Why Yewá habita in the graveyard? The Orisha owner of the tomb

The Orisha Yewá, represents the loneliness of death, dark as the gloom that is located in the corners at nightfall.

She is depicted as a virgin and unmarried old woman who saw her life pass behind the dusty windows of a castle. And it is that some Patakíes point out their immense beauty, for which their father, Obatala, protected it so that it was away from other people's glances.

Solitaria lived her life as a spirit and therefore walks among the ruins of cemeteries and neglected tombs. Habita in cemeteries and sarcophagi, and its name in Yoruba means "our mother".

Yewá personifies loneliness, the limitation of emotions, feminine purity, virginity and infertility. Also known as the river goddess Yewá, seen as a fighting saint, strong and courageous and, above all, extremely strict and wise.

She is the patron saint of the grave, she is always found among the graves and the corpses that are in the cemetery.

The cult of Yewá in Cuba it is seen with more force in the houses of Santiago de Cuba, where their children enjoy great privilege because they are seen as fortune-tellers and are kept in austerity.

In addition, out of respect and the qualities that define this deity, no one should undress in front of her, nor can they have passions or fights, act with violence or harshness or raise their voices.

in solitude habita Yewá, between the tombs and the dead

In the Yoruba religion, Yewá is an orisha who expresses divinity and sacrifice, lives inside the coffin that is in the tomb.

This deity in Santeria syncretizes with:

Our Lady of the Forsaken, patron saint of Valencia, Spainaña,
The Virgin of Monserrate and
Saint Clare of Assisi.

The saints and orisha are venerated in the same cult, the result of syncretism.

This deity is the owner and manager of the cemetery and strongly linked to death.

Get to know the Pataki about why Yewá lives in the cemetery!

The patakí (Yoruba legend) tells that he lived in a beautiful crystal palace with his father Obatalá, and Yewá was a young woman as beautiful as spring, a symbol of purity and virginity.

For this reason, Obatala refused to let her see the world outside the crystal palace and the young woman had never had the opportunity to see a man.

However, the beauty of the young woman hidden in the crystal palace was soon known in heaven and earth and Shango, the most womanizer of the gods, set out to conquer her. Thus he arrived at the palace and was struck by the beauty of Yewá.

The young woman fell in love with the handsome Shango and scared, she undertook a mad race, until she fell ashamed at the feet of Obatala.

So she asked her father to send her to a place far away, where she could not see any man and no one would want to visit her.

Obatalá appointed her as queen of the dead, and she lives in the cemetery away from all living beings. Yewá was commissioned to transfer the Eggun (spirits) to Oyá, and from the cemetery its attraction is dancing on the tombs of the dead.

Characteristics that define the powerful Yewá:

The Orisha Yewá it is in charge of breaking down the human body. It is attributed to him that he possesses great wisdom and that is why the animal that acts as a messenger of this deity is the owl.

Yewá is believed to be the owner and patrons of the Iyamis (witches) and to possess a strict character, very sweet and severe at the same time.

She does not like her children to be indecisive and demands that they be as respectful and strict as she is. She does not like mistakes even though perfection does not exist, she demands that her children be practically perfect.

Some religious point out that Yewá should be placed high on an altar, adorned with a beautiful curtain and with nine ribbons of different colors that should be 3 inches wide.

In addition to the fact that it should only be fed at night and when she requests it, as well as its rites must be carried out at night. In the event that she does not wish to eat, a plate containing seven pieces of coconut is placed in front of her.

Among its attributes it has as decoration 2 Irukes or white horse tails, and four kashas that are handles, two for the hands and two for the feet that have clasps to tie and that are used only in case of illness. It also has two fans with owl feathers.

Yewá does not dance, but when she descends to earth, the men must turn their backs so that she can wash her face, which is the moment when she takes off her veil that has been covering her face.

But above all, Yewá is a precious and purified spirit, the only descendant of Oduduwa, and cannot have direct children crowned in Osha. Yewá remained a virgin throughout her life, she has no children and is not crowned either.

¿How to pray to the beautiful Yewá?

To pray to the Orisha Yewá, we must bear in mind that it demands respect and a lot of faith in her powers and in her immense wisdom.

For this reason we must clearly think about what we want to ask this Orisha and pray to her with confidence, speaking to her of our fears and also of our joys and satisfactions, do not forget to thank her.

Some offerings that we can give you with great faith:

Let us also bear in mind, when praying to Yewá, that the favorite food of this orisha is fresh fish garnished with tomatoes, gofio with fish and peanut balls.

Likewise, it must be consecrated with animals that must be young, female and that retain their virginity such as small goats, pigeons and guinea fowls.

Yewá can also be offered ewes (herbs) such as purple basil, tamarind, grape, with the medicinal plant known as yerba de garro and with flowers from the framb tree.oyán, the geraniums, cemetery flower, camphor, and mugwort.

The offerings that are given to Yewá must be presented inside a basket that is generally woven in branches, which is upholstered with pink fabrics, her favorite, and red.

Like every deity of the Yoruba culture, Yewá has her own prayer in that language, through which we invoke her and ask for her assistance:

Yewá Ale olu ologbo subje odu kala Olula Agbo luduou dogo sodi.
Yeguá orí masó ohí kara okú olá yoko ada baba.
I was going yeyé Ogún ode, Ogún odo ilé aguá are olokoleri.
Ile tutu aña tuto anto da ofún ori ma guá.
Tutor.