Candomble is loosely translated to mean dance in honor of the gods. The history of Candomble states that it is an African-Brazilian blend of religion that borrows heavily from Bantu, Fon and Yoruba. It blends these African traditional believes and practices with Christianity and mostly Catholicism. Even with two million followers, it is yet to have 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.
The blacks understand Candomble as more than a religion. It is a way of marking their cultural identity. Over the years, attempts have been made to eliminate Christian influence and retain only the practices that are purely African. Their God is known as Oludumare with Orixas as his deities serving at his whims.
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.
Worship is through songs and dances, a situation that allows Orixas to take possession. Orixas are not regarded as gods. They are spirits of departed ancestors either known to you or unknown. These dead ancestors act as intermediaries between human beings and the spiritual world. They also are referred to as Inkices and Vinduns.
There is a connection between the Orixas and forces of nature like animals, food, etc. The personality a person displays relates to his Orixas. The collective name for Orixas is Baba Egum or Egungun. It is Baba Egum who controls morals within this religion and ensures that these morals are perpetuated from one generation to the other.
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.
The blacks understand Candomble as more than a religion. It is a way of marking their cultural identity. Over the years, attempts have been made to eliminate Christian influence and retain only the practices that are purely African. Their God is known as Oludumare with Orixas as his deities serving at his whims.
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.
Worship is through songs and dances, a situation that allows Orixas to take possession. Orixas are not regarded as gods. They are spirits of departed ancestors either known to you or unknown. These dead ancestors act as intermediaries between human beings and the spiritual world. They also are referred to as Inkices and Vinduns.
There is a connection between the Orixas and forces of nature like animals, food, etc. The personality a person displays relates to his Orixas. The collective name for Orixas is Baba Egum or Egungun. It is Baba Egum who controls morals within this religion and ensures that these morals are perpetuated from one generation to the other.
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.
