Beautiful
Yewa is the Orisha who represents loneliness. It is an example of control, repression and the control of feelings. The quintessential symbol of female chastity. It unfolds among the grounds of the holy field. Being the owner of the tomb, she deposits her essence inside the coffin that is in the tomb.
Who is yewa?
Originally from the Dahomey land, it is also estimated to have lived in Egwadó, Nigeria. She is considered a river Orisha, Goddess of the river that bears her name, which runs parallel to the coast in Nigeria, ending in the Lagos lagoon. The oddun with which Yewa comes to earth (isalaye) is Otura Roso.
His name according to the translation of the Yorùbá vocabulary means: Yeyé = mother / Awá = ours, that is, "our mother." In Cuba, it has great adoration especially in the city of Santiago de Cuba.
Yewá is a Deity closely linked to death and to all the funeral processes that living beings go through at the moment of disincarnating their physical body. He is in charge of guiding the recently deceased spirits to the presence of the Orisha Oyá inside the cemetery. In addition, he is considered a Deity with skills for navigation, and fishing.
He is a lover of gardens and feathers with a tinny aura (zamuro). During the nights visit Oshagriñan. It is said that Yewá is a Goddess representative of chastity, although it is known that she had a son who dried up in her womb and after that, she was never with any man again.
What is Yewa like?
Yewá is a woman of considerable beauty. Her appeal is such that Shango became obsessed with conquering her at any cost. In his cult, it is customary among his initiates to keep their composure, one should not remain naked in his presence, or talk about sentimental issues, much less make emotional displays. In the same way, where she is, aggressive acts cannot be carried out, nor can they fight physically or verbally.
These types of limitations demonstrate the delicacy of this Orisha. It is well known among her followers that everything in front of her must develop with great tranquility, calm and solemnity, respect for her presence is of vital importance.
Other stories report that Yewa sometimes dresses in men's clothing and visits Olokun. He likes reefs and wrapping himself in sea flax. It is part of the cult of the Iyamis (witches). His character is very strong but at the same time gentle and sweet. His stern nature can be compared to the rigidity of Oduduwa's personality.
She was seduced by Shango, who with all the intention of making her fall in love, entered the castle where Yewá lived with his father posing as a gardener. Managing to attract their attention. This action caused her so much shame that she herself asked her father to send her where no man would see her again. From that moment he resides in the Cemetery.
Features
Yewa number
Yewa's number is 11 and its multiples. Your day or allegorical celebration inherited from syncretism is usually commemorated on October 30.
Yewa soup tureen
Its receptacle or tureen is a basket made of wicker material that is covered with red and pink fabrics. Inside, a little house is placed where the foundation of the Orisha is located. It is located at the top of the basket or in a special room for her.
Yewa Tools
Among your tools or attributes carry: 9 pink stones, 9 shields in the shape of triangles, 9 angels, 1 hand of snails (cowries), Egún bone, a bell with a smaller one inside made of white or silver metal, a doll, a small jar , mother-of-pearl shells, cowries, 22 metal skeletons, and an owl bone.
Suit
Yewa's costume It is made with pink fabrics. It consists of a dress that has a wide skirt tied at the waist and a crown adorned with many snails.
Yewa colors
Its color by nature is pink, it is also attributed the color red, therefore, your elekes or necklaces They are made with beads of those colors.
Through the diloggún this Orisha is manifested through the Odun: osa (9) iroso (4) and ocana (1).
What are Yewa's children like?
It is clear that Yewa is an Orisha representative of chastity, therefore, she does not accept promiscuity or disorder in her children at the level of their intimate relationships. Yewa is a very severe mother, she does not like that her children are indecisive, disorganized, immoral or erratic. Another taboo for your children is that they should not eat any food from water (sea or river).
Their children are said to have a usually strong character personality, they can become dominant and demanding. They tend to be very moralistic and very little given to romantic relationships, and if they do have them, they are usually very long and stable. Normally, they enjoy intense spiritual strength, which is why they come to be recognized as important seers.
How is Yewa consecrated or received in Santeria?
To begin, it is necessary to clarify that to participate or perform any ceremonial with this Orisha it is necessary not to have had sexual contact for at least 48 hours before. Nor can one be with the naked or semi-naked body in their presence. The sons of Yewa are consecrated in Kariosha by crowning Yewá with gold Oshun.
