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Showing posts with label Capoeira. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Capoeira. Show all posts

Monday, May 4, 2026

May The Force Be With You: What The Yoruba Word "Àṣẹ" (Aché, Axé, Ashe) REALLY Means (complete reprint)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about the Yoruba (Nigerian) word "Àṣẹ" (also given as "aché", "axé", or "ashe").

Part I presents several online excerpts about the word "Àṣẹ".

This is a complete reprint with the addition of two YouTube videos of the March 2, 2020 pancocojams post with a similar title. That post is still available on this blog.

The Addendum to this post presents a reprint from the only two comments for that March 2020 post. The comment section for that post is still open and comments are welcome for this 2026 post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/03/videos-that-include-yoruba-word-ase.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II presents several YouTube videos that include the Yoruba word "Àṣẹ".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

May the Force be with you.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #1


AfrikCosmos, Nov 7, 2025

Unlock the ancient power of Àṣẹ and Ịse — the sacred science of vibration in Yoruba and Igbo thought. Discover how the spoken word creates worlds, and learn how to use these forces for manifestation, authority, and spiritual power.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 --  Àṣẹ àti Orí: What Do 'Ase' and 'Ori' Mean? | The Physical & Spiritual Aspects and Connections


Yorùbá Lessons with Adérónkẹ́, Jul 5, 2019

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE WORD "ÀSE" (ALSO GIVEN AS ACHE, AXE, AND ASHE)

(These excerpts are given in no particular order.)

Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha#Ashe
"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. Ashe is sometimes associated with Eshu, the messenger òrìṣà.[6] For practitioners, ashe represents a link to the eternal presence of the supreme deity, the orishas, and the ancestors.[7]

The concept is regularly referenced in Brazilian capoeira. Axé in this context is used as a greeting or farewell, in songs and as a form of praise. Saying that someone "has axé" in capoeira is complimenting their energy, fighting spirit, and attitude.[1]"

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Excerpt #2
From https://www.orishaimage.com/blog-gallery/ashe
" "Ashe" is a very central word and concept for Orisha-worship. On the one hand it is used often at the end of prayers. It means "may our prayers become reality, may we receive the blessing by the Orisha, short: may it manifest!"

On the other hand "Ashe" more generally also stands for the eternal energy that fills the cosmos. It is the abstract power and principle of Olodumare, God. Calling for "Ashe" is calling for what lies beyond our human reality, that God’s will manifests on earth, where we live at the moment, and that we can experience Olodumare’s power.

It is written in the four main languages of Orisha-worship worldwide, from Nigeria to the diaspora of slavery and from there to the rest of the world: Yoruba, Spanish/Lukumi, Portuguese/Nago and English."

****
Excerpt #3
From https://science.jrank.org/pages/11051/Religion-African-Diaspora-Spiritual-Assets-Ase-Konesans.html
"Religion
African Diaspora Spiritual Assets: Ase And Konesans

Two central concepts in some African-derived religions are ase (or axe) and konesans (connaissance). Ase is the divine force, energy, and power incarnate in the world. Olodumare gives ase to everything, including inanimate objects. Ashe is the power behind all things in the universe. It enables people to find balance in life. The orishas are bearers of asheSanteros (Santerían priests) use ase to provide blessing and healing to devotees. "Ashe is a current or flow, a groove that initiates can channel so that it carries them along their road in life. The prayers, rhythms, offerings, taboos of Santería tune initiates into this flow" (Murphy, 1993, p. 131). In Santería, herbs are impregnated with ashe. The color of the Obatala conducts ashe. Part of the Vodun initiation ceremonies gives the priest intuitive knowledge, or konesans, enabling him to understand people, diagnose problems, and perform healing."...

****
Excerpt #4
From http://capoeira-connection.com/capoeira/2011/10/what-is-axe/
"What is axé?

[...]

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, axé / Capoeira tem muito axé
Axé, axé / Capoeira has lots of axé

Dos velhos Mestres que viveram na Bahia,
Manda todo o seu axé e também sua magia
Bahia manda seu axé pra mim

From the old Mestres who lived in Bahia,
Send all your axé and also your magic
Bahia send your axé to me

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."
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ax%C3%A9_(music) for information about the genre of Brazilian music called "Axé".

****
Excerpt #5
From http://capoeiraucainla.com/home-capoeira-losangeles/2010/12/13/capoeira-wiki-word-of-the-week-axe-updated.html
Excerpts from the website CANDOMBLE - Uma Religião sem Mistérios a Serviço do Povo.

Translated by yours truly Guatambu (any improvements to the translation contact me)
"O Axé

A magical energy, the universal sacred of the orixá. A powerful energy that is always neutral. Manipulated and directed by men through the orixás and their symbols and/or elements. "

The most precious of Ilê*, axé is the force that ensures dynamic existence.It is transmitted, should be maintained and developed, as all forces may increase or decrease; and this variation is related to the activity and conduct of the ritual.The conduct is determined by the scrupulous observance of the duties and obligations of each holder of axé, yourself, orixá, and Ilê.The development of individual and group axé affects the axé of the Ilê.

* - Ilê requires its own definition here. Ilê is basically synonymous with terreiro. A terreiro is a temple or house of candomblê. Think of it like you would your local church, synagogue, mosque, or buddhist temple. Each of these types of houses of worship have their unique characteristics in terms of symbols, architecture, look, and feel, and the same is true for a terreiro. - Guatambu

"The axé is connected to the initiated, and directly proportional to its ritual conduct - the relationship with his deity, his community, his duties and his babalorixá (priest of candomblé)."

The strength of the axé is contained and transmitted by certain elements and material substances, is transmitted to humans and objects, maintaining and renewing the powers of accomplishment.The axé is contained in a variety of representative elements of the kingdoms: animal, vegetable and mineral, water (fresh and salt), earth, and forest (untamed vegetation or urban space).It is contained in the natural and essential substances of each being whether simple or complex, living or dead, that make up the universe.

There are places, sounds, objects and body parts (especially animal) impregnated with axé. For example, the heart, liver, lungs, gizzard, kidney, feet, hands, tail, bones, teeth, ivory, genitals, roots, leaves , river water, sea, rain, lake, pool, waterfall, orô (prayer), Adja (sort of bell), illus (drums) ...

