image or other representative element of the saint, along with some gifts or offerings. If candles are lit to represent the element of light, they should be white.
At this point, you must consider the saint's preferences in order to offer a suitable gift, and especially one that pleases him. The god Obatalá does not like alcoholic beverages, nor beans or legumes; these foods are forbidden to him.
The list of animals that can be offered to him are: dove (a symbol that identifies him), white hen or goat. As for meals, everything that is white, rice, milk, custard, among others. Corn and canary grass are other possible offerings, as well as white necklaces and beads, candles, etc.
Prayer for Money
Another very common and popular prayer to Obatalá is to invoke the saint for financial assistance. People generally direct these prayers to the deities they consider most powerful on their altars, asking them to grant them an opportunity to achieve success in their lives.
Almost always, the fact of being able to count on enough money is part of that success so longed for by people, because only then will they not have any kind of shortcomings. In addition to peace and tranquility, the human being feels that in order to achieve all his goals and dreams, he needs to have money, an element that has become necessary to guarantee both individual sustenance and that of the rest of the families.
With money, all the basic needs that arise in life are covered. Once these needs are met, then the individual can begin to enjoy peace and tranquility, having confidence in a better quality future.
As with the prayer for tranquility, this article also offers the reader an example of a prayer to Obatalá for money. To obtain the desired results, simply add the faith with which you recite it. It's important to note that Obatalá will only help the person obtain money if he deems the request for money to be for a necessary and just cause.
Prayer
Oh my holy Obatalá!, great King of Kings, who governs in white cloths,
That you are a faithful witness of life and that is why you are not afraid of the arrival of death,
O holy Father!, that you see everything from heaven,
Today I invoke you to ask you to be my benefactor and guide,
Help me to carry my heaviest loads,
May you enlighten me in the search for the solution to my conflicts and problems,
Provide me with great abundance to meet my needs,
Give me your gift of abundance, and make it shine in my life.
Oh, holy father of the mountain and nature,
You who are the owner of blessings,
Cover me with your white cloth, and nurture me with your wisdom,
I wish to serve you forever, O great spirit of light,
Because you are my Orisha, and I have to serve you,
Father of light, illuminate within my spirit,
And guide me through the path of abundance,
bring prosperity and money to me,
To all who acclaim your name, you help them,
You who are living Light, who heals ills and cures diseases,
You who illuminate my dark nights, who guide those who wake up.
Oh father Obatalá!, you who direct the paths of those who trust in you,
That you bring infinite happiness to each one of the people,
That you calm the soul of the angry, and you offer happiness to those who believe in you,
Even those who, despite knowing you, have faith in your name.
Shield me with your protection, oh king of kings, and enlighten me with your light,
Oh great Eternal Father Obatala! Take care of me and all my loved ones,
Don't let us pass any need,
Make us always have a happy heart and full hands,
Let me achieve the success I want for my life,
Wrap me inside your white cloth, and shelter me with it.
Today, I come to offer you my honest greeting, to honor you,
And I offer you to always serve you with great devotion.
Thank you, my king Obatalá, for always being my Father, Amen.
As with other prayers, the prayer to Obatalá for money is also a legitimate and spiritual expression of faith. It is important to note that these prayers should be recited and invoked respectfully, both to the saint and in the solemn act of praying itself.
As a complement to the framework of this prayer, and whenever possible, you should build a small altar where you can place the image of the saint, in this case the god Obatalá , or any element with which you can represent him.
Then proceed to light a candle in front of the image, preferably white, conditioning the space and making it conducive to meditation.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Obatalá knows the heart and the situation each person is going through, which is why you shouldn't ask for more than you need, or else nothing will be granted, since this orisha is known for being just. Ask only for what you truly require, and when you do, ask with great faith, because only then will Obatalá hear you.
Prayer for Love
We have already talked about the prayer to Obatalá to request tranquility and also to ask for favors of money, adding now another of the most common requests that people make to this Yoruba god , which is love.
Love is the greatest of feelings that a person can have; It is considered the engine of life, the main motivation for people to want to live and enjoy life. Since the beginning of the creation of the world, the fact that man cannot be alone has been considered, he needs the company of a partner, to be able to count on the presence of a person next to him.
You cannot exist in the world in isolation and it is love, that articulating element that gives meaning to life, a motivation and justification to live it. As we have already said, love is the essence of life, therefore, both women and men need to love and be loved.
