Orisha Oya Dance from Cuba

This video shows a folkloric dance performance of the female Orisha Oya, a Yorùbá deity, as danced today in Cuba to the rhythms of the Lukumí batá drums and singing.
The Yorùbá name “Ọya Ìyánsán” means literally “Oya mother of nine (children)”. Oya is the goddess in charge of wind, tornado, torrential rain and hurricans and beloved wife of Orisha Shango, who is often only called by his name Yor. “ọkọ Ọya”, husband of Oya. Like wind and thunderstorm they cannot be separated one from another. Oya was Ogun’s wife, but left him for Shango. She is also hot-tempered and energetic. In Yorùbáland Oya is the Orisha of the river Niger. In Cuba she resides at the entrance to the cemetery, where she leads the dead ones and hands them over to the female Orisha Oba and Yewa, who live inside these walls. Walking on the boundary between life and death Oya is closely related to the Yor. “Eégún”, the dead ancestors. She herself had nine stillborn children she is still protecting. With strong winds she can blow away obstacles and bring new things into the life. Oya stands for the female strength in times of struggle, respected for her strong will and fearless through her connection with the world of the deads. Oya is the female warrior goddess and also known for her strong medicines.
Oya’s color is mostly burgundy or wine-red. Around her waist she wears a belt with nine different colored pieces of clothes attached, symbols for being the mother of nine dead children. Oya can wear all colors, except black. Sometimes palm fibers from the “palma real”, Shango’s tree, are added. She carries an “ìrùkẹ̀” made of a black horsetail. She can hold a “machete” or a “vaina”, a huge painted seed from the flamboyant tree, in her hands. It has the form and almost the size of a “machete” and is used like a rattle to call her. In her dance Oya moves around like a whirlwind or tornado, spins around her axis to the left. She swings her whisk above her head, brings wind and dynamic change, clears and purifies the air. She brings both arms high in the air above her head in mirrored positions and in a sudden powerful movement stretches them downwards to her hips, followed by a wave, a spinal ripple, moving through her body, going from her pelvis up where it twists the head. She is crying out loudly while dancing, looks fierce and strong, aggressive and violent, her movements are impulsive, energetic and characterized by abrupt stops. Some people say one dance of her in the rhythm “shashalokafun” is related to the buffalo, her sacred animal and the steps mimic the gallop of this massive animal.
Yusimi Moya Rodriguez studied dance at the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba. She worked as a dancer at the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba for five years and is known as an expert for Afro-Cuban dance traditions. For more information see her website www.cubancontemporary.com
The music - Cuban batá drumming and Lukumí singing for Orisha Oshun - was recorded especially for this choreography by percussionist Christian Martinek. He is a composer and musician of Venezuelan descent and studied Piano on the University of Music in Vienna, Austria. He has profound knowledge of ritual music from West Africa and its Caribbean and South American Diaspora.
The video was produced by www.santeria.at - see the website for information in German language on the "Regla de Ocha", the Yorùbá traditions from Cuba.
This document is a piece of art, that shows the beauty of Trans-Atlantic Yorùbá traditions and is intended to inspire dancers and Olorisha around the globe. Thank you to all the people involved in making this recording possible.
Heépàà heéyìì Ọya Ìyánsán!!

[@sugafoot777]

People sleep on Oya! She is one of the fiercest warriors! She will bring the fury down and make a change so all have to start anew.

[@diyenlightmentpath6102]

UMMM Lol who sleeps on Its?🤔 Never heard this claim before. Actually she is greatly feared to work with, because people want change but not sure how she gonna really do it. As her being one of the most POWERFUL, i would say she isn't slept on at all, but avoided to work with if possible

[@sugafoot777]

@@diyenlightmentpath6102 lol OMG RELAX!! 😆😆😆

[@plainsaw3771]

Who is oya?

[@janesmith9951]

I’m proud to call myself a daughter of Oya. The only female Orisha warrior and mother of nine. The goddess that welcomes us to life and accompany us through this life till our last breath.

