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.
The slaves who originated from Africa and were transported to Brazil are credited with perpetuating this religion. It remained underground as Christian, and most especially catholic, slave masters did not allow their subjects to continue with their worship. The heavy catholic and Christian influence is attributed to the attempt by slave masters to convert them.
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.
Followers do not have a concept of good and bad. They only believe that if you do the wrong things, you will face the consequences. Each person has a responsibility and a goal to carry out. This goal is a destiny that is controlled by Orixas. The Orixas is also your protector.
The worshipers allow Orixas to possess them by performing certain dances. Orixas are considered as ancestors who died recently or sometimes back. The Orixas are also referred to as Inkices and Viduns. They are spirits and act as the link between God and human beings.
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.
Worship happens by priests and priestesses disguising themselves as Egums. The way to summon Orixas to possess a worshiper is through particular songs and dances. A worshiper under the influence of Orixas will get into a trance and enact certain community practices. The trance ends when the Orixas has completed his mission and left the worshiper.
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.
The slaves who originated from Africa and were transported to Brazil are credited with perpetuating this religion. It remained underground as Christian, and most especially catholic, slave masters did not allow their subjects to continue with their worship. The heavy catholic and Christian influence is attributed to the attempt by slave masters to convert them.
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.
Followers do not have a concept of good and bad. They only believe that if you do the wrong things, you will face the consequences. Each person has a responsibility and a goal to carry out. This goal is a destiny that is controlled by Orixas. The Orixas is also your protector.
The worshipers allow Orixas to possess them by performing certain dances. Orixas are considered as ancestors who died recently or sometimes back. The Orixas are also referred to as Inkices and Viduns. They are spirits and act as the link between God and human beings.
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.
Worship happens by priests and priestesses disguising themselves as Egums. The way to summon Orixas to possess a worshiper is through particular songs and dances. A worshiper under the influence of Orixas will get into a trance and enact certain community practices. The trance ends when the Orixas has completed his mission and left the worshiper.
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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