However, this settlement is the subject of much discussion, since it is estimated that it was originally settled directly, but at present there is no exact knowledge of its ceremonial. On the other hand, there are some religious houses that claim that they know the secrets for their consecration. In any case, the most advisable thing for the consecration of your children is to be sure that the iworo (santero) with whom they are going to consecrate has the appropriate knowledge to officiate such a ceremony.
The iworos in general can also receive the foundation of this Orisha, and are subject to the same recommendation made to their children: “receiving the foundation of Yewa entails great responsibility and maturity, since its initiates must be practitioners of a style of life based on morals, good manners and sentimental organization ».
What is asked of the Orisha Yewa?
This is a very delicate Orisha. Requests should be made to him that do not violate morals and good customs, rather, that they remain within their practices. You are asked to have a peaceful and calm life especially when you have reached maturity, and old age.
Adimuses or offerings to yewa
In Santeria, Yewa can be entertained by offering: fish with sauces and garnished with tomato, gofio balls with fish, peanut balls. All kinds of pink fruits and flowers.
What does this Orisha eat?
The animals that are sacrificed to him must be young and virgin. He is offered: goat, white hens, white pigeons, white guinea.
Yewa Herbs
- Fennel.
- tua tua
- Cypress.
- Gold button.
- White Bleo.
- Cotton .
- Prodigious.
- You can also use all the herbs corresponding to Oya.
Yewa Pataki
It happened that in the land Ababa Nogba Okonile located between the river and the sea, Yewa lived quietly. She used to dress in a beautiful and exotic way. She wore gazing dresses, with lace and woven with colored threads and ribbons, especially red ones.
One day, she wanted to go to the mountains to look for the ingredients to dye her clothes, but before that, she went to perform divination with orunmila. He saw this Odu for her and indicated the sacrifices that she should make to prevent her from getting lost in the mountains, thus being able to return safely to her home. Yewa listened to all the advice given but, he did not perform the recommended eboses.
The next day, he went out into the mountains as planned. She was eager to find her jewelry and mariwó to make her dresses. As he walked through the dense forest he got lost. Desperate trying to find the way out, she went deeper into the bush.
Her brothers scared when they saw that she did not return, they went out into the mountains to look for her, but it was impossible for them. They quickly made the sacrifices that were pending but still, it was all useless. They could not bring her back, only her spirituality returned.
Thanks to this story, when the Yewa foundation is going to be built or assembled, one must go to the mountain with a jar that must be prepared with: river water and sea water in that place. There a secret ritual is performed with all the elements of the Orisha: the jar, pita de corojo, mariwó, a mask and the corresponding animals.
Yewa history
Along this path Awó Yagadá was the name of ORUNMILA in the land of Osha Lakueré Inle, which was the Land of YEWA, where ORUNMILA always had great problems with Ikú, who had great power in that Land, which Ikú completely dominated with his powers.
On one occasion Ikú went with his children in search of ORUNMILA to kill him, but this one, who had Koborí Eledá with Ejá-Tuto, was asleep and during the dream, he dreamed that Ikú was going to look for him to finish him off, in the Osha Land. Lakuaré. When he woke up he became Osode, seeing himself ODIGBERE from ODU TOYALE. He became Ebo and in this came the rat that sang: "OKUTE BAYI NIWA IRE, OBA OFA OMO INLE, OBA IFA ADELE NIFA."
Where the mouse used to take the Ikines (adelé) that ORUNMILA had prepared for his consecrations and introduced them into a tunnel that he had under the floor of ORUNMILA's house.
When Ikú arrived, ORUNMILA escaped through the tunnel that the mouse had made and came out glued to the beach (Onika), where the river flowed, which was Tierra de Iya Orí Igí, which was Tierra de OTURA SA. There he met YEWA, who was washing his clothes. ORUNMILA greeted her, when she saw him she met him and answered the greeting. ORUNMILA told him what was happening, YEWA told him: Hide under the basket. She covered it with the basket and with the cloth that she had on top, which was the clothes she used, which was of a light color and adorned with many snails.
When Ikú arrived before YEWA, he asked her about ORUNMILA. She invited him to eat Akara bibo, olelé and aguidi. Then he showed Ikú towards one of the roads or triiles and told him: That way he ran. When Ikú took the path YEWA pointed out, he took the cloth and the basket from him and took ORUNMILA home. There she told him: The only thing I eat is goat miss (Aké), goose and a lot of aguidi, akara, olelé and yam. ORUNMILA told him: I will eat everything except Goose. So he ate with YEWA.