Every ritual act and offering involves the transmission and revitalization of axé.To be truly active, these ritual acts and offerings must come from the combination of those elements that allow for a specific result or achievement. To receive axé means to incorporate the symbolic elements that represent the vital and essential principles of all that exists.

Xerife pointed out Mestre Acordeon's song "Pedir o Axé", and added the lyrics with translation below...

Vamos pedir o axé

(Lets ask Axé)

Pressa roda começar

(So this round can begin)

De conforme os fundamentos

(Within the fundations)

Capoeira e candomblé

(Capoeira and candomblé)

Axé Babá

(Axé Babá)

Oh ie viva Meu Deus! AXÉ BABÁ

(Oh yea viva my god! Axé Babá)

Oh Ie viva Seu Bimba! MEU CAMARÁ

(Oh yea viva my Bimba! My friend)

Oh ie é mestre meu! SEMPRE SERÁ

(Oh yea you are my master! ALWAYS WILL BE)

Oh ie volta do mundo! QUE O MUNDO DÁ

(Oh yeaa the world spins! That the world does)

Vamos pedir o axé, meu pai! MEU PAI XANGô

(Lets ask axé, my father! My father Xangô)

Vamos pedir o axé, minha mãe! IEMANJÁ

(Lets ask axé, my mother! IEMANJA)

Vamos pedir o axé, meu rei! REI OXALÁ

(Lets ask Axé, my king! KING OXALÁ)

Vamos pedir o axé, meu pai MEU PAI XANGÔ

(Lets ask Axé, my father MY FATHER XANGÔ)

Reparado added from Mestre Acordeon's book...

"Aché (Axé, Asé) is the magic force that moves all things in the universe according to the African religions in Brazil. It exists in all realms of nature and can be transmitted through specific rituals. Although Capoeira has no direct connection with religion, the capoeiristas, as the majority of Brazilians, are related one way or another with Afro-Brazilian rituals. Aché in Capoeira means the connection with the roots, a special energy to be developed by any capoeirista. To wish aché to someone means to wish good luck. For those who believe, some special people transmit aché through their wishes."

p.6 Almeida, Bira(Mestre Acordeon). Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 1986. Print.

Espantalho added...

“At the heart of this Yoruba religion is the concept of àse, an individual’s personal spiritual power, which grows throughout life through a person’s diligent application to doing good deeds, coupled with appropriate and calm behavior and with service to the gods in the form of sacrifice. The reciprocity of service between gods and humans is essentially the giving of strength, the renewal of àse to the orisa through blood sacrifice of animals designated as belonging to a specific deity. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive worshipers with added ase. The rules of this loving support between humans and gods are all known to that father-of-all-knowledge, the babalawo”

~The Way of the Orisa by Philip Neimark p. XII

Babalawo is a priest of Yoruba religion.

“The orisa are energy that, for the most part, represent aspects of nature. Osun (pronounced O-SHUN) represents sweet waters, love, money, conception; Sango (pronounced Zhan-GO) represents thunder and lightning, strategy, and he is the warrior; Esu (pronounced A-shew), messenger to Oludumare (the single God), owner of roads and opportunities, owner of ase (spiritual energy)"...

****
Excerpt #6
From http://www.orishanet.org/vocab.html
"Lucumí Vocabulary

Lucumí or Lacumí is the Yoruba language as it is spoken in Cuba and the United States. Yoruba is a tonal language like Chinese. The accents serve to approximate the tones for those of us who aren't familiar with tonal language. Also, some of the difficult sounds like the african "p" sound which is pronounced as kind of a "kp" sound is approximated using "kp" or "cu". This vocabulary follows the Spanish orthography with a few exceptions to help English speakers:

The "ch" in Spanish is used simply because there is no "sh" in Spanish. We use "sh" here.

The "y" in Spanish often has an edge to it that approximates the English (and Yoruba) "j" sound. I have taken the liberty of using "j" here where applicable.

The "ñ" sound is used very sparingly here and is usually substituted here with "y".

As in Spanish, the accent is on the second to last syllable unless there is an accent mark over another syllable.

I should note here that Lacumí is an oral tradition and that the written versions were meant to be more "cheat sheets" than anything else and should not be used as "proof" of the decomposition of the language. Lakumí speakers in Matanzas and other areas speak very much as any Yoruba speaker would. I have spoken with Nigerian born Yoruba speakers in Lacumí without any difficulty whatsoever. In fact, on one occasion I was greeted with a very surprised "you speak Yoruba!!!" from the astonished Yoruba man I was speaking with.

Here are a few words in Lucumí to get you started:

[...]

Ashé: So Be It, The Spiritual Power of the Universe, Talent”...

****
Excerpt #7
From https://www.spanishdict.com/answers/39/ritmo-con-ach Ritmo Con Aché

[...]

a) "Aché does not mean ache. Ache is dolor, or achaques. The letter H is hache in Spanish. According to the Diccionario de la lengua española, of the Real Academia Española, aché is not a word in the Spanish language. However, looking up the song, if found a page on the song stating that aché is an african word that means a divine life force (in the santeria religion). Aché is a word in the West African Yoruba language."

updated Apr 20, 2011
posted by manutd

**
b) "I suppose that you are talking about a brasilean music. It's pronounced "Aché" is Spanish but is written "Axé" in portuguese.

Please, look at this place*."
updated Dec 26, 2009
posted by Carlos-F
-snip-
*That commenter gives the link to the Wikipedia page for Axe music that is given after Excerpt #4.

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ADDENDUM- COMMENTS FROM THE 2020 PANCOCOJAMS POST' DISCUSSION THREAD

Thank you very much for sharing!! I feel very related to this! I'm a Latina from Venezuela! And we Latinos from the Caribean and other Countries have a lot of African influence!! And we Love it! Most of our salsa songs have the word ache! We sing to chango, yemaya and so on! It is beautiful! It feels like home 🤗 Thank you 💖

ReplyDelete
Replies
  1. Your welcome,Keyla.

    I know so very little about Salsa. .

    I didn't know that the word "ache" was in most salsa songs.
    I also didn't know that people in Venezula sung to the orishas.

    There's so much that I don't know. :o(

    Best wishes. from your sister in the United States.

