Macumba is a generic variation attributed to Afro-Brazilian cults, syncretized with influences from Catholic religion, of occultism, in amerindian cults It's from spiritism. In the "family tree" of Afro-Brazilian religions, the macumba is a branch of candomblé.
Before being associated with a type of religion, the word "macumba" described a percussion instrument of African origin, similar to the current reco-reco. A "macumbeiro" was the individual who played this instrument.
The macumba can also be directly related to the rituals that are practiced in some Afro-Brazilian cults, characteristic of the mediumistic manifestation.
Some authors consider macumba any type of practice that involves the work of healers, "saint's country" or even charlatans, who abuse people's faith to extort money, claiming to be able to "communicate with spirits" and make spells that benefit or hinder the life of a particular individual. An example of quackery is the promise of "macumba online", which many websites offer to interested users.
Etymologically, the word macumba has a questionable origin, however, some sources cite that it may have originated from the Kimbundu - African language mainly spoken in northwestern Angola - ma'kumba.
Commonly, the practice of macumba is wrongly associated with satanic or black magic rituals. This prejudiced idea emerged and intensified in the mid-1920s, when churches Christians in the country began to spread negative discourses about the macumba, considering it profane to the laws God's.
The designation "macumba" is more popular in Rio de Janeiro, in other parts of Brazil it is known as candomblé (in Bahia) and Xangô (in Recife).
See also the meanings of Candomblé and Shango.