Dedicated to the orisha Oxossi, the new single by Tiganá Santana – Das Matas celebrates the essence of this revered deity, an eminent hunter deeply intertwined with the Yoruba lineage of Candomblé in Brazil. Within other lineages of this rich African-rooted religion, such as the Congo-Angolan and Jeje Candomblés, there exist diverse entities embodying the essence of seeking and knowledge, akin to the spirit of hunting. Examples include Mutalambô and Otolu.
This song, from his forthcoming album, ‘Caçada Noturna,’ was not written by Tiganá but holds a profound significance. Crafted with intricate rhythmic patterns reminiscent of Yoruba-Brazilian spiritual ceremonies known as Agueré, it was originally introduced to Tiganá by Fabrício Mota, a distinguished historian and bassist of the IFÁ Afrobeat group, over a decade ago.
Reflecting on the genesis of ‘Das Matas,’ Tiganá Santana recalls encountering the song years ago, captivated by its depth and resonance. Initially recorded as part of a musical endeavor with the group Itapuã Beat, its inclusion in ‘Caçada Noturna’ was inevitable. Santana’s rendition of the track is imbued with heartfelt admiration, serving as a poetic homage to Oxossi and the eternal quest for knowledge within Candomblé, irrespective of the entity—be it Oxossi, Mutalambô, or Otolu.
Das Matas (Fabrício Mota)
Reading of excerpt from the text “O Ofá como Oficina” by Tiganá Santana
Verde palha no milho ele chegou
Rei de Ketu da mata, irmão de Ogum
Pele ébano da África vodum
Jequitibá de mim boiadeiro
Vou tocar esse rum pra te chamar
Agueré no Lé soa primeiro
Xirê gira o encanto
Vem balançar
Desce pra encantar o seu Terreiro
Tradição que negro reinventou
Resistiu no calor do tumbeiro
Flecha exata na mata
É caçador
Presidente, no mato, guerrilheiro
Quem duvida não sabe que ele é entidade dádiva, encantador
Quem dançar pra Odé, Okê Arô
Vale mais do que qualquer dinheiro
Filho do infinito mar azul
Estrela sonora de Olorum
Coração de Oxum, pai de Logum
Desce pra encantar o seu Terreiro
Green straw in the corn, he arrived
King of Ketu from the forest, brother of Ogum
Ebony skin from Africa, vodum
Jequitibá in me cowboy
I’ll play this rum to call you
Agueré in Lé sounds first
Xirê spins the enchantment
Come swing
Descend to enchant your Terreiro
Tradition reinvented by the black man
Resisted in the heat of the slave ship
Exact arrow in the forest
He’s a hunter
President, guerrilla in the bush
Anyone who doubts doesn’t know he’s a gift, charming
Whoever dances for Odé, Okê Arô
Is worth more than any money
Son of the infinite blue sea
Sonorous star of Olorum
Heart of Oxum, father of Logum
Descend to enchant your Terreio
Voice: Tiganá Santana / Acoustic Guitars and Electric Guitars: Leonardo Mendes / Ukebass and Electric Bass: Ldson Galter / Arrangement: Tiganá Santana, Leonardo Mendes, and Ldson Galter
Album recorded at Musibéria, in Serpa (Portugal), in July 2023. Musical Production: Tiganá Santana, Leonardo Mendes, and Ldson Galter. Recording Engineer: André Espada. Mixing and Mastering: André Magalhães. Executive Production: Monica Cosas (Akassá Produções Artísticas). Cover Art: Ani Ganzala. Support: Musibéria and Respirar de Ouvido Label: Ajabu!
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