    Delete
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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are w
elcome.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

The Brazilian Capoeira Song "Zum Zum Zum" In The 1993 American Movie "Only The Strong" ISN'T The Original Version Of That Song



PlayNowPlayL8tr, Oct 31, 2016

Capoeira Video MashUp set to Zum Zum Zum Capoeira Mata Um performed by Serapis Bey (1993)


****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of Capoeira performed to the song "Zum Zum Zum"/"Zoom Zoom Zoom". 

This post also showcases a YouTube video of a "Zoom Zoom Zoom" Mazda car commercial.  

This pancocojams post presents information that implies if not outright states that the Capoeira song "Zum Zum Zum" ("Zoom Zoom Zoom") as it was recorded in the 1993 American movie "Only The Strong" is the original version of that song. However, the history of Capoeira and a few comments in YouTube discussion threads on "Zum Zum Zum" refute that conclusion.

Additions and corrections are very welcome.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who originally composed the Capoeira song "Zum Zum Zum" and thanks to those who wrote and performed covers of that song as "Zoom Zoom Zoom" (as those reworked songs help to increase awareness about the sport and art of Capoeira.)

Thanks also to all those who are featured in this showcased video and thanks the publisher of that video on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I believe that the version of "Zum Zum Zum" that is part of the sound track for the 1993 American movie Only The Strong" and was later reworked in the 2000s Mazda car commercials is itself a re-working of a very old Capoeira song.

Please add any information and/or comments about the folk sources of "ZumZumZum" and/or about other Capoeira songs in the comment section of this pancocojams post. Thanks!  

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2



Tom Bush Mazda, Seot, 3, 2015

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PARTIAL LYRICS FOR THE VERSION OF "ZUM ZUM ZUM" (WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THE PORTUGUESE WORDS) FROM THE 1993 AMERICAN MOVIE "ONLY THE STRONG"

"Zum zum zum Capoeira mata um - Zoom zoom zoom Capoeira can kill one Zum zum zum Capoeira mata um - Zoom zoom zoom Capoeira can kill one Zum zum zum Capoeira mata um - Zoom zoom zoom Capoeira can kill one Zum zum zum Capoeira mata um - Zoom zoom zoom Capoeira can kill one Onde tem marimbondo? - Where there are wasps? É zum zum zum! - It's zoom zoom zoom! Onde tem marimbondo? - Where there are wasps? É zum zum zum! - It's zoom zoom zoom! Onde tem marimbondo? - Where there are wasps? É zum zum zum! - It's zoom zoom zoom! Onde tem marimbondo? - Where there are wasps? É zum zum zum! - It's zoom zoom zoom! O A O A E - Oh ah oh ah yeh Quero ver bater - I want to see it hit Quero ver cair - I want to see it fall O A O A E - Oh ah oh ah yeh".... -snip-
The complete lyrics for this version of "Zum Zum Zum" and their English translations are included in the video summary for the video that is given at the top of this pancocojams post.

****
SOME INFORMATION AND SOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE CAPOEIRA SONG "ZUM ZUM ZUM"(ALSO KNOWN AS "ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM") FROM THE 1993 AMERICAN MOVIE "ONLY THE STRONG"

Almost all of the online information and comments about the Capoeira song "Zum Zum Zum" (more widely known as "Zoom Zoom Zoom" state or imply that the version of that song in the 1993 American movie Only The Strong is the original version of that song.

For example:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoom-Zoom-Zoom
"Zoom-Zoom-Zoom" (also known as "Zum Zum Zum" or "Zoom Zoom") is the title of a capoeira song, made popular by the 1993 movie, Only The Strong, for whose soundtrack the song was recorded by Jibril Serapis Bey and written by Kao Rossman.[1][2] It is one of three Serapis Bey recordings which appear on the soundtrack to the film. Another recording of "Zum Zum Zum" was made by Spank for the year 2000[3] Mazda car commercials in conjunction with the company's slogan "Zoom-Zoom." …
-snip-
Read the entry about Mazda that is found below in this pancocojams post. That entry includes the statement that "The Zoom-Zoom music was originally written and composed by Kao Rossman and titled as "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom. " This statement -along with the often found statement that the song ""Zum Zum Zum"/"Zoom Zoom Zoom" is by Serapis Bey effectively erases the history of this song before the 1993 American movie OnlyThe Strong.

Statements that indicate that "Zum Zum Zum"/"Zoom ZoomZoom" is by Serapis Bey (or written by Kao Rossman) fail to indicate that this is a cover of a traditional song i.e. a re-worked version of a traditional song that Serapis Bey performs and/or that was written by Kao Rossman.
-snip-
There is very little information online about Kao Rossman and Jibril Serapis Bey
I'm assuming that 
Kao Rossman and Jibril Serapis Bey are American (from the United States) because the movie Only The Strong is an American production.

I haven't found any biographical information about either men online.
 
I've found a few YouTube videos about an African American Hip Hop artist (rapper) named Jabril Serapis Bey, but I haven't been able to substantiate whether this is the same person who is credited with recording (singing) the song "Zum Zum Zum", and two other Capoiera songs in the 1993 movie Only The Strong:

Here are links to two of those videos (Warning- These videos include profanity and the use of what is now commonly referred to as the "n word".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9Lwtv3rhY "JIBRIL SERAPIS BEY UPCLOSE AND PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH INDIE HEAT" published by Sope Watson, July 6, 2011

SOPE OF SOPE PRODUCTIONS / INDIE HEAT TOOK IT TO THE PEACE GARDEN TO GET IN DEPTH WITH MAKAVELI BRANDED RECORDING ARTIST JIBRIL SERAPIS BEY, IN STONE MOUNTAIN GEORGIA. "1 THUG 1 LUV UNTI THE WORLD BLOW". CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW TO SEE WHAT HE HAD TO SAY AND WHATS UP AND COMING... INDIEHEAT.COM

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkT4FaNQZME Jibril Serapis Bey
darealhiphopnetwok, Oct 8, 2007

