Candomble is loosely translated to mean dance in honor of the gods. The history of Candomble states that it is an African-Brazilian blend of religion that borrows heavily from Bantu, Fon and Yoruba. It blends these African traditional believes and practices with Christianity and mostly Catholicism. Even with two million followers, it is yet to have a holy scripture.
Candomble dates back to the slave trade years where Africans were taken to Brazil as slaves. Their slave masters did not allow them to continue practicing their religion. Slaves under Christian masters were converted into Christianity. While they acted like converted Christians, the slaves continued to practice behind the backs of their masters. They concealed their African believes in such practices as Catholicism.
The practice of Candomble was still outlawed in Brazil as late as 1970s. Its popularity has only risen after the society opened up to freedom of religion. It is very popular in Salvador da Bahia, a city that is still visited by most blacks in Brazil as they seek to know their ancestral history.
The blacks understand Candomble as more than a religion. It is a way of marking their cultural identity. Over the years, attempts have been made to eliminate Christian influence and retain only the practices that are purely African. Their God is known as Oludumare with Orixas as his deities serving at his whims.
The actions of worshipers are not described as good or bad. The common belief is that there are consequences for every wrong action. Each individual is alive to fulfill a particular goal. This goal is controlled by Orixas who also protects you during your daily endeavors.
Worship is through songs and dances, a situation that allows Orixas to take possession. Orixas are not regarded as gods. They are spirits of departed ancestors either known to you or unknown. These dead ancestors act as intermediaries between human beings and the spiritual world. They also are referred to as Inkices and Vinduns.
There is a connection between the Orixas and forces of nature like animals, food, etc. The personality a person displays relates to his Orixas. The collective name for Orixas is Baba Egum or Egungun. It is Baba Egum who controls morals within this religion and ensures that these morals are perpetuated from one generation to the other.
There are major rituals that are used as a way of worship where priests and priestesses disguise as Egums. Their way of worship is in the form of songs and dances. The dances are meant to call Egum to possess them. A dancer or worshiper who is possessed enters into a trance and begins to enact a community practice. The trance ends when the Orixas is done with the worshiper and leaves his or her body.
Women are highly privileged among worshipers and have earned the title Mothers of the Holy One. Their responsibility is to lead the dances and train young priestesses to safeguard the future of their religion. Their temples or places of worship are referred to as terreiros. They designate particular places for each God with clearly demarcated indoor and outdoor space. Worshipers must sprinkle clean water before entering the temple to get rid of external dirt. They also must be in clean clothes.
Candomble dates back to the slave trade years where Africans were taken to Brazil as slaves. Their slave masters did not allow them to continue practicing their religion. Slaves under Christian masters were converted into Christianity. While they acted like converted Christians, the slaves continued to practice behind the backs of their masters. They concealed their African believes in such practices as Catholicism.
The practice of Candomble was still outlawed in Brazil as late as 1970s. Its popularity has only risen after the society opened up to freedom of religion. It is very popular in Salvador da Bahia, a city that is still visited by most blacks in Brazil as they seek to know their ancestral history.
The blacks understand Candomble as more than a religion. It is a way of marking their cultural identity. Over the years, attempts have been made to eliminate Christian influence and retain only the practices that are purely African. Their God is known as Oludumare with Orixas as his deities serving at his whims.
The actions of worshipers are not described as good or bad. The common belief is that there are consequences for every wrong action. Each individual is alive to fulfill a particular goal. This goal is controlled by Orixas who also protects you during your daily endeavors.
Worship is through songs and dances, a situation that allows Orixas to take possession. Orixas are not regarded as gods. They are spirits of departed ancestors either known to you or unknown. These dead ancestors act as intermediaries between human beings and the spiritual world. They also are referred to as Inkices and Vinduns.
There is a connection between the Orixas and forces of nature like animals, food, etc. The personality a person displays relates to his Orixas. The collective name for Orixas is Baba Egum or Egungun. It is Baba Egum who controls morals within this religion and ensures that these morals are perpetuated from one generation to the other.
There are major rituals that are used as a way of worship where priests and priestesses disguise as Egums. Their way of worship is in the form of songs and dances. The dances are meant to call Egum to possess them. A dancer or worshiper who is possessed enters into a trance and begins to enact a community practice. The trance ends when the Orixas is done with the worshiper and leaves his or her body.
Women are highly privileged among worshipers and have earned the title Mothers of the Holy One. Their responsibility is to lead the dances and train young priestesses to safeguard the future of their religion. Their temples or places of worship are referred to as terreiros. They designate particular places for each God with clearly demarcated indoor and outdoor space. Worshipers must sprinkle clean water before entering the temple to get rid of external dirt. They also must be in clean clothes.
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