Yemaya
Arrangement for SATB
Yemaya is considered the Ocean Mother Goddess in Santería, an Afro-Caribbean religion practiced around the world. This chant melody was brought to America from West Africa and is meant to be sung as a meditation. Pedal notes should sound like a drone that supports the melody. It all leads to an experience for the singers and listeners that is fully grounded in its origins and ethnic roots.
Transcription
Yemaya Assessu
Assessu yemaya
Yemaya olodo
Olodo yemaya.
In English
A celebration of the moment when the river meets the ocean.
Yemaya is the goddess of the ocean and the mother of all goddesses.