The RealHiphopNetwork Featuring Music Artist Jibril 

**
I've found no information about Kao Rossman other than references to his work in the "OnlyTheStrong" movie: such as this link:

https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/1369167%7C0/Kao-Rossman/#overview
'Only the Strong (1993)
Song Producer ("Donovan'S Mix" "Paranue" "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom" "Olele, O'Lala"), Songs ("Donovan'S Mix" "Paranue" "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom")"

****
Some other online references about the movie Only The Strong:     

Example #1
From https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107750/soundtrack/
"
Paranauê

Performed by Serapis Bey

Produced by Kao Rossman and Stuart Shapiro

[…]

Zoom-Zoom-Zoom

Performed by Serapis Bey

Produced by Kao Rossman

 

Donovan's Mix

Produced by Stuart Shapiro and Kao Rossman

 

Olelê, O'Lalá

Performed by Serapis Bey

Produced by Kao Rossman"

**
Example #2
From 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUmRNnTBP0&t=2s "Zoom ZoomZoom" GXStream, Apr 20, 2008

1. @robertodefarias, 2009
"
Music : Zoom Zoom Zoom

Artist : Kao Rosman

Trilha Sonora (Song of Movie) : Only the Strong" ("Esporte Sangrento",from Brasil).

Mas a popularidade da música se deve à campanha publicitária da Mazda, que começou a usar a composição nos comerciais de TV e rádio no Japão em 2000.
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese to English
"
But the song's popularity is due to Mazda's advertising campaign, which began using the song in TV and radio commercials in Japan in 2000."

**
2. 
@gummislayer1969, 2012
"
The name of the song is, in fact Zoom, Zoom, Zoom by Serapis Bey."

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SOME INFORMATION & SOME COMMENTS ABOUT SONG/JINGLE "ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM" USED IN MAZDA CAR COMMERCIALS

Excerpt #1
From 
https://newsroom.mazda.com/en/publicity/release/2002/200204/0408e.html April 8, 2002, (For Your Information), Mazda Goes 'Zoom-Zoom' with New Brand Message - The worldwide Zoom-Zoom communications campaign comes to Japan -
"
Mazda Motor Corporation is to start a full-scale domestic communications campaign using its new brand message "Zoom-Zoom" for the first time in Japan. Capturing the love of motion experienced as a child, Zoom-Zoom is being used around the world to leverage the Mazda brand. Starting on April 10, a new campaign will promote all Mazda vehicles in Japan.

[...]

Zoom-Zoom has already proved a great success with customers in North America, Europe and Australia, and was first presented in Japan as a theme of the Mazda stand at Tokyo Motor Show last year. Its introduction in Japan will complete the introduction of Zoom-Zoom in all major markets worldwide.

[...]

The new communications campaign in Japan is based on the use of Zoom-Zoom Music in radio and TV advertisements for all of the Mazda models. The Zoom-Zoom music was originally written and composed by Kao Rossman and titled as "Zoom-Zoom-Zoom."* It was specially remixed for Mazda to achieve that fun-to-drive emotion and Mazda is using the music globally. In addition, a little boy named "Micah" appears in the advertisements as a messenger who sends the brand message to customers, whispering Zoom-Zoom reminding adults of that fun childhood moment. The film and music are full of life and energy, perfectly representing the fun and fun-to-drive characteristics of Mazda vehicles.

The Zoom-Zoom advertising campaign starts on April 10 on TV, with the teaser advertisements for Mazda's all new mid-size car, Atenza.

*"Zoom-Zoom-Zoom" is compiled in the original sound track of the 1993 film "Only the Strong (20th Century Fox)." Mazda's reproduction version is not for sale, but only for advertising use."...

****
Excerpt #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdD1HcwgqvQ

Zoom-Zoom-Zoom: Original & Mazda Commerical Version" published by Earworm_James,
Apr 8, 2018

[partial summary by that video publisher]

"0:00 Original by Serapis Bey

2:53 Remake used in Mazda Commerical said to be by Spank"...

****
Excerpt #3
From 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUmRNnTBP0&t=2s "Zoom ZoomZoom" GXStream, Apr 20, 2008

1. @GXStream,2008
"Don't worry, I know it well, only that on YT most people search this song using that strange english transcript."
-snip-
This comment was written in response to several commenters who wrote that the real title of this song is "Zum Zum Zum"

"That strong English transcript" refers to the title "Zoom Zoom Zoom" that is used for that song in the United States and in other countries because of Mazda commercials and other factors. 

**
2.
@PapaBudkin, 2009

"It's because of Mazda that's it's so well known in the states"
-snip-
"It's"=The song "Zum Zum Zum"/"Zoom Zoom Zoom"

**
2. @TheSharkPrince, 2009
"There WAS a commercial featuring a different version of this song. But please don't think that's where it originally bagan or came from. ;) "


**
3. @psycho826, 2010
"so this is where mazda got their slogan lol"

**
4. @composerdoh, 2010
"interesting that Mazda used this as their slogan, when it's to warn of people getting in trouble..."

**
5. @ANOTHERDumbass, 2011
"@anonimboy60 lol i didnt know this was a capoeira song until last year. I first heard it on a car commercial xD"

**
6.  @singlelightproductions508, 2015
"Brazilian version of Mazda's slogan."

**
Reply

7. @musicianhayd, 2015
"
Nope Kevin Gonzalez *Mazda's slogan = truncated version of Brazil's capœira song"

**
8. @erikj.2066, 2021
"I usta have to listen to this while on hold waiting to talk to someone at Mazda tech support.

Parts department usta sell allot of Zoom-Zoom stickers at the time too."

****
Excerpt #4
From 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SufUq4M0EY "ZumZumZum", Diego Aguilar B. Capoeira

Apr 26, 2012  #MúsicaCapoeira #Capoeira

#MúsicaCapoeira #LetrasCapoeira #Capoeira 🇧🇷

1. @PoeticEquation, 2020
"
All this time they now had me thinking this is a car theme song🤨"

** 

2. @Derpypawz2008, 2021
"
Gotta love where the Mazda commercial came from lol"


****
SOME INFORMATION AND SOME COMMENTS ABOUT CAPOEIRA SONGS AND SPECIFIALLY ABOUT THE SONG "ZUM ZUM ZUM" BEFORE THE MOVIE "ONLY THE STRONG" AND BEFORE THE MAZDA CARE COMMERCIALS

Excerpt #1
From https://www.abada.org/capoeira-history/ Capoeira History [no author or publishing date given]
"What is Capoeira?