[@NanaLia_18]

❤❤❤

[@KelilahJudah]

That was so beautiful. I wanna dance like that. She looks so free!! That scream was everything. I love mama Oya!! She has my head. Took me so long to embrace it. I ran from her and fell into the arms of Yemaya. Who nourished me until I was ready.

[@marissasuchini6823]

KelilahJudah beautiful ❤️

[@Pheonyx_the_Phenom]

I think I may be doing the same thing 😊 Thanxx for sharing ur experience

[@KelilahJudah]

@@Pheonyx_the_Phenom Your so very welcome!

[@samaval9920]

Are these videos learnable?

[@KelilahJudah]

@@samaval9920 It depends. If you have soul and can dance and are a visual learner, than yes. But I would make sure to pay respect to the energy your are dancing for.

[@BL-qd3ed]

Our Yoruba Brothers and Sisters in diaspora, keep shining and don't lose the values European westernization wants us to do away with. Oya á gbè ó o, àṣẹ.

[@ashleybanzxxx]

I'm mesmerized by her dancing she definitely is OYAS child

[@beautyandsoul5580]

That Warrior scream gave me chills.

[@tanyamorris9293]

FIRE SISTER !!!!!!!!!GET IT , MAMA

[@briannabrown9194]

Maferefun Mama Oya ⚡ May she bless you all 💜

[@_missmajola]

Oya's dances always so energetic and mesmerizing. Can feel something awaken in me. Love it 💜❤💛💙💚♥💖💝💗

[@mdabdulmotinmondul4386]

hi

[@ChelseaHUN]

This made me cry omg I don’t even know why I felt everything

[@ronj7658]

I'm from Yoruba tribe. The Orishas make us emotional because they are our ancestors and representatives of Olodumare or Olorun who is the supreme God of the Yorubas.

[@ERISLagriega]

Es impresionante... que belleza ¡jekua jei Yanza!

[@mariusbaltazarrozenberg-ho9367]

Beautiful! My Patron Orisha is Oya - I've "invited" her into my home, my life, my heart, my mind - it will be interesting . . .

[@queenofthecrossroads2613]

I luv the scream!

[@bigdime72]

Queen of The Crossroads I got chills when she let out the war tone....I felt it shock through! Whoa! Ase!!!!

[@cheriesmoot9290]

Me too

[@RickSuaz]

Un Saludo para mis hermanos Cubanos y los de Africa's Ashe.

[@LadyCoyKoi]

Love how the dance looks like a storm. 🥰That's Oya alright!

[@MzLavishLady]

I felt every step and movement of this dance!!!

[@Alice-dd1yr]

Mama Oya!!

[@sydneydaramy5453]

You can feel energy of love i love her dancing

[@yesicarodriguez3141]

Maferefun mi madre Oya!

[@sheebee8398]

Thank you very much for this beautiful offering! I am sure she is very pleased to have such a beautiful dancer honoring her. Many blessings to you and yours.

[@MichaelDemarisJr]

From Houston,TX,USA, I give you the utter respect for this interpretation. I am in love with the warrior energy you have captured and given to us in this video. Thank you.

[@lcloganempowers6455]

My soul has been moved in the spirit of Oya through your presentation...Thank You Abundantly

[@marissasuchini6823]

My mommy oya! Proud to be a hija de oya! Beautiful ❤️ mucha Ashe para usted bella god bless you.

[@lunathegod6953]

Marissa Suchini how do you connect with her for the first time?

[@ariannaabreu3532]

@@lunathegod6953 I recommened you to do so on a Wednesday or when you feel ready. Try u camphor candles mostly in like purpleish burgundish colors you can also use stones such as garnet , black stones etc. Try drinking wine she loves wine and coins and grapes (mostly dark grapes). And use rain water

[@janetlieb2507]

She is the precious air! Untamed beauty!!!🌊🧜‍♀️❤🎏

[@oraclesofthemoirai4258]

Maferefun Oya ❤️

[@blythehorman1567]

Beautiful fierce orisha! Thank you for embodying her so fully. I’m in a place where I need the strength to go through a break up after 11 years, and live with a terrible chronic illness. Her beautiful pride, strength, and warrior shout will help me. Thank you again.

