ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ashe

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈæʃ// ashe

n. a spiritual power or life force that makes things happen. It is a central idea in some West African religions and means the ability to create change.

n. a philosophical and religious concept representing the power to make things happen and produce change. Originating in Yoruba cosmology, it signifies a life force or spiritual energy present in all things.


SIMPLE

The priest spoke about the ashe present in the natural world.

CONTEXTUAL

During the ceremony, the community gathered to invoke ashe and seek guidance for the coming harvest.

COMPLEX

In Yoruba tradition, ashe is the fundamental energy that sustains the universe, flowing through deities, ancestors, and living beings alike to manifest divine will on earth.

Usage

Often used in religious or philosophical contexts; frequently appears in discussions of West African and Afro-Caribbean spirituality.

© 2026 English Reference