When people feel they lack that special someone in their lives, someone who inspires such noble feelings, they seek help to find them. In this specific case, rituals linked to Santería are performed, supported by a prayer to Obatalá for love, through which they hope to attract love into their lives.
Within Yoruba culture and religious tradition , there are many prayers that pursue this goal: to find love, that faithful and ideal partner for each person. Through this prayer, the saint is asked to intercede and help them find that love, that it be pure and true, someone with whom they can share the rest of their lives.
Because of his kind and gentle nature, the god Obatalá is ideal for love requests. He can serve as a guide on any path, opening roads and removing obstacles. However, to achieve effective results, a powerful prayer is also necessary, so here is an example.
Prayer
O my King, whose kingdom is in heaven,
I acclaim today for your presence, with much devotion that is the same as yours,
your charity is my prosperity, and your glory my hope,
you who are the Father of all the orishas in the world,
Father of spiritual light, of all that is white and pure,
You are my reflection Oh holy Obatalá, and with you I identify myself,
always give me your wisdom, so I can count on the right ones,
and thus be able to address those who wish to listen to me.
Guide my path along the paths of good and good love,
Take me towards achieving that sincere love, that noble love.
Give me the destiny you have reserved for me, and accompany me on its journey.
Bring to me, the love of (the name of the loved one is mentioned),
so that he is always by my side and that he never leaves.
Make him feel like he can't live a minute without me
and that he is only happy when he is with me, when he is by my side.
Give me your shelter and protection, to be happy with my beloved.
Make our love as pure as your white cloth,
be as eternal, as the light that you always radiate,
be blessed by your sacred mantle.
Oh my king!, I beg you that my dear always be by my side,
I trust in you, as a faithful devotee and with great faith I ask you,
Oh my lord, please answer me. Amen
This prayer must be offered with great trust and faith in the god Obatalá . The desires expressed in the petition must be pure, for a good and noble love, otherwise, the request will not be granted. However, if this deity deems the request appropriate, then rest assured that the god will guide your steps on the path to achieving that pure and eternal love.
As with the other prayers, it is helpful to have a small altar set up, with an image of the orisha illuminated by a white candle and other offerings that reflect their preferences. A photograph of the loved one or their name written on a piece of paper can also be placed there.
Prayer for Enemies
The god Obatalá has been described as one of the protective deities of the Yoruba pantheon . For this reason, his faithful devotees pray to him not only for peace, love, and money, but also for his guidance and protection against enemies. If you would like to learn other prayers for protection from enemies, you can also read " Prayer to Elegua to Overcome Enemies."
The development framed within the day-to-day activities in the life of humanity, generates a series of relationships and situations between people, which, in general, can lead to certain conflicts between them.
This condition can be seen as natural, if we take into account that people are invaded by petty feelings of jealousy and envy, with reference to the way other people live. Sometimes they just get into situations where they do some damage to each other and this makes them end up as enemies.
No one likes conflict in their life, much less having enemies. For this reason, they see prayer to Obatalá for enemies as a viable solution and a way to confront the problem. The moment then presents itself as opportune to turn to the orisha for help, since Obatalá is the god who mediates conflict.
Many direct their prayers towards this deity, with the purpose of interceding in their favor, and ends up warding off all the enemies that alter the tranquility and peace of the individual, without letting him live well and in harmony.
Here is a prayer to Obatalá for your enemies, which you can perform to ask for his help and protection from potential attacks, preventing them from harming you. Remember that prayer is the best way to establish effective communication with this god, who will surely answer all your pleas and supplications.
Prayer
Oh my God! and great spiritual divinity,
Deliver me from all evil, O my Almighty, keep thefts from my ways,
Keep me from getting involved in lawsuits and conflicts,
Protect me from the occurrence of blows and injuries,
Make me invisible to the eyes of my enemies.
Serve me as my spiritual guide in all my ways and paths,
Give me your wisdom to face conflicts and difficulties,
Eliminate envy from my life, as well as hatred and greed,
Offer me your strength to fight against my enemies.
O Father, I ask that this prayer serve as my protection,
Don't let (say the enemy's name) come near me ever again,
Shelter me under your sacred mantle and with your white cloth catch it.
