Ogun incantations and praise songs are an important part of Yoruba culture in West Africa. These incantations and songs are used in religious rituals to invoke the power of the god Ogun, who is associated with iron and war. They are also used to express gratitude to those who have helped or protected one’s family or community. Incantations and praise songs can be used for many purposes, such as healing, protection, divination, and blessing. They can also be used to call upon the gods for assistance in times of need.
Enjoy Yoruba devotees in Nigeria singing Ogun incantations and praise songs in this clip. See the description below the video for English translations.
Incantation Translation
Ogun o
Ogun, the great warrior
Ogun, please don’t fight me
I don’t have money for sacrifice
Greetings to the elderly ones
Hope we are good to go.
Yes, you good to go
It is because of Ogun I understand better
And I can say much about him
The great Ogun, the warrior, and the brutal Orisa
Ogun is seven in number
The Ogun of ALARA eats dog
The Ogun of IKO eats snails
The Ogun of MALA MALA eats white bean cake
The Ogun of AKOPE drinks tree sap
The Ogun of GBEDO GBEDO eats fish
The Ogun of ALAPATA eats and accepts animal blood
The Ogun of GBAJAMON eats and accepts hairs
Will you sing with me, my fellow hunters?
Yes, we will
Song One Translation
Shout Ogun, the OLUMOKIN
He said he will favor us
OLUMOKIN
Shout Ogun, the OLUMOKIN
He said he will favor us
OLUMOKIN
Shout Ogun, the OLUMOKIN
He said he will favor us
OLUMOKIN
Calm down, my people
Ogun, the great warrior
Ogun, please don’t fight me
I don’t have money for sacrifice.
Greetings to the elderly ones
Hope we are good to go.
Yes, you good to go
It is because of Ogun I understand better
And I can say much about him
The great Ogun, the warrior, and the brutal Orisa
Whoever says we should die shall die before us
Ase o
Should I continue praising Ogun?
Yes
Will you sing with me, my fellow hunters?
Yes
Song Two Translation
Ogun, please don’t let’s lose our children
Ogun, please don’t let’s lose our relatives
It is over for us
It is over for us
It is over for us
We shall not be a victim of bad circumstances
It is over for us
It is over for us
It is over for us
It is over for us
We shall not have the problem of losing our relatives in this place
It is over for us
Ogun, please don’t let’s lose our children
Ogun, please don’t let’s lose our relatives
It is over for us
It is over for us
It is over for us
Song Three Translations
Man used to cut okra into small pieces
Man used to cut okra into small pieces
Man used to cut okra into small pieces
Whoever says we should die shall not live long
As man used to cut okra into small pieces
Man used to cut okra into small pieces
Man used to cut okra into small pieces
Man used to cut okra into small pieces
Whoever says we should die shall not live long
As man used to cut okra into small pieces
Whoever says we should die shall not live long
As man used to cut okra into small pieces
Whoever says we should die shall not live long
As man used to cut okra into small pieces
Whoever says we should die shall not live long
As man used to cut okra into small pieces