We explain what the Umbanda religion is, what its characteristics and origin are. In addition, its beliefs, ceremonies and spiritual guides.
What is Umbanda?
Umbanda is a religion of Brazilian origin that includes elements of African, Hindu, Christian and indigenous origin. It is a belief originating in Brazil that has spread to neighboring territories such as Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. It emerged at the beginning of the 20th century linked to spiritualism rituals.
Practitioners of Umbanda believe in the existence of a single supreme god called Olorun, Obatalá or Zambí, who is considered the source of all life and spiritual energy. They also maintain that there are other spiritual entities called “orixás”, which are manifestations of specific aspects of nature and human life, such as love, war and healing, among others. You must read about Selfie once.
The Umbanda religion is organized around autonomous communities of believers and does not have a hierarchical institutional unit. In addition, there are different variants that differ regarding doctrinal or practical aspects, or spiritual approaches.
“Umbanda” is a term from Kikongo (a Bantu language originating in Angola) that translates as “the art of healing.” This idea is linked to the practices of African healers to heal people in their community.
Characteristics of Umbanda
The main characteristics of Umbanda include:
- Religious syncretism: Umbanda combines elements of African religions, Catholicism, Kardecist spiritualism and indigenous Brazilian traditions, reflecting the cultural diversity of Brazil.
- Worship of the orixás and spiritual entities: Practitioners venerate the orixás (African deities) and various spiritual entities, such as caboclos, pretos-velhos and crianças, each with specific roles and characteristics.
- Mediumship: During rituals of the Umbanda religion, mediums communicate with spirits, entering into trance to transmit messages and perform healings.
- Rituals and ceremonies: Umbanda rituals include songs, dances and offerings to the orixás and spirits, accompanied by music and drums.
- Values: The Umbanda religion promotes charity, respect, humility, and tolerance, emphasizing service to others and sincerity in spiritual practice.
- Healing practices: Herbs, ritual baths, and amulets are used to heal and protect the faithful from negative energies and spiritual illnesses.
Origin of Umbanda
The origin of the Umbanda religion is considered to date back to 1908. According to tradition, the young Zélio Fernandino de Moraes began to manifest spirits in an unusual way during a spiritualist session. One of the spirits that manifested identified itself as the Caboclo das Sete Encruzilhadas (which in Portuguese means “the spirit of the seven crossroads”) and declared that it was there to found a new religion.
This new church would be an amalgamation of African, Catholic, spiritualist, and indigenous beliefs. That night, the caboclo spirit, alternating with another entity called Preto Velho Pai Antonio (“old black dad Antonio”), instructed those present in the creation of the Tenda Espírita Nossa Senhora da Piedade (“spiritual tent of our lady of piety”) and the practice of numerous rites, thus laying the foundations of the Umbanda religion. Maybe you should definitely read about Hashtag once.
Umbanda beliefs
The Umbanda religion is monotheistic and maintains that there is a single all-powerful deity that is inaccessible to human beings. This deity is called Olorun, Obatalá or Zambí.
As in Catholicism, this supreme god is the creator of everything that exists. In each ritual ceremony, he is prayed to at the beginning and at the end, and he is named with the phrase: “Above Him, no one.”
However, the Umbanda believers maintain that he is an inaccessible god and that his energy is manifested in the world through various spiritual guides, known as orixás. Together, these spirits make up a pantheon that people can access through the work of a medium and the ritual practices of spiritualism.
The seven lines of Umbanda
The Umbanda religion maintains that there are universal human values, known as “the seven lines of Umbanda.” These precepts give meaning to existence and serve to guide people’s behavior towards harmony with their environment.
These seven lines are also linked to certain specific materials and elements of reality, as follows:
Through spiritual work, the guidance of the spirits and the connection with the appropriate material elements, the faithful of Umbanda seek to lead their lives towards a greater good and the satisfaction of a sacred mission in the world.
Practices and ceremonies of Umbanda
Umbanda practices are very varied. In general, they are rites that seek to link the human being with his own spiritual guides.
The ritual procedures and their forms are determined by the priest (Pai-de-santo, babaloxá or babalá) who interprets the wishes of the guiding spirit. These rites are usually carried out in tents or spiritual houses, previously prepared to invoke the spirits.
Among the most important Umbanda practices are:
- Possessions: These consist of the invocation of one or more spirits to penetrate the body of the medium, under the ritual guardianship of the priest. These spirits are usually egúns (mythical ancestors), caboclos (indigenous spirits) or pretos-velhos (African spirits), and even some orixás. During the time of possession, the mediums enter a trance and can communicate the divine will to those present.
- Initiation rites: These involve the use of symbols and, sometimes, the sacrifice of animals. The initiates have their heads washed, their hair cut and they are bathed in the blood of the animal, in order to mark their death as profane and their rebirth as followers of Umbanda.
- Offerings: The link between human beings and divinities is made through the symbolic exchange of goods, animal sacrifices and food, depending on what the orixá “asks for.” These rites are combined with communion practices, processions, prayers and chants of the Christian liturgy, with offerings of tobacco, liquor, candles, flowers, rice, perfumes and meat of roosters and chickens, to name a few examples.
In addition, Umbanda has a very diverse ritual calendar, in which Catholic festivities are combined with those of African origin. For example, September 8 is the day of Oxum (Ochún or Oshun), the orixá equivalent to the Virgin of Charity of Cobre.