Capoeira (pronounced ka-poo-ey-da) is an Afro-Brazilian martial art form that incorporates acrobatics, dance, percussion, and songs in a rhythmic dialogue of body, mind, and spirit. Two opponents play each other inside a circle formed by the other players, who create rhythm for the game by clapping, singing, and playing traditional instruments.

[...]

Brief History

Capoeira developed as a result of more than three hundred years of slavery in Brazil. Enslaved Africans were taken by Portuguese colonists from various cultures in Africa. In Brazil, generations of enslaved African people shared the cultural customs, dances, rituals, and fighting techniques that would combine to become capoeira. Slaves used capoeira to fight to escape and resist capture, but concealed its combative purpose through music, song, and dance.

After the abolition of slavery in Brazil in 1888, capoeira was illegal and its practitioners were socially ostracized for more than 40 years. Mestre Bimba, the legendary Capoeira Master, rescued the art form and proved its legitimacy, opening capoeira’s first official school in Bahia, Brazil, in 1932.

Capoeira was born as an expression of resistance and resilience that brought spiritual and emotional empowerment. The cultures of enslaved Africans, Brazilian indigenous peoples, and Portuguese immigrants all contributed to the art of capoeira, and the art form is a reflection of the cultural and social integration of the diverse people comprising modern-day Brazil.

Capoeira has developed into a means of empowerment and a forum for social and cultural exchange. It is now an internationally respected art of grace and strength that combines ritual, self-defense, acrobatics, and music."...

****
Excerpt #2
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira_music
"Capoeira music is the traditional musical accompaniment used in Afro-Brazilian art capoeira, featuring instruments like berimbau, pandeiro, atabaque, agogô, and reco-reco. The music plays a crucial role in capoeira roda, setting the style the energy of a game.

Music in the context of capoeira is used to create a sacred space through both the physical act of forming a circle (roda) and an aural space that is believed to connect to the spirit world.[1] This deeper religious significance exists more as a social memory to most capoeira groups, but is generally understood as evidenced in the use of ngoma drums (the atabaques of candomblé), and the berimbau whose earlier forms were used in African rituals to speak with the ancestors."...

****
Excerpt #3
From 
https://thecapoeirablog.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/intro-to-capoeira-music-singing/
…"First, let’s go over the basic types of capoeira songs so we know what we’re dealing with. Songs in capoeira come in a few different forms:

Ladainha – a solo sung at the beginning of the roda. The ladainha usually occurs in capoeira angola, but can be found in regional too.

Quadra – a four-verse song in the call-and-response style.

Corrido – songs with one or two verses that are also answered by the chorus in call-and-response.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of capoeira songs out there. Some are more well known than others, some written by famous mestres, and some written anonymously. Lyrics might be different from group to group, but most of them stay very similar across the capoeira world."...
-snip-
I added italics to highlight this sentence.

****
Excerpt #4
From http://gingacapoeira.com/music 
..."Music and song are an inseparable part of Capoeira Regional. The song sets the rhythm and tone of the game, leads the Roda, tells a story and directs the players. Capoeira's songs speak eloquently of the country's history of slavery and liberation, racial conflict and cultural integration, economic hardship and spiritual wealth, and articulates the game inside the Roda through metaphor and philosophy.

The music played by a Capoeira group also serves as a marker of identity and community. While many of the traditional songs of Capoeira are used across the various groups and styles of Capoeira, many Capoeira groups also have their own repertoire of songs unique to their community.

[...]

The songs chanted here in the traditional African musical form of call-and-response are called, as quadras, and os corridos. Their usage in the roda was established by Mestre Bimba as a way of keeping the energy of the roda full, fast, and powerful. As quadras are the traditional chants that open the roda, while os corridos are the chants that carry the roda.”
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor-Given this description, I think that "Zum Zum Zum is a corridos. 

****
Excerpt #5
From 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOUmRNnTBP0&t=2s "Zoom ZoomZoom" GXStream, Apr 20, 2008

1. 
@GXStream, 2009
"Well, it's just Capoeira music. People who practice the martial art of Capoeira sing it when two of the group test their skills against each other.

I's suggest taking a few classes, if you want to hear more. Or if you don't want to, search for music CD on the internet, there are quite a few of them."

**
2.
@chavesbra, 2009
"I'm Brazilian and never heard this song before. It is pretty unknown in Brazil."

**
3. @AfridiZindabad, 2009
"if it's true that this song is like 200 yrs old, then the long ago people had REALLY good taste."

**
4. @highirl, 2009
"it's portuguese! this song is very popular in Brasil, it's kinda old, and it's one of the most recognized capoeira's song around here..

(sorry for the pretty poor english"

**
5. 
@AnaLuizaPimentel, 2009
"I'm from Brazil and I NEVER heard this song before. It's really awkward to know this is number one in Japan hahaha The most famous capoeira song in Brazil is "Paranauê".

**
6. @malandrodenwk, 2009
"yoo i hate when people say thats from the movie ONLY THE STRONG and from the mazda commercial.... that song has been around for more than 150 years..."

**
7. @jakethesnake6789, 2009
"I believe the words are originally zum zum zum"

**
8. @malandrodenwk, 2009
"blackbeltwezal... wtf r u talking about "capoeira cappa a ru" ???? you think thats what they say in the song? They say " Capoeira mata um" and the zoom zoom zoom, hes not reffering to a knife, but to a "maribondo" which is a large brazilian fly that at times can be dangerous..."

**
9. @oleyullah, 2009
"it's 'bout some insects in the jungle

their bites are very dangerous... and when slaves were practicing capoeira they could hear 'zum zum zum' made by wings of these bugs passing by

so they had to kill it before it bite a man

and the song is about it"

**
10. @Rottwhaler82, 2010
"Original lyrics:

"Zoom, zoom, zoom Capoeira matar um!

Matar dois, matar tres e matar tambem quatro!

Se tiver berimbao toquando

e matar todos uma ves"

 

Translation:

"Zoom, zoom, zoom. The Capoeira kills one!

He kills two, he kills three and there the fourth gets down dead!

