Glossary of terms in Umbanda and Afro-Brazilian religions

43 terms explained in simple language, with the caveat that meanings vary among houses and traditions.

A

Assentamento

Place or object where the force of an Orixá or spirit is anchored, in many houses.

Axé

Term of Yoruba origin used in Afro-Brazilian religions for vital force. Its meaning varies.

B

Bantu

Group of peoples of Central and Southern Africa, the origin of terms such as Pombagira and Quimbanda.

Búzios

Shells used in oracles in Afro-Brazilian traditions.

C

Caboclo

Spirit associated with Indigenous people and the forest.

Cambono

Medium's assistant in giras, in many houses.

Cambono or cambone

Medium's assistant who interprets and assists the spirit in the gira.

Candomblé

Afro-Brazilian religion organized in nations, centered on Orixás, voduns and inquices.

D

African diaspora

Dispersal of African peoples across the Americas during the trade in enslaved people.

E

Erindilogun

System of 16 búzios in Yoruba tradition.

Exu

Messenger Orixá in Yoruba traditions; also the name of spirits in Umbanda and Quimbanda houses.

G

Gira

Ritual gathering in Umbanda houses, with singing and consultations.

Left-side giras

Giras connected with Exus and Pombagiras in houses that use this division.

I

Iabá

Female Orixá.

Ifá

Oracle of Yoruba tradition, spokesperson of Orunmilá.

Spirit incorporation

Trance state in which, according to belief, a spirit manifests through a medium.

Inquice

Deity of Angola-nation Candomblé, of Bantu tradition.

Religious intolerance

Discriminating against or attacking people of another faith. There is a national day against it on January 21 (Law 11.635/2007).

Itan

Traditional Yoruba narrative about Orixás.

J

Jeje

People and religious nation of Fon and Ewe origin, from West Africa.

K

Kiumba

Term for obsessing spirits, according to the literature on Quimbanda.

L

Lei Áurea

Law of May 13, 1888, which abolished slavery in Brazil. Date remembered in many houses when honoring pretos-velhos.

Loá

Spirit of Haitian Vodou, acting under the creator Bondye.

M

African roots

African cultural origins of a religion or practice.

Medium

Person who, according to Spiritist religions and Umbanda, acts as a means of communication with spirits.

N

Nation

In Candomblé, a way of organizing houses by cultural origin, such as Ketu, Jeje and Angola.

Nagô

Name given in Brazil to Yoruba-speaking peoples.

O

Obi

Kola nut used as an oracle in Yoruba tradition.

Odu

Combination in the oracle of Ifá, among 16 principal ones.

Olodumarê

Name of the Supreme Being in Yoruba tradition, also called Olorum.

Orixá

Deity or principle of Yoruba traditions, intermediary between humanity and the creator.

P

Pai or mãe de santo

Terreiro leader in many Afro-Brazilian traditions.

Patakin

Traditional story of Cuban Santería, similar to itãs.

Pombagira

Female spirit connected with crossroads, with a name of Kimbundu origin.

Ponto cantado

Ritual song that greets and involves spirits in giras.

Preto-velho

Spirit who presents himself as an elder of African origin.

Q

Quimbanda

Tradition or line of spiritual work connected with Exus and Pombagiras. Its classification is debated.

S

Santería

Cuban religion with Yoruba and Catholic roots, also called Regla de Ocha.

Syncretism

Connections between deities of different traditions, such as Orixás and Catholic saints. Varies by region and house.

Religious syncretism

Mixing elements of different religions, such as Orixás and Catholic saints.

T

Tambor de Mina

Afro-Brazilian religion of Maranhão and Pará, with prominent spirit incorporation.

Terreiro

Worship space of an Afro-Brazilian religious house.

V

Vodum

Spirits of the West African Jeje-Fon tradition, and the name of the religion.

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