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[[File:Umbanda Participant.jpg|400px|thumb|Mam'etu Sia Vanju participating in an Umbanda ritual]] | [[File:Umbanda Participant.jpg|400px|thumb|Mam'etu Sia Vanju participating in an Umbanda ritual]] | ||
'''Umbanda''' is a religion that emerged in Brazil during the 1920s. Deriving largely from Spiritism, it also combines elements from [[African diaspora religion|Afro-Brazilian]] traditions like [[Candomblé]] as well as [[Christianity|Roman Catholicism]]. | '''Umbanda''' is a religion that emerged in Brazil during the 1920s. Deriving largely from [[Spiritualism|Spiritism]], it also combines elements from [[African diaspora religion|Afro-Brazilian]] traditions like [[Candomblé]] as well as [[Christianity|Roman Catholicism]]. | ||
There is no central authority in control of Umbanda, which is organized around autonomous places of worship termed ''centros'' or ''terreiros'', the followers of which are called Umbandistas. | There is no central authority in control of Umbanda, which is organized around autonomous places of worship termed ''centros'' or ''terreiros'', the followers of which are called Umbandistas. | ||
==Beliefs== | ==Beliefs== | ||
Umbandist theology is largely Spiritist in basis, adopting the Spiritist emphasis on reincarnation and spiritual evolution as well as the hierarchical ranking of spirits according to their "degree of evolution." Umbanda teaches that everyone has a spirit that survives bodily death and goes on successive reincarnations, seeking ever higher levels of spiritual evolution. | Umbandist theology is largely Spiritist in basis, adopting the Spiritist emphasis on [[reincarnation]] and spiritual evolution as well as the hierarchical ranking of spirits according to their "degree of evolution." Umbanda teaches that everyone has a spirit that survives bodily death and goes on successive reincarnations, seeking ever higher levels of spiritual evolution. | ||
===Conception of God=== | ===Conception of God=== | ||
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===Seven Lines=== | ===Seven Lines=== | ||
The astral world is deemed to be divided into a hierarchy of seven vertical levels, the ''Sête Linhas de Umbanda'' (Seven Lines of Umbanda), although the specific identity of each line varies among Umbandistas. This seven-fold division may derive from Theosophy. Each of the Seven Lines is governed by an orixá, a highly evolved spirit who will also have an identity as a Roman Catholic [[saint]]. | The astral world is deemed to be divided into a hierarchy of seven vertical levels, the ''Sête Linhas de Umbanda'' (Seven Lines of Umbanda), although the specific identity of each line varies among Umbandistas. This seven-fold division may derive from [[Theosophy]]. Each of the Seven Lines is governed by an orixá, a highly evolved spirit who will also have an identity as a Roman Catholic [[saint]]. | ||
The underworld is also divided into Seven Lines, each of which is led by an exú spirit. Each Line is also internally divided into seven sub-lines; each of these is then divided into seven legions; these divide into seven sub-legions; these into seven falanges (phalanxes); and these into seven sub-falanges. Umbandistas often liken this cosmological structure to the organization of an army, and it may reflect the prominent role that various military figures have played in Umbanda's history. The spirits inhabiting these groups are usually arranged on the basis of regional or racial origin. | The underworld is also divided into Seven Lines, each of which is led by an exú spirit. Each Line is also internally divided into seven sub-lines; each of these is then divided into seven legions; these divide into seven sub-legions; these into seven falanges (phalanxes); and these into seven sub-falanges. Umbandistas often liken this cosmological structure to the organization of an army, and it may reflect the prominent role that various military figures have played in Umbanda's history. The spirits inhabiting these groups are usually arranged on the basis of regional or racial origin. | ||
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==Competition== | ==Competition== | ||
In response to the growth of Umbanda, Spiritism, and Pentecostalism, Brazil's dominant Roman Catholic Church mounted a campaign against these minority religions, one later formally terminated due to the changes of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. | In response to the growth of Umbanda, [[Spiritualism|Spiritism]], and Pentecostalism, Brazil's dominant Roman Catholic Church mounted a campaign against these minority religions, one later formally terminated due to the changes of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. | ||
During the 1970s, [[Candomblé]] spread from Bahia into São Paulo, where it grew rapidly, largely at the expense of Umbanda. Some Umbanda temples transformed into Candomblé temples. Conversely, Umbanda saw growth in northern Brazil during this period. The 1970s also saw the rise in attempts to "re-Africanize" Umbanda by emphasising African elements, reflecting a broader revival of interest in African cultural heritage among [[African diaspora religion|Afro-Brazilians]]. | During the 1970s, [[Candomblé]] spread from Bahia into São Paulo, where it grew rapidly, largely at the expense of Umbanda. Some Umbanda temples transformed into Candomblé temples. Conversely, Umbanda saw growth in northern Brazil during this period. The 1970s also saw the rise in attempts to "re-Africanize" Umbanda by emphasising African elements, reflecting a broader revival of interest in African cultural heritage among [[African diaspora religion|Afro-Brazilians]]. | ||