Ide Were Were

---
title: "Ide Were Were"
artist: "Traditional"
key: "Em"
capo: 0
tags: ["chant", "yoruba", "orisha", "oshun", "afro-cuban", "ceremony", "circle"]
description: "A traditional Yorùbá chant to Oshún, orisha of love and freshwater, sung while preparing and adorning the self."
origin: "Yorùbáland (Nigeria) / Cuba"
tradition: "Yorùbá / Afro-Cuban (Santería)"
date_added: "2026-05-17"
---

## About this song

A traditional chant from the Yorùbán tradition, sung in praise of **Oshún**, the orisha of women, love, sensuality, and maternity. She reigns over all freshwater: streams, rivers, lakes.

The lyrics speak of preparing and adorning oneself (bathing, putting on bracelets, anklets, necklaces) as a way to initiate love and self-love. Traditionally performed call-and-response between an *alpón* (lead singer) and a *coro* (chorus), accompanied by the three batá drums playing the *Cha Cha Lokuafún* rhythm.

> **Note on attribution:** *Ide Were Were* is sometimes mistakenly associated with Yemayá. It is a song for Oshún. The companion chant for Yemayá is *Yemayá Assessu*.

## How to use in circle

Open softly. The alpón calls "Ide were were nita Oshún" and the coro answers "Ide were were." Let the call-and-response find its own pulse. Repeat as long as the circle wants. The song deepens with time.

## Notes on the chords

This chant is most often sung a cappella with drum, and harmonisation varies widely. The chords below are one simple guitar arrangement to support group singing. Adapt freely.

```chords
[Call & Response]
Em            D    Em
Ide were were nita Oshún
Em
Ide were were
Em            D    Em
Ide were were nita Oshún
Em            D    Em
Ide were were nita ya

[Bridge]
C                D
Ocha kiniba nita Oshún
C                 D    Em
Cheke cheke cheke nita ya
Em
Ide were were
```