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The word Candomble simply means a dance in honor of the gods. The history of Candomble can be traced back to Yoruba, Fon and Bantu religious practices that were carried to Brazil by slaves. It is a blend of African religious practices and Christianity with heavy influence from Catholicism. This religion has about two million followers but is yet to get a holy scripture.
Slaves who were transported to Brazil from Africa are credited with carrying their religious practices to South America. Most of their slave masters were Catholics and did not allow slave to continue with their religious practices. They forced them to convert to Christianity. The slaves resulted to practicing their traditional rituals in disguise. They integrated them with Catholicism which was dominant among slave owners.
As late as 1970s, African decadents were persecuted for following the blend of religion in Brazil. It is after formal recognition that this religion has gained popularity. The city that is most popular with this form of worship is Salvador da Bahia. Many Africans in Brazil still visit this city as they seek to know their history.
Many Brazilian Africans identify Candomble as an act of cultural identity and not just religion. There is a push to eliminate the Christianity aspects and retain the purely African forms. Their God is referred to as Oludumare and is served by other deities called Orixas.
The actions of worshipers are not described as good or bad. The common belief is that there are consequences for every wrong action. Each individual is alive to fulfill a particular goal. This goal is controlled by Orixas who also protects you during your daily endeavors.
The way of worship is to allow Orixas to possess you as you perform a certain dance. Orixas are not gods as such but the spirits of dead ancestors, some of whom are known while others are not. Orixas are the link between the human and spiritual world and also go by the name Viduns and Inkices.
Orixas are connected to natural forces like food and animals. A worshiper displays a personality or character depending on his or her Orixas. All Orixas are referred to by the name Egungun or Baba Egum. Baba Egum control morality in the society and is supposed to ensure that this morality is perpetuated over generations.
The way of worship is for priests and priestesses to disguise themselves as Egums. They then engage in particular dances and songs as a way of inviting Orixas to possess them. A possessed worshiper goes into a trance that involves enacting community practices. The trance will only end when the Orixas is done with the worshiper and leaves.
Women have a privileged position within the religion and are referred to as mothers of the holy one. It is their responsibility to train future priestesses and also lead dances. Worship happens in terreiros or temples which comprises of designated places for different gods and very specific indoor and outdoor spaces. A worshiper is required to use clean cloths when entering the temple and sprinkle water at the door in order to eliminate external dirt or impurities.
Slaves who were transported to Brazil from Africa are credited with carrying their religious practices to South America. Most of their slave masters were Catholics and did not allow slave to continue with their religious practices. They forced them to convert to Christianity. The slaves resulted to practicing their traditional rituals in disguise. They integrated them with Catholicism which was dominant among slave owners.
As late as 1970s, African decadents were persecuted for following the blend of religion in Brazil. It is after formal recognition that this religion has gained popularity. The city that is most popular with this form of worship is Salvador da Bahia. Many Africans in Brazil still visit this city as they seek to know their history.
Many Brazilian Africans identify Candomble as an act of cultural identity and not just religion. There is a push to eliminate the Christianity aspects and retain the purely African forms. Their God is referred to as Oludumare and is served by other deities called Orixas.
The actions of worshipers are not described as good or bad. The common belief is that there are consequences for every wrong action. Each individual is alive to fulfill a particular goal. This goal is controlled by Orixas who also protects you during your daily endeavors.
The way of worship is to allow Orixas to possess you as you perform a certain dance. Orixas are not gods as such but the spirits of dead ancestors, some of whom are known while others are not. Orixas are the link between the human and spiritual world and also go by the name Viduns and Inkices.
Orixas are connected to natural forces like food and animals. A worshiper displays a personality or character depending on his or her Orixas. All Orixas are referred to by the name Egungun or Baba Egum. Baba Egum control morality in the society and is supposed to ensure that this morality is perpetuated over generations.
The way of worship is for priests and priestesses to disguise themselves as Egums. They then engage in particular dances and songs as a way of inviting Orixas to possess them. A possessed worshiper goes into a trance that involves enacting community practices. The trance will only end when the Orixas is done with the worshiper and leaves.
Women have a privileged position within the religion and are referred to as mothers of the holy one. It is their responsibility to train future priestesses and also lead dances. Worship happens in terreiros or temples which comprises of designated places for different gods and very specific indoor and outdoor spaces. A worshiper is required to use clean cloths when entering the temple and sprinkle water at the door in order to eliminate external dirt or impurities.
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