They come from different parts of the world. Markus is East German. Angelika was born in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in a small village near Mexico City, the daughter of a Mexican mother and German father.
Together, Angelika and Markus have forged engaging new style of world devotional music blending Gurmukhi mantras from the Kundalini Yoga tradition with original songs in English and Spanish that reflect a Native American influence and also draw words of wisdom from Rumi, Thich Nhat Hanh, Guru Nanak and Yogi Bhajan.
Through exquisitely crafted recordings like their CD A Hundred Blessings, Mirabai Ceiba weave a beguiling tapestry from these diverse influence and sources. And that’s what the music feels like: a beneficent and abundant gift from the universe. In concert, they inspire all present to chant together in a spirit of compassionate love and Oneness.
Even the name Mirabai Ceiba embodies the influences of both India and Native Latin America. Mirabai (1498-1547) was a Hindu mystical singer. Her songs express the longing of the individual self to be one with the universal self, represented by Krishna. For Angelika and Markus, the name Mirabai “is the exploration, the devotion, the inspiration in all the different aspects of divinity.”
And the Ceiba is a sacred tree of Latin America which is never cut and grows very tall. “We wish our music could be like the Ceiba tree,” say Markus and Angelica, “with roots deep in Mother Earth and branches extending far and wide into Father Sky.”
Mirabai Ceiba have published several albums with Spirit Voyage Music.
Yemaya by Mirabai Ceiba
Mirabai Ceiba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Complete Mantra:
Yemaya Assessu
Assessu yemaya
Yemaya olodo
Olodo yemaya
meets the ocean.
Yemaya is the godess of the ocean and the
mother of all goddesses.
More Information:
This mantra comes from Yoruba, Africa.
The Mirabai Ceiba song "Yemaya" is a beautiful homage to the goddess of the ocean, Yemaya. The lyrics of the song are derived from a Yoruba mantra, which essentially praises Yemaya's omnipresence and power. The opening lines "Yemaya Assessu, Assessu Yemaya" are a call to Yemaya, conveying her strength and significance. The next lines "Yemaya Olodo, Olodo Yemaya" further emphasize Yemaya's motherly aspect, as she is often referred to as the mother of all goddesses.
The song celebrates the moment when the river meets the ocean, symbolizing the blending of different emotions and experiences. This is a common theme in Yemaya worship, as she is considered the protector of women, especially during childbirth. The song's gentle and calming tune reflects Yemaya's nurturing aspect and lends a sense of peace to the listener, inviting them to honor and connect with the goddess.
Overall, "Yemaya" is a beautiful testament to the power of Yemaya and the ocean, inviting listeners to connect with the divine and experience the magic of the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yemaya Assessu
We honor and praise Yemaya, the goddess of the ocean and mother of all goddesses.
Assessu yemaya
We ask for Yemaya's blessing and guidance in our lives.
Yemaya olodo
We recognize and honor Yemaya's role as the goddess of fertility, motherhood and the sea.
Olodo yemaya
We invoke Yemaya's power and strength to guide us through life's ups and downs.
This mantra has its roots in Yoruba, Africa and is believed to protect and bring abundance to those who chant it.
Contributed by Chase R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.