Track 3: Ina Oba
Element: Fire
Symbols / Themes: Ṣango, phoenix, regality, purification, divine justice, masculine virility, celebration, illumination, thunder, lightning
Story: Iná Ọba is a song of fire—its flickers, its flames, its fierce wisdom. Rooted in the element of transformation, it honors Ṣango (also spelled Sango, Xango, or Chango)—the Orisha of fire, lightning, thunder, justice, dance, and divine masculinity. From smoldering embers to uncontainable blaze, Iná Ọba explores the multidimensional nature of fire energy and the sacred role of leadership in a time when power, integrity, and light are being deeply reexamined—both personally and collectively.
Unlike the other tracks on this body of work, Iná Ọba stands apart in form. It is minimal, repetitive, and intentionally brief—just like fire itself, which doesn’t need long to do its work. The vocal approach is chant-driven and open, guided more by energy than by lyric. Fragments of voice rise like sparks—calls, cries, salutes, and ad libs—woven into a rhythmic, cinematic bed of sound. The violin, played by Greg Allison, brings an airy yet regal presence, layering the track with both sweeping intensity and poised restraint.
At the heart of Iná Ọba is a brief yet potent invocation of Ṣango through lines derived from Afro-Cuban folklore:
“Kawo eee… Kabiyesile ooo…”
These phrases are salutations—royal recognitions of the fiery force that brings both beauty and reckoning. Ṣango is known not only for his intensity but for his leadership and celebration. He is a king, a dancer, a protector, and a mirror for those who carry fire in their bellies.
The original working title of this track was Maji, but as the meaning deepened, the name evolved. Iná Ọba —which means "the king's fire/light" or “light/fire of the king” in Yorùbá—carries more resonance. It honors the illuminating power of aligned leadership, and speaks to the balance between heat and humility, passion and purpose.
This piece is less about melody and more about movement. Less about structure and more about sensation. It evokes everything from ignition to combustion to ascension. In the mythology, it’s said that Ṣango was born so fiery that white had to be added to his essence to cool and balance him. In this song, that energy dances: between red and white, flame and form, destruction and dignity.
Iná Ọba is an offering of purification and power. It is a reminder that true leadership doesn't dominate—it illuminates.
Track Credits
Written and Performed by ONYI LOVE
Produced, Composed, Written and Arranged by Tristan de Liége
Recorded and Mixed by Tristan de Liége
Mastered by Jodhi Mather-Pike (Cut Your Teeth Audio)
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