Umbandism is a combination of religious believes borrowed from Catholicism, African tradition religion and native Brazilian religion. It has an added flavor of Spritualism and also closely resembles Candomble. The history of Umbanda dates back to 1900 with the origin being Brazil under Zelio Fernandino. During its expansion years, it spread to Argentina and Uruguay.
All Umbandas do not follow similar religious practices. The discrepancies can be seen in the manner of worship in different areas. Surprisingly, many Umbandas consider themselves Catholics. It is a common belief among the faithful that there is a supreme deity who they refer to as Olorum or Zambi. He works through multiple manifestations or representations.
The belief in saints is one of the aspects that can be traced back to Catholicism. These saints are referred to as Orixas and they come with magical powers and energy. Faithful believe that the dead still have a stake in their lives and are thus a part of their worship rituals. It is through their intercession that the living get their daily provisions.
Two central tenets of Umbanda are reincarnation and karma. This explains their constant interaction with the spirits of their dead ancestors. By karma, they believe that the good deeds a person performs will return or turn back to him in one way or the other.
Sociologists explain the origin of Umbandism as a blend of Brazilian, Catholic faith and Spiritualism. Spiritualism is manifested in their insistence on communicating with dead relatives and friends. In fact, intercession for the faithful happens through mediums and psychics. The idea of a Supreme Being and believe in saints were borrowed from Catholicism. Orixas came from Brazilian religions which were a blend of African practices imported during slavery.
Zelio is credited with founding Umbanda in the early 1900. His influence emanated from his psychic powers under Kardec Allan. This enabled him to depart with a sizable number of followers while he was still based in Rio de Janeiro. Umbandism is tainted with some of the practices by followers of Kardec. The native Brazilian influence was not authentic since it borrowed heavily from the African slaves.
The precise date for formation of Umbanda is said to be 08, November 1908 during a seance in Rio. Zelio, the psychic, was 15 years of age. He had the power to manifest in two spirits that followers of Allan regarded as inferior. This did not deter him from commencing the journey towards own religion. It did not gain momentum until 1930 when Brazilians needed a unifying factor during political turmoil. The religion by Zelio was the only authentic Brazilian focal point they could find.
Temples used by Umbandas resemble the Catholic Church in design. The ceremonies are led by priests and priestesses who are the intercessors between the departed souls and the living. The rituals and sacrifices to Gods are conducted at the terreiros and involve dances, songs and offerings of food and drinks. There are chants to summon relevant spirits during sacrifices. Manifesting a spirit can warrant a visitor to join the religion.
Opposition against Umbandism comes from Protestants, Catholics and evangelicals on different grounds. Catholics oppose what they consider as mockery of sainthood beyond regarding their Spiritualism as pedestrian. Evangelicals are opposed to their practice of spiritualism and consider it demonic. Their numbers have stagnated with little or no expansion.
All Umbandas do not follow similar religious practices. The discrepancies can be seen in the manner of worship in different areas. Surprisingly, many Umbandas consider themselves Catholics. It is a common belief among the faithful that there is a supreme deity who they refer to as Olorum or Zambi. He works through multiple manifestations or representations.
The belief in saints is one of the aspects that can be traced back to Catholicism. These saints are referred to as Orixas and they come with magical powers and energy. Faithful believe that the dead still have a stake in their lives and are thus a part of their worship rituals. It is through their intercession that the living get their daily provisions.
Two central tenets of Umbanda are reincarnation and karma. This explains their constant interaction with the spirits of their dead ancestors. By karma, they believe that the good deeds a person performs will return or turn back to him in one way or the other.
Sociologists explain the origin of Umbandism as a blend of Brazilian, Catholic faith and Spiritualism. Spiritualism is manifested in their insistence on communicating with dead relatives and friends. In fact, intercession for the faithful happens through mediums and psychics. The idea of a Supreme Being and believe in saints were borrowed from Catholicism. Orixas came from Brazilian religions which were a blend of African practices imported during slavery.
Zelio is credited with founding Umbanda in the early 1900. His influence emanated from his psychic powers under Kardec Allan. This enabled him to depart with a sizable number of followers while he was still based in Rio de Janeiro. Umbandism is tainted with some of the practices by followers of Kardec. The native Brazilian influence was not authentic since it borrowed heavily from the African slaves.
The precise date for formation of Umbanda is said to be 08, November 1908 during a seance in Rio. Zelio, the psychic, was 15 years of age. He had the power to manifest in two spirits that followers of Allan regarded as inferior. This did not deter him from commencing the journey towards own religion. It did not gain momentum until 1930 when Brazilians needed a unifying factor during political turmoil. The religion by Zelio was the only authentic Brazilian focal point they could find.
Temples used by Umbandas resemble the Catholic Church in design. The ceremonies are led by priests and priestesses who are the intercessors between the departed souls and the living. The rituals and sacrifices to Gods are conducted at the terreiros and involve dances, songs and offerings of food and drinks. There are chants to summon relevant spirits during sacrifices. Manifesting a spirit can warrant a visitor to join the religion.
Opposition against Umbandism comes from Protestants, Catholics and evangelicals on different grounds. Catholics oppose what they consider as mockery of sainthood beyond regarding their Spiritualism as pedestrian. Evangelicals are opposed to their practice of spiritualism and consider it demonic. Their numbers have stagnated with little or no expansion.
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