The Ita of the Orisha Yewa is made through Ifa (Orunmila)
Later, when he thanked her for having saved him from Iku and for having given him food, YEWA told him: I only have this room, so you will sleep at the door.
At night ORUNMILA was sexually altered and since YEWA was a woman with a good body, she had sexual relations (Ofikale Trupon) with her, since YEWA had not had a man for a long time.
When several days passed and Ikú had lost track of ORUNMILA and as he was full with the food that YEWA had given him, he did not pursue him with so much eagerness, so ORUNMILA was able to return to his home on Earth Osha akuere, using the same secret tunnel through which he had escaped.
ORUNMILA, not being persecuted by Ikú, thanked her and sang every day: «OSIBA YEWA LODO, BENI YEWA ILE, AWONI MOYOYE IKU, YEWA INWA OBASI DAJON OMONIFA».
After some time YEWA was pregnant (Oboñú) by ORUNMILA, and when she was certain of this situation, Osha Lakuere went to Earth in search of Awó Yagadá.
When he arrived at ORUNMILA's house, and when he found out about the problem, Osode made him and Edibere saw him and said: -You are going to give birth to an Ifa child, but this child of yours cannot do what you did to the previous ones, that You gave them to Ikú, that is, you cannot abort him, you have to give birth to him. And Awó Agadá said to him: We must prepare Awofakan for the Fetus (Omotitun), so that it can be born and become great on Earth.
Then they gave him Awofakan (Orula's Hand) to the Fetus in YEWA's womb, and pulled out of Odu Toyale Otura Sa which was the land of YEWA. Where Odi Ogbe and Otura Osa made a pact forever, to save all the children of Edibere even if they were children of SHANGO, through YEWA, and that whenever a Bear is
if he saw ODIGBERE a pregnant woman (Oboñú) was given Awofakan to the Fetus (Omotitun), so that he would be saved. And since then ODIGBERE is saved by OTURA SA. AND OTURA SA is saved by ODIGBERE.
And when they fed the Orisha they sang: "OMO NI IFA BABA ADALE NIFA OBARA LALAKUETUN AWO ONI KOMOMOYE IÑAGA OMO YEWA KOMOMOYE IKU OBARA LALAKUETUN."
Where ORUNMILA and YEWA ate from the young goat (Aké) and she swore that everything she spoke would be through ORUNMILA's mouth.
Yewa in the Catholic Religion (syncretism)
The Orisha Yewa is syncretized in the Catholic religion with the Virgin of Monserrat. Its comparison with the «Mariano» cult is totally logical because the Virgin Mary is a symbol of chastity, just as Yewa is for the Yorubas.
In the case of the Virgin of Monserrat, her image is always represented holding the baby Jesus, in totally natural attitudes of a mother, but in addition to that, she usually carries a silver bouquet in her right hand. The flower as a symbol is very common in the worship of Yewa and is also an icon of the adoration of the Virgin.
On the other hand, it can also be syncretized with Our Lady of the Forsaken, with whom it once again shares the identification with the Marian cult. In addition, it matches the color of their clothes, since this virgin in some of her presentations is covered with red flowers. In addition to this, both can be recognized as defenders of good causes, protectors of the innocent, martyrs, suffered, lonely and helpless.
Yewa prayer translated
I praise and pray to the spirit of the Cemetery. Our mother, mother Yewa.
Cover me with your strength from the infamous and immoral enemies.
Deliver me from the snares of death and disease.
Accompany me with your peace and tranquility.
Make me worthy of your blessing and fill me with all your spirituality.
Give me clarity and clairvoyance in the spiritual world of which only you know the secrets.
I praise you today and always Goddess of flowers and red roses.
Exalted woman crowned among the gardens of the world and the holy field.
My mother, our mother, immaculate mother.
Blessed and adored Yewa, I praise you today, tomorrow and always. Ashe.
Work with yewa for health:
This is done when the sick person is elderly. The Orisha is fed two white hens and a little blood is reserved in a gourd with red wine. This will be used to make a bath asking for the health of the person.
Phrases
Yewa says: "My omo, the purer your intentions and correct your actions, my blessings will never be lacking."
Yewa says, "The false, traitors, and dark at heart have their place reserved in my house ahead of schedule at their destination."
