THE Umbanda is a monotheistic and Afro-Brazilian religion, which emerged in 1908, founded by Zélio Fernandino de Moraes.
It is based on three 3 fundamental concepts: Light, Charity and Love.
The word "umbanda" belongs to the Kimbundu vocabulary, from Angola, and means "the art of healing".
Origin of Umbanda
Umbanda is a religion that emerged in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro.
On November 15, 1908, Zélio Fernandino de Moraes, born in São Gonçalo/RJ, would have incorporated the Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas. This spirit would have helped him to create the Umbanda religion.
It quickly spread throughout Brazil and other countries in Latin America.
Their beliefs mix elements of candomblé, spiritism and Catholicism. Therefore, for many scholars, Umbanda would be a kind of candomblé without animal sacrifices, something that would be more accepted by the white and urban population of the time.
It also picked up concepts from Kardecism, which was arriving in the country, such as “evolution” and “reincarnation”.
It also has Jesus as a spiritual reference and it is possible to find an image of him in a prominent place on the altars of houses or in Umbanda terreiros.
Place of Worship of Umbanda
Umbanda celebration held on the edge of a pond
The place for carrying out the Umbanda ceremonies is called Casa, Terreiro or Barracão. Likewise, several celebrations are held outdoors, in nature, in rivers, waterfalls or on the beach.
These ceremonies are presided over by a “father” or “mother”, a priest who directs the rites and commands the house. He is also responsible for teaching Umbanda doctrine and secrets to his disciples.
Umbanda Ceremonies
In these places “pass” sessions are held, in which the entity reorganizes the person's “astral energy field”.
Likewise, “discharge” sessions are held, when the person's negative energy is captured and transferred to the foundations of the temple. Note that no remuneration is allowed for these spiritual works.
The most used garments in these ceremonies are white because it is the neutral color that pleases all the deities and guides.
In Umbanda the sacrifice of animals is not practiced and rituals of baptism, consecration and marriage are celebrated.
Umbanda Points
Umbanda points are songs to praise, call and say goodbye to the orixá and the lines of entities.
Accompanied by percussion instruments such as the atabaque, it is important to know the rhythm of each orixá/entity. This learning begins in the initiate's childhood. Equally it is necessary to know a multitude of songs.
The umbanda and candomblé directly influenced Brazilian popular music.
Umbanda Anthem
Although Umbanda varies according to each region of Brazil and each house/terreiro, at least one song is very popular: the Anthem of Umbanda.
Composed by José Manoel Alves (lyrics) and Dalmo da Trindade Reis (music) it was made official as an anthem in 1961.
Reflected the Divine Light
in all its splendor
It's from the kingdom of Oxalá
where there is peace and love
light that reflected on the earth
light that reflected in the sea
Light that came from Aruanda
to illuminate everything
Umbanda is peace and love
It's a world full of light
It's the force that gives us life
It's the greatness that drives us
onward children of faith
As our law there is no
taking the whole world
The flag of Oxalá
taking the whole world
The flag of Oxalá
Umbanda Symbols
Symbols of Eshu, the messenger between the earthly and spiritual world
Before starting the Umbanda ceremonies, it is common for an initiated person to scratch the floor with different symbols: stars, crosses, tridents, straight or curved lines, etc.
These can vary according to the Umbanda house, but the meaning is the same. That is, calling the entities that will be worked on, guaranteeing the arrival of guides to be incorporated, paying homage to the orixás, bringing good fluids and energies to the participants.
It should be noted that these traits are just some of the many symbols that exist in Umbanda.
Umbanda Beliefs
Umbanda is a monotheistic religion, where there is the concept of a supreme God, called “Olorum" or "Oxalá". They believe in the immortality of the soul, reincarnation and karmic laws.
believe in orishas, personifications of elements of nature and energy, and spirit guides, can be incorporated during certain ceremonies and come to Earth to help people in need.
The guides are called “entities” and each orixá has a line of entities that help them.
Orixás and Umbanda Entities
The orixás found in Umbanda are: Oxalá, Xangô, Iemanjá, Ogum and Oxossi, Oxum, Iansã, Omulú and Nanã.
Here we list the main entities that manifest themselves in Umbanda.
- Caboclos: spirits of indians who return to the earthly world to help people with health problems.
- old blacks: people who were brought from Africa to be slaves in Brazil. Despite having suffered in life, now they are said to be evolved spirits who give great advice to those who seek them.
- Bahians: people who lived in Bahia and who chose to be guides and help those in need. They work with jobs, health, moral strength.
- Sailors/Sailors: in some regions this line does not exist. They work with psychological, physical, spiritual cleansing, and they always speak the truth. They are always swaying because they come from the sea, they had a difficult life, but with a lot of learning.
- eres: are the spirits of children. Laughing and love to play. They console the afflicted, the fathers and mothers, and sometimes they commit mischief.
- Rogues: are those people had to use their wits to survive. One of the best known is Zé Pelintra. He lost his father and mother and to survive he began to carry out petty robberies and cheating. It takes care of addicted women, the abused, the prostitutes, the forgotten.
- dove-rota: these are women who in life struggled against the oppressive situation of women and therefore now help those who are in trouble. One of them was Maria Padilha, mistress of King Dom Pedro I of Castile (1334-1369), portrayed as a sensual, well-dressed and seductive woman.
There are also other entities like the Boiadeiros, gypsies, Orientals, etc.
To carry out the spiritual work, those responsible for the connection between the spiritual and material world, the mediums, will receive (incorporate) these entities and thus help the consultant.
In this way, we realize that Umbanda achieves a balance between the syncretism and Afro-Brazilian religions.
Umbanda History
Singer Clara Nunes was one of Umbanda's promoters in Brazil and around the world
Umbanda was for a long time confused with the “carioca macumba” or “Quimbanda”. In 1905, João do Rio (1881-1921), published his articles that resulted in the book "As Religiãos do Rio" and mentioned rites where the spirits of caboclos and preto-velhos were incorporated.
Many terreiros were born from Kardecism, such as the “Spiritual Tent Nossa Senhora da Piedade” in 1908. But later, between the 1920s and 1930s, the repression of African religions led to the union of several houses and terreiros.
It was necessary to organize and standardize the Umbanda cult, standardizing some doctrinal guidelines to avoid persecution. At that time, it was common to use the term "spiritist" as a way to avoid persecution of the new Afro-Brazilian religions.
However, to legitimize Umbanda it sought to "de-Africanize” and whiten. To this end, in 1939, the first Federation of Umbanda was created, the Spiritist Union of Umbanda of Brazil (UEUB), when the origin of Umbanda was established in the East or East Africa.
On the other hand, in the context of the Military Dictatorship (1964-1985), Umbanda will serve as a legitimizing instrument for the nationalist project. Thus, religion makes headlines in newspapers and magazines.
Finally, during the 1980s, with the rise of neo-Pentecostal churches, African-based religions were once again the target of attacks by some believers.
Currently, Law 11,635 of December 27, 2007, makes this the "National Day for Combating Religious Prejudice" and begins to protect religions of African origins.
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