Summary Of The History Of Umbanda

By Janine Hughes


Umbandism combines religious believes and practices from traditional African societies, native Brazilian religions and Catholicism. It also depicts heavy Spiritualism with significant resemblance to Candomble. The history of Umbanda has it that it started in Brazil under Zelio Fernandino. Over the years, it has spread to neighboring Uruguay and Argentina.

All Umbandas do not follow similar religious practices. The discrepancies can be seen in the manner of worship in different areas. Surprisingly, many Umbandas consider themselves Catholics. It is a common belief among the faithful that there is a supreme deity who they refer to as Olorum or Zambi. He works through multiple manifestations or representations.

Catholic influence has seen some of the followers believing that certain catholic saints emit some forces or powers that are called orixas. These energies or forces are considered divine. Faithful also seek the intercession of spirits of their deceased relatives and friends. Their rituals involve interacting with them.

Karma and reincarnation are central tenets of Umbandism. This is exemplified in their worship when they seek the intercession of their ancestors and departed acquaintances. The belief in karma states that the good or bad human beings experience is a result of their deeds in the past.

The origin of Umbandism appears to be an attempt to reconcile Catholicism, Spiritualism and Brazilian traditional religion. The aspect of spiritualism is heavily manifested in communication with dead acquaintances and relatives. Within their temples are psychics and mediums who talk to ancestors on their behalf. It is Catholicism that gifted them the belief in one God while native Brazilian religion, blended with African rituals after years with slaves, gifted them the Orixas.

The founder Zelio Fernandino is believed to have lived in Rio de Janeiro around 1900. He was a psychic and therefore had spiritual or extra ordinary powers and influence. It is by combining the Brazilian religion, which was heavily influenced by slave from African, and modern spirituality, e. G. That of Allan Kardec, that he came up with this religious movement.

It is on November 08, 1908 that Zelio, at 15 years of age, formed Umbanda. His psychic power enabled him to manifest in two spirits. This was not convincing to followers of Allan but it gave him a starting point. His religion gained momentum in the 1930s after political turmoil shook Brazil. The citizens wanted a unifying factor which they found in Umbanda. They considered it the most authentic manifestation of the Brazilian culture.

Temples used by Umbandas resemble the Catholic Church in design. The ceremonies are led by priests and priestesses who are the intercessors between the departed souls and the living. The rituals and sacrifices to Gods are conducted at the terreiros and involve dances, songs and offerings of food and drinks. There are chants to summon relevant spirits during sacrifices. Manifesting a spirit can warrant a visitor to join the religion.

Despite Umbandists identifying with Catholicism, many religious groupings consider them ungodly. In particular, the Catholic Church is opposed to the worship of spirits and mockery of sainthood. While evangelicals can be credited for enhancing spiritualism among the faithful, they consider their way of practice inappropriate and insist that it causes possession by demons.




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