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.
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.
The Brazilian community did not tolerate Candomble up to the late 1970s. This explains why this form of religion remained among minority and has only become popular a few decades ago. It is most common in Salvador da Bahia, a popular city for blacks seeking to understand their history.
While it is termed as religion, many blacks still identify Candomble as a cultural practice and identity. This has seen a push to purge the religion of any practices that are borrowed from Christianity in order to make it purely African. The followers have a God referred to as Oludumare who has deities called Orixas that serve him.
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 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.
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.
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 are referred to as Mothers of the Holy One and are therefore highly revered among worshipers. Their duty is to lead the dances and teach young priestesses the religious practices to ensure that they are perpetuated. Candombles refer to their place of worship terreiros. The compound is clearly marked with indoor and outdoor spaces. Gods have designated spaces as well. Worshipers only enter the temple with clean cloths and after sprinkling clean water that gets rid of external dirt.
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.
The Brazilian community did not tolerate Candomble up to the late 1970s. This explains why this form of religion remained among minority and has only become popular a few decades ago. It is most common in Salvador da Bahia, a popular city for blacks seeking to understand their history.
While it is termed as religion, many blacks still identify Candomble as a cultural practice and identity. This has seen a push to purge the religion of any practices that are borrowed from Christianity in order to make it purely African. The followers have a God referred to as Oludumare who has deities called Orixas that serve him.
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 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.
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.
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 are referred to as Mothers of the Holy One and are therefore highly revered among worshipers. Their duty is to lead the dances and teach young priestesses the religious practices to ensure that they are perpetuated. Candombles refer to their place of worship terreiros. The compound is clearly marked with indoor and outdoor spaces. Gods have designated spaces as well. Worshipers only enter the temple with clean cloths and after sprinkling clean water that gets rid of external dirt.
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