CASA PAI ROGERIOCarapicuíba/SPCaboclos and caboclas in Umbanda: who they are and what the sources say
Line of spiritual work associated with Indigenous ancestry and the forest, with diverse interpretations among houses.
What the caboclo line is
Teaching of a house or traditionAccording to the study by sociologist Sulivan Charles Barros, Umbanda practitioners generally consider caboclos to be spirits of ancient peoples who lived in colonial Brazil, with an organized society and extensive knowledge of the land. They present themselves as hunters, warriors and people with deep knowledge of the forest, and are viewed as strong spirits.
Teaching of a house or traditionIn ritual, houses commonly describe distinctive "brados", sounds that function as greetings and farewells among them. Presentation varies greatly from house to house and should not be taken as a mandatory standard.
Documented historyThe caboclo figure in Umbanda is part of a repertoire of Brazilian characters incorporated by the religion: caboclos, pretos-velhos, children, exus and others. The cited study connects this repertoire with Indigenous, African and Spiritist influences in the religion's formation.
Caution with stereotypes
Belief / interpretationThis site avoids the generic image of the "Indian" and notes that Brazil's Indigenous peoples are many and different from one another. In Umbanda, the word "caboclo" designates a category of spirits, not a specific people.
Caboclos in narratives of one tradition
Belief / interpretationWhat connects the accounts is the diversity of forms of advice: steadfastness, joy and a sense of justice do not make identical characters. No description of gestures, clothing or speech should become a requirement for recognizing a guide's legitimacy in another tradition.
Frequently asked questions
Is a caboclo the same as Oxóssi?
No. In many houses, caboclos work under Oxóssi's spiritual influence, but Oxóssi is an Orixá and a caboclo is a spiritual entity. The relationship varies by house.
Bibliographic references
- BARROS, Sulivan Charles. As entidades "brasileiras" da Umbanda e as faces inconfessas do Brasil. Anais do XXVII Simpósio Nacional de História (ANPUH), 2013.