Tie him hand and foot when he sees me, so he can't hurt me,
Don't let me or my family get any harm,
Send your army of orishas, to guard my steps,
Keep free of obstacles the paths that I have to travel protected in your holy name,
That my enemy (the name of the enemy is said) be defeated without having fought,
Make him desist from his intentions of harming me or my family,
that their ill wishes and thoughts cannot reach me,
that their envy does not affect your light, oh my god Obatalá, so that you continue to enlighten me.
Today I come to implore for your holy protection at all times, King of Kings,
And I do it in your powerful name, Oh great Obatalá,
That the evil spirits that may be around me, go far away from me,
That with your power the bad influences are dissipated any day and at any time,
Grant me that help, O Almighty Father, so that my life may be full,
I ask you with great faith, to venerate and honor you, Amen!
Regarding this example of a prayer to Obatalá for enemies, some recommendations should be followed for it to be more effective. First, it should be recited in a very quiet place to establish the necessary spiritual connection through the channels of communication with this orisha.
To obtain the necessary spiritual energy, you can create an atmosphere where you place a small altar with an image of the saint or another white or silver-colored element representing him, along with a white candle and the use of gentle incense. You can also place offerings that Obatalá likes.
Likewise, it is recommended that you perform the evocation of the prayer with great concentration, especially on each word you utter, this detail being the only thing that will guarantee that the request reaches Obatalá.
Additionally, by reciting this prayer, you can also take a few minutes of reflection and meditation, through which you can show the saint what is the real need you have to remove the enemy from your life and that of your family.
This is a way for you to explain your problem in more detail, from the heart, which will not only make you feel better but also increase the strength and intensity of your prayer. We also suggest using other resources, such as singing a song invoking the name of Obatala , which will also serve to honor and pay tribute to the saint.
Prayer in Yoruba
The Yoruba language is a type of language spoken by the inhabitants of West Africa, where it is considered one of the most popular and well-known, also known as Benué Congo . Originally, it was called èdè Yorùbá.
Generally, this language is used by devout followers of the religion also known as Yoruba . Practitioners of this doctrine, as well as of Santería itself, use this language to invoke different deities and make requests or ask for favors through the recitation of various prayers.
The intention of practitioners when invoking prayers to their orishas in the Yoruba language is to establish a more spiritual and direct connection with these deities, and to obtain a more positive response regarding the solution to a problem or conflict they are experiencing in their lives.
This doctrine holds that by using the Yoruba language to recite various prayers, one can unite the energies within each person with the energies radiated by the deities. In this way, one can achieve complete success in any ritual performed in honor of the saints, in this specific case, the god Obatalá. You might also be interested in learning about the Mayan Nahual.
Priests and other spiritualists, as well as practitioners and devout followers of this cult, know the various ways in which prayers can be presented to the deities; however, they claim that by pronouncing them in the Yoruba language , the channel of communication with the Orisha becomes more effective, since the saints prefer this language when listening to the requests made by their faithful.
On the other hand, this condition does not mean that reciting them in another language with great devotion and faith will not have any effect, but pronouncing them in the Yoruba language is considered one of the best ways to do so.
Below is a sample of one of the most common Yoruba prayers dedicated to the god Obatalá.
Prayer
Obanla or rin n'eru ojikutu s'eru
O gba a giri l'owo osika.
Oba n'ile Ifon alabalase oba patapatan'ile iranje
Either I kelekele or my l'ore
O yi 'ala
O fi l'emi asoto l'owo
Osun l'ala or fi koko ala rumo
Oba Igbo
Oba Igbo oluwaiye re eo ke bi owu la As
As you can see, the sentence is presented in the Yoruba language, but for a better understanding for the average reader, the Spanish translation of it is also presented below in this article.
Through this translation into Spanish, the meaning of the prayer to Obatalá that he has been praying is made known to the practitioner of the religion who does not master the native language of the doctrine.
Translation of the prayer to Obatalá from Yoruba to Spanish
Oh god Obatala, you who are the owner of the white fabrics,
that you do not feel fear before the arrival of death,
Mighty Father, who reigns everywhere in the world,
Help me remove my burdens and that of my friends,
let me be like you and give me some of your generous abundance,
you who are protector of all white cloths, offer me a white handkerchief,
I bless you my lord, Amen!
