The word Candomble simply means a dance in honor of the gods. The history of Candomble can be traced back to Yoruba, Fon and Bantu religious practices that were carried to Brazil by slaves. It is a blend of African religious practices and Christianity with heavy influence from Catholicism. This religion has about two million followers but is yet to get 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.
Many Brazilian Africans identify Candomble as an act of cultural identity and not just religion. There is a push to eliminate the Christianity aspects and retain the purely African forms. Their God is referred to as Oludumare and is served by other deities called Orixas.
Followers do not have a concept of good and bad. They only believe that if you do the wrong things, you will face the consequences. Each person has a responsibility and a goal to carry out. This goal is a destiny that is controlled by Orixas. The Orixas is also your protector.
The worshipers allow Orixas to possess them by performing certain dances. Orixas are considered as ancestors who died recently or sometimes back. The Orixas are also referred to as Inkices and Viduns. They are spirits and act as the link between God and human beings.
Orixas are connected to natural forces like food and animals. A worshiper displays a personality or character depending on his or her Orixas. All Orixas are referred to by the name Egungun or Baba Egum. Baba Egum control morality in the society and is supposed to ensure that this morality is perpetuated over generations.
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.
Many Brazilian Africans identify Candomble as an act of cultural identity and not just religion. There is a push to eliminate the Christianity aspects and retain the purely African forms. Their God is referred to as Oludumare and is served by other deities called Orixas.
Followers do not have a concept of good and bad. They only believe that if you do the wrong things, you will face the consequences. Each person has a responsibility and a goal to carry out. This goal is a destiny that is controlled by Orixas. The Orixas is also your protector.
The worshipers allow Orixas to possess them by performing certain dances. Orixas are considered as ancestors who died recently or sometimes back. The Orixas are also referred to as Inkices and Viduns. They are spirits and act as the link between God and human beings.
Orixas are connected to natural forces like food and animals. A worshiper displays a personality or character depending on his or her Orixas. All Orixas are referred to by the name Egungun or Baba Egum. Baba Egum control morality in the society and is supposed to ensure that this morality is perpetuated over generations.
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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