Meaning of Saravá (What it is, Concept and Definition)

Saravá is an interjection that has the same meaning as a greeting, commonly used among participants of Afro-Brazilian cults, such as umbanda and candomblé.

The expression saravá can be understood as a synonym for "Save" or "Welcome", used when a participant arrives at the Afro-Brazilian cult, for example.

Example: "Saravá, my brother!"

Etymologically, this term originated from the way in which African slaves pronounced the Portuguese word "salvar", due to the influence of the phonology of the Bantu language: "salava" and, later, "saravá".

Learn more about meaning of Umbanda.

Unfortunately, due to the prejudice that is the target of some social and religious groups, religions Afro-Brazilians and, consequently, most of the expressions that are typical of them ended up acquiring pejorative meanings.

However, the misinterpretation given to the term "saravá" represents the ignorance of people who do not know the real story behind its meaning: a simple friendly greeting.

See more about the meaning of Oxossi.

instagram story viewer

Meaning of Swapping the Balls (What it is, Concept and Definition)

swap balls is a popular expression in the Portuguese language, used as a figurative sense to say ...

read more

Meaning of Hitting the Bullet (What It Is, Concept and Definition)

To hit the bull's eye is a typically Brazilian popular expression, which means "hit the nail" or ...

read more

Meaning of Cinderella (What it is, Concept and Definition)

Cinderella means something like "girl dirty with ashes" and is an expression that originated from...

read more