Exu Caveira is a spiritual phalanx, a grouping and spirits of Umbanda, known as the lord of cemeteries. He belongs to the "Povo da Rua", entities linked to the "Left Line" of the Afro-Brazilian religion, Quimbanda.
It is one of the many manifestations of Exu, a deity who acts as an intermediary between human beings and the Orixás, playing an important role in spiritual and earthly matters.
Features of Exu Caveira
He is represented as a tall man, with a skeletal appearance and generally black clothing, carrying a weapon in his hand: sword, scythe, trident or shield. He is known to be an energetic Exu, often feared for his macabre appearance and strong personality.
O guardian of cemeteries, according to tradition, is often associated with crossroads, places of confluence of paths, where it is believed that it can open portals between the spiritual world and the physical world. He is responsible for leading the souls of the deceased to the spiritual plane, acting as a "policeman" of the world of the dead.
used to be confused with other Exus, such as João Caveira, Tata Caveira and Exu Caveirinha. Despite being similar, they are entities distinct from each other, with their own personalities.
There are several versions of story of Exu Caveira. In all of them, he would have incarnated as a human being and become an entity when he disincarnated. In some myths he would have been a priest, in others, a warrior. In this sense, it is impossible to determine with certainty its origin.
Your salutation also varies according to traditions. The most recurrent is "Laroye,Exu!", used both for Exus and Pombagiras, the "People of the Street" of Quimbanda. In other traditions, due to his proximity to Omulu (also known as Obaluaê), the Orixá associated with the cult of the dead, Exu is greeted in the same way: "Atotô, Exu Caveira!".
Is Exu Caveira evil?
Exu Caveira, like all entities, cannot be labeled as "evil" or "good" in an absolute way. This simplistic classification does not apply to the spiritual context.
In religions of African origin, such as Umbanda and Candomblé, Exu is an intermediary between the spiritual and material worlds, devoid of moral dualities like the ones we know in the human world.
The "demonization" of Exus, as well as of other entities and Orixás of African-based religions, is largely due to racial prejudice and religious intolerance, who have always tried, in a criminal way, to erase the cultural elements that constitute the Afro-Brazilian identity.
Bibliography:
- BARBOSA JUNIOR, Ademir. Laroiê Exu Caveira. Porto Alegre, Anubis, 2014.
- PRANDI, Reginald. Mythology of the Orixás. São Paulo: Companhia das Letras, 2001.
- SARRACENI, Rubens. As Seven Lines of Umbanda: the Religion of the Mysteries. So Paulo: Madras, 2018.
See too:
- Candomblé and Umbanda
- Ogun
- Yemanja
- Xango
- oxum
- Iansã
