More Information About The Yoruba (Nigeria) Word Àṣẹ" And Its Equivalent Terms Aché, Axé, and Ashe

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides some information and comments about the Yoruba (Nigeria) word Àṣẹ" and its Spanish spelling "Aché," its Portugese spelling "Axé", or its English spelling "Ashe".  

An explanation for the related term "orisha" and explanations for several other related terms are also included in this post. 

The content of this post is provided for cultural and linguistic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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For two previous pancocojams posts on this subjec, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/03/what-yoruba-word-ase-ache-axe-ashe.html "What The Yoruba Word "Àṣẹ" (Aché, Axé, Ashe) REALLY Means" 
and https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/03/videos-that-include-yoruba-word-ase.html "Videos That Include The Yoruba Word "Ase" (also given as Aché, Axé, Ashe)" .

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WHAT THESE WORDS MEAN 
Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha
'In the native religion of the Yoruba people, Orisha (spelled òrìṣà in the Yoruba language, orichá in Cuban practice and orixá in Brazilian practice of Latin America) are spirits sent by Olodumare[1] for the guidance of all creation and of humanity in particular, on how to live and be successful on Àiyé (Earth). Most Òrìṣà are said to have previously existed in the spirit world (òrún) as Irúnmọlẹ̀, and then become incarnated as human beings here on Earth. Others are said to be humans who are recognised as deities upon their death due to extraordinary feats accomplished in life.[2]

Many Òrìṣà have found their way to most of the New World as a result of the Atlantic slave trade and are now expressed in practices as varied as Santería, Candomblé, Trinidad Orisha, Umbanda, and Oyotunji, among others. The concept of orisha is similar to those of deities in the traditional religions of the Bini people of Edo State in southern Nigeria, the Ewe people of Benin, Ghana, and Togo, and the Fon people of Benin.[2][3]

[….]

Ashe is the life-force that runs through all things, living and inanimate. It is described as the power to make things happen. It is an affirmation that is used in greetings and prayers, as well as a concept of spiritual growth. Orìṣà devotees strive to obtain Ashe through iwa-pele, gentle and good character, and in turn they experience alignment with the ori, what others might call inner peace and satisfaction with life. Ashe is divine energy that comes from Olodumare, the creator deity, and is manifested through Olorun, who rules the heavens and is associated with the sun. Without the sun, no life could exist, just as life cannot exist without some degree of ashe"...
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The bold font or the italic font was given that way on that Wikipedia page.

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Excerpt #2
From https://www.reddit.com/r/capoeira/comments/4gjjrf/what_does_ax%C3%A9ach%C3%A9_mean/ Posted byu/Chaos_Archangel, 2016
1. "What does axé(aché) mean?

In my class, I was taught that aché (which usually accompanied a handslap + fist-bump greeting) meant "love and respect" or "one love."

But something nagged at me today to go look up the official meaning of the word... and I couldn't really find one until I came across this:

"The term axé (also spelled aché or ashé – all pronounced ah-SHEH) comes from the Yoruba peoples of Western Africa. It is the name they gave to the life force; the concept is similar to the Eastern idea of qi. In capoeira today, axé has come to mean something like “energy.” If a roda has a lot of axé, it means it has good vibes, powerful energy. Some groups use the word as a greeting. Some references to axé in capoeira songs... Axé also refers to a style of popular music (not related to capoeira) that originated in Salvador, Bahia. There is also a capoeira group called Axé Capoeira that was founded by Mestre Barrão. - See more at: http://capoeira-connection.com/capoeira/2011/10/what-is-axe/#sthash.ahgnZmxv.dpuf "

 

Is this the true meaning of the word? What does it mean, then, when you say axé to someone as a greeting?

