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 Brazilian community did not tolerate Candomble up to the late 1970s. This explains why this form of religion remained among minority and has only become popular a few decades ago. It is most common in Salvador da Bahia, a popular city for blacks seeking to understand their 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.
Worshipers are not guided by the concepts of good and bad. Their belief is that those who do wrong will have to face harsh consequences. Every human being has a personal goal or responsibility on earth and must fulfill it. This goal or responsibility is under the control of Orixas who also acts as 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.
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.
The way of worship is for priests and priestesses to disguise themselves as Egums. They then engage in particular dances and songs as a way of inviting Orixas to possess them. A possessed worshiper goes into a trance that involves enacting community practices. The trance will only end when the Orixas is done with the worshiper and leaves.
Women are referred to as Mothers of the Holy One and are therefore highly revered among worshipers. Their duty is to lead the dances and teach young priestesses the religious practices to ensure that they are perpetuated. Candombles refer to their place of worship terreiros. The compound is clearly marked with indoor and outdoor spaces. Gods have designated spaces as well. Worshipers only enter the temple with clean cloths and after sprinkling clean water that gets rid of external dirt.
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 Brazilian community did not tolerate Candomble up to the late 1970s. This explains why this form of religion remained among minority and has only become popular a few decades ago. It is most common in Salvador da Bahia, a popular city for blacks seeking to understand their 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.
Worshipers are not guided by the concepts of good and bad. Their belief is that those who do wrong will have to face harsh consequences. Every human being has a personal goal or responsibility on earth and must fulfill it. This goal or responsibility is under the control of Orixas who also acts as 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.
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.
The way of worship is for priests and priestesses to disguise themselves as Egums. They then engage in particular dances and songs as a way of inviting Orixas to possess them. A possessed worshiper goes into a trance that involves enacting community practices. The trance will only end when the Orixas is done with the worshiper and leaves.
Women are referred to as Mothers of the Holy One and are therefore highly revered among worshipers. Their duty is to lead the dances and teach young priestesses the religious practices to ensure that they are perpetuated. Candombles refer to their place of worship terreiros. The compound is clearly marked with indoor and outdoor spaces. Gods have designated spaces as well. Worshipers only enter the temple with clean cloths and after sprinkling clean water that gets rid of external dirt.
About the Author:
You can visit ocaminhodosol.com for more helpful information about Summarized History Of Candomble Religion.
No comments:
Post a Comment