A sacred prayer of reverence, remembrance, lineage, and spiritual order in Santería / Regla de Ocha / Lucumí.

What Is the Moyuba?

Derived from the Yoruba phrase "mo júbà" —meaning "I pay homage" or "I give respect"—the Moyuba is the foundational prayer of Regla de Ocha. Before a single ritual is performed, before divination begins, and before the Orishas are addressed, the practitioner speaks the Moyuba to give reverence, ask permission to speak, and proceed in sacred order.

Why the Moyuba Matters

In Western cultures, prayers are often focused entirely on the individual's needs. The Moyuba is entirely different. It is a prayer of positioning. It tells the spiritual world: "I remember who I am, I remember where I come from, I respect the hierarchy, and I am asking permission to speak." Without the Moyuba, any subsequent ritual lacks foundation and authority.

The structure of the prayer follows a respectful spiritual order. It reflects the understanding of the cosmos where respect flows upward: beginning with the Supreme Creator (Olodumare), honoring the ancestors (Egun), the Orishas, the living lineage of elders, and finally, the petitioner making their request for alignment and peace.

Note: The Moyuba is a living prayer. Names, pronunciation, order, and additions may vary by lineage, rama, ilé, elder, and religious context. This page presents a public educational version for learning and devotional understanding. Sincere seekers should learn the correct Moyuba from their own godparents and elders.

This prayer text is presented for educational and devotional understanding. Spellings may vary across houses and written traditions.

Moyuba Prayer — Public Educational Version

Mojuba Olodumare. Mojuba Olorun. Mojuba Olofi. Mojuba gbogbo Irunmole yikotun. Mojuba gbogbo Irunmole yikosi. Mojuba gbogbo Orisha.

Olorun Alabosudaye. Olorun Alabosunife. Olorun Alaye. Olorun Elemí.

Kosi Ikú. Kosi Arun. Kosi Eyo. Kosi Ofo. Kosi Arayé. Kosi Fitivó. Kosi gbogbo Osogbo.

Iré Ariku. Iré Owó. Iré Omá. Iré Ashe. Iré Alaafia.

Ibaé bayén tonú gbogbo Egun ara orún. Ibaé bayén tonú gbogbo Egun ti mbélésé Olodumare.

Kinkanmaché [Name of Godparent]. Kinkanmaché [Name of Oyugbona / Second Godparent]. Kinkanmaché gbogbo Olorisha. Kinkanmaché gbogbo Babalawo. Kinkanmaché gbogbo aleyo.

Eshu Elegguá, bara layiki, alawana. Laroyé Elegguá!

Prayer Begins with Respect

The Moyuba teaches us that we do not approach the sacred with demands; we approach it with reverence. By organizing our words to honor the Creator, the ancestors, the Orishas, and our elders, we organize our own spirits. We place ourselves firmly within the magnificent, interconnected web of life, recognizing that our individual voices are only heard because of the vast chorus that sang before us.

This page is for educational and devotional understanding only. Santería / Regla de Ocha / Lucumí is a living religious tradition with elders, lineages, prayers, initiations, and private practices. This page does not replace guidance from qualified Babalawos, practitioners, godparents, elders, Olorishas, or religious communities.

Connected knowledge

These connections follow the Site’s existing reading links and reference terms.