[@kimya_speaks]

ASÉ MAMA .....💜💜💜 ⚡🎵💜🌪🎶🌬🎵⚡🌪💃🏿⚡

[@oyoherbalsceo2413]

Ayibobo Oya 🙏🏿

[@fluffynyasquirrel]

theres so much emotion and story that goes into these dances. its absolutely powerful and beautiful.

[@akpowarri3504]

Yoruba, Nigeria. Thank you for uploading this. Sadly, for me, many Nigeria cultural dance elements are appropriated by dancers from other nationalities but no credit ever given to the Nigerian cultures from which it originates. For example, one element from this particular Oya dance, (sometime called the Ostrich dance) has become popular in many contemporary interpretations of African dance, but no acknowledgement of its Yoruba origin is ever given.

[@rubiamancia6691]

I feel like your comment was ignorant in so many ways 😐

[@rachelcubanita898]

In Cuba we have a strong Tradition on Afro-Cuban music, dance and religion, more the 400 years. The Yoruba religion is more important than catholic and all this dances are a part our culture. Please read more and don't insult other people, that is not apropiation that is also our culture.

[@Yachtbebe]

@@rachelcubanita898 Thank you.

[@deevee8595]

Oya proud

[@Nacidodelmar]

Que todos los Orishas te bendigan y te guarden siempre Yusimi Moya! Eres un avatar de las diosas! Maferefún!

[@mdabdulmotinmondul4386]

hi,my love Brazil

[@Simi.Sun_]

This was so powerful and beautiful! Thank you 💓⚡

[@TimbapaEllegua]

Reina del cambio; OYA.

[@Celestialtarotreadings]

I love you Lady Oya! Ashe'

[@krystingrant6292]

I wish I knew whose child I was connected to but oya I feel so omg. ❤️😫

[@lucialight6096]

Well there you go, go study Oyä, give her offering, and pay homage to her!

[@kettarising7378]

Then with her until shown otherwise😍

[@RebeccaJ720]

ME TOO!

[@deucdejm]

SAME

[@justinmaharaj4308]

yes Oya!!!! this is the best dance ive seen you do !!! i really felt Oya

[@davitcito089]

Increíble y hermoso

[@elbasantossilva]

Nossa que energia ⚡ representatividade da corporeidade dos Orixás.... Maravilhoso! ✊🏿

[@janetlieb2507]

She gives us breath♥️

[@arnaldoestrada.]

Exelente danza ashe yanza

[@panzerwaffen2873]

I love oya strong.. unbeatable..super protector of her sons ...ashe for everyone in here and there

[@unicaunique5824]

That scream says so much. This is beautiful

[@Nacidodelmar]

Bellísima! Maferefún mi Madre Yanza!

[@veronicagastelum1417]

Mis orishas benditos.aun que mi madrina murio.yo siento que siempre esta a mi lado.hera la mejor santera.te amo madrina.mi santera.predilecta

[@kimya_speaks]

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@Nuverselive]

TY! This was a sign from YEMAYA to me on today. We are doing a ritual healing ceremony for the waters , emotions and divine feminine. We would appreciate anyone who checks us out and we especially appreciate those who will participate 🧜🏾‍♀️🧜🏾‍♂️💚

[@morgannejones2109]

That’s my momma for sure 😍✨, thank You for this letting your body be used by spirit so I could witness this !!!!

[@gessica3619]

Eparrey Óya!! ⚡⚡🔥

[@keshj1933]

I love THIS

[@celesteharvey978]

Absolutely love this!

[@sankofacreationsspalon1236]

I loved this! Powerful!

[@adegbenro1]

Love every bit of this.

[@_HANNIA_HERNANDEZ_ARELLANEZ]

Yo ke soy una editora soy hija de Oya estoy en la religión y me están ayudando gracias a mi madre Oya y a mi padrino ahse 🙏🏻

[@carbontwelve5256]

Absolutely Amazing!!!

[@wiloka28]

My favorite dancer!!!

