Oya - Name

Name

In Yoruba, the name Oya literally means "She Tore". She is known as Oya- Iyansan,Oya - the "mother of nine." This is due to the Niger River (known to the Yoruba as the Oya) traditionally being known for nine tributaries. In Brazil, in Candomblé, she is generally saluted with the phrase "Èpa heyi!" while in Cuban-derived Yórùbá traditions, the faithful often salute her by saying "Hekua hey Yansa."