Orixás or spiritual guides
The pantheon of the Umbanda orixás is mainly composed of the following spiritual entities:
Oxala
Oxala is the most important of the orixás and the first created by Olorun. He has feminine and masculine traits at the same time. He is syncretized with the Christ of the last days and sometimes with the Virgin of Mercy.
He is the creator of the Earth and of the human being, owner of everything white, of thoughts, the head and dreams. In other religions of African origin, he is known as Ochalá or Obbatalá.
Xangó
Xangó is the orixá of justice, lightning, thunder and fire. He is syncretized in Santeria with San Marcos and Santa Barbara. He has a double historical and divine trait, since it is assumed that he was the fourth mythical king of the Nigerian city of Oyo.
He is a violent and vengeful orixá, owner of the sun and storms; strong, brave and fair. He is credited with having several wives and wielding a double-edged axe. In other religions of African origin, he is known as Changó or Shango.
Ogum
Ogum is a warrior orixá. He is the patron of blacksmithing, metals and technology, and the protector of surgeons, soldiers and police officers.
With an irascible and violent character, he is represented with a machete, with which he cuts his rivals to pieces or makes his way through the jungle vegetation. He is associated with Saint George of the Christian pantheon, and often with Saint Peter, since he has the metal keys to paradise. In other religions of African origin, he is known as Oggun or Ogún.
Oxossi
Oxossi is a hunter orixá. He is the patron of prisoners and fugitives, and the owner of the bow and arrow. He is considered a magician or witch, and is associated with the colors blue, yellow and coral. His is intelligence, sagacity and inventiveness.
He is the best of hunters, whose arrows never fail, and he is the one who provides sustenance to prisoners. Brother of Xangó and Ogum, he is the son of Oxalá and Iemanjá. In other religions of African origin, he is known as Oshosi or Ochosi.
Iemanja
Iemanjá is a female orixá associated with the sea, abundance and motherhood. In addition, he is the most popular orixá, publicly revered in Brazil and in various regions of the Caribbean and the United States.
She is the protector of sailors and fishermen, and mother of all fish. She bears numerous epithets such as “lady of the waters”, “mother of water” and “mother of all orixás”. The drowned are claimed by her to live as their husbands and wives, which is why she has come to be associated with European mermaids; in different senses, she is more associated with the Virgin Mary. In other religions of African origin, she is known as Yemayá or Jemanjá.
Oxum
Oxum is a female orixá associated with fertility. She is the owner of bronze and all rivers. Saturday and the color gold are also hers.
She is represented as a vain, sensual woman who goes to the river to bathe dressed in necklaces and ornaments. She is associated with the Virgin of the Most Holy Charity of Cobre, and was one of Xangó’s wives. In other religions of African origin, she is known as Ochún or Oshun.
Oba
Obá is a female orixá associated with sacrificial love and marital fidelity. She is the owner of lakes and lagoons, and lives in cemeteries, where she guards the tombs.
She is represented as a strong, fearsome, envious and misunderstood woman. She does not usually have male children among the faithful, and is associated with the color old rose, the dagger, and soup and tureens. Her cult is syncretic with that of Saint Catherine or Saint Rita of Casia. In other religions of African origin, she is known as Obba or Obbá.
Oxumare
Oxumare is an androgynous orixá. He is associated with the snake and the colors red and blue, which represent the masculine and feminine, respectively. His are movement, wealth and balance.
He is in charge of maintaining the water cycle and that which remains, which endures. He is the guarantor that things continue as they are. In other religions of African origin, he is known as Oshunmare or Oshumare.
Obaluaié
Obaluaié is a male orixá. He is the lord of the earth, illness, venereal infections and, in general, of plague and misery. He is a nocturnal deity, who during the day hides in ivy, cundeamor or coralillo. He is the orixá responsible for the selection of the deceased.
He is represented with a cloth over his head, since his face is covered with wounds, and he usually asks for sacrifices of goats, chickens or doves. In other religions of African origin, he is known as Babalú Ayé or Obaluayé.
Criticisms of Umbanda
The practice of Umbanda, like many religions and spiritual systems, has been the subject of various controversies and criticisms over time. These controversies can vary depending on the cultural, social and religious context. Like adherents of other Afro-Brazilian religions, Umbanda have faced persecution and discrimination, both from society at large and from religious and political institutions.
Some people criticize Umbanda rituals because they include animal sacrifices. In response, adherents argue that the sacrifices are symbolic and ritualized, and that they are part of an ancient tradition that has deep spiritual meaning.
In addition, the morality and ethics of some practices within the Umbanda religion, such as commercialization (paying for) rituals, consulting spirits, and magical practices, have been questioned. Umbanda maintain that although some abuse the faith, there are many leaders who condemn these practices and strive to maintain the integrity and purity of their traditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Umbanda?
Ans. Umbanda is an Afro-Brazilian religion that combines elements of spiritualism, Catholicism, and African and American traditions.
What does “orixá” mean in the Umbanda religion?
Ans. Orixás are spiritual entities venerated in the Umbanda religion that represent aspects of nature and human life.
What is the main objective of Umbanda rituals?
Ans. Rituals seek spiritual healing, guidance and help through the incorporation of spirits and the practice of charity.
What are the “terreiros” of Umbanda?
Ans. Terreiros are temples where religious ceremonies are performed and the spiritual teachings of Umbanda are practiced.
