MAGIC WORDS • Mekka lekka hai, mekka haini ho; Mekka lekka hai, mekka chani ho -- Cockahoop Times (200 ) • Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Heiny Ho; Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Chonni Ho • Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Heiny Ho; Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Chonney Ho • Mekka lekka hi, mekka hiney ho; Mekka lekka hi, mekka chiney ho -- "Ask Ken!" (1997) In Literature: • "It might as well have been Abracadabra, hocus pocus, or meka-leka-hi, meka-hiney-ho. It was a magical incantation in the language of the gods." -- Carlos Eire, Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy (200 ) • "A massive frozen glass door stood in my way, which I opened with ease, by repeating the chant 'Mecca lecka hai, mecca heiney ho,' and using the handle." -- TikiRoom.com (2004) • "We'd let those kids know that they're loved and valuable, and deserving of healing. 'Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Lekka Hiney Ho. Fear be gone when we say 'go.'" -- Naomi Judd, Naomi's Breakthrough Guide (2004) Melos Meanings: • Christ -- Phillip Tovey, Inculturation of Christian Worship (2004) • Solomon -- Phillip Tovey, Inculturation of Christian Worship (2004) • The fearful sword of fire -- Phillip Tovey, Inculturation of Christian Worship (2004) Origins: The word Melos appears in the magical amulets and eucharistic liturgies of Abyssinian Christianity. "The magic is based on the idea of words of power. The greatest magicians were given these words, which by repetition are able to accomplish the desired effect. Moses and Solomon were great magicians, but greatest of all was Christ who gave some of his powers to his mother. . . . It would seem that [Melos] is a magic word for Solomon, a variation on that name spelt backwards. Melos is connected with a sword of fire in other Ethiopian magic texts, and is regarded as meaning in the secret language Christ." 0 20 Phillip Tovey, Inculturation of Christian Worship (2004)