Enle o.. (Hello in Yoruba)

Se daada ni? (How are you?)
I hope you are well!

Oríkì is the oral praise poetry of the indigenous Yórùbá communities of Western Africa.

Yoruba is spoken by over 40 million people in parts of West Africa & Brazil.

"Orí" means head
"Kì" means to praise, or greet, or to offer accolades by way of a song or a chant.
It's usually accompanied by a talking drum (gangan).

In the Yoruba culture, one’s identity is closely tied to the community. It is reflective of the African philosophy of
"I am because you are".

This philosophy is reflected in the use and expression of Oríkì.

Oríkì is essentially spoken praise, celebrating YOU in your own right and also as a member of your community and lineage.
It recounts your exploits and that of your ancestors and forebears from generations past.
In essence, it heaps on your head (Ori) affirmations, accolades and prophesies in the form of greetings (Ki)

Listening to your Oríkì can be a deep and rewarding experience, I always feel goosebump, or a sense of my head actually swelling, when I hear my own Oríkì being chanted

As I absorb and embody the prayers, prophecy, and rich affirmation that reminds me who I am, I feel my vibration increasing as I remember who I am and the legacy of those who have come before me.

I hope YOUR Oríkì will do the same for you!

An Oríkì chant always comes with a special Oríkì name which usually starts with an "A"
This can be bestowed or chosen.

My mother's Oríkì is Abeni: meaning “I begged from God to have this child”. This was bestowed by her mother.
My own Oríkì is Agbeke: meaning “A child to be carried and pampered” This was bestowed by my mother.

My daughter's Oríkì is “Aduke” Meaning: Beloved / much loved by many. This was bestowed by her paternal grandmother.

Some examples of oríkì names and their meanings are below:

Àjoké - meant to be taken care of by all. - f
Àlàké - to take care of her as a result of victory over circumstance. - f
Ànìké - had (birthed) to be pampered. - f
Àshàké - selected to be spoiled (with good things) - f
Àbèní - begged for (from God or, more traditionally, the gods) - f
Àríké - meant to be spoiled on sight - f
Àdùké - people will fight over the privilege to spoil her - f
Àdùnní - competed over to have - f
Àbèbí - begged for to be birthed (probably a difficult birth) - f
Àjàní - fought to have this child ,valuable and cherished son- m
Àkànní - met only once to have this child - m
Ajoke - to be cared for by all - f
Àkànde Àgàn - favourite of the prince - m
Akanni - first male child - m
Adigun - Name of God - m
Apeke - Called to be cared for - f
Adunni - One sweet to have - f
Amoke - Known about and cared for - f

I hope this post has been helpful!

If you would like to create a personalized Oríkì, we'd love to help you!

Contact us here for more information.