What does Maferefun mean in Santeria? I will pray for good things!

maferefun It is a very peculiar expression and at the same time extremely used in the current context of Afro-Cuban religion.

And it is that many times we hear exclaim "maferefun obbatala”, But we do not always understand the context or the meaning in itself that this sentence contains.

Thinking that it is praise to an Orisha just because the phrase is always accompanied by the name of a deity is not entirely correct.

So what does Maferefun mean? Well, to know it, you have to have the pronunciation and the context to know exactly what the reference is being made.

Maferefun, an expression with different meanings

The fact is that, to find the exact meaning of this popular word, we must always analyze the context in which it is used.

E.g., if pronounced as ma fi go fun, implies going to pray for good things to the deity that is included after the phrase.

But, according to various ethnologists, this phrase can also be pronounced as ma fere fun, which indicates: I give a part of my profit to ... (certain orisha).

This is the way the phrase should be used when offering something to the Orisha in recognition of their help and blessing. Gratitude can even be shown in that way to the babalawo who did the spiritual work.

The expression is also said to the Orisha of which the priest or Babalawo Is son. For example, when thanking him, he expresses “maferefun ShangoIf the babalawo is the son of this Orisha and so with all the deities.