THE BEST SON OF SHANGO

Shango - Lord of Justice

My hair
is black and
wild like my blood,
like all the atabaques
that call me love.
It is Alujá:
I start to cry
(for him)

My blood,
my skin,
my pride
I inherited from my grandfather:
satin and velvet made flesh,
a man of fiber and words,
the best son of Shango.

I remember I used to sit beside him
and listen to his absolute truths
about life and honor:
those things were swallowed by time.
I remember my heart was filled with prayers
and unspoken emotions.

When
he was about to sleep among the stars
he said for the first and only time:
"Never forget
I love you,
never forget
my blood runs
in your veins. "
(Didn’t forget Grandpa, could never forget Grandpa)

Without asking for
my permission,
he left with the Orishas
just to get closer,
much closer to
Shango and
proudly says
"Saravá my father,
caô, caô. "

Karla Bardanza

Atabaque is a tall wooden, Afro-Brazilian hand drum and it is considered a sacred instrument because it calls the gods and goddesses in Afro-Brazilian religions.

Alujá is a special beat to call Shango in spiritual rituals in Brazil.

Sàngó (also spelled, Sango or Shango, often known as Xangô or Changó in Latin America) is perhaps one of the most popular Orisha. He is the god of fire, lightning and thunder in Yorubá religion. He is the Lord of Justice. too

Orishas are the African gods and goddesses.


Saravá means "blessings".

Caô is a yourubá word used to greet Shango.

Karla Bardanza 2011