[@jasminerogers1522]

I love this so much!!!

[@SnozBerryQueen]

Omg i absolutely love this.

[@Locd4life707]

That was beautiful! Thanks for sharing! ✌ & ❤

[@yeseniafernandez1437]

Beautiful 😍 you are fierce! Love it ashe!

[@ariellilemos1959]

Beautiful! ✨❤️

[@Ryan21888]

Absolutely wonderful. Asé

[@reginamangara5784]

Beautiful

[@starwarsgeeksarah]

Beautiful. I feel you, and that says everything. I appreciate you.

[@victorialaveau8078]

I love it Sis

[@11nat]

Ashe, hermosa 🤍

[@lolafemmefatale1852]

Cubans have African ancestry

[@olabamijiazeez2170]

West Nigeria to be precise, Africa is the greatest continent.

[@lf1496]

Most of Cuba is black. Many different tribes were brought from Nigeria, Benin, Congo, Cameroon etc.. We are very proud of our African blood and have kept African traditional religions in tact. Maferfun todos los orishas 🌍

[@olabamijiazeez2170]

@@lf1496 I'm a Yoruba man and I wish to visit or move down to Cuba one day.

[@arislopes1924]

Yes Cuba was a used a huge sugar cane plantation by the Spanish is also the island that got the most slaves out of the whole Caribbean because of its large size

[@Fuegocontoelmundo69]

Congratulations , you just discovered the wheel .

[@TriciaRosechild]

So beautiful! So powerful! I'm signing up for dance lessons ❤️

[@omoyemoja-colafiuymi5505]

This is beautiful 💕

[@mrossbuildabridgeorg]

Beautiful!

[@NycBeauty]

Amazing!

[@adambulewski8701]

Brilliant.

[@lais6612]

eparreyyyyyyyy. Beautifullll

[@catalinariverra]

That dance was Fiiiiiire🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@panzerwaffen2873]

All the blessings for you Yusimi your dance is perfect I enjoy a lot watching your videos

[@itisallaboutme74]

Thank you..

[@ligeiaztomb2755]

Beautiful and fierce

[@janetphoenix6601]

wow! beautiful

[@shayjtarot]

Powerful, I felt the 🔥

[@maryonall7487]

beautiful! Hard to dance on such a hard floor...this is so much like the dance and music of Reunion -- Sega et Maloya tous les deux, je les aime

[@luvluvbooboo4043]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🥀🌺🥀🌺🥀🌺🥀🌺🥀🌺just beautiful made me cry.

[@Mrs.T305]

Maravillosa yusimi muchísimas gracias ❤

[@hochathanfire0001]

Just like a Juju dance. That spirituality is there 🔥🔥.

[@BeaubrunLaura]

Wow magnifique !

[@jessiklopez0825]

es preciosa!!!!

[@VidaEnVerde]

Que Mostraaaa Siempre me deleito con tus vídeos.

[@cboogiesings]

Everything!

[@elsingandinga4606]

Muy fuerte mi hermana💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

[@adewumihomor4508]

Oya omi omo ile oya 👏👏

[@brig1090]

Bella

[@lulyrivera8294]

Simplemente bello 🥰🥰

[@shaspearman8647]

Georgous!

[@reversalqueen9506]

I need a school in NY to practice the dance.

[@krystingrant6292]

Same I feel so Connected to her 😭 I'm not her child

[@sonnyjohnson934]

Handle.bizznizz then.

[@evamejiatorres2411]

Oya

[@janysoto5802]

❤️❤️❤️ mi mamá es Oya!

[@lilitachm]

Hermosa espectacular

[@lucyvaldes5719]

maferefun Oya ,gran diosa , reina Yoruba respetada ,y querida ,eres mi protectora , soy hija de yalorde ,pero cuanto me gustaría se tu hija ,con mis respetos ,a oshun ,

[@lucigonzalez6832]

😍💅ese color me enamora 😍💞💞

[@yeseniafernandez1437]

Fierce!

[@lobo7875]

I’m really proud to be her son, I love you mother ♥️♥️🟤🟣🟤🟣