Polly Eason and Demi Leblanc Candomblé Polly Eason and Demi Leblanc

History: Candomblé is an African religion, starting from the slave trade. It combines many religions. It was practiced in secret during the slave trade as it was forbidden.

Connecting with Bantu Africans helped regain lost aspects of the religion. In the 1970’s, a law was passed that allowed Candomblé ceremonies to be held in public, helping to stop persecution of the religion. The religion now has 2 million followers. History:

History: Candomblé religion professes faith, history, culture to all the people who may have lost that during the slave trade. In the 19th century, the first official temple was built.

Beliefs: Oludumaré is the main God adherents worship Oludumare is served by lesser deities (connections between the spiritual world and the human one). Sometimes orixas are called voduns or inkics. People have their own orixas.

Beliefs: In Brazil, spiritual ancestors are known as Baba Egum. In Africa, spiritual ancestors are known as Egungun. During ceremonies, priests and priestesses dress up as these ancestors. Beliefs:

Beliefs: The Candomblé religion believes people are born to fulfill whatever destiny their orixas will lead them to. Baba Egum keeps evil in check, maintaining moral codes.

People must wash themselves with water and wear clean clothes in order to enter a temple. Many followers have their fortunes told within these temples. Worship:

Worship: Women are extremely important to the religion. The goal of ceremonies is to be possessed by a spirit through song or dance. Worship:

During a ceremony being held in Cachoeira, Bahia, Brazil, honoring the goddess of the sea, Yemanjá, a girl becomes possessed.

Sacred Text Candomblé is an oral religion

Rituals: Candomble rituals have two parts: the preparation and the public “mass”. Preparation: initiates and aides wash costumes for the ceremony, decorate, and prepare the feast. Cowrie divinations and sacrifice are performed. Public mass: music is played and dances are performed in order to become possessed, and thus perform the symbolic dances and lead songs to celebrate the deeds of the spirits. It ends in a feast.

Candomble temples are called houses, plantations, or yards, modestly decorated with altars for worship. Priesthood is organized into symbolic families, where each one manages a house. Each house has a head woman, and then seconded by a man. Mainly, the woman leads. Temples:

Holidays: January 20th celebrates Oxossi April 23rd celebrates Ogum 13th of May is the Pretos Velhos, or Old Negroes Day. November 2nd – All Soul’s Day November 15th- Umbanda’s Foundation Day November 20th- Zumbi’s death December 4th celebrates Iansa December 8th celebrates Oxum

Traditions: It is tradition to send offerings to the goddess of sea, Yemenja, on New Years. It is a tradition to celebrate Boa Marte. During ceremonies, its traditional for women to wear European-style gowns and beaded face masks. It is also traditional to carry objects of implements to the chosen orixas.

Interesting Facts: Wearing white is customary Candomble religion is highly popular in Bahia, Brazil. Public masses last to about midnight. During public masses, people often change clothes.

Video: http://www.bahia-online.net/Candomble.htm