Umbanda has varied origins (depending on the branch that practises it).
In the midst of feasts in the slave quarters, black slaves commemorated the Orixás through the Catholic saints.
At these parties they incorporated their Orishas, but they also began to incorporate the so-called ancestral spirits, such as the Pretos-Velhos or Pais Velhos (ancestral spirits), (who were not former Babalaôs, Babalorixás, as these are worshipped in the Cult of the Egungun in Itaparica, Bahia, nor Iyalorixás as these are worshipped in the Cult of the Iyás) were former “Senzala Fathers and Mothers”: older slaves who survived the senzala and who, in life, were counsellors and knew the ancient arts of religion from distant Africa), who initiated the spiritual help and relief of the material suffering of those in captivity.
Videos on the Origin of Umbanda and its Orishas
Although there was a certain resistance on the part of some, as they considered the spirits incorporated by the Pretos-Velhos to be Eguns (spirits of people who have already died and are not worshipped in candomblé), there was also admiration and devotion.
With the escaped slaves, freed slaves and slaves freed by the Free Womb Law, the Sexagenarian Law and later the Golden Law, the setting up of tents, later terreiros, began.
Some Candomblés also began to incorporate Caboclos (Indians from Brazilian lands like Pajés and Caciques) who were elevated to the rank of ancestor and began to be praised.
An example of this is the so-called Caboclo Candomblé.
Very common in the north and north-east of Brazil to this day.
At the beginning of the 20th century, with the emergence of Umbanda, which often took place on beaches, it began to be known by the term macumba, because macumba is nothing more than a certain type of wood used to produce the atabaque used during the giras; because it is a musical instrument, people referred to it as: “They are beating the macumba on the beach”, and the giras became known as macumbas or Omoloko cults.
Over time, everything that involved something that didn’t fit in with the teachings imposed by Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, etc., was considered macumba. With this, it ended up becoming a pejorative term.
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