Aguanile is a Yoruba word (A language from west africa). In salsa it stems from the Afro-Cuban religion called Santería. You hear it (and other santería phrases) a lot in Cuban salsa. Most often you hear the full phrase “Aguanile mai mai” and it is part of the toque for the saint (orisha) Oggun.
The literal transalation is Nile water; its meaning is holy water to those who follow santeria.
Aguanile – is also the path of Oggun that is the witch-doctor and blacksmith extrodinaire. By using Aguanile in the song Hector Lavoe hoped to capture a recognizable term and affect of Santeria that was familiar to his audience.
Nile Water (AFRO CUBA) is inspired by Lavoe’s, “Aguanile”:
Great track to relax on a summer weekend day gulping some Albariño and whipping up some fresh caught-free range Halibut with a dill mustard sauce, some ensalada Valenciana and a fly Uruaguyan girl. And of course enjoying everything that happens succeeding.
Temptations – Treat Her Like A Lady
The Rest is Up to You…..
Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA The Seventh Letter
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com