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2. flamelisk, 2016
"The spirit or the energy of the roda is how we look at it, if a roda has no axé then there's no point of doing a roda. Similarly someone can have a good axé meaning their energy output is good and they are a positive contribution to the roda/class/event"
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Here's information about the Portuguese word "roda" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roda_(formation)
"Roda (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʁɔdɐ]), meaning "wheel" or, more appropriately in this case, "circle" in Portuguese, is the circular formation within which participants perform in any of several Afro-Brazilian dance art forms, such as capoeira, maculelê and samba de roda. By extension, the whole event may be called a roda (as in "We will have a roda next Saturday"). Likewise, sometimes a roda may not take the shape of a circle; it may be, for example, a half-circle if the event is a public performance, in order for the public to be able to see the performers easily."...

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3. morto00x, 2016
"The term is used very loosely, but the Yoruba definition that your wrote is correct.

Axé is used to describe energy or good vibes coming from living beings or the Orixás (African gods). When you greet someone with the word axé, you are wishing them good fortune. When someone says the roda has lots of axé, it means that people were happy, music was good, games where intense, etc.

 

Funny enough, I haven't heard many capoeiristas use the word axé (except for songs or M Barrão's group) for many years."
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These numbers don't correspond to the number of comments in that discussion thread.
WARNING: This page includes one curse word.

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Excerpt #3
From https://asheselah.wordpress.com/about/whats-an-asheselah/
..."Ashe ( ah-SHAY, also Ase) – A Yoruba word meaning power, command, and authority. The ability to make whatever one says happen. Often summarized as “so be it”, “so it is”, or “it definitely shall be so”.”…

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM TWO YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREADS

These comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Discussion thread #1 
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMZMiyfTYFs&ab_channel=ProhustlersHaywood "Songs of the Orisha's Mixed By Dj Prohustlers", Sep 11, 2016

1. FLAWDA NAPPY HEAD, 2017
"Ase' to my baba and YeYe! Alafia...."
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Here's some information about the word "baba" and "yeye" from https://www.zikoko.com/life/oldies/8-yoruba-words-mean-thing-edo/ 8 Yoruba Words That Mean The Same Thing in Edo", Ronke Otega, June 7, 2017:
" "Baba" It means “Father” in both Yoruba and Edo."

"The Yoruba might use “Yeye” more but the words mean the same thing in Yoruba and Edo; “Mother”."
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"Yoruba" and "Edo" are traditional Nigerian languages.
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Here's some information about the word "Alafia" from
https://www.facebook.com/575706419187357/photos/pb.575706419187357.-2207520000.1468493353./1067659546658706/?type=3 IFA: Òrìṣa Scientific Spirituality, July 12, 2016 ·
"For many, the Yoruba term "alafia" (also spelled alaafia) is used to mean "inner-peace" and said as a greeting like the use of the Kemetic word "hotep" and the Arabic word "salaam."

In the past ten years, there has been much controversy about the term alafia and whether or not it is truly Yoruba or derived from Arabic.

It is noted that the Yoruba word alafia shares its meaning with the Hausa (Northern Nigerians) word "lafiya" which means good health. They derived the word from Arabic's al-afiyah which means "the good health." When said as "zaman lafiya" in Hausa, it comes to mean innerpeace."...
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/02/excerpts-from-online-articles.html for more information about the word "Alafia".

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2. Elemental Wisdom 72, 2018
"Ase! Maferefun Ellegua/Eshu!"
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Here’s information about the word “Maferefun” from https://www.afrocubaweb.com/ccsmaferefun.htm
… [the word [Maferefún] "is Yorubá and has many meanings -- it is a greeting, it confers a blessing, it invokes the power of the spirit world)"...
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From https://www.facebook.com/ThirdEyeSpiritualConnection/posts/maferefun-obatala-maferefun-means-go-and-pray-to-since-it-is-a-word-that-is-adde/104918137864804/
"Maferefun means go and Pray to ..., since it is a word that is added to the beginning of mentioning the name of the saint, this word has the power to give blessings, that is, Maferefun is an exclamation of praise to the saint and he has the power to grant us blessings."

