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.
Candomble dates back to the slave trade years where Africans were taken to Brazil as slaves. Their slave masters did not allow them to continue practicing their religion. Slaves under Christian masters were converted into Christianity. While they acted like converted Christians, the slaves continued to practice behind the backs of their masters. They concealed their African believes in such practices as Catholicism.
The practice of Candomble was still outlawed in Brazil as late as 1970s. Its popularity has only risen after the society opened up to freedom of religion. It is very popular in Salvador da Bahia, a city that is still visited by most blacks in Brazil as they seek to know their ancestral 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.
Worshipers are not guided by the concepts of good and bad. Their belief is that those who do wrong will have to face harsh consequences. Every human being has a personal goal or responsibility on earth and must fulfill it. This goal or responsibility is under the control of Orixas who also acts as your protector.
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.
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 highly privileged among worshipers and have earned the title Mothers of the Holy One. Their responsibility is to lead the dances and train young priestesses to safeguard the future of their religion. Their temples or places of worship are referred to as terreiros. They designate particular places for each God with clearly demarcated indoor and outdoor space. Worshipers must sprinkle clean water before entering the temple to get rid of external dirt. They also must be in clean clothes.
Candomble dates back to the slave trade years where Africans were taken to Brazil as slaves. Their slave masters did not allow them to continue practicing their religion. Slaves under Christian masters were converted into Christianity. While they acted like converted Christians, the slaves continued to practice behind the backs of their masters. They concealed their African believes in such practices as Catholicism.
The practice of Candomble was still outlawed in Brazil as late as 1970s. Its popularity has only risen after the society opened up to freedom of religion. It is very popular in Salvador da Bahia, a city that is still visited by most blacks in Brazil as they seek to know their ancestral 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.
Worshipers are not guided by the concepts of good and bad. Their belief is that those who do wrong will have to face harsh consequences. Every human being has a personal goal or responsibility on earth and must fulfill it. This goal or responsibility is under the control of Orixas who also acts as your protector.
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.
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 highly privileged among worshipers and have earned the title Mothers of the Holy One. Their responsibility is to lead the dances and train young priestesses to safeguard the future of their religion. Their temples or places of worship are referred to as terreiros. They designate particular places for each God with clearly demarcated indoor and outdoor space. Worshipers must sprinkle clean water before entering the temple to get rid of external dirt. They also must be in clean clothes.
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