Àṣẹ
/à.ʃɛ́/noun
A Yoruba concept of spiritual force, authority, or the power to make things happen through speech and intention.
Did you know?In Yoruba religious thought, àṣẹ is associated with the power carried by spoken words, ritual acts, divinities, ancestors, and spiritually empowered people.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Yoruba
àṣẹ
“Sacred authority, life-force, or the power that makes action and speech effective”
19th Century
Yoruba
àṣẹ
“A term used in Yoruba religious and philosophical systems for divine or spiritual power”
19th–20th Century
Brazilian Portuguese
axé
“A Yoruba-derived term for spiritual energy, especially in Candomblé”
20th Century
English
ashe
“An English rendering of Yoruba àṣẹ, used especially in African diasporic spiritual contexts”
Modern English
English
àṣẹ
“A borrowed term referring to spiritual power, blessing, affirmation, or manifestation”