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3. line de oliveira costa, 2018
"axé salve todos meus orixás"
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From Portuguese to English: “Axé, greetings all of my orishas.”
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Google translate incorrectly translates the word “salve” as “save”.

Here's a source for the correct Portuguese to English translation of the word "salve":
From https://rioandlearn.com/what-does-salve-mean-in-portuguese/ “What does Salve mean in Portuguese”
…”The expression Salve is used as a synonym to greetings such as Olá and Oi in Portuguese”

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4. A BuTTeRfLy, 2018
"When you start swaying and tears start falling instantly...Ase' 😇🙏💗"

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5. pat thompson, 2018
"yes this is my ancestral music i bow  to my ancestors asche"

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6. Forbidden King, 2019
"Asé iyin fun Orisha
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Google translate from Yoruba to English: "Asé praise to Orisha"

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7. Frank X, 2019
"I love all  the Orishas deeply here and in the next life, ase eternally."

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Reply
8. LUZ DIVINA YEMAYA, 2020
"Ashe"

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9. Practical Fitness, 2019
"Asè 📿 to my Yeye. Orishas help her Transition with peace and completion of her task. Always in my heart 💜 the song of my soul. #VME"

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Reply
10. Brianna Salter, 2020
"🙌🏾 asé"

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11. Vera Allen, 2020
"Ase thank you for this wonderful & beautiful music it's cleansing my spirit & healing my soul. My the ancestors continue to bless you.🎶💞🎶💓👑👑🌹🌹🌹"

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12. Ahmad Melvin, 2020
"💛💛🧡❤️Blessings to All Ase Ase Ase 🙌🌐📿🤍💚💙💜"

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13. Shon G, 2021
"Gratitude for all those who came before us and paved the way. Your guidance and protection are greatly appreciated, Ase’

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14. Amdh Walenda, 2021
"ASÈ to all💖💕🗽"

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15. Victor Oluwatobi, 2021
"Thank you for doing this for the love of the ancients, homage to the Orishas. Music is not music if it doesn't pay homage to it's root. Asé"

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16. ishaw, 2021
"Ase remember the ancestors always a call away 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿"

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17. Peedi Green Yaddaimean, 2021
"Blessings of our Ancestors,and doi Orishas be upon you all.......ASE'"

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Discussion thread #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5pnjTY0GXI&ab_channel=Yor%C3%B9b%C3%A1LessonswithAd%C3%A9r%C3%B3nk%C3%A9%CC%A9  Yorùbá Lessons with Adérónké̩,  Jul 5, 2019

1. Romiah Armstrong, 2019
"Thank You for this video. With me newly being free from the programming of christianity, I simply replaced "Amen" with Ase. I was using it in the terms of "So will it be"."

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2. claude reed, 2019
"thanks for the explanation. there maybe another confusion what are the tonal usage with asheh and the difference between ashay and asheh. some i fear don't know the difference."

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Reply
3. Asabi Fatosin, 2019
"claude reed the diacritical marks give the correct pronunciation."

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Reply
4. Trevor Prime, 2019
"Please explain what you mean?"

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Reply
5. Beats Boy, 2019
"Ashay isn't a thing, it's a mispronunciation. It is pronounced 'Asheh'."

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Reply
6. Yorùbá Lessons with Adérónké̩, 2019
"Like Beats Boy mentioned earlier, those are incorrect ways of pronouncing 'às̩e̩'. 😃 Everyone who pronounces the word incorrectly is trying their best, at least. God bless everyone. ❤"

*️*
7. Lilli L'amour, 2020
"Àse has been said in the US especially by the conscious community since the 60s. I'm glad to know from this video it's been used in the right text."
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"the 60s"= 1960s

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Discussion thread #3 [added March 4, 2021]
The Gurunsi Origin Of Tap
Black Angel Media, May 2, 2018

Xeper and Remanifest Think Tank of the esoteric, 2018
"taping the algorithms into the earth! Ase'!"
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"Gurunsi" are an ethnic group in Ghana, West Africa and in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

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