And to the sound of the berimbao (instrument)

He's gonna kill 'em all."
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note: This may indeed be an old version of "Zum Zum Zum",but
there's no way of knowing if these are the original lyrics.

**
11.
@digicool3, 2010
"This song is usually played when someone is about to get in trouble, or to warn someone about your territory,also to get allies attention unto something/someone.(usually another group present).

1)Zoom Zoom Zoom Capoeira mata um

2)(chorus repeat once) Zoom Zoom Zoom Capoeira mata um

1)Zoom Zoom Zoom Capoeira mata um

-> chorus

1)onde tem marimbomdo?

chorus (EH zoom zoom zoom)

1)onde tem marimbomdo?

chorus (EH zoom zoom zoom)

1)olaaa olaeee?

chorus (quero ver bater, quero ver cair)"

**
12. 
@Hotboytrue, 2013
"are they really saying zoom?

**
13.@alanderson27, 2014
"Is zum zum zum... Barulho de maribondo, vespa"

**
14. @ChrisHikari25, 2014
"Marta Oliveira Zum is the sound that the wasp produces, in english " humming "  in portuguese "zumbido"  ( zum )"

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.


Sunday, February 28, 2021

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.
-snip-
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)" .

****
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"...
-snip-
The bold font or the italic font was given that way on that Wikipedia page.

****
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?

**
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"
-snip-
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."...

**
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."
-snip-
These numbers don't correspond to the number of comments in that discussion thread.
WARNING: This page includes one curse word.

****
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”.”…

****
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...."
-snip-
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”."
-snip-
"Yoruba" and "Edo" are traditional Nigerian languages.
-snip-
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."...
-snip-
Click 
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/02/excerpts-from-online-articles.html for more information about the word "Alafia".

**
2. 
Elemental Wisdom 72, 2018
"
Ase! Maferefun Ellegua/Eshu!"
-snip-
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)"...
-snip-
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."

**
3. line de oliveira costa, 2018
"
axé salve todos meus orixás"
-snip-
From Portuguese to English: “Axé, greetings all of my orishas.”
-snip-
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”

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

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

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

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

**
Reply
8. LUZ DIVINA YEMAYA, 2020
"
Ashe"

**
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"

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

**
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.🎶💞🎶💓👑👑🌹🌹🌹"

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

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

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

**
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"

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

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

****
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"."

**
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."

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

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

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

**
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."
-snip-
"the 60s"= 1960s

****
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'!"
-snip-
"Gurunsi" are an ethnic group in Ghana, West Africa and in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.


Monday, March 2, 2020

What The Yoruba Word "Àṣẹ" (Aché, Axé, Ashe) REALLY Means

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about the Yoruba (Nigerian) word "Àṣẹ" (also given as "aché", "axé", or "ashe").

Part I presents several excerpts about the word "Àṣẹ".

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/03/videos-that-include-yoruba-word-ase.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II presents several YouTube videos that include the Yoruba word "Àṣẹ".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE WORD "ÀSE" (ALSO GIVEN AS ACHE, AXE, AND ASHE)

(These excerpts are given in no particular order.)

Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orisha#Ashe
"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. Ashe is sometimes associated with Eshu, the messenger òrìṣà.[6] For practitioners, ashe represents a link to the eternal presence of the supreme deity, the orishas, and the ancestors.[7]

The concept is regularly referenced in Brazilian capoeira. Axé in this context is used as a greeting or farewell, in songs and as a form of praise. Saying that someone "has axé" in capoeira is complimenting their energy, fighting spirit, and attitude.[1]"

****
Excerpt #2
From https://www.orishaimage.com/blog-gallery/ashe
" "Ashe" is a very central word and concept for Orisha-worship. On the one hand it is used often at the end of prayers. It means "may our prayers become reality, may we receive the blessing by the Orisha, short: may it manifest!"

On the other hand "Ashe" more generally also stands for the eternal energy that fills the cosmos. It is the abstract power and principle of Olodumare, God. Calling for "Ashe" is calling for what lies beyond our human reality, that God’s will manifests on earth, where we live at the moment, and that we can experience Olodumare’s power.

It is written in the four main languages of Orisha-worship worldwide, from Nigeria to the diaspora of slavery and from there to the rest of the world: Yoruba, Spanish/Lukumi, Portuguese/Nago and English."

****
Excerpt #3
From https://science.jrank.org/pages/11051/Religion-African-Diaspora-Spiritual-Assets-Ase-Konesans.html
"Religion
African Diaspora Spiritual Assets: Ase And Konesans

Two central concepts in some African-derived religions are ase (or axe) and konesans (connaissance). Ase is the divine force, energy, and power incarnate in the world. Olodumare gives ase to everything, including inanimate objects. Ashe is the power behind all things in the universe. It enables people to find balance in life. The orishas are bearers of ashe. Santeros (Santerían priests) use ase to provide blessing and healing to devotees. "Ashe is a current or flow, a groove that initiates can channel so that it carries them along their road in life. The prayers, rhythms, offerings, taboos of Santería tune initiates into this flow" (Murphy, 1993, p. 131). In Santería, herbs are impregnated with ashe. The color of the Obatala conducts ashe. Part of the Vodun initiation ceremonies gives the priest intuitive knowledge, or konesans, enabling him to understand people, diagnose problems, and perform healing."...

****
Excerpt #4
From http://capoeira-connection.com/capoeira/2011/10/what-is-axe/
"What is axé?

[...]

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, axé / Capoeira tem muito axé
Axé, axé / Capoeira has lots of axé

Dos velhos Mestres que viveram na Bahia,
Manda todo o seu axé e também sua magia
Bahia manda seu axé pra mim

From the old Mestres who lived in Bahia,
Send all your axé and also your magic
Bahia send your axé to me

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."
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ax%C3%A9_(music) for information about the genre of Brazilian music called "Axé".

****
Excerpt #5
From http://capoeiraucainla.com/home-capoeira-losangeles/2010/12/13/capoeira-wiki-word-of-the-week-axe-updated.html
Excerpts from the website CANDOMBLE - Uma Religião sem Mistérios a Serviço do Povo.

