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I greet Shango in Yoruba: Its meaning and religious stories

I greet Shango in Yoruba

First of all Maferefún Shango in my life! For me the king of our Yoruba religion is and will be a bulwark in my path, as it will also be in yours if you are his devotee and trust in the warrior.

Shango is a very feared and powerful deity in the Rule of Osha Ifá or Santeria.

He is an Orisha who becomes happy when he give up Moforibale (honor and praise) and always delivers what he promises. On the other hand, if you promise him something, you must comply with him because he gets very upset.

How is Shango greeted in the Yoruba religion and the Osha?

In Yoruba religion the greeting to Shango is Kawo Kabíe Sile or Coffee Kabiyesí Ile, which is a praise to his deity, a veneration and honor to his power.

According to the dictionary of the Yoruba language, it is written and translated as follows:

  • Coffee: Great Sir. Powerful. That's why we say "Kawo Shangó"
  • Kawo Kabie Sile: welcome to earth great sir

Meaning of Kawó Kabiyesi Ilé: The Mighty Majesty of the land or house.

  • kabiyesi: Way of addressing a king, it sounds like «your Majesty«
  • Ile: land/house

We must know that unlike other Orishas Shango does not have roads, so with This greeting does not bow to a type of Shango in particular, but to his deity.

Due to language transformation, your greeting is written in various ways:

  • Kabiosile Shango
  • Kabiyesi Shango
  • Kavó Shango
  • Kawo Kabie Sile Shango
  • Ee Baba my Shango

What is the Yoruba origin of the Greeting to Shango?

When talking about the origin of the Shango greeting we have to move to the patakies, that is, Yoruba legends with wise morals that make up our ancestral legacy.

These patakies in one way or another relate their greeting to what happened at that time during his tenure as King.

Pataki where Shango helps his people and is revered

This story arose when Shangó was the third King of Oyó (state in southwestern Nigeria), and had Obbatalá as an ally, himself who was king of Igbo (ethnic group widespread in Africa, most of them are found in southeastern Nigeria).

Both were waging an implacable fight against the king of Ifé (ancient Yoruba city) where Oduduwa ruled.

As a strategy, the warriors led by Obbatalá disguised themselves with mariwos (clothing made of dry palm). and they harassed the people of Ifé, so they fled in terror, thinking that they were evil spirits.

But one day Oduduwa finds out the secret of the disguised warriors and orders them to be set on fire as soon as they enter his territory.

They did so and Obbatalá's men were engulfed in flames, while this was happening Oduduwa took advantage and took the city of Igbo, dethroning Obbatalá.

Before the offensive, Obbatalá had sent an emissary to ask Shango for help, but he refused to listen to the letter because he was busy with his concubines.

Then King Shangó is taken unawares and the men of Ifé attack his town, but before he was captured, he burned his house and fled and made the decision to hang himself.

The faithful of Shango upon learning of the death of their King began to shout: Shango Oba Ko so (the king did not hang himself), they knew that the power of Shango would help them.

  • Today in religion we use this name: "Oba Kò so", to refer to Shangó.

After the death of their King, the people of Oyo continued to resist the attack of Oduduwa's army, forcing them to retreat. It is said that a great storm unleashed with lightning helped the men of Ife to retreat.

All his followers were sure that it was the anger of their King and they all shouted: Kawo Kabie Sile Shango! Which, as we explained before, means «welcome to earth great sir«, leaving for posterity, this phrase of veneration and honor.

As we can see, it is a historical drama based on the legend that Shango was a man before being a deity, who transformed his power and became the Orisha of thunder, lightning and lightning after his death.

What we must be certain of is that Shango is the King of the Yoruba pantheon and respect is due.

As sons and devotees of Shango we must be honest and fair so that he helps us win all the wars with his blessing.

Another story where Shango is called Oba Kò so

This story also takes place in Oyó, where Shangó was a very brave warrior, everyone there feared and respected him.

Beyond value, it had magical powers such as shooting fire through its mouth and causing lightning and thunder.

One day he went with his men to a hill and decided to test his ability to cause lightning.

Lightning immediately began to strike and his palace began to burn. All his people fled in terror from the fire and many died. Shango with a broken and sad heart heads towards other lands.

Even so, his faithful men and his wife Oyá They accompanied him, but in the end they gave up and returned, leaving him alone.

Shangó did not want to continue either, but his pride and shame prevented him from returning to his land.

Then he decided to end his life, and at that moment his faithful followers began to shout: Shango Oba Ko so what does it mean "the king did not hang himself«, in this way, although Shangó left the earth in his physical state, his power was transformed into the energy of a deity and orisha.

Let us remember that in the Yoruba religion the king of lightning is also named Obakosso.

Many blessings to you and thank you for reading this far, a hug and may Shango protect you with power and firmness in each of your steps.

We share more about the great Orisha Shango in the Osha:

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