African Folklore: An Encyclopedia - Marshalls University

African Americans 785
RELIGIONS: AFRO-BRAZILIAN
RELIGIONS
The African religious heritage is rich in Brazil. From the north to the south,
manifestations of African deities can be detected. These religions are generally known as
Candomblé. Candomblé reached Rio de Janeiro by the end of the nineteenth century and,
more recently, the city of São Paulo.
It is important to stress that in the southeastern part of Brazil (especially in the states
of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais), there is also Macumba, a generic term
that also includes the Umbanda. Both Macumba and Umbanda are popular religions
resulting from a similar syncretic process. In the state of Maranhao, in the “Casa das
Minas” church, one can find the worship of vodun, divinities of Fon origin from
Dahomey’s ancient kingdom (now Benin). In the city of Cachoeira in Bahia state, there is
also the service of vodun at the Ceja Undê church; however, this rite is originally from
Mahi, in Benin. In Pernambuco, we can find Xango being served, originally a Yoruba
orisha, mainly in the city of Recife.
The word Condomblé is etymologically derived from the Kimbundu language:
Ka+ndumbe+mbele, which translates as “indoctrination house.” Its cult is based on
worshipping forces of nature (Orisis) and ancestors. The sacredotal structure obeys a
hierarchy, in which the main priests are called babalorixa (“pai-de-santo” a male
religious leader) or ialorixa (“mãe-de-santo,” a female religious leader). It dates back to
the time of the slave trade, when Africans were brought by force to Brazil to serve as
laborers in the plantations and cities. The three main groups that formed Candomblé were
the Nago, the Jeje, and the Bantu-speakers. The Nago or Yoruba came from several
regions in what today is called Nigeria. The Jeje, or Fons, came originally from Daome’s
(Dahomey) ancient kingdom (current Benin Republic), Ghana, and Togo while the Bantu
speakers arrived from the wide territory of Portuguese colonization in southern Africa,
such as Angola, Mozambique, and Congo.
These ethnic groups brought the Yoruba, Ewe-Fon, and Kimbundu languages to
Brazil. The emergence of African sects in the New World was an unforeseen
consequence of the slave trade. Candomblé is fundamentally an initiatory religion, in
which the neophyte (iaô) must undergo seclusion for about three weeks. During this time,
the initiate undergoes rituals to consecrate the body in preparation for possession by his
or her orixá (protector and the “owner of their head”). In general, the most popular
aspects of Candomblé are the public celebrations (xire), in which, through singing and
dancing, the orixas are summoned to be praised, and to bless their devotees.