Origin & Beliefs
Born in Southern Brazil, Umbanda formed out of syncretism with Brazilian religion, African traditions, Catholicism, and Spiritism. Similar to many other Afro-Caribbean religions, particularly Candomblé, exposure to different religions such as Yoruba and Catholicism, combined with local traditions and influences, led to the formation of an entirely new syncretic religion that shared many similarities with others.
Though slowly forming in the late 19th Century, the official start of Umbanda came during the early 20th Century in Rio De Janeiro, traditionally said to be founded by Zélio Fernandino de Moraes. Moraes was a psychic and had been heavily influenced by Spiritist teachings, which eventually led him to create what is now known as the earliest form of Umbanda.
Spiritism retains the idea that souls of living things are immortal, and contact with those who have passed away could assist in worldly problems.
Umbanda became much more prominent in the 1930s when Brazil was politically changing and people of the lower class sought refuge in the religion.
Beliefs/Rituals: Acquiring many structural elements from religions such as Yoruba and Catholicism, there is no true uniformity regarding the religion Umbanda, however there are many mainstream beliefs.
Worship is done in temples, known as terreiro, which translates to “backyard.” In the early days when the religion was young, people would gather in the backyards of homes that belonged to devoted attendees for services.
Zambi, or Olorum, is the supreme deity that the Umbanda religion holds faith in (inspired by the Yoruban supreme god Olodumare)
Orixas are the divine gods who represent the connection between humans and Zambi, each being associated with Catholic saints (similar to the Orishas in Yoruba and Iwa in Vodou)
Each Orixa represents a different quality, such as love, justice or protection.
Readings/Resources
Contins, Márcia. "Umbanda, Candomblé, and Pentecostalism: Religious Frontiers in Brazil and in the United States." Afro-Hispanic Review 29, no. 2 (2010): 223-36. www.jstor.org/stable/41349352.
Engler, Steven. "Umbanda and Hybridity." Numen 56, no. 5 (2009): 545-77. Accessed July 8, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/27793819.