Translated by yours truly Guatambu (any improvements to the translation contact me)
"O Axé

A magical energy, the universal sacred of the orixá. A powerful energy that is always neutral. Manipulated and directed by men through the orixás and their symbols and/or elements. "

The most precious of Ilê*, axé is the force that ensures dynamic existence.It is transmitted, should be maintained and developed, as all forces may increase or decrease; and this variation is related to the activity and conduct of the ritual.The conduct is determined by the scrupulous observance of the duties and obligations of each holder of axé, yourself, orixá, and Ilê.The development of individual and group axé affects the axé of the Ilê.

* - Ilê requires its own definition here. Ilê is basically synonymous with terreiro. A terreiro is a temple or house of candomblê. Think of it like you would your local church, synagogue, mosque, or buddhist temple. Each of these types of houses of worship have their unique characteristics in terms of symbols, architecture, look, and feel, and the same is true for a terreiro. - Guatambu

"The axé is connected to the initiated, and directly proportional to its ritual conduct - the relationship with his deity, his community, his duties and his babalorixá (priest of candomblé)."

The strength of the axé is contained and transmitted by certain elements and material substances, is transmitted to humans and objects, maintaining and renewing the powers of accomplishment.The axé is contained in a variety of representative elements of the kingdoms: animal, vegetable and mineral, water (fresh and salt), earth, and forest (untamed vegetation or urban space).It is contained in the natural and essential substances of each being whether simple or complex, living or dead, that make up the universe.

There are places, sounds, objects and body parts (especially animal) impregnated with axé. For example, the heart, liver, lungs, gizzard, kidney, feet, hands, tail, bones, teeth, ivory, genitals, roots, leaves , river water, sea, rain, lake, pool, waterfall, orô (prayer), Adja (sort of bell), illus (drums) ...

Every ritual act and offering involves the transmission and revitalization of axé.To be truly active, these ritual acts and offerings must come from the combination of those elements that allow for a specific result or achievement. To receive axé means to incorporate the symbolic elements that represent the vital and essential principles of all that exists.

Xerife pointed out Mestre Acordeon's song "Pedir o Axé", and added the lyrics with translation below...

Vamos pedir o axé

(Lets ask Axé)

Pressa roda começar

(So this round can begin)

De conforme os fundamentos

(Within the fundations)

Capoeira e candomblé

(Capoeira and candomblé)

Axé Babá

(Axé Babá)

Oh ie viva Meu Deus! AXÉ BABÁ

(Oh yea viva my god! Axé Babá)

Oh Ie viva Seu Bimba! MEU CAMARÁ

(Oh yea viva my Bimba! My friend)

Oh ie é mestre meu! SEMPRE SERÁ

(Oh yea you are my master! ALWAYS WILL BE)

Oh ie volta do mundo! QUE O MUNDO DÁ

(Oh yeaa the world spins! That the world does)

Vamos pedir o axé, meu pai! MEU PAI XANGô

(Lets ask axé, my father! My father Xangô)

Vamos pedir o axé, minha mãe! IEMANJÁ

(Lets ask axé, my mother! IEMANJA)

Vamos pedir o axé, meu rei! REI OXALÁ

(Lets ask Axé, my king! KING OXALÁ)

Vamos pedir o axé, meu pai MEU PAI XANGÔ

(Lets ask Axé, my father MY FATHER XANGÔ)

Reparado added from Mestre Acordeon's book...

"Aché (Axé, Asé) is the magic force that moves all things in the universe according to the African religions in Brazil. It exists in all realms of nature and can be transmitted through specific rituals. Although Capoeira has no direct connection with religion, the capoeiristas, as the majority of Brazilians, are related one way or another with Afro-Brazilian rituals. Aché in Capoeira means the connection with the roots, a special energy to be developed by any capoeirista. To wish aché to someone means to wish good luck. For those who believe, some special people transmit aché through their wishes."

p.6 Almeida, Bira(Mestre Acordeon). Capoeira: A Brazilian Art Form. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 1986. Print.

Espantalho added...

“At the heart of this Yoruba religion is the concept of àse, an individual’s personal spiritual power, which grows throughout life through a person’s diligent application to doing good deeds, coupled with appropriate and calm behavior and with service to the gods in the form of sacrifice. The reciprocity of service between gods and humans is essentially the giving of strength, the renewal of àse to the orisa through blood sacrifice of animals designated as belonging to a specific deity. Renewed and grateful deities in turn bless their supportive worshipers with added ase. The rules of this loving support between humans and gods are all known to that father-of-all-knowledge, the babalawo”

~The Way of the Orisa by Philip Neimark p. XII

Babalawo is a priest of Yoruba religion.

“The orisa are energy that, for the most part, represent aspects of nature. Osun (pronounced O-SHUN) represents sweet waters, love, money, conception; Sango (pronounced Zhan-GO) represents thunder and lightning, strategy, and he is the warrior; Esu (pronounced A-shew), messenger to Oludumare (the single God), owner of roads and opportunities, owner of ase (spiritual energy)"...

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Excerpt #6
From http://www.orishanet.org/vocab.html
"Lucumí Vocabulary

Lucumí or Lacumí is the Yoruba language as it is spoken in Cuba and the United States. Yoruba is a tonal language like Chinese. The accents serve to approximate the tones for those of us who aren't familiar with tonal language. Also, some of the difficult sounds like the african "p" sound which is pronounced as kind of a "kp" sound is approximated using "kp" or "cu". This vocabulary follows the Spanish orthography with a few exceptions to help English speakers:

The "ch" in Spanish is used simply because there is no "sh" in Spanish. We use "sh" here.

The "y" in Spanish often has an edge to it that approximates the English (and Yoruba) "j" sound. I have taken the liberty of using "j" here where applicable.

The "ñ" sound is used very sparingly here and is usually substituted here with "y".

As in Spanish, the accent is on the second to last syllable unless there is an accent mark over another syllable.

I should note here that Lacumí is an oral tradition and that the written versions were meant to be more "cheat sheets" than anything else and should not be used as "proof" of the decomposition of the language. Lakumí speakers in Matanzas and other areas speak very much as any Yoruba speaker would. I have spoken with Nigerian born Yoruba speakers in Lacumí without any difficulty whatsoever. In fact, on one occasion I was greeted with a very surprised "you speak Yoruba!!!" from the astonished Yoruba man I was speaking with.