Prayer to Obatalá in Lucumi
Another language in which prayers to Obatalá can be expressed is Lucumí, a language used by followers and devotees of Santería on the island of Cuba. It is also known by the variations Lacumí or Anagó.
It is worth noting that this type of vocabulary includes phrases and words derived from the Yoruba language. In the context of worship or religion, this type of communication is considered a form of liturgy, used within the Santería ceremonies held on the island.
The Yoruba language has the peculiarity of being a tonal language , which means that through its interpretation some contrasts can be created in reference to the intonation used, being the same as the type of communication that occurs within the different cults, rites or ceremonies.
In most situations, these tones are pronounced using a modulation appropriate to their meaning, which is considerably improved by adding the use of the Lucumí language, thus becoming a clear communication, helping to understand it better and with greater clarity, without any difficulty.
The origins of the Lucumí language are rooted in a religion that arose from the Yoruba language , which was spoken in the region of Nigeria. Among its characteristics is its historical focus on myths, beliefs, and mysteries.
This type of language became known through the prayers and prayers that were addressed in a special way to the saints. When his prayers are intoned, high tones are used, where the greatest force is contained within numerous phrases, which must have a good tune.
This type of language is generally used when prayers are directed to the orisha Obatalá. Devout worshippers can choose to recite the prayers in Lucumí or, if they prefer, in Yoruba.
According to tradition, it was through the use of this type of language that the slaves were perfecting their prayers, prayers or prayers in a more spiritual and sacred way, adapting them to a better invocation of their gods.
This type of language is presented as an alternative way to establish more effective communication with the god Obatalá, and thus obtain his help when needed. An example sentence in this language, in Lucumí, is presented here.
Prayer
I was going Obatala, I was going Oba Igbo, I was going Oba,
N'le ifon, O fi koko ala rumo
Òrìsà ni ma sin. Òrìsà ni ma sin.
Òrìsà ni ma sin.
Obatala or his n'un àlà.
Obatala or ji n'un àlà.
Obatala or tinu ala dide.
A-di-ni boitti, Mo juba. Ace.
Translation to Spanish
Just as the presentation of the prayer to Obatalá in the Yoruba language was done and then its translation into Spanish, in the same way we present below, the translation of this, to make known the content of the prayer that is being raised to the god Obatalá.
Oh my Obatala, I greet you, Oh great Lord of purity,
You who are the owner of the white fabrics,
Give me today and always your holy blessing and protection.
I venerate you like no one else my god Obatalá, Sacred King of nature,
I venerate you like no one else my god, King of all heavens,
I bow to you, owner of white cloths,
I bow to your white light, which I want to serve forever,
You are the master of the white light that I follow,
the Orisha that lives and sleeps in everything white,
the Orisha that inhabits and awakens in everything white,
The god who creates everything according to his holy will,
The orisha to whom I give my respect, Oh Father Obatala. Ashe.
It's important to note that the translation of this sentence is much longer than the original sentence. This is because, on the one hand, translations from one language to another are never exact, and on the other hand, many of the words written in Lucumí are not just words, but also sacred phrases. This is what makes its translation into Spanish longer.
There are many prayers to invoke the presence of deities and other saints written in this language, used especially to invoke the presence of the god Obatalá and thus establish a more direct and spiritual channel of communication with said saint, at any time that devotees and practitioners require him to manifest himself to them.
As for the reasons, there can be several, either to request their help, to grant them a special favor, to dedicate a prayer to them or simply to honor them through an offering but, whatever the case, it must be done with great devotion and faith. .
Invocation Prayer
Before performing any type of prayer to Obatalá to make a request or ask for a favor, it is important to first invoke his presence and once he has manifested himself spiritually, then he can better attend to the supplications and requests made to him through the prayers or supplications.
Similarly, the reason for invoking his presence should be explained before beginning the regular prayer. Here is another prayer to Obatalá in the Yoruba language , this time to invoke his name and presence.
Sentence:
Sheikh Obatala
Obatala biriniwa Aligua lanu
Yakutu kawo kawo obe Dedere laboru
Dedere labochiche Toba lori meridilogun
I sing to Obatalá
There are many songs that faithful followers and devotees dedicate to the gods of the Yoruba pantheon, especially to the god Obatalá, as it is one of their greatest pleasures, according to their tradition. Through song, practitioners of the religion find another way to offer a prayer to Obatalá, but in a more lively and joyful manner.
