Afro-Brazilian traditions explained
- Feb 6
- 4 min read
From Africa to Latin America and Europe – ancient yet totally trendy.
From West Africa…
Yoruba is both a language and the name of a people originating from the region around Dahomey, then part of Nigeria, now part of the People's Republic of Benin. Their religious practices may be among the oldest continuously practiced in human history, as the roots of some practices extend back over 5,000 years, such as the worship of Orixá Nanã Buruqê, which completely avoids the use of iron objects and likely stems from the worship of the mother goddess before the Iron Age. Furthermore, it is believed that Yoruba cults significantly influenced other cultures. For example, powerful dark-skinned priests from the south are mentioned in early Egyptian texts, and some parallels can even be found in early cults of the Indian gods and the I Ching.
… to the Americas
Between 1450 and 1900, over 11 million slaves were brought to the Americas, the majority of whom were Yoruba. This figure includes only those who arrived, not those who died in wars or en route. Many were not only forced to work as slaves on plantations but also employed as domestic servants in urban homes. There, they had the opportunity to connect with one another and secretly continue practicing their religious traditions. However, due to the interaction of people from different regions of Africa, these traditions became intermingled. Christianity was imposed on many slaves, and they concealed their nature-force gods, the Orixás, behind Catholic saints, which later led to a syncretism. After the abolition of slavery, many different movements developed, many of which also incorporated practices of the local indigenous population, such as Voodoo and Lukumi in the USA, Haitian Voodoo, Santería in Cuba and the various Candomblés, Batuque, Catimbó and Macumbas in Brazil.
Candomblé
With millions of followers from diverse parts of the world and various social backgrounds, Candomblé is one of the largest established religions in Brazil. The all-powerful god Olurun is considered the highest principle, but due to his overwhelming power, he is rarely worshipped directly, but rather through the Orixás. These special nature spirit deities are, in a sense, Olurun's messengers and thus his emanations, manifesting in the natural world around us. Each Orixá has its own unique characteristics, colors, and symbols, as well as its specific form of worship and invocation, its own dances, rhythms, prayers, songs, and sacrificial foods. An important component of certain rituals is the trance state, during which the respective Orixá, through the intense invocation of its power, incorporates the person's body and radiates through it. When manifesting into the body through other spiritual beings that exist alongside the Orixás, these beings can also speak to the Candomblé followers through the incorporated individual and be questioned by them. Babalorixás and Yalorixás are the male and female supreme spiritual leaders in Candomblé; they are guides, seers, and healers all in one. Using the conch shell oracle, they discern what is out of balance or at risk of becoming so. They see which rituals, herbs, cleansings, and ceremonies can restore harmony and healing on a spiritual level, thus creating the foundation for its manifestation on the physical plane. Candomblé is therefore not only a religion but also a path of healing that can be applied to physical and emotional ailments, which is why many people who do not belong to the religion also seek its help.
Umbanda
A blend of African influences, indigenous shamanism, Catholicism, and Spiritism, with the focus varying from house to house on one or more of these areas, Umbanda emerged shortly after the abolition of slavery and quickly became the religion of the poor who could not afford the sacraments and rituals of the Catholic Church and Candomblé. Even today, it remains very popular, having spread to other continents and attracting many people from other faiths, as it encompasses a wide range of practices: from the dancing of the Orixás's powers, to the incorporation of purified deceased, herbs, drumming, magic, Reiki and other energy work, to an adapted Lord's Prayer and the seven sacraments. She also came to the aid of the Guias: these are deceased shamans from various traditions who, after their passing, chose not to reincarnate but to temporarily work in spirit form, for example, by being channeled by their descendants or even partially or completely taking them over through incorporation, and healing or prophesying through them. Due to the lack of interest among young people in pursuing the long training path of the traditional shaman, fewer and fewer Guias found the opportunity to work in this way. In the Umbanda, they are welcome. Every medium works with several such Guias. Over the decades, various currents have emerged, so that, depending on the festival, the Caboclos (Indians), Pretos Velhos (wise old people of African origin or their descendants), Ciganos (Gypsies), Marinheiros (sailors), etc., are invoked. In Japan, deceased samurai are also incorporated, and in Europe, witches. Visitors can then seek advice and cleansing from these spirits; they may also receive guidance on rituals or procedures that might help them from these spirits, who see and know more than we humans.
Non-religious work
Religion doesn't make a person better; it's merely a path to becoming a good person. However, there are other paths to spiritual development outside of religion, which are becoming increasingly popular today. On a spiritual level, all religions exist, and the spirits are not bound to them. Therefore, everyone can work with them in a way that feels right to them personally and fits their own worldview. If working with these spirits weren't an important part of a person's life path, they wouldn't reveal themselves or grant access, and one wouldn't feel drawn to them.
Something for you?
Many people in this country choose to work with the Orishas or Guias because they desire a stronger spiritual connection and more powerful collaboration.
My training and initiation path, "Orisha Magic", offers the opportunity to walk this path in a way that is individually tailored to you and your spiritual guidance.
Learn more here:
I'd be happy to advise you!