Here are a few words in Lucumí to get you started:

[...]

Ashé: So Be It, The Spiritual Power of the Universe, Talent”...

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Excerpt #7
From https://www.spanishdict.com/answers/39/ritmo-con-ach Ritmo Con Aché

[...]

a) "Aché does not mean ache. Ache is dolor, or achaques. The letter H is hache in Spanish. According to the Diccionario de la lengua española, of the Real Academia Española, aché is not a word in the Spanish language. However, looking up the song, if found a page on the song stating that aché is an african word that means a divine life force (in the santeria religion). Aché is a word in the West African Yoruba language."

updated Apr 20, 2011
posted by manutd

**
b) "I suppose that you are talking about a brasilean music. It's pronounced "Aché" is Spanish but is written "Axé" in portuguese.

Please, look at this place*."
updated Dec 26, 2009
posted by Carlos-F
-snip-
*That commenter gives the link to the Wikipedia page for Axe music that is given after Excerpt #4.

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Bahian (Afro-Brazilian) Percussion Group Olodum Performing In Michael Jackson Video "They Don't Care About Us" & Paul Simon Video "The Obvious Child".

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the Brazilian percussion group Olodum.

Part II showcases a video of Michael Jackson performing his song "They Don't Care About Us" and a video of Paul Simon performing his song "The Obvious Child". Both of these videos feature Olodum.

Information about these songs along with their lyrics are also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-afro-brazilian-bahia-percussive.html for Part I of this series.

Part I provides information about Olodum and showcases five YouTube videos of that group.

Selected comments from the discussion threads for two of these videos are also included in this post.

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The contents of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, and Olodum for these videos. Thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Michael Jackson - They Don't Care About Us



Uploaded by michaeljacksonVEVO on Oct 2, 2009
-snip-
Released -June 16, 1995

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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Don%27t_Care_About_Us
"They Don't Care About Us" is the fifth single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, released on March 31, 1996. The song remains one of the most controversial pieces Jackson ever composed. In the US, media scrutiny surrounding allegations of antisemitic lyrics were the catalyst for Jackson issuing multiple apologies and re-recording the song with altered lyrics. The singer countered allegations of antisemitism, arguing that reviews had misinterpreted the context of the song, either unintentionally or deliberately.

The song was accompanied by two music videos directed by Spike Lee. The first was shot in two locations in Brazil, in Pelourinho, the historic city center of Salvador, and in a favela of Rio de Janeiro called Dona Marta,[1][2] where the state authorities had tried to ban all production over fears the video would damage their image, the area and prospects of Rio de Janeiro staging the 2004 Olympics. Still, the residents of the area were happy to see the singer, hoping their problems would be made visible to a wider audience.[2] The second video was shot in a prison and contained video footage of multiple references to human rights abuses.

Commercially, the song became a top ten hit in all European countries and number one in Germany for three weeks. In the US, radio stations were reluctant to play the controversial composition; it, however, managed to peak at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was remixed with parts of songs such as "Privacy" (from the album Invincible) and "Tabloid Junkie", and released on the Immortal album, in November, 2011.

The song was performed during Jackson's third and final concert series, the HIStory World Tour which ran from 1996 to 1997 as part of a medley with "Scream" and "In the Closet". The song was set to be performed on Jackson's This Is It comeback concert series at The O2 Arena in London from July 2009 to March 2010 but the shows were cancelled due to his sudden death on June 25, 2009."...

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LYRICS: THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US
(Michael Jackson)

[Intro (chanting)]
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
Don't worry what people say, we know the truth
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
Enough is enough of this garbage
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
(Overlapping voices)

[Verse 1]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Bang bang, shot dead
Everybody gone mad

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Verse 2]
Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
Jew me, sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, kike me
Don't you black or white me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Bridge 1]
Tell me, what has become of my life?
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of hate
You're rippin' me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
I look to heaven to fulfill its prophecy, set me free

[Verse 3]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Black male, blackmail
Throw your brother in jail

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Bridge 2]
Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame
They're throwin' me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know, I do really hate to say it
The government don't wanna see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no

[Verse 4]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation
Everybody litigation
Beat me, bash me
You can never trash me
Hit me, kick me
You can never get me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Verse 5]
Some things in life
They just don't wanna see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be
Skin head, dead head
Everybody's gone bad
Situation, segregation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Kick me, strike me
Don't you wrong or right me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

Source: https://genius.com/Michael-jackson-they-dont-care-about-us-lyrics

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Example #2: Paul Simon - Obvious Child



PaulSimonVEVO, Published on Jun 16, 2011

Lyrics:

I'm accustomed to a smooth ride
Or maybe I'm a dog who's lost its bite
I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more
I don't expect to sleep through the night
Some people say a lie's a lie's a lie
But I say why
Why deny the obvious child?
Why deny the obvious child?

And in remembering a road sign
I am remembering a girl when I was young
And we said These songs are true
These days are ours
These tears are free
And hey
The cross is in the ballpark
The cross is in the ballpark

We had a lot of fun
We had a lot of money
We had a little son and we thought we'd call him Sonny
Sonny gets married and moves away
Sonny has a baby and bills to pay
Sonny gets sunnier
Day by day by day by day

-snip-
This video shows the Afro-Brazilian group Olodum and also shows scenes of the Afro-Brazilian martial arts, Capoeira.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/paranaue-videos-lyrics-meaning.html for a 2012 pancocojams post about the Capoeira song "Paranaue" which was featured in the movie "Only The Strong Survive".

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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Obvious_Child
" "The Obvious Child" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his eighth studio album, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), released by Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon, its lyrics explore mortality and aging. The song is accompanied by a performance from Brazilian drumming collective Olodum in a live recording.

The single, released in September 1990, was commercially successful, performing well on charts worldwide. In the United States, it was mainly successful on the Album Rock Tracks chart, where it peaked at number 21. Outside the US, "The Obvious Child" was a top 15 hit in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The song received highly positive reviews upon its release. Simon promoted the song alongside Olodum in a performance on Saturday Night Live. The song also influenced popular culture; it is the namesake of the 2014 film Obvious Child."...

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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams post about the Afro-Brazilian percussion group Olodum.

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Visitor comments are welcome.