In fact, it is through various chants that devotees can practice meditation in a more focused way. Within the Yoruba religion, chanting is commonly used as another way to pay tribute and worship to the saints. Through the expression of these chants, the deities feel respected and adored.
In addition to what was said above, we have that through singing, the devout faithful make respect the variety of beliefs and manifestations that each doctrine has, both culturally and religiously.
Freedom of worship should always be upheld, but based on respect, as each person can choose how they wish to honor their gods, whether through prayer, song, or even simply meditation. Below is an example of a song to Obatalá , expressed in his native language, Yoruba.
Baba fururu lore reo okanyenye eleyibo eleri fao
basi ba sawo eyiborere basi bawo enuaye eyawaloro eyawoloro elese ka
Elese ka baba elese ka Eyawaloro elese ka Eyawoloro wolenshe
Iwere iyeye iwere iyeye eluba my Obatala
eluba my omo Orisha ibaribaba ibariyeye Obatala
kawo kasho mambero enikila wase olo
omi osa Olofin Oba Olorun Obalaye iwere iyeye
Iwere iyeye eluba my Obatala eluba my omo
Orisha Ibaribaba Ibariyaye Obatala Kawo
kasho mambero enikila wase Olofin oba Olofin Obalaye
Arubo baba baba arubo olo Orisha
I sing to Obatalá or Suyere
This type of chant was specially written to pay tribute to the orisha Obatalá , as a more pleasant way to conclude prayers, petitions, rites, ceremonies, or devotions. It is performed with great fervor and devotion, and is one of the ways to thank him for his presence and for answering one's prayers and other requests. Here is the closing chant of the prayer to Obatalá.
Babaru olowo, ekée
Babamoqueñe, maqueñe obe ekun
Babamoqueñe, maqueñe ekua mum
baba bakile akuko
akuko atonikole gangan
Atonikole gangan ayaguna leyi, bo
Babaru oluo, huh
Reflections on the prayer to Obatala
As a conclusion to this article, we wanted to show you some reflections that arise within the framework of what has been expressed regarding the prayer to Obatalá, which is interpreted through the recitation of a prayer, which is directly addressed to this deity that is part of the Yoruba Pantheon , where it fulfills an important function, being among the main gods.
It is worth remembering then that Yoruba is a religion that originated in Africa and then spread to several countries, where it is practiced and has countless devotees, but in a very particular way, it stands out on the Island of Cuba.
The prayer to Obatalá is part of a religious cult, which includes the manifestation of a series of beliefs and traditions, which have been passed down from generation to generation, but which have their foundations in the culture of African slaves.
These beliefs had to be kept hidden for many years, which is why they learned to synchronize their gods with the saints of the Catholic religion so they could continue their worship without anyone noticing. In the specific case of the god Obatalá , considered within the Yoruba religion as the creator god of everything that exists on Earth, he had to be syncretized with Our Lady of Mercy.
Obatalá is one of the most important gods, as he is credited with the creation of the world and everything in it, including the human race. He was named the orisha in charge of the thoughts of men, with the mission of providing them with wisdom and illuminating their paths.
He is considered a pure deity par excellence, appointed as master and lord of all white, this being part of his symbology and his greatest representation. He was sent to Earth, to govern with wisdom, one of the elements that weighs heavily when practitioners of religion choose a god to ask for support and wise advice.
As the creator god in Yoruba mythology , he is considered the king of kings, but he is also seen as a benevolent and merciful god, who brings peace and tranquility to people, favoring the development of their lives in perfect harmony.
All these reasons make him the ideal deity to turn to for help in overcoming difficulties, removing obstacles, finding love, and defeating enemies—all by offering a prayer to Obatalá. These prayers must be offered with great devotion and faith, for this orisha is very just, and if your request is for good, he will most likely grant it.
But if, on the other hand, you seek with it to cause harm to third parties, it will never be fulfilled. Her purpose, in addition to helping you, is to guide men in their journey, encouraging them to always show a good attitude in the face of difficulties, always with great optimism.
It has the power to calm the angry and is a lawyer who dislikes insults and perjury. If it helps you overcome obstacles, you can be sure you will enjoy a pleasant and peaceful life, always illuminating your paths and destiny. If you liked this article, we invite you to check out this other one on our blog: